• FieldDay2006

2006 Wireless Field Day - (October 28th 2006)

About

Field day is a free hands-on, all-day exercise for those interested in learning about wireless networking and community wireless networks.

We will be setting up a mesh network at three parks around Seattle: Alki, Magnolia and Gasworks; as well as directional wireless links connecting them all together. We will be building the network with our own equipment using readily available open source software such as GNU/Linux and OLSR, the Optimized Link State Routing protocol.

The configuration will be very similar to that of the SeattleWireless Network, so if you've been interested in joining the network but haven't been introduced to all of the tools, this is an excellent opportunity to come and see how it all works.

There likely will not be Internet access available, but we're looking to get a few different projects going as well once the network is up, such as Voice over IP, and Internet Relay Chat, so be sure to come prepared with any software or hardware you might want to use! We recommend downloading OLSR, any wireless tools you might want to try out, IRC client software, and the likes for other projects you'd like to get involved in before you come. SIP phones, network cables, power strips and any power source you may have to power your gear is specifically encouraged. Be sure to also bring food, rain gear, a chair, or any other necessities to keep you comfortable during the festivities.

Historical Information

FieldDay was proposed by CaseyHalverson in 2002, but due to various logistical issues, we did not have one that year. However, the next year, we had 2003wirelessfieldday at the end of August. It was a complete success, complete with WiFi-enabled airplanes, RVs, a point-to-point link between two parks across ElliotBay and an internet tie-in directly to the BankOfAmericaTower (Highest building in Seattle).

It was great fun, but a large part of the time was spent troubleshooting and designing systems on the fly. Now that we are "all grown up", complete with cookie-cutter embedded WiFi hardware and mesh linux routers on flash cards, the setup time should be very minimal, and fun should start much earlier than 2003wirelessfieldday.

Integration into Existing SeattleWireless

Some of the nodes on the existing SeattleWireless network should be LineOfSight to our FieldDay parks. We will try to tie the FieldDay network into SeattleWireless. Mesh routing protocols, like OLSR, will make this very easy. See the map for more information.

What -- Things to do at the Field Day

Here is a partial listing of some of the (good) ideas from past years:

• LAN gaming
• VoIP
• VoIP call routing/forwarding to PBX network (cell phone)
• Streaming media - simulate remote video triage?
• Test routing software
• Learn about Antennas
• Emergency communications practice
• Bring food -- it's a party too!

Where -- Places to set up

We are going to use the same sites as 2003, because they work very well and are remote enough from each other to make it fun. A new site, Gasworks, will also be introduced, through a specially arrange interconnection agreement.

For more information on each of these sites, specific setup information, and required equipment, visit one of the field day site specific wiki pages:

• FieldDay2006MagnoliaSite

• FieldDay2006AlkiSite

• FieldDay2006GasworksSite

For EmergencyResponse reasons, we should consider trial connections to hospitals and emergency management centers. This has not happened yet, but anyone with connections (or perhaps even working in this field), feel free to contact us. It can be as simple (webcam) or complex (interaction) as needed.

http://seattlewireless.net/~casey/fieldday.jpg

When -- Saturday, October 28th 2006

Official start time will be at 10AM, give or take.

Stuff -- Equipment people can bring

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.

Some items that will be needed:

Basic Facilities

• Tent
• Catalytic heaters
• BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR (or two)
• 3 Cardtables (per site)
• Generator of at least 1000KW
• Batteries and inverters, including 'jump start' battery packs
• Extension cords at least 25'
• Outdoor power strips

Networking Gear

• Wireless access point
• Pigtail for wireless access point
• Short N to N female LMR400 or greater (optional)
• coaxial cable (LMR-400 or better)
• directional antennas, omni directional antennas, and pigtails
• Omni directional for access point

• FieldDay2006ConfigurationGuide

• Wireless cards (bring extras)
• Additional small switches

Other Electronics

• Laptops
• Linux embedded routers (such as Metrix, etc)
• dd images, software sources such as OLSR, IRC clients, etc.
• Digital camera / digital video camera

VoIP Hardware

• ATAs such as the ATA-186 or SPA-3000
• Handsets and RJ11 cables for ATAs
• Standalone SIP phones such as the Grandstream 101
• Be sure to bring any configuration manuals for your VoIP devices you can download

Other

• tripods, sawhorses, straps and other stuff to mount antennas
• Cat5 Cable, crimpers, RJ-45 ends, cat 5 cable stripper
• Chairs, tables
• A first aid kit, bandaids, etc. (someone always ends up cutting themselves..)

• Umbrellas / tents to pass out in / just in case it rains. (http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USWA0395.html)

• Canopy's smaller than 20 feet by 20 feet (less than 400 sqft)

Day-of Communication

FRS Radio

• Channel 7, no privacy code

IRC

• There will be a local IRC server... Information coming soon.

VoIP

Initial tests using IP based dialing were successfull. Be sure to know how to initiate a SIP call to an IP address on your device. We may scale up and have an Asterisk server depending on mileage.

Phone partyline

Since one of our goals for field day is to prepare for an emergency, this should be considered an absolute last resort, as the cell network is often the first thing to go in the event of an emergency.

• 605-772-3001 enter pin 1057589#

TeleArt Projects

TeleArt is the combination of art and telecommunications. This part of 2006wirelessfieldday is headed up by CaseyHalverson.

TeleArt pieces are abstract, interactive tactal art pieces that are electronically connected to other identical pieces. Stimulating one end of the TeleArt piece causes a reaction on the far end, and vice versa.

In order to facilitate TeleArt development, check out the TeleArtConstructionKit wiki. The idea of this construction kit is to give potential artists all the tools they need to connect two art pieces with very little network or electronics know-how.

How do I register?

Add your name to this list of what level of participation(Site Leader, Demo Lead or General Help) you would like, also provide a brief description of your demo idea if you are doing a demo: