Region 2 node frequencies

[Charles Webb]

I see there are three gateways in North America, mine and two others.  I've set my first up on 915 MHz.  Any thoughts on a common frequency on either 33 or 70 cm, both?

[James Coxon]

Hi Charles,

In the US I'd assume 915Mhz was the best option. If i remember correctly to use 70cm (in Region 2) you'd need a amateur radio licence which is a bit of a shame as it does slightly restrict use. With the current focus on using RFM69 radio modules the 868 and 915 modules function identically so would only need a software change so any nodes could be made to work in Region 1 or 2.

That said UKHASnet is only a protocol so could be used on any frequency - perhaps we should assign a 70cm freq anyway just so there is an agreement. If perhaps airborne was better on 70cm then we could develop bridge nodes (a 434 RFM69 and a 868/915 RFM69 which could then be used to connect the local ground network to the airborne node?)

What do others feel? Would be good to have a discussion about this.

James

http://jamescoxon.net

On 28 September 2016 at 22:16, Charles Webb <cewe...@gmail.com> wrote:

I see there are three gateways in North America, mine and two others.  I've set my first up on 915 MHz.  Any thoughts on a common frequency on either 33 or 70 cm, both?

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[Charles Webb - SnkMtn]

Well hello,

I personally prefer 33cm.  It is a quiet band. One benefit would be a balloon that cross the Atlantic could switch between 868 and 915 and stay compliant in both regions..  

70cm is indeed ISM here in Region 2 though I stay clear of the restrictions ( < 430 MHz) near the Canadian border as I may be in that zone.  I want to remain a good southern neighbor.  Hard to read that map with the thick generalized boundary line. I did get my amateur license and took the time to ask on the ARRL forums.  Their reply was I could operate as either amateur under FCC Part 97 or low power hobbyist under Part 15.  BTW I've yet to make an amateur contact.

I'll stay with 915 for now.  I am curious what frequency the other two node here are operating on. 

On Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 1:43:30 AM UTC-4, James Coxon wrote:

Hi Charles,

In the US I'd assume 915Mhz was the best option. If i remember correctly to use 70cm (in Region 2) you'd need a amateur radio licence which is a bit of a shame as it does slightly restrict use. With the current focus on using RFM69 radio modules the 868 and 915 modules function identically so would only need a software change so any nodes could be made to work in Region 1 or 2.

That said UKHASnet is only a protocol so could be used on any frequency - perhaps we should assign a 70cm freq anyway just so there is an agreement. If perhaps airborne was better on 70cm then we could develop bridge nodes (a 434 RFM69 and a 868/915 RFM69 which could then be used to connect the local ground network to the airborne node?)

What do others feel? Would be good to have a discussion about this.

James

http://jamescoxon.net

On 28 September 2016 at 22:16, Charles Webb <cewe...@gmail.com> wrote:

I see there are three gateways in North America, mine and two others.  I've set my first up on 915 MHz.  Any thoughts on a common frequency on either 33 or 70 cm, both?

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You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "UKHASnet" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ukhasnet+u...@googlegroups.com.

[Steve Burg]

Hello Charles!

I have the nodes you see in Ohio. I have them on 433 mhz currently. I do have an amateur license so that's covered to some degree. I am using them under the premise that they are ISM and shouldn't require a license, but I am open to re-education in that regard. 

As for the intended use of ukhasnet nodes, I don't think there's anyone launching balloons with the proper hardware to make them useful. I also haven't seen much in the way of payloads that would fit the cheap/throwaway designation that would make this fun. Again, I'm always open to re-education. ;)

Steve

[Charles Webb - SnkMtn]

Hello Steve,

I am a Ham noob.  About that I would like to contact you directly if you are ok with that.

I like 915 MHz as it is dead here in the Champlain valley.  Sounds dead in the world of Hams with little commercial hardware support.  No treading on toes.  I use SDR dongles and am playing with antenna designs and very small, light, "fire and forget" cheap balloons and hardware, and need to recover high performance model rockets ($$).  From the little I now know, going to 70 cm increases gain by 4x due to the increased antenna size!

3x balloon launches with Feld Hell for the protocol so far.  Dumb, "hey I'm here" messages for tracking.  11 grams.  Next step adding BMP180.

Hope to get a simplified GPS/atmega328/rfm69 unkas protocol mobile node going now that the weather is turning.