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The Wireless Backpack Repeater

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i'm-to-sexy-for-my-backpack dept.

Andy Laurence writes "So, you've decided to do a webcast around the streets of Bristol, but your puny wireless NIC isn't up to it? You need the ultimate wireless repeater! Built from an old backpack, a lead acid battery, a Linksys wireless device, and a rather scary antenna, this wireless repeater will get you webcasting from over a mile away." You'd definitely burn extra calories hiking with that thing.

12 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Wondering... by infofreako · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I was wondering how we could do remotes with our new 80s radio station!

    Thanks.

    -nfo

    --

    Broadcasting LIVE from a Bonus Room Over the Gara
  2. Which Bristol? by LostCluster · · Score: 1, Interesting

    From surfing around the site, it seems to indicate that we're talking about Bristol, WA which is near Seattle... there's enough communities going by the name of "Bristol" in the USA this could get confusing.

  3. Solar? by DrewBeavis · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder if here in Florida we could rig up a solar panel that makes enough power for this rig. That would make it lighter... but it might not work in places with less sun. Maybe a smaller battery and the solar panel?

    1. Re:Solar? by matty619 · · Score: 2, Interesting
      You could at least cut down on battery size, although you would still need a battery. We have a solar powered repeater running right now on a rooftop in downtown San Diego. Details including pictures are here

      We used 2 6 volt 220 Ah trojan deep cycle batteries wired in series for 12 volts and a 65 watt solar panel.

      This was all to power a soekris board which only draws about .3 of an amp. So even without the sun, it would run for something like 6 weeks.

      But we plan on many more of these, specifically on mountain tops where there isn't power. This one was mainly as a test, but it's been up rock solid for about 2 or 3 months now.

      -M@

  4. More details on power? by Quixote · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Some more details about the power connection (12v DC to the Linksys) would be nice. Anyone have any ideas? I'm not an EE, so please don't flame me crisp for asking...

  5. What about cancer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    People were concerned about holding cell phones close to their brains due to the risk of tumors. Isn't this thing going to fry your brain?

    1. Re:What about cancer? by RealErmine · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Isn't this thing going to fry your brain?

      People need to look up the definition of non-ionizing radiation. For comparison also look up ionizing radiation. Exposure to non-ionizing radiaton does not have a cumulative effect over your lifetime. This (or your cell phone) is no more harmful to you than the local rock station broadcasting their signal.

      The worst thing that can happen from this kind of radiation is everyday, non-mutating burning (like your microwave), but the low power from the repeater won't do that.

      --
      Dewey, you fool! Your decimal system has played right into my hands!
  6. never put a car battery on your back! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Just a tip, in case you were thinking of trying.
    I built something I called "loud backpack" once. It consisted of a 1/4" mic jack, 2 12" speakers, an amp, and a car battery.
    On a particularly warm day, my back started to itch, and it took a while before I realized that it was battery acid leaking through the padding, my shirt, and onto my back.
    Ran to the shower, falling once to scrape my knees, and immediately doused myself with water. Well, don't forget what they said about adding water to acid in high school chemistry class like I did... it burns!
    Anyways, amusing anecdote.. do not try at home!

  7. I'm much more interested... by AKAImBatman · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...in the possibilities of a dynamic WiFi network built out of electronic devices in close proximity. It would present a great number of engineering difficulties, but the payoff would be complete internet coverage anywhere in the world. ... Well, at least anywhere there's other people present to relay the packets.

    Hmm... I think there'd need to be a way of identifying open Internet points. Phones, laptops, etc. near these points would then need to broadcast their access. When a device receives a packet, it should know enough to accept or reject the route based on its current network uplinks. Bandwidth could present a problem, especially since a ton of small packet messages would be necessary to identify the current status of a given device.

    Anyone know of research that's currently being done in this area?

    --
    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    1. Re:I'm much more interested... by sploxx · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yes, and I was interested since I had my first grasp of TCP/IP, packet switching and all that.

      I imagined every house with free space optical (FSO) devices on top of it+a router, long distance would be the last task for phone companies/ISPs. But sadly, it didn't happen.

      Maybe the telcos are trying to prevent that? Maybe people are too lazy and too stupid to grasp the whole idea? Remember, you'd have to convince many people to 'relay' packets before such a network gets usable. I don't really know, but IMHO it is both technically and socially superior. (Promotes local exchange etc.)

      Anyway, appropiate routing protocols and also research exists nowadays:
      Manet routing protocols, IETF
      Fleetnet, mobile adhoc for cars (very interesting!)

      Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I think you'd pay
      a fee in such a network, even if you only exchange
      data between you and your neighbour (the telcos want to live, right?).

  8. Re:Dupe... by tvh2k · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's times like these that I wish we had a "-1 Dumbass" moderation choice.

  9. Alternative Batteries by WormholeFiend · · Score: 1, Interesting

    What kind of alternative 12VDC batteries could be used instead of that potentially unsafe lead acid one?

    I think a laptop battery might do the trick, but where do you find the connectors?