Field WiFi Router
For Field Day and Emcomm we need to put up wireless networks in the field. This page is to collect info about that effort.
Requirements
- 802.11B wireless access point
- DHCP server (Brad suggests that the DHCP timeout be reset down to 5 minutes)
- Web Server with logging software for FD available (Eric suggested)
- Reliable Power for about 36 hours (30 hours minimum)
- 12V compatibility for power, compatible connectors (Anderson Powerpole) (A battery and solar panel would be nice)
- Gain Antenna sufficient to cover the typical footprint of an FD site (up to 1000 ft practical?)
- Elevate the antenna above local clutter (cars, RVs, people, so 6 to 12 feet at the base of the vertical)
- Rainproof
- Heat resistant in direct sun and 100 degree temperature
- Low center of gravity (battery on the ground holding the tripod down?)
- Low losses in the feedline (RF gear at the base of the antenna, keep feedline short?)
- Can be located as needed (away from other infrastructure to accomodate local terrain requirements)(probably a tripod arrangement)
- Possible WAN connection to cellular (this should be separate from the router so fiddling with the WAN would not affect operations)
- Possible wireless repeater configuration so that two access points could work together to provide the coverage
- Possible reliability enhancement mode where two units could provide automatic failover in case of problems
- Have four or more within the group so that two to three would be present on each Field Day or similar outing
Solutions - Examples
- EricW, trailer based located inside fiberglass trailer, powered from dual 6v golf-cart batteries, netgear unit with dc-dc converter to provide 5v power
- RichF, FdWiFiRichFall
- BradH, various
- FrankK, Junxion box w cellular interconnect
Linksys WRT54G Type Routers
These popular routers are readily available and can be reloaded with sophisticated third party software to provide more features. Some of these features are helpful in meeting our requirements better than standard routers. One example is signal strength measurements at the router. Other examples include repeater and wireless mesh support. Note that not all versions of these routers are suitable for this software, stick to WRT54GL or others that have 16/4 megs or more of memory and are listed in the compatibility charts for the firmware you plan to use. The 32/8 meg versions can possibly hold the software distribution, though this can be handled in other ways as well. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series∞ for more info.
Power
Antennas
Supports
Weather - Sun and Rain protection
Related Pages
AlanB
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