THIS WEBPAGE IS OLD AND NO LONGER VALID It is provided for historical purposes. The Year 2003 event is at 2003wirelessfieldday.

Sometime ago, CaseyHalverson proposed a Seattle Wireless Field Day 2002. As a summertime event, perhaps it can even be a barbeque event as in BBQPictures from a past Seattle Wireless event.

Contents

  1. What: Things to do at the Field Day
  2. Where: Places to set up
  3. Stuff: Equipment people can bring
    1. Portable power
    2. Wireless Networking Hardware
    3. Wireless Networking Software
    4. Other Stuff
  4. When: The first one...and repeats?
  5. How do I register?

Lots of people think it's a good idea, but we're still figuring out what, where, and when. Discussion is on both dev@ and talk@ lists.

I have started keeping a "weblog" of WirelessFieldDay in an easy-to-read format for those who don't want to wade through all of the planning below. Check out this link: http://www.caseyhalverson.com/fieldday/

What: Things to do at the Field Day

Where: Places to set up

Probably set up at two or three locations around Seattle. Public parks are convenient. If we are adjacent to a lake, we can try some long-distance LineOfSight tests across water. For EmergencyResponse reasons, we should consider trial connections to hospitals and emergency management centers.

Proposed network diagram for 3 sites (50k jpg)

proposed routing table, IP assignments, locations, etc. at FieldDayConfiguration

LOS Verified, Runner-Up Locations:

Suggested locations:

LOS possibilities:

ChuckSimmons says -- Let's try a Cross Sound link. Across lake Washington would be my second choice. Something like the University to Factoria. Across lake union is too easy.

EricSchmiedl says -- Cross Sound would be too hard, and I doubt we have the hardware necessary. Cross-Lake-Washington seems like a better idea- especially since I can see the You Dub from my roof and can set up any antennas necessary, on a relatively stable (tripod) mounting.

Should we aim for utility power at any of the sites?

Would it be nice if one of the sites could be wirelessly hooked up to a nearby dsl connection?

Perhaps it would be best to have 2 locations with LOS between them. Location A at someone's house so that we have power. Location B at a park so we have room to set stuff up, play frizbee, volleyball, croquet and BBQ.

We are going to need a permit. Officially calling the field day a picnic is the only way to avoid bonding/insurance issues.

Stuff: Equipment people can bring

This is a bit outdated now -- please go to the JuneFieldDayRegistration (even though its not going to take place in June ;) and fill in the new bottom tables. That way we know what hardware is going where, and can allocate additional supplies if needed.

Portable power

EricJohanson has a 300watt inverter, that can power a number of notebooks & few PCs (monitors may be trouble). If we need setups that can't be close to an auto with a battery, We may have to borrow two large 6volt gel-cell battieries from Pablos, if he's keen on that...

RichardLotz has a 150w inverter good w/ two ungrounded plugs and could maybe dredge up some used deep cycle marine batteries. I would like to try to engineer a nice self contained node (for emergency or remote use) that would run off a few batteries charged via, solar, wind, hyrdo etc.

CaseyHalverson has a 150w inverter and 120 amp hour deep cycle battery. More can be obtained for $50/unit from the local Walmart. 120 amp hour and 160 amp hour batteries can run our equipment for a long time.

LucasForschler has a 300w inverter, and an off-road capable vehicle for the mountain trip. I could also get a couple of laptops.

StartideRising can bring a 300W inverter and one of those small portable battery packs you get from Sam's Club (which seem to be around 18 Amp Hours (not much)).

* Anyone have a generator?

B. Hiley: Says yes I have Generator, DC Inverters, 2.4GHz Amplifiers, Lots or antennas and more. I would like to handle St. Edward State Park or maybe Denny Beach. I have 2 - 24DBi, 1 - 26DBi, 1 - 16DBi Sectorized, 1 - 14DBi Patch, 1 8DBi Mobile, CDPD Wireless Modem, 8 - Orinoco Silver PC Cards, GPS, Digital Cameras, Laptops, Hubs, Routers, lots of cables and more.... Ready to play! Email: bhiley@hiweb.net

Wireless Networking Hardware

CaseyHalverson: 2 14DBi YDI outdoor amplifier units, 13-14dBi panel antenna, 8dBi omni, laptop, CDPD wireless IP modem, 2x VoipBlaster 's, Soekris dual PCMCIA computer/router, 2 pigtails, 2 meter ham radio, GPS, etc.

JustinHuff: 1 24dBi parabolic grid, 1 13.5 dBi yagi, 1 8.5dBi patch with orinoco connector, 1 12dBi 90deg sector, 1 6dBi omni, 1 pigtail, GRPS data via AT&T

EricSchmiedl: 1 15dBi parabolic grid, 1 14dBi yagi, 1 pigtail, 1 Lucent, GPS, 2 tripods, at least 1 laptop, ham radio, possibly 1 or 2 6dBi amplifiers (from kit).

More hardware needs to be offered in order to make this a success. You can be present with your equipment (and install it) if you wish. Everything will be returned by the end of the day. How about a list of hardware that would be useful, I'll start, please add: * laptops * wireless cards * antennas and pigtails * tripods, sawhorses, straps and other stuff to mount antennas * Access Points * Anyones attempts to build PassiveRepeater s

Wireless Networking Software

CaseyHalverson: TopoUSA 3D map software EricSchmiedl: Nat'l Geographic TOPO! software w/ some 3D capabilities

Other Stuff

BrettWagner: Firewire miniDV cam and firewire capable laptop...

Can't hurt to have a few hubs and a bunch of Cat5Cable on hand.

ChuckHarrison: I've got a 4-port minihub that should run off a battery.

Chairs, tables

Digital camera / digital video camera

Extension cords

When: The first one...and repeats?

No set date/time just yet. To prevent future confusion, please do not suggest dates. Obtaining two parks for a wireless picnic has proven to be very difficult during a seattle summer.

Seattle's park office has been helping us hammer out a date.

How do I register?

Registration is simple and free. Simply add yourself to the JuneFieldDayRegistration wiki or email: casey.halverson @ infospace.com

WirelessFieldDay (last edited 2008-04-13 16:34:19 by localhost)