Art Clemons on 30 Aug 2005 06:55:59 -0000


[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]

Re: [PLUG] "geek-net" (was: FYI - FIOS/DCAnet)


> Amateur radio packet switching, which I was very involved with in the 90's
> has virtually gone away except for some specialized aspects. We keep
> talking about 802.11b stuff on 2.4 ghz but to my knowledge nothing much
> has been done around here. There has been work in other parts of the
> country. Some of the 802.11b 2.4 GHz channels are solely within amateur
> bands and have primary amateur assignment. Therefore you could run full
> legal power if you wanted to. I'm not sure why you would want to run 1 KW
> on 2.4 GHz with a 10-20 dB gain antenna for LOS operation though. Maybe we
> could try moonbounce 802.11b !!

I was trying to point out that there was a network sort of similar to
what was being suggested (OK at 1200, 2400 and 9600 baud) that
eventually faded away as better or different choices became available.
Aside from APRS, there doesn't seem to be a lot of packet usage on the
air.  It likely would be useful to have a backup network running 802.11g
 that could pass traffic in a hurry in an emergency, the Gulf of Mexico
is a prime example, but it would also require folks to remain dedicated
to providing the service come rain, shine or boredom and I suspect
boredom is most of what destroyed packet radio.

> What is Verizon doing with broadband wireless? There are sure advertising
> it on MSNBC at the moment. Touting it to be not just the WIFI in the
> coffee house.

It offers essentially about 500,000 baud reliably when broadband is
available and about 76,000 baud when not (called national access).
There are spots without any coverage at all.  It apparently is an add-on
at many cell sites and probably requires that fiber be run to the cell
sites since it could be a lot of bandwidth, sure would not want copper
wire for that.


___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group         --        http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug