Assignment Overview
You will be simulating a deployment to a typical field location such as a shelter, school, fire station, neighborhood CERT command post, or other location. Your assignment will be to set up a communications station and send/receive several messages. If you don't have WiFi/Mesh equipment, you can use one of the pre-configured stations that will be available. You will receive a detailed assignment briefing when you check-in at the WiFi area.
Schedule
There is no fixed schedule for the WiFi assignment. If you are also participating in a Net Control assignment, you need to manage your own time to ensure that you make your Net Control assignment on time.
Station Equipment Configuration
You can determine how simple or complex you want to make your station. Some examples:
- Minimum Setup
- The minimum equipment you need is a computer with an Ethernet interface and at least a 5 foot long Ethernet cable.
- You will want some sort of sun shade so you can see the screen
- You will need an FTP client. You can use the command line or whatever client is part of your computer's operating system. Filezilla (https://filezilla-project.org) is an excellent client and is available for multiple platforms.
- You will also need a Telnet client to connect to the W5XSC BBS. If you have Outpost installed already, that will work well. Otherwise, you can use any Telnet client you wish. (Hint: Outpost is MUCH easier!)
- There will be a few pre-configured mesh nodes and VoIP phones available for those who wish to participate in the assignment but do not yet have their own WiFi equipment.
- The use of these stations is on a first-come, first-served basis and there has been a wait in the past. So if you have your own gear, please bring it.
- Typical Setup
- All equipment in the "Minimum Setup", plus:
- Mesh node (such as LinkSys or Ubiquiti)
- You must be using at least version 3.0.0 of the Broadband Hamnet software
- You can use 2.4 GHz or a 5 GHz node. The drill network will be on both bands.
- VoIP phone
- If you don't have a VoIP phone, you can borrow one during the drill
- Sufficient battery power (see Go Kit recommendations)
- Card table and folding chair
- Sign indicating radio communications
- Safety equipment (something to keep people from tripping over your cables, antenna tripod, or other gear)
- Complex Setup
- All equipment in the "Typical Setup", plus:
- Printer
- Sufficient battery power (see Go Kit recommendations)
- Pop-up shelter, table, chairs
- Generator and DC power supply (a fire extenguisher is also required if you bring a generator)
- Some type of rolling cart to help you move your equipment from your car to the field location
- Refreshments for folks who stop by to see what you're doing!
In all cases, you'll need at least the minimum equipment required for the drill, which includes the standard forms. (See the main drill page for a list of minimum equipment.)
Some things to keep in mind:
- You can make your setup as complicated as you want
- You can connect as many nodes as you want
- You can take as long as you want to set up, operate, and pack up
- However, if you want to perform more than one activity at the drill, you will need to manage your own time to ensure you will have time left to participate in the other activity.
This page was last updated 14-Apr-2015