====== Patrick (VA7FI)  ======
The goal is for my computers and IP phone((One of these computers is a cheap laptop that I use as a [[/services/linuxserver/ |Linux Server]] to host different [[services/]] on AREDN.)) to connect to other AREDN nodes.  Currently, I achieve this via two different paths:
  - via internet tunnels to VA7DXX, VA7ULD, and VE7RBE (which is not really ham radio), and
  - via the 5.8 GHz band to one of the Mount Benson nodes on Vancouver Island.

My system also runs off of 12 V batteries so it (and my internet connection) continues to work during power outages.  To easily connect different equipment in different ways, I created a "patch panel" using ethernet female-female connectors:

{{hap.jpg?500}} {{aredn_v3.png?500}}

In the default configuration, everything is connected to the hAP.  But I can very quickly connect my Winlink computer or the phone directly to the dishes to ensure I'm using RF.




===== July 1, 2021 =====
I installed a [[https://www.amazon.com/MikroTik-Wireless-Satellite-Antennas-RBLDF-5nD-US/dp/B072LQMD7N|Mikrotik LDF-5]] (the ''n'' model, <fc #ff0000>not</fc> the ''ac'' model) on a used TELUS satellite TV dish.
  * The first task was to mount the LDF-5 to the dish roughly where the old receiver was.  Unfortunately, the arm and the LDF-5 mounting bracket were both a bit too short so the LDF-5 was too close to the dish, and it was too low: \\ {{tooshort.gif}} \\ {{1original.png?400}} {{2tooshort.png?400}}

  * So I bolted a second arm on top of the first to raise the LDF-5 and move it a bit further away: \\ {{good.gif}} \\ {{1original.png?400}} {{3good.png?400}}

  * Initially, the dish was mounted on a post with a 45° angle, but after field testing it, it was found to be a bit much (an angle of 20° would be ideal, but I used a vertical post later). \\ {{ready1.png?410|}} {{ready2.png?400|}} \\ {{ready3.png?810}}


===== July 4, 2021 Test  =====
A few days later, Chris (VE7TOP) and I made a successful connection on 5.860 GHz (Ch. 172) between Nanaimo (49.227263, -123.975836) and Roberts Creek (49.45465, -123.64199): a distance of 35 km.
{{  googlemap.png  }}
{{  path.jpg  }}

  * Here's my setup and the view from the dish.  The red circle marks the spot where Chris is.  The [[https://elkantennas.com/product/dual-band-2m440l5-log-periodic-antenna/ |log periodic]] was so Chris and I could talk on VHF to perform the adjustments. \\ {{setup.png?800}} \\ {{view.png?800}}

  * Here are my settings: \\ {{screenshot01.png?800|}}

  * For the first test, Chris used a dish (FIXME: add details).  After adjusting the dish's directions and elevations, the best signal strength I received was above -60dBm (which is pretty impressive!) with an SNR of over 35dB: \\ {{screenshot02.png?800|}} \\ {{screenshot03.png?800|}} \\ {{screenshot04.png?800|}}

  * For the second test, Chris switched to a 120° sector antenna (FIXME: add details).  Here, the best signal strength I received was a bit above 80dBm with with an SNR of about 17dB: \\ {{screenshot05.png?800|}} \\ {{screenshot06.png?800|}} \\ {{screenshot07.png?800|}}

These two tests show that it is possible to establish a connection between Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast.  The 120° sector antenna might be pushing it a little bit, but a 60° sector antenna would be enough to cover Gibsons through Halfmoon Bay and would offer an additional 4dB of gain over the 120° sector antenna.
{{  model01.png  }}


===== Aug 1, 2021 =====
Today, I managed to install my AREDN dish up the tree, run the CAT5 to the house, and connect it to the hAP.  I started working at 7:45 this morning and finished around 5pm (after climbing up and down three times).

I aimed the dish roughly towards Mount Benson (222°), but unfortunately, I didn't manage to make a connection to the node there.

{{img_20210802_100836.png?265}}
{{img_20210801_151553.png?265}}
{{img_20210801_163935.png?265}}


===== Oct 31, 2021 =====
Yesterday, the folks on the Island went back to Mount Benson and adjusted the tilt on their antennas.  After the adjustment, I started getting an intermittent signal.  So today, I went back up the tree and used that signal to fine-tune the adjustment of my dish and managed to squeeze an extra 5-10 dB!  Here's a graph of the signal before, during, and after the adjustment:
{{ va7fi.png?800 }} 

Unfortunately, it looks like I can hear the Mount Benson node 6-7 dB more strongly than it can hear me.  I'm transmitting at 25 dBm.  The equipment on mount Benson can transmit at 27 dBm.((25 dBm = 10<sup>2.5</sup> mW ≈ 320 mW \\ 27 dBm = 10<sup>2.7</sup> mW ≈ 500 mW))
{{ va7fi-ve7na-8.png?800 }} 

Here's the status report pages for both nodes.  It looks like I might be able to reach 1.6 Mbps, which is pretty impressive compared to VHF packet, but still pretty slow compared to the other stations.
{{ va7fi-ve7na-8b.png?800 }} 

===== Sept 29, 2022 =====
This afternoon, Chris (VE7TOP), Devan (VE7LSE) and ran a few tests with a 60° sector antenna in Nanaimo and an LHG dish in Roberts Creek:
{{  rcpier.jpeg  }}

The results were very promising:

<WRAP group>
<WRAP half column>
The sector antenna was at 24 dB SNR:
{{ sector.png }}
</WRAP>

<WRAP half column>
While point-to-point with another dish was 38 dB SNR:
{{ dish.png }}
</WRAP>
</WRAP>

While I was there, I scanned the portion of the Island that I could see for other signals and was incredibly surprised that I could connect to a few other stations.  From south to north:

<WRAP group>
**VA7ASI-Erskine-ASI**
{{ VA7ASI-Erskine-ASI.png?500}}
  * Ch: 140
  * Bearing: 217°
  * SNR: 42 dB :-O :!: :!:
</WRAP>

<WRAP group>
**VA7ASI-SectorNorth**
{{ VA7ASI-SectorNorth.png?500}}
  * Ch: 133
  * Bearing: 219°
  * SNR: 14 dB
</WRAP>

<WRAP group>
**VA7ASI-Belcher-Woodley-Link**
{{  VA7ASI-Belcher-Woodley-Link.png?500}}
  * Ch: 135
  * Bearing: 219°
  * SNR: 13 dB
</WRAP>

<WRAP group>
**VE7NA-MT-BENSON-SE**
{{ VE7NA-MT-BENSON-SE.png?500}}
  * Ch: 172
  * Bearing: 238°
  * SNR: 21 dB
</WRAP>

<WRAP group>
**VE7TOP-RBLHD5HPND2**
{{ VE7TOP-RBLHD5HPND2.png?500}}
  * Ch: 133
  * Bearing: 243°
  * SNR: 12 dB
</WRAP>

Big thanks to Chris and Devan for their time and patience! =)

Next test will be when the sector antenna is installed at Lost Lake.  To be continued...

==== Footnote ====
{{  va7asi_path.png}}
Using the coordinates for [[aredn>http://va7asi-erskine-asi.local.mesh |VA7ASI-Erskine-ASI]] and [[aredn>http://va7asi-fernwood-erskine.local.mesh|VA7ASI-Fernwood-Erskine]], I can now see why I got such a good signal from the dish that's pointed north.