So you just discovered HSMM-MESH™ and may be wondering what is going on. HSMM-MESH is the self configuring ham network.

Lets start with some basic concepts. We will be expanding this page so check back from time to time.

• Mesh nodes were originally consumer wireless routers but changed function when the firmware was changed
• After conversion, the WAN, LAN and Wi-Fi ports are linked using special rules and no longer operate like a normal wireless router
  
• Mesh nodes are self discovering, self configuring, self advertising and fault tolerant
• Mesh nodes are a data network without the wires. Most tasks that you can do over a wired network will work on a mesh node
  
• Mesh nodes are small, portable, low-power and inexpensive. They are easily battery powered
• Mesh nodes can easily have a range of 10 miles or more using stock power and gain antennas if you have true line of sight
  
• Mesh nodes communicate with other nodes over Wi-Fi frequencies and only talk to other mesh nodes on the wireless port
  
• You can't use Wi-Fi to connect to a mesh node from your computer, netbook, smart phone or other wireless device
• Computers connect to mesh nodes with an Ethernet cable and control them using a web browser
• Mesh nodes use peer to peer connections. This means many to many, not the star configuration where all users connect to the AP
  
• Peer to peer connections share the same SSID (network name) That name is HSMM-MESH.
  
• If you change the SSID, spell it wrong or change the punctuation, the mesh is broken. It must be exactly the same for all nodes
  
• Mesh nodes operate on channel 1. Channels 1-6 of the 802.11B/G wireless band are completely within the 2.4ghz ham band
• Mesh nodes on channels 1-6 use FCC part 97 rules instead of part 15. This allows big antennas, more power, other changes
  
• Mesh nodes talk to other nodes using RF (Wi-Fi), to the Internet over the WAN port and to computers and devices using the LAN ports
  
• Mesh nodes will create a network just by turning several of them on. They create high-speed data networks in minutes
• Mesh nodes don't need any computer to be attached to pass data to other mesh nodes. Just plug one in, it will expand the mesh
  
• Data is data. It can be IP Video, VOIP, LAN traffic between computers, clients to a web server/FTP/NAS/printer, hop to the Internet, etc
  
• IP addresses exist but you interact with mesh nodes by using their name. The names can be tactical but your ham call is still beaconed
  
• Any mesh node within wireless range automatically joins the existing mesh and exchanges available routes with all others
• As signals grow stronger and fade, nodes join and leave the mesh. It can happen many times as you drive around
• Your path between any two mesh nodes may be single or multiple hop and can/will change with no notice or impact to you
• A single node joining your mesh may add many other nodes if it can reach each of the two groups of mesh nodes
  
• Mesh node owners from different parts of the country will join any existing mesh just by coming withing range if it
  
• After initial conversion and setting the node name and password, no further changes are needed to connect with other nodes
  
• Computer resources on your mesh node can be shared with others on the mesh. These are Advertised Services
• Your mesh node can see and use advertised services on other nodes by just clicking on them in your web browser
  
• If one mesh node has it's WAN port plugged into an Internet feed, and a config change, it can provide Internet to all mesh members
• Firmware upgrades and patching are done from an internal menu (Internet or local copy of the upgrade is required)
• Mesh nodes can be remotely managed and the firmware or patch level upgraded by any user with the password for that node
  
• Users on other parts of the mesh may view either mesh nodes or all wireless devices visible to that specific node
• Mesh nodes have several modes of operation and can change roles as you dictate
• Having spare mesh nodes means you can deploy them for each of several roles, such as putting up a local AP for served agencies
• Several mesh nodes + one experienced ham operator = a portable, quick deployment, swiss army knife of network services
  

Several things are important as basic knowledge. Please read the General Disclaimer and the HSMM-MESH Design Philosophy for adequate background on how this firmware changes your previous wireless router.

Which hardware can you use to make a mesh node

• Hardware guide to print as you look over used devices.

Converting an existing wireless router by loading our firmware

• See the PDF or Powerpoint presentation on how to install firmware
  

Operating your mesh node on the network

• This section under construction

Choosing antennas and connecting them

• This section under construction