Client hardware questions
Hello all. I'm interested in setting up a HamWAN client for experimentation purposes, but have been running into issues acquiring compatible hardware. I placed an order with Streakwave for a MicroTik RB911G-5HPnD-QRT international model, but it seems to be back-ordered with no ETA. The sales rep recommended RB911G-5HPacD-QRT instead. The specs seem similar with the added benefit of 802.11ac support, but I read something on the HamWAN site indicating that the models supporting "ac" don't support the needed 5 or 10 MHz channels needed. But, then I read something else indicating that the newer QCA9892 wireless chip does in fact support 5 or 10 MHz channels for the 802.11 a/n and it might work. Can anyone confirm if RB911G-5HPacD-QRT would be OK? The other items she recommended were RBSXTsq5HPnD and RB912UAG-5HPnD. The latter appears on the HamWAN website, but it sounds like it might be overkill for my application. My house is in Marysville WA (near Lake Stevens WA). I'm not sure that I have a good line of sight from my house to Paine Field, so it's mostly for experimentation. I can see portions of the Port of Everett from my house, so I might be able to see Providence hospital a little higher up--but I don't think they have a sector there, just a client. Also, a general question about supported frequencies. The HamWAN page mentions "5.9 GHz", but when looking through the MicroTik technical specs documents for many of their models, they quote thing like: - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT-US (USA) is factory locked for 5170-5250MHz and 5725-5835MHz frequencies. This lock can not be removed. - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT (International) supports 5150MHz-5875MHz range (Specific frequency range can be limited by country regulations) Is the 5875 MHz upper limit (versus 5835 MHz) what is being referred to as "5.9 GHz"? Sorry for the long message. Regards, B.J. Guillot KI7ZDF
BJ, You are correct that Providence currently only has a client and not a sector for now. I have one of the non-mimo radios and grid antennas that you are welcome to play with if you want to experiment and test before you buy equipment. I’m out in Granite Falls so it’s pretty easy to get it to you if you are interested. Cheers, Rob From: PSDR [mailto:psdr-bounces@hamwan.org] On Behalf Of B.J. Guillot Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2018 2:51 PM To: psdr@hamwan.org Subject: [HamWAN PSDR] Client hardware questions Hello all. I'm interested in setting up a HamWAN client for experimentation purposes, but have been running into issues acquiring compatible hardware. I placed an order with Streakwave for a MicroTik RB911G-5HPnD-QRT international model, but it seems to be back-ordered with no ETA. The sales rep recommended RB911G-5HPacD-QRT instead. The specs seem similar with the added benefit of 802.11ac support, but I read something on the HamWAN site indicating that the models supporting "ac" don't support the needed 5 or 10 MHz channels needed. But, then I read something else indicating that the newer QCA9892 wireless chip does in fact support 5 or 10 MHz channels for the 802.11 a/n and it might work. Can anyone confirm if RB911G-5HPacD-QRT would be OK? The other items she recommended were RBSXTsq5HPnD and RB912UAG-5HPnD. The latter appears on the HamWAN website, but it sounds like it might be overkill for my application. My house is in Marysville WA (near Lake Stevens WA). I'm not sure that I have a good line of sight from my house to Paine Field, so it's mostly for experimentation. I can see portions of the Port of Everett from my house, so I might be able to see Providence hospital a little higher up--but I don't think they have a sector there, just a client. Also, a general question about supported frequencies. The HamWAN page mentions "5.9 GHz", but when looking through the MicroTik technical specs documents for many of their models, they quote thing like: - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT-US (USA) is factory locked for 5170-5250MHz and 5725-5835MHz frequencies. This lock can not be removed. - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT (International) supports 5150MHz-5875MHz range (Specific frequency range can be limited by country regulations) Is the 5875 MHz upper limit (versus 5835 MHz) what is being referred to as "5.9 GHz"? Sorry for the long message. Regards, B.J. Guillot KI7ZDF
On Sun, Aug 5, 2018 at 7:57 PM B.J. Guillot <bj.guillot@gmail.com> wrote:
The sales rep recommended RB911G-5HPacD-QRT instead. The specs seem similar with the added benefit of 802.11ac support, but I read something on the HamWAN site indicating that the models supporting "ac" don't support the needed 5 or 10 MHz channels needed. But, then I read something else indicating that the newer QCA9892 wireless chip does in fact support 5 or 10 MHz channels for the 802.11 a/n and it might work.
You'd think a Streakwave sales rep would be able to tell you if a modem can do 5 and 10 MHz channels. Maybe ask about this specifically? Maybe she'll go the extra mile and power one up to test it. That'll save you the trouble of ordering one and doing the same.
The other items she recommended were RBSXTsq5HPnD and RB912UAG-5HPnD. The latter appears on the HamWAN website, but it sounds like it might be overkill for my application.
Don't overestimate 5.9 GHz propagation. I don't bother with anything less than the 2 ft dish unless it's a 100-yard shot to the other end of the site. I don't think it's listed on the website yet, but you might try one of these dishes with the RB912: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B079QGF3S2/ Also, a general question about supported frequencies. The HamWAN page
mentions "5.9 GHz", but when looking through the MicroTik technical specs documents for many of their models, they quote thing like: - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT-US (USA) is factory locked for 5170-5250MHz and 5725-5835MHz frequencies. This lock can not be removed. - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT (International) supports 5150MHz-5875MHz range (Specific frequency range can be limited by country regulations)
Is the 5875 MHz upper limit (versus 5835 MHz) what is being referred to as "5.9 GHz"?
If it's listed on the website, that means someone has tested it on the HamWAN channels, 5880, 5900, and 5920 MHz. Tom KD7LXL
The DynaDish5 (INTL) has worked good for me. It's rated at 25dB and has the radio integrated in the plastic dish with no RF cables/connectors. On a head to head comparison at AE7G, the DynaDish5 performed equally with the 2' dish with sleeve, precision alignment and external radio. -Randy On Sun, Aug 5, 2018 at 9:25 PM, Tom Hayward <tom@tomh.us> wrote:
On Sun, Aug 5, 2018 at 7:57 PM B.J. Guillot <bj.guillot@gmail.com> wrote:
The sales rep recommended RB911G-5HPacD-QRT instead. The specs seem similar with the added benefit of 802.11ac support, but I read something on the HamWAN site indicating that the models supporting "ac" don't support the needed 5 or 10 MHz channels needed. But, then I read something else indicating that the newer QCA9892 wireless chip does in fact support 5 or 10 MHz channels for the 802.11 a/n and it might work.
You'd think a Streakwave sales rep would be able to tell you if a modem can do 5 and 10 MHz channels. Maybe ask about this specifically? Maybe she'll go the extra mile and power one up to test it. That'll save you the trouble of ordering one and doing the same.
The other items she recommended were RBSXTsq5HPnD and RB912UAG-5HPnD. The latter appears on the HamWAN website, but it sounds like it might be overkill for my application.
Don't overestimate 5.9 GHz propagation. I don't bother with anything less than the 2 ft dish unless it's a 100-yard shot to the other end of the site.
I don't think it's listed on the website yet, but you might try one of these dishes with the RB912: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B079QGF3S2/
Also, a general question about supported frequencies. The HamWAN page
mentions "5.9 GHz", but when looking through the MicroTik technical specs documents for many of their models, they quote thing like: - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT-US (USA) is factory locked for 5170-5250MHz and 5725-5835MHz frequencies. This lock can not be removed. - RB911G-5HPnD-QRT (International) supports 5150MHz-5875MHz range (Specific frequency range can be limited by country regulations)
Is the 5875 MHz upper limit (versus 5835 MHz) what is being referred to as "5.9 GHz"?
If it's listed on the website, that means someone has tested it on the HamWAN channels, 5880, 5900, and 5920 MHz.
Tom KD7LXL
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participants (4)
-
B.J. Guillot -
Randy Neals -
Rob Salsgiver -
Tom Hayward