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2003 Seattle Wireless Field Day

Posted by michael on from the fun-in-the-rain dept.

propellerhead writes "Today is 2003 Wireless Field Day for Seattle Wireless. 'Similar to amateur radio field day, a mock emergency network will be created this summer using off-the-shelf 802.11b hardware, computers, and battery/gas power supplies. Network applications such as VoIP (Voice over IP or Internet Telephony), streaming audio and video, file sharing, chat, network games, and others will be implemented across a multi-hop wireless infrastructure. If resources allow, the goal is to connect this mobile network to the existing Seattle Wireless network, which currently exists in the Seattle area. This network can also provide access to the internet and our community network partners like Seattle Pacific University and Council House Projects.'"

71 comments

  1. fp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    FP! FUCKERS!

    1. Re:fp by siccmade · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      dude that is so lame

      --
      boom!
    2. Re:fp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      As fun as this all sounds, think of the good that could be accomplished if instead of showing off a bunch of overpriced hackery everybody instead worked a day or two in a soup kitchen or got a computer club together for a bunch of underprivileged youth in their area.

    3. Re:fp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Or even more usefully, we could remember that most of us have no social skills and stick with overpriced hackery, rather than fighting with hobos and gangsta children.

  2. I got to post first by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I got to post first

  3. Time to toss out my microwave by EDA+Wizard · · Score: 4, Funny

    Great News!!!

    I will no longer need to use my microwave to cook my popcorn. I'll be able to just leave it near the window and POP POP POP away!!!

    1. Re:Time to toss out my microwave by Jenolen · · Score: 0

      Remember to wear your tin foil hat too... It keeps the voices out AND the microwaves today.

      --
      Karma is like sex. I can't remember the last time I had either of them.
    2. Re:Time to toss out my microwave by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it's too bad 802.11b doesn't have its own routing protocols or the article might actually work.

  4. Google Link.... by zippity8 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Time to karma whore cuz the server's getting slow ;)

    Google Cache

    This is a great idea though -- hopefully it doesn't get as annoying as mock emergency fire drills did back in residence at college.

    1. Re:Google Link.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      That was my name for it when I used to pull the fire alarm too.

      When I actually set fires I called it "Guy Fawkes in North America". Heh. Ah, wasted youth.

    2. Re:Google Link.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
      Time to karma whore cuz the server's getting slow ;)

      So why don't you fucking post it anonymously, cocksmoker? Pointing out the fact that you're a karma whore doesn't make up for the fact that you're a karma whore. Some people just have no cool about them.

    3. Re:Google Link.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Aw, you're just jealous you just have your own gangrenous cock to squeeze... assuming you can even find the pimple.

    4. Re:Google Link.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In case that one's Slashdotted, there's a Google cache here.

  5. Emergency network, eh? by wackoman2112 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Network applications such as VoIP (Voice over IP or Internet Telephony), streaming audio and video, file sharing, chat, network games, and others will be implemented...

    Like people are really going to need to chat, share files, and watch streaming video during an emergency.

    --
    /usr/bin/complain > /dev/null
    1. Re:Emergency network, eh? by jcdick1 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Well, as they said, perhaps with an access point at a hospital or emergency management center, they could demonstrate the feasibility of remote triage by video.

      --
      What?
    2. Re:Emergency network, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      If you look back at history, the first need after food, clean water, shelter and clothing is porn. I think it's a little much to expect Seattlites to go back to clay tablets and cave paintings of doin' the nasty just because of an earthquake or nuclear attack or massive Redmond-centred software failure. No sheep would be safe.

      You just have to learn what "chat", "share files" and "streaming video" actually mean.

    3. Re:Emergency network, eh? by poptones · · Score: 3, Interesting
      You're kidding, right? All three of those things would be extremely useful in an organizational structure. The only thing I see mentioned in the article that would NOT be "needed" in an emergency is one thing you didn't mention: games.

    4. Re:Emergency network, eh? by Glonoinha · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You miss the point, or more likely you are getting me thinking about a more important point.

      Yea, kudos for being able to create an information network that can handle running without a power source (by providing your own power gen hardware.) As we saw when NY NY was under attack two years ago the problem isn't lack of electricity. The real problem is that during an emergency everybody tries to use the network at once (ie, phone system, cell phone network, etc...) and just overloads it. In the event of a real emergency it needs to handle a slashdotting of users trying to get through at once, and the system as described (an 802.11b network running hardware a bunch of hackers bought at Frys) isn't gonna cut it.

      Neat experiment, though.

      --
      Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
    5. Re:Emergency network, eh? by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 1

      network games

      Dammit, when the world is coming to an end, I *NEED* my pr0n and lan parties!

    6. Re:Emergency network, eh? by adpowers · · Score: 1

      Actually, Frys didn't open until just this Wednesday. Everyone already had gear from before it opened :).

    7. Re:Emergency network, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Like people are really going to need to chat, share files, and watch streaming video during an emergency.

      I think that the activities are ment to stress test the network a little. YOu can build all the 'roads' you want but if they get jamed up they are usless. But i can still think of others real reasons one might need all those services. Chat would be extremly helpfull for real time information unlike raido's you can all talk at the same time. Streaming viedo from remote points might also help depending on the emergency, maybe as a way to see if traffic is moving like in the ny black out. THat would be usfull for routing emergency viechles. As for as file sharing you might want to share a list of addresses, contact names, what ever information they want avaiable.

    8. Re:Emergency network, eh? by spoonist · · Score: 2, Funny

      Like people are really going to need to chat, share files, and watch streaming video during an emergency.

      Dude, I don't know about you, but in an emergency, nothing is more comforting than a high bandwidth link to download me some fine pr0n.

    9. Re:Emergency network, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now try pushing all of that down 802.11. It doesn't work. The limited amount of bandwidth of 802.11 is a huge problem. You can't stream that much video and audio, have that much VoIP, and that much file swapping going on. Things become a mess. Now, add in IP addresses and routing. Your mess is now a disaster. Even thinking about setting up 802.11 networks in emergency situations is stupid.

    10. Re:Emergency network, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      The only thing I see mentioned in the article that would NOT be "needed" in an emergency is one thing you didn't mention: games.

      Load up the Seattle scenario map in your FPS with the "firefighter/police" characters...

  6. my favorite seattle event by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    is watching the wireless bungee jumpers jump off
    the bridge, and the motorists egging them on

    they only do it once apiece

  7. Seems like a lot of work by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1

    just to get your slashdot fix.

    --
    Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
  8. Shouts to my daddies at the eagle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    XOXO
    michael "bottoms up" sims

  9. Wireless field day. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    You slashdotters should know by now:

    There are plenty of sexy mares in them fields you'll be erecting antennas upon.

  10. Necessary Systems by TheVidiot · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... file sharing, chat, network games, and others...

    "Power out... disaster... locusts... must... play... Unreal Tournament... critical..."

  11. I HAVE A GREASED UP YODA DOLL SHOVED UP MY ASS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    *_y_o_d_a_s_e_x_*_y_o_d_a_s_e_x_*_y_o_d_a_s_e_x_*_
    y_______________________________________________y_ _
    o_/_____\_____________\____________/____\_______o_ _
    d|_______|_____________\__________|______|______d_ _
    a|_______`._____________|_________|_______:_____a_ _
    s`________|_____________|________\|_______|_____s_ _
    e_\_______|_/_______/__\\\___--___\\_______:____e_ _
    x__\______\/____--~~__________~--__|_\_____|____x_ _
    *___\______\_-~____________________~-_\____|____*_ _
    y____\______\_________.--------.______\|___|____y_ _
    o______\_____\______//_________(_(__>__\___|____o_ _
    d_______\___.__C____)_________(_(____>__|__/____d_ _
    a_______/\_|___C_____)/______\_(_____>__|_/_____a_ _
    s______/_/\|___C_____)_YODA!_|__(___>___/__\____s_ _
    e_____|___(____C_____)\______/__//__/_/_____\___e_ _
    x_____|____\__|_____\\_________//_(__/_______|__x_ _
    *____|_\____\____)___`----___--'_____________|__*_ _
    y____|__\______________\_______/____________/_|_y_ _
    o___|______________/____|_____|__\____________|_o_ _
    d___|_____________|____/_______\__\___________|_d_ _
    a___|__________/_/____|_________|__\___________|a_ _
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    e__|_________/_/________|____|_______|_________|e_ _
    x__|__________|_________|____|_______|_________|x_ _
    *_y_o_d_a_s_e_x_*_y_o_d_a_s_e_x_*_y_o_d_a_s_e_x_*_

    Important Stuff: On topic, the post try to keep, yes? Other people's comments try to reply to instead new threads start, yes? Other people's messages read before your post, avoid what has already been said simply duplicating, yes? Clear subject use about what your message describes, yes? Comments might be moderated, offtopic, inflammatory, inappropriate, illegal, or offensive, yes? (Read everything you can, even moderated posts, threshold adjust on the Page, User Preferences, yes? Sent to you replies to your comments if you want, create an account, consider logging in, yes? Quite an impressive schlong Yoda has for green talking scrotum with ears, yes?

    Important Stuff: On topic, the post try to keep, yes? Other people's comments try to reply to instead new threads start, yes? Other people's messages read before your post, avoid what has already been said simply duplicating, yes? Clear subject use about what your message describes, yes? Comments might be moderated, offtopic, inflammatory, inappropriate, illegal, or offensive, yes? (Read everything you can, even moderated posts, threshold adjust on the Page, User Preferences, yes? Sent to you replies to your comments if you want, create an account, consider logging in, yes? Quite an impressive schlong Yoda has for green talking scrotum with ears, yes?

    Important Stuff: On topic, the post try to keep, yes? Other people's comments try to reply to instead new threads start, yes? Other people's messages read before your post, avoid what has already been said simply duplicating, yes? Clear subject use about what your message describes, yes? Comments might be moderated, offtopic, inflammatory, inappropriate, illegal, or offensive, yes? (Read everything you can, even moderated posts, threshold adjust on the Page, User Preferences, yes? Sent to you replies to your comments if you want, create an account, consider logging in, yes? Quite an impressive schlong Yoda has for green talking scrotum with ears, yes?     GO LINUX

  12. What type of emergency? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "a mock emergency network ... video, file sharing, games"

    That sounds like an emergency for slashdotters.

  13. You'd think they'd know better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    You'd think they'd know better than to do things outside, in an uncovered park in SEATTLE

  14. Because we all know... by Fnkmaster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That those 802.11b wireless access points will work really well when the power grid dies. Heh. The reason amateur radio is useful in these scenarios is that it only takes one guy with a generator to communicate with people far away, who can relay information to authorities and media agencies. Anyway, I guess I'm just missing the point, but it is somewhat comforting to know that the sky may be falling, but I'll still be able to bounce some HTTP requests for autopr0n.com through the emergency 802.11b network and get a last wank in before the world comes tumbling down.

    1. Re:Because we all know... by interiot · · Score: 2, Interesting
      It's true that you can get a reasonable amount of information across with a minimum amount of power and complication with ham radios.

      But ham radios don't provide as much low-latency networked on-the-fly information access that data networks do. Eg. imagine a city could query every stoplight to see if it's out... and the computer could sumarize the findings on a map... you'd never want to do this sort of tedious data mining over voice or morse code. And things like video-streams from street cameras are nearly impossible without having a separate ham sit next to each camera.

      I don't know that this sort of broad information access is necessarily required in an emergency now in most places, but still, there are a few parts of cities that are currently blanketed with street-cameras. And emergency information like this will only become more prevalent in the future.

    2. Re:Because we all know... by Cerlyn · · Score: 1

      No one said amateur radio operators could not use digital modes too. Amateur radio operators have modems that range from 75 baud (or lower) to a full 56kbps.

      In any case, the systems you talk about typically are connected to a central location, but over fixed wires. While traffic lights can get away with radio telemetry since they don't have to chat much, there is simply too much data in most video streams to run a few dozen of them over radio links, unless you only have to watch one or two cameras at a time.

    3. Re:Because we all know... by bar-agent · · Score: 1

      it is somewhat comforting to know that the sky may be falling, but I'll still be able to bounce some HTTP requests for autopr0n.com through the emergency 802.11b network and get a last wank in before the world comes tumbling down.

      I'm with you, man! If the world comes tumbling down, I'd like to get one last wank in, too. Or actual sex. Hey, it's all good.

      --
      i'd hit it so hard, if you pulled me out you'd be the king of britain [bash.org]
  15. Vi(m) vs. (X)Emacs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I prefer Vim.

  16. power outage? by SHEENmaster · · Score: 1, Insightful

    When the power goes out so long that my server and cable modem go down, I have nothing left to do but play UT.

    "Power out... disaster... locusts...
    That's an SEP. (Someone Elses Problem.)

    --
    You can't judge a book by the way it wears its hair.
  17. Sniffing? by Mrs.+Grundy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm no expert when it comes to this stuff so I'll just ask...

    Are most people who enjoy using these giant, free, wireless networks still checking there mail with good old, send the password plaintext, POP? Are networks like this just a giant smorgasborg a free information floating around for anybody to grab? Considering your average Joe uses the same password for everything I would think this would be problematic.

    What security mechanisms are place that makes this difficult?

    1. Re:Sniffing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *heavy breathing*

      I find the lack of response...disturbing.

    2. Re:Sniffing? by Blaine+Hilton · · Score: 1
      Think about tunneling everything over a secure channel. Everybody says use a VPN, it will save the planet, cure AIDS, feed the hungry, and create world piece. However getting a functional, and usable, and secure VPN is much harder then eating a piece of pie.

      Until then if you don't know what your information looks like as it goes through the public Internet check out Ethereal.

    3. Re:Sniffing? by Lost+Race · · Score: 1

      Do you send passwords in cleartext over a cable modem? at an Internet cafe? Same thing. You treat the wireless network as an Internet zone. Seems pretty obvious.

  18. anuses cheeses you will, penises fudgepack you do by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    y______________________________GO_LINUX
    o_________________.'_:__`.________________y
    d____________.-.'`.__;___.'`.-.___________o
    a___________/_:____\_;__/____;_\__________d
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    y____________L_'_/.------.\_'_J___________y
    o_____________"-.___"--"___.-"____________o
    d______________.l"-:_JL_;-";._____________d
    a_________.-j/'.;__;""""__/_.'\"-.________a
    s_______v.'_/:`._"-.:_____.-"_.';__`.v____s
    e____.-"__/_;__"-._"-..-"_.-"__:____"-.___e
    x_.+"-.__:_:______"-.__.-"______;-.____\__x
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    o_;__:___;_:____________________;:___;__:_o
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  19. Wireless Day 1, how about some advice? by LibertineR · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Went to the Fry's grand opening, got the Linksys 802.11G/B Router and the G card for my laptop. Setting it up today, so how about some advice from those of you familiar with this stuff?

    I did set the MAC address filter and I'm using WEP and planing to PPTP into my other firewall in front of my home network, instead of putting the Linksys behind my firewall. Any advice would be welcome.

    1. Re:Wireless Day 1, how about some advice? by FireBreathingDog · · Score: 1

      Advice? Watch how you configure your firewall, or you won't be able to use certain P2P systems, such as Furthur, a great network for collecting live concerts.

      --
      Shame on Google.
    2. Re:Wireless Day 1, how about some advice? by LibertineR · · Score: 1

      I was only going to open ports 1723 and 6. What else should be open?

    3. Re:Wireless Day 1, how about some advice? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      135

    4. Re:Wireless Day 1, how about some advice? by klevin · · Score: 1

      Linksys wireless routers essentially do NAT for all computers connecting through them. Any connection protocol that requires the remote/server system to be able to establish a connection back to the wireless device[1] will fail.

      [1] i.e. non-passive ftp, samba/windows shares, etc.

    5. Re:Wireless Day 1, how about some advice? by LibertineR · · Score: 1

      very funny.

  20. Great event, had lots of fun by RoundSparrow · · Score: 2, Informative

    The point of this event is more to meet people than to do any real technical stuff.

    The networking was not that difficult, getting computers / custom AP software to work seemed to take time. Doing the distance we did over open wawa was not very hard.

    Too Bad Slashdot posting was 8 hours too late :)

    Yes, you can get a sunburn in Seattle. Especially if you are bald at 35 and too stupid to consider it.

  21. outcome with pictures by adpowers · · Score: 5, Informative

    Hello all. I attended the demonstration at the Alki site. I'll try and give a basic description of what it was like.

    We used a 18(?) dbi Yagi to connect to someone in the Columbia tower (the big black building, the tallest in Seattle). We also used a 24 dbi parabolic to connect to the Magnolia site. First we got internet working by relaying through a guys office in the tower. I got over 250 kB/s at some points. It took us a while longer, but we eventually got the connection to Magnolia working. Actually, Ken Caruso did most of the work fixing the Soekris box on the Magnolia end (it was configured for a different network). We had a little bit of problems with the DNS for the internet access, but that was eventually fixed. We were all able to get into an IRC room and use iChat, but we weren't successful on getting iChat AV to work across the main link. I think it may have to do with the fact that all the computers were behind a NAT to the internet. Rendezvous, unfortunately, didn't work across the link because we were routing.

    It was actually a sight to see. We had solar panels, batteries, a generator, lots of tables, tons of cables, video cameras, still cameras, cell phones with cameras, FRS radios, etc. Actually, you can see it. I have pictures on my website:

    http://www.andrewhitchcock.org/gallery/2003wireles sfieldday

    Andrew

    1. Re:outcome with pictures by lordkuri · · Score: 1

      so.... does your cable modem have smoke puring out of it yet?

      =]

    2. Re:outcome with pictures by adpowers · · Score: 1

      One other thing I forgot to mention. There were also a helicopter and airplane flying overhead. They loaded each up with some wireless gear and flew around Seattle trying to set up an air-to-air or air-to-ground link. Everytime a helicopter or airplane flew by everyone would be like, "Is that it!?" In the end, I think we did identify which ones were ours. However, I didn't hear the results of this test.

    3. Re:outcome with pictures by Skuld-Chan · · Score: 1

      You guys should become hams :). FRS radio? I wonder why more 802.11 geeks aren't more interested in ham radio :).

  22. Interesting experiment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Interesting experiment, I wonder what security measures they'll put up. I'd hate to think that you're in a jam and you need to post your social security number and other info, only to have it stolen by a guy with ethereal also connected. :(

  23. wow... by wzoo1 · · Score: 1

    wow this is uberly coool... Now I wish I had enough $$$ to buy hardware and make something of this...

  24. Share the Love by bigattichouse · · Score: 1

    http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Pringle-Can_20Wi-fi _20Emergency_20Networks

    --
    meh
  25. Solar power? by Bridog · · Score: 1

    In Seattle? We have a lot of clouds, you know. But I guess that annoying orange orb has been out frying us all summer. Why won't it just go away!?

    --
    Most likely the #1 Unfunny Meta/Moderator on /.!
  26. Was this announced? by Bridog · · Score: 1

    I mean, I live 5mi from this demonstration, and I don't hear about it until it's over. Was it announced anywhere? Or do I still not understand how people schedule things in this city; i.e., being `on time' means you're 30 minutes late, and things don't get announced until two hours before they happen. Honestly though? Was it announced?

    Well, this message is going to be rated Depressed Slacker.

    --
    Most likely the #1 Unfunny Meta/Moderator on /.!
    1. Re:Was this announced? by MattCohn.com · · Score: 1

      SeattleWireless.com

      It was planned. It was announced. It was cordinated. I was on time (thirty minutes late), but I was there.

  27. Interesting point, but . . . by DrMrLordX · · Score: 1

    I still don't think you can take this network seriously when it comes to using it as a tool in the case of emergencies. Case in point: remember the "I told u I was hardcore" guy? The idiot who ODed while chatting on IRC with his buddies and sitting in front of a webcam? Nobody in contact with that individual could trace his whereabouts or do anything to save him, and he expired on cam where everyone could see him.

    Unless this network is somehow configured to provide positional data to all computers connected to the network, at least to some limited number of community admins/watchdogs/what have you, it's going to be somewhat useless in emergencies, especially when those experienced emergencies are somehow unwilling or unable to communicate on their own behalf via the network. And providing positional data would likely require GPS devices or something . . . unless some kind of signal triangulation could be done from access points.

  28. first ground to air to air to ground link, almost. by loraksus · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I drove up from Portland w/ a friend to attend - and we attempted the first ground to air to air to ground link - the intent was to get alki connected with the air craft, which would link to the heli which would link to magnolia. The two are a good distance apart - and were eventually connected using a couple ground based antennas.

    Best part was when we got clearance to circle right in Boing Field's takeoff path. ATC was diverting 737s, etc around us. t'was great.

    However, laptop batteries and equipment died and the idea with it. It was really fun, we learned quite a bit and have ideas to make it work the next time. We had taped an omni to the step of the airplane, and that was pretty interesting, worked surprisingly well.

    I'd post pics as I was flying in the front passenger's seat, but I like my upstream bandwidth, thank you very much. I'm sure someone will provide a host eventually.

    --
    1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
  29. Don't compare this to Amateur Radio Field Day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Look, this is cool, and I appreciate the parallels of using cool antennas to shoot Part 15 device signals miles and miles, but really, this isn't anything like Amateur Radio Field Day.

    Let's say you are in a massive earthquake. You need help, or you're going to call for help for someone else. Phones are dead, your cell phone network is jammed, and your ISP was hit big time too. You're screwed!

    That's the one flaw here. All these guys could set up an intranet in the event of an emergency, but if the various ISPs are down for the count (as they likely would be), the only coordination would be between users of this phantom wireless network.

    Ham radio users, on the other hand, don't need any ISP to coordinate. Sure we have central repeaters, and those might get knocked off the air, but our rigs are allowed to broadcast up to 1500 watts! Furthermore, most counties where I live have emergency radio councils where Hams can take classes and become certified disaster communication specialists. They learn to pass traffic, they are known to local fire departments and police departments etc. Even on my 2 meter handie-talkie, I've got 5 watts and can cover my entire valley. General and extra class licensees could easily get on HF and talk to the world and coordinate with the feds.

    In an emergency, I'm not going to log on to my computer and hook up a Yagi connected to a linksys router. I'm going to say, "Mayday, Mayday" on my 2 meter HT on a pre-designated frequency I've received training on.

    Like I said, this is very cool, but it's of limited usefulness in a real emergency.

    1. Re:Don't compare this to Amateur Radio Field Day by Snorpus · · Score: 1

      What needs to be thought about is how to integrate the WiFi System into the Amateur Radio Emergency System and the ARRL National Traffic System.

      While this seems cool today, how will WiFi enthusiasts maintain interest day in and day out, year in and year out? Amateur radio does this by making Field Day (in part) a contest (how many stations can you contact in how many different parts of the country/world, your score is the product of the two).

      Separate categories are established to measure the degree of emergency preparedness... Being battery powered in a remote location is separate from using a generator at your house, for example.

      There's a lot of overlap between the amateur radio community and the slashdot community. For example, I believe both Phil Karn and Kevin Mitnick were amateurs, and a number of /. articles recently have dealt with amateur radio, most notably those concerning interference to the HF and low VHF bands caused by Broadband Power Line experiments.

    2. Re:Don't compare this to Amateur Radio Field Day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "...most countries where I live...." hmmm, most of us live in only 1 country at a time, you must be God!

  30. Local, tactical communication by KC7YRN · · Score: 1

    I'm certainly not an expert on this, but I have taken the American Radio Relay League's class on emergency communications for ham radio operators.

    Remember Tip O'Neill saying all politics is local? All emergencies are local too. A widespread disaster like Hurricane Andrew is, in practice, a bunch of local emergencies ('cause you're sure not getting any spare firefighters from the next town over, and the bridge is out anyway).

    Most of what ham radio operators do in emergencies is short-range, immediate traffic ("Our generator has 2 hours of fuel left. Please deliver to loading dock left of Nth Street. Don't take Mth Street, it's blocked by an accident"). The most effective ham radio emergency service teams are tightly integrated with the served agency. One typical assignment might be riding along with ("shadowing") an emergency official and keeping a communications link going to the emergency operations center.

    The exception is health and welfare traffic, the "I'm all right" and "I'm slightly injured but receiving good care and am safe in a shelter" messages to out-of-area relatives.

    Emergency response agencies could benefit no end from having a backup TCP/IP network on which they could send email, use web-based order forms for supplies, or even use a regular telephone hooked up to VoIP. Email especially, because they *love* having written communication.

    Seattle is a very good place for people to be hardening the 802.11 network against disaster. It's an earthquake area, which periodically has near-apocalyptic events like the 1964 Alaska quake or the 1960 one in Chile. Every few years a winter storm knocks out power so widely that repair crews have to be imported from Canada.

    Seattle Wireless is doing something potentially very practical here.

  31. Wireless eh? by Ankle · · Score: 0

    Can you hear me now? Good!

  32. 2.45GHz by trolman · · Score: 0

    2.45GHz heats water pretty good and since the human body is mostly water you all might want to take care where you point those 99dbi yagi antenna. Yes this is the frequency that the magnetron uses to cook.

    1. Re:2.45GHz by Detritus · · Score: 1

      Power levels fom 802.11b equipment are low enough that this shouldn't be an issue, even with high gain antennas. See OET Bulletin No. 65, "Evaluating Compliance With FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields".

      --
      Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  33. Part 15 by trolman · · Score: 1
    That is a very Good reference and when that revision came out several new questions on the amateur radio test were added specific to measuring human exposure to RF as part of this bulletin and when you take the report with all the revisions, not just the bulletin, into consideration you can calculate the heating that results from a Legal part 15 802.11 device can cause heating and tissue damage in the worst case exposure.

    Did you happen to read OET Bulletin 63 that followed 65, "UNDERSTANDING THE FCC REGULATIONS FOR LOW-POWER, NON-LICENSED TRANSMITTERS" while you were browsing? The part about the $10k fine for violating part 15 is of note.

    Anyway; the replacment of the antenna and violation of the Part 15 Certification is the real issue here. Damaging your body is your own problem.

  34. Broadband Reports Article by muirhead · · Score: 1
    There's article on Broadband Reports here with a reciprocal link to this story.