[HamWAN PSDR] Mobile HamWAN Configuration

[Kyle Burgess]

I am in the process of building a mobile communication rig and would like
to add the ability to connect to the HamWAN network if the need arises.
The stationary setup at my house has been quite stable with the MikroTik
Metal 5SHPn radio paired with the ARC 2 ft dish antenna with an average
signal strength around -59 dBm.  However, for my mobile rig, I would like
to avoid the need to align a directional antenna each time I want to use
it, if at all possible.

I'm curious if anyone here has experimented with an omni-directional
configuration.  I know the quality of the link would not be nearly as good
as a directional one.  But, would it still be usable?  If it could support
a data rate around 2 Mbps, that would be more than plenty.  The mobile rig
will be outfitted with a pneumatic mast that can extend 42 feet.  I would
plan on mounting the antenna to the top of the mast to assure line-of-sight
into an available cell site.

If a single omni-directional antenna wouldn't be able to provide, what
other options should I look at?  I had an additional thought of using
sector antennas; however, I have no experience with them.  Could 3 120
degree sector antennas be arranged in a cell-like configuration to provide
better omni-directional coverage with a single radio?  I already have a
spare Metal 5SHPn, which would be ideal to utilize if possible.

I am currently in the planning stages, so any thoughts or ideas you might
have on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Kyle Burgess
KD7IYT
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail.hamwan.net/pipermail/psdr/attachments/20161229/af70153d/attachment.html>