Hamnet Building the Netherlands
Work is currently underway on the rollout of HAMNET in the Netherlands.
HAMNET, Highspeed Amateur Multimedia Network is a broadband network for radio amateurs. It is perhaps comparable to the packet radio network, only with considerably higher speeds. The first connections have now been built on the 5 GHz band. What is the objective of HAMNET?
The initiators explain the first links that have been built, which technology is being used and how amateur radio operators can contribute to building HAMNET in the Netherlands.
Goal.
The objective of HAMNET is to create an autonomous, reliable broadband data communication that serves the amateur service. Over time, the network must provide specific services for radio amateurs, for example streaming audio and video services, for example to ATV and voice relays; remote control of equipment, information provision via websites and forums that are exclusively available on HAMNET, repeater-linking, Voip for ham's and of course many other applications. What HAMNET will clearly not provide is browser functionality to the internet. Above all, HAMNET has the objective of generating activity for and by radio amateurs in a modern way, and band use at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 10 GHz. To improve.
First link between Hilversum and Amsterdam West.
Due to the relocation of PI1RYS and the construction of a reception point for PI2NOS in Amsterdam, the idea arose to build a WiFi connection between this site and the Alticon-Tower in Hilversum, where http://www.hobbyscoop.nl has the necessary equipment. stand. Although this link was initially established via a VPN connection, there are now 40 cm diameter saucers on both sides and a WiFi link is being built over a distance of almost 29 kilometers. A visual connection is available due to the height of both locations - 110 meters in Hilversum and 55 meters in Amsterdam.
More repeaters connected.
The links have since been expanded. The first access point was recently placed in the Gerbrandy tower in IJsselstein at 220 meters above street level. An access point has also been placed in Delft PI1DFT. A vertical polarisation is used and the antenna is at a height of 52 meters. This means that users must be able to connect to the network within a radius of 15 kilometers. Access to the rest of the HAMNET network is also done wirelessly, through a link to IJsselstein via Gouda, but also from Delft to Rotterdam Ommoord PD2JKC and from Ommoord to Zoetermeer, which is at an altitude of 55 meters with a distance of 5.4 kilometers. The development is underway to send the signal to Dordrecht.
Dares & DRCO.
Members of the Dutch Amateur Radio Emergency Service (Dares National) and Delta Radio Communication Support (DRCO Zeeland) are together a volunteer organisation consisting of licensed radio amateurs and registered listening amateurs who have set themselves the goal of being employable and providing support to professional emergency services at the combating disasters and calamities or failure of public communication. In the past, it has become apparent that there is a need for a back-up facility in the event of a failure of the public communications network (P2000). A picket service is available 24/7 for rapid coordination. The members of Dares have tested HAMNET. This happened from the field day site of PI4REC, more than 24 kilometers from the Gerbrandy tower. Despite the (very) low antenna arrangement, it was possible to establish a connection.
Participation project.
Various WiFi links are already active within the Netherlands. It would be nice if they could be coupled at a later stage. A bundling of supply and demand will therefore have to be started to make clear what is active. On the website http://www.hamnet.nl the links that are known are already signed.
The equipment.
For connection over a large distance, the Ubiquiti Nanobeam M5-400 is used, which is suitable over a 400 mm dish with a gain of up to 27 dBi. This set is used between Hilversum and Amsterdam West. Mikrotik Routerboards are used for links over a shorter distance. The built-in antenna has a gain of 16 dBi. The Ubiquiti Powerbeam M5 ISO 5GHz is used for the link from Rotterdam Ommoord to and from Delft. with a gain of 25 dBi and a transfer speed of 150+ Mbps. and delivers maximum performance thanks to the Ubiquiti AirMAX technology.