High-Speed Multimedia Hamming

Skuld-Chan writes "I noticed a few days ago that the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) formed a working group to promote use of 802.11 protocols on the amateur radio bands."

Comments

We just discussed this last night in HWUG

[Brento]

Houston Wireless User Group just discussed this as our presentation for last night's monthly meeting, oddly enough, complete with a very nice presentation by Erewhon.

'regular' 802.11 networks in danger?

[hcdejong]

A radio amateur with an 802.11 transmitter could easily jam the low-power, shitty-antenna transceivers used in 802.11 networks. Only a few channels (up to 14) have been defined for 802.11 use, and it only works because transmitters have limited range. Change that, and you've got instant DOS.

Communicating with unlicensed stations?

[GlassUser]

I was at the Houston Wireless Users Group (HWUG - http://www.houstonwireless.org/) meeting last night and this was our primary topic. One concern we had was stations supervised by licensed operators and classed under Part 97 communicating with Part 15 Unlicensed (eg Joe Sixpack WiFi APs) stations. I believe the consensus is that you're not supposed to communicate like that, but I don't think anyone has proposed effective access controls for it. Any suggestions?

Re:This is bad news

[GlassUser]

I really don't care for the whole WISP idea. I don't believe that it's proper to be using public resources for personal (or even worse, corporate) profit. If the WISPs want to have a for-pay service, then they can participate in the band auctions just like the TV stations and cellular carriers.

Re:Why ham?

[oldave]

Recent examples... when the federal building in Oklahoma City was bombed, the public switched telephone network (including cell phones) was overloaded in minutes. Ham radio was the only reliable method of communication.

On 9/11/2001 in NYC, within moments, the public switched telephone network was overloaded. Ham radio was the only reliable method of communication.

In areas hit by natural disasters such as hurricanes, ham radio is often the only method of communication that works.

You see, ham radio operates on many frequencies, from local, line-of-sight to world-wide reach. In times of emergency, when other methods of communication fail, ham radio operators are there, with their batteries, radios and sometimes jury-rigged antennas to get word out about what may be needed in the area, also information regarding the health and welfare of others.

from the dit-da-dit-dit-dit dept

[Goody]

Please add "morse code" to the list of things that the editors don't know.

Goody
K3NG

Emergencies

[gibbonboy]

As others have said, in a real disaster, the normal public networks are quickly overwhelmed. Amateur operators who can use their networking equipment over longer distances can transmit all sorts of vital information in and out of a disaster area. I am playing with these systems at home, with hopes to have them ready for emergency use soon. More experimentation leads to technical jumps not possible when design is only driven by limited power and profitability for the manufacturer.

KB3HQX, Susquehanna County ARES Coordinator
EMA/911 Database Analyst

Important things to remember

[Uhh_Duh]

I've been a licensed HAM radio operator for about 11 years now (I got my license back in the days when you had to know morse code)!

Anyway.. HAM operators aren't just a bunch of radio cowboys out there with expensive high-powered gear. The HAM test itself makes sure that people understand a significant amount of theory before they're allowed to use that gear. In addition, while the laws are very flexible in part 97, they also have some interesting wording. For example, what's the maximum amount of power you're allowed to use in any given band? Answer: "The minimum needed to establish reliable communications". My observations of the HAM community are that these are polite, responsible people and I don't think you need to worry about anyone intentionally causing interfernce to your Wi-Fi network. In situations where HAM's need long-distance high-power signals, they often switch to directional beam antennas so as not to interfere with anyone. If anything, they're going to want to help improve the 802.11b spectrum.

No reason for anyone to get their panties in a wad. This is a GOOD thing for the WiFi community as you're going to start seeing some very unique and innovative uses for the spectrum -- you're also going to see a very large community with the ear of the FCC fighting to improve WiFi in general.