Introduction to HSMM

1
Introduction to HSMM

• John Beadles N5OOM
• North Texas Microwave Society
• January 26, 2005

2
Expectations for this presentation

• This presentation will tell you (briefly) what
  HSMM is and what you can do with it
• Mostly we will discuss some parts of HSMM that it
  is important for you to know so you can get
  started
• There is a lot of material here and we may not
  finish
• If we dont finish, or if you can not make it to
  other presentations in this series, you can
  download them from http//www.n5oom.org/hsmm/

3
What the heck is HSMM?

• HSMM, or High Speed Multimedia, is the name of an
  ARRL sponsored technical project to introduce
  high speed data radio (56 kbps higher) to
  amateur radio.
• HSMM generally provides a link for standard
  internet protocols. Regular applications such as
  web, ftp, email and other applications can run
  over it without modification.
• The popular license free 802.11a/b/g services
  operate on bands that overlap amateur frequency
  allocations, giving us cheap hardware that can be
  used in in part 97 operation but with
  complications.
• HSMM is intended more for operational networks
  rather than contesting, though distance contests
  are common. Persons interested more in
  experimentation will have plenty of room for fun.

4
Is it Ham Radio?

• Were connecting ham stations
• We are using radios
• We are using the ham bands
• We are pushing traffic of interest to hams

So yes, it is.
5
Why do it?

• We need it
• Amateur radio continues to develop more internet
  compatible services
• IRLP, Echolink, Winlink, APRS
• We need to emplace those systems where it makes
  sense from an engineering standpoint, not where
  internet connections are available
• This lets us put internet connections where the
  radio equipment should be
• It is good for us
• It helps us sharpen our technical skills on
  current subjects
• It lets us provide more, better, faster services
• Technology marches on
• Widely available, broadband data will become even
  more engrained in everyday life
• 802.16, data delivered by cell phone
• Attractions for new hams decrease if the things
  we can do are more restrictive than what is
  commonly available to the consumer
• HSMM is in its infancy
• But the technology is common in commercial use
• We are behind in this area.

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ARRL HSMM Working Group

• HSMM development is being sponsored by the ARRL
  HSMM Working Group
• Instituted in January 2001 by ARRL BoD
• Dr. John Champa, K8OCL, Chairman
• Several sub-projects
• HSMM-HF Project (ODFM on 25KHz of spectrum,
  70kbps)
• Bi-Directional Amplifier Project
• ODFM Modem project
• Misc member projects
• For more information
• Website http//www.arrl.org/hsmm/
• eMail List http//listserv.tamu.edu/archives/arrl
  -80211b.html

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The HSMM WG focus

• ARRL Guidance
• Frequency allocations
• Modulation regulations
• Power limits
• Band Plans
• Encryption / Security
• Technology Development
• High data rate modulations in various frequency
  bands
• Network Security

• Operating Practice
• Identification
• IP assignment (v4 and v6)
• Installation
• Network design
• Network protection
• Hardware
• Radios
• Antennas
• Power Amplifiers
• Transverters
• Power over Ethernet

8
Local Organizations

• Michigan
• Livingston County Hinternet Org
• http//www.hsmm.us/
• Oakland County HSMM Org
• http//www.qsl.net/ab8ln/
• Texas
• North Texas Microwave Society HSMM WG (D/FW)
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/ntms-hsmm/
• San Antonio, TX ARRL 802.11 org
• http//home.satx.rr.com/wdubose/
• Others
• Peel Amateur Radio Club, Brampton Ontario
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/parc_hsmm/
• Mankato Area Radio Club, Minnesota
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/MARC-HSMM/
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/MARC_HSMM/
• Central Florida High Speed Digital Networks
  Multimedia Group
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/cfhsmm/

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How does HSMM work

• HSMM is generally intended to connect computer
  networks
• But not always
• Uses packet techniques
• Standard TCP/IP is prevalent
• Can use larger than normal bandwidths
• up to 25 MHz
• Down to 10 KHz
• Uses various modulation schemes
• ODFM
• BPSK
• QPSK
• Etc
• Equipment can often dynamically switch
  modulations to get the lowest bit error rate rate
  for current conditions
• To get the wide bandwidths necessary, HSMM
  equipment often operates in the UHF and above
  bands.
• QRP operation is typical, with xmit powers from
  20mw and higher

10
Relevant FCC Rules

• 97.301 Authorized frequency bands
• 97.305 Authorized emission types
• SS, data on all bands 70cm and higher
• 97.331 SS emission types
• 100W max tx pwr
• Must use automatic power control if over 1W

11
FCC Rules Changes

• FCC NPRM 04-79
• Notes that previous rules were adopted in 1985,
  no negative effects noted since that time
• would permit spread spectrum operations in 1.25m
  band
• Request for comments for permitting SS operation
  in 2m, 6m bands

12
So what can we do with it?

• We can connect up existing amateur digital
  services
• Connect existing Echolink, IRLP, APRS, Winlink
  nodes
• Put those nodes where RF coverage is best, not
  just where internet service is available
• Provide geographical redundancy in the event of a
  land line internet failure
• Let clubs, operators share the cost of an
  internet connection
• Also, to an extent, we can provide internet
  connections to remote locations where land lines
  do not exist
• Space Shuttle recovery event
• Field Day
• Special events
• 2mi - 5mi hops easy, 15mi - 20mi hops possible
• Terrain dependent

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What cant we do with it?

• What we cannot do is cover large areas with high
  speed internet service
• Hardware on Ham-specific freqs either does not
  exist or is very expensive
• Commercial equipment is jammed with part 15
  users, creating a massive interference situation
• We did a survey from a 16 story bldg, sweeping
  the area from the ground to the horizon in a 360
  degree circle
• We saw 300 part 15 access points
• 802.11a/b/g equipment isnt designed for it
• It can only support about 20 users per node
• Possibly less for cheap equipment
• At some point in the indefinite future we might
  have mobile access to high speed internet over
  large areas, but not yet.
• Well use 802.11a/b/g gear to get practice
• We can swap over to ham specific gear as it
  becomes available.
• There is some cheap commercial 900MHz gear that
  looks promising

14
Possible Club Uses
15
Example of a Wide Area Digital Network
Collin County
Denton County
Such a network would provide a high probability
of reliable internet to ham nodes in the event
of a localized failure in the public internet.
Dallas County
Tarrent County
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Fixed Location Installation
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Emergency Deployment Access Point
Access Point for Local Distribution
Equipment in weatherproof boxes
Bridge to an internet connection
Power run up the Ethernet cable
DSL Router
Computer configured as an EMCOMM Server

• Net Controls
• Served Agency Liasons
• Weather Liasons
• Health Welfare Liasons

18
Ham Equipment

• Generally available ham equipment is limited
• Icom D-STAR
• Runs on 1.2 GHZ, combines FM voice and 128kb data
• Requires separate, proprietary analog and digital
  repeaters
• System of components including mobile radio,
  voice and data repeaters and a 10GHz backhaul
  radio
• Mobile has ethernet, USB connections
• Pricey!
• http//www.icomamerica.com/amateur/dstar/
• Icom IC-2200
• 2m mobile radio
• Optional modules provides 4.8kb data
• Data connection type unknown serial port?
• Price in the 200 range not including digital
  option
• Custom stuff?

19
Consumer Equipment

• Some consumer / commercial equipment can be
  pressed into service as ham HSMM gear,
  particularly 802.11x gear
• 802.11 is an IEEE standard for wireless data
  networking
• 802.11 runs in 2.4 GHz provides up to 2mbps
• 802.11b runs in 2.4 GHz, provides up to 11mbps
• 802.11g runs in 2.4 GHz, provides up to 54mbps
• 802.11a runs in 5 GHz, provides up to 54mbps
• The speed difference is based on modulation
• Consumer 802.11 equipment runs under FCC part 15
  rules for license free operation
• But the part 15 freq allocations overlap ham
  allocations
• Most newer 801.11x radios are backward compatible
  (within the same frequency band)
• Proprietary connectors (Reverse Polarity N, TNC,
  SMA, MC, MMCX) per FCC requirement

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Common Consumer Eqpt

• Cheap Stuff
• Linksys WRT54G
• Around 50 - 70
• Solid 3rd party firmware
• Can add serial ports!
• Good for hacking
• Senao Enginus
• Around 120
• High xmit pwer (200mw)
• Better receive sensitivity
• Some with POE built in
• DLink (various)
• Some power, PoE hacks
• Some software hacks

• Expensive Stuff
• Orinoco APs
• AP1000, etc
• Wide range of associated products, antenna
• 150 up
• Cisco, others

21
Packaged Consumer Eqpt
Ive packaged for field use with flexible antenna
mounting options and power over ethernet
Randy Dunning, KC5QHH has his WRT54G packaged
for rapid deployment
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2.4 GHz (802.11b/g)

• 11 overlapping 802.11b/g channels
• 11 MHz wide each, 5 MHz spacing

• 802.11b channels 1-6 overlap amateur allocations
• AMSAT requests not to use ch 1 due to sat
  interference

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5 GHz (802.11a)

• 12 non-overlapping 802.11a channels
• 20 MHz wide each
• 3 sets of 4 channels
• 4x40mw ch for indoor
• 4x200mw ch for indoor, outdoor
• 4x800mw ch for outdoor
• Power specified at the IR
• More bandwidth requested

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So what needs doing?

• Nationally
• Policy
• General participation!
• Hardware
• Data modem / radios
• Bi-directional power amplifiers
• Transverters
• Test equipment
• Antennas
• Software
• Network monitoring tools
• Ham specific messaging applications
• Operating Practice
• Long distance bridging
• Redundant routing
• Outdoor packaging
• Procedure documents
• Area coordination planning

• Locally
• Participation
• Get on the NTMS-HSMM list
• Participate in field experiments
• Build and deploy equipment
• Networking details

25
Network Planning with Radio Mobile
Needs Need a user doc describing how to use RM
for HSMM design. Also need a library of antenna
patterns and equipment power / receive
sensitivity Also need a good way to incorporate
terrain obstacles
26
04 Mentorfest
Internet feed from local JDS Computers to
Betcha Bingo where Mentorfest was held
Ken KD5ZXG
KD5WIH
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05 Wild Ride Route Map
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Start / Stop Area
Eisemann Center City supplied internet feed
Start / Stop in MCI Parking Lot
Photos taken from the roof of the 16 story Nortel
bldg
KD5OUG
High 802.11b/g environment! Many company and
city APs in this area.
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Start/Stop - Network
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Start / Stop Bridge
N5OOM
24dB Grid at top of shield wall
Panel in doorway
N5OOM
31
Start / Finish Publicity Trailer
Irving ARC trailer at the Start / Finish. The
trailer provided promotional material to the
riders. A somewhat problematic Internet access
was made through the NT5NT bridges.
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Start / Finish Net Control
Stan Liljekvist K5SRL runs the net while John
Galvin N5TIM runs APRS.
The Dallas ARC van provided net control for the
event. Irving ARC trailer at the Start / Finish.
A net connection was made direct to the internet
feed at the Eisemann Center in the background.
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Rest Stop 1
RS1 Webcam
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Rest stop 2 - Network
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Rest Stop Bridge
Camera at 15 ft
HSMM Feed To RS 2
N5OOM
Feed from Internet Provider
RS2 Webcam
KD5YVL
N5OOM
36
Rest Stop 2
To the Tower
RS2 Webcam
Uploaded Stills
Mobile webcam from Com 2
N5OOM
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Rest Stop 3 - Network
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Rest Stop 3 Internet Feed
N5OOM
KD5OUG
Dave K5EEN, Doug KD5OUG and Mike K5MTF ready a
WRT54G in a 14dB Rootenna
Thanks to the McKinney Amateur Radio Club for the
loan of their 35ft tower
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Rest Stop 3 Bridge
Battery powered ethernet switch and power over
ethernet injector feeds both bridge stations.
13.8v batter fed the east facing station through
325 ft of ethernet cable.
Station facing K5EEN (.75 miles WSW)
Station facing K5MTF (1500 ft E)
Photos by N5OOM
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Rest Stop 3
N5OOM
K5MTF puts the finishing touches on his station
while Dave K5EEN watches
Mike K5MTF in operation
RS3 Webcam
K5MTF
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Rest Stop 4 - Photos
RS4 Webcam
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Vendors

• Fleeman, Anderson Bird
• http//www.fab-corp.com/
• Owned by hams in Florida
• Demarc Technology Group
• http//www.demarctech.com/
• Jefa Tech
• http//www.jefatech.com/
• Pacific Wireless
• http//www.pacwireless.com/
• RooTenna!
• RF Cables, Inc.
• http//allrfcables.com/
• Good cable prices!
• HyperLink Technologies
• http//www.hyperlinktech.com/
• 100 min order
• Microcom
• http//store.microcom.us/
• 100 min order

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Information Resources

• ARRL HSMM Group
• The group that started this mess
• http//www.arrl.org/hsmm/
• http//listserv.tamu.edu/archives/arrl-80211b.html
  
• NTMS HSMM email list
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/ntms-hsmm/
• HAMCOM HSMM Presentations
• http//www.n5oom.org/hsmm/
• Seattle Wireless
• Large equipment reference list
• http//www.seattlewireless.net/\
• OReilly Books
• Standard books on 802.11x networking, security
• http//www.oreilly.com/
• eBay
• Lots of cheap networking gear and antennas
  (search on WiFi)
• http//www.ebay.com
• Fleeman, Anderson and Bird
• Ham 802.11x suppliers (state HSMM for
  discount!)

44
Useful OReilly Books
These two books will get you up to speed on
wireless networking (available from the ARRL
catalog or your local bookstore)
And coming soon to the the ARRL Library