Re: [44net] Use of higher bands

Eric, I applaud your intent. But, as far as I can tell, there are several major issues with what you're saying: 1) The FCC rules push me to NOT use amateur bands for data. Any application that is actually useful is going to be something that communicate with non-hams, too. Look at the popularity of WL2K. But Part 97 prohibits traffic from being automatically forwarded if it was originated by a 3rd party. So I can send an email to my grandmother. But she can't send me a message if delivering it would require automatic forwarding (such as between JNOS BBSs) over an amateur frequency to reach me. So that means I need a non-amateur network path to every machine. So we're working on that, including using 5.8G consumer stuff. But, gee whiz, once that's done, and I've got a few Mbps between each system, (and it's encrypted to boot!) why use the amateur frequencies at all? In my mind, studying for and getting an amateur radio license should give you MORE privileges. And sure, we get access to more frequencies, but we're highly restricted on what we can do with them. It's like giving a kid a new bike and then telling him he can only use it in the driveway. What's the point? 2) Can't get there from here. Here in silicon valley, 900 is pretty worthless - much too noisy. 2.4 is very crowded. It's hard to get enough S/N to rise above the noise floor. We shoot point-to-point 5.8G links using 5 degree dishes to give us enough S/N. Sector antennas just didn't work. But we can't use 5.8G at 2 of our locations because trees obstruct the path. Anything higher in frequency would be even worse. 3) COTS is available? I don't think so. Not really in any useful, accessible way. We use the Ubiquity stuff on 5.8G. I don't want to make any modifications that will void a warranty. (Actually, I don't want to dink around with hardware modifications anyway.) But even if that is possible, see problem #1. What would be the point unless it's just to talk to the other hams that have done the same thing? In all of silicon valley -- a few million people -- I can probably count the number of hams with the time and desire to do that on one hand. Now, lest you think I'm just a nay-sayer - you can see what we do here: http://www.scc-ares-races.org/packet.html I'm the sysop for 6 JNOS BBSs, including the gateways and other network stuff. I authored most of the content on the above web page and the pages it links to. (That page doesn't mention the email gateway services we're about to roll out). I think focusing on the technology is the wrong thing to do. Figure out what application you want to enable and then solve that problem. For our county, our application was mostly emcomm and the ability to locate anywhere in the county (literally anywhere, with or without power, with or without Internet) and be able to send/receive text and forms data. The county uses several ICS-type forms. City CERT orgs send damage report summary forms. The hospitals have several forms they use. It's a really big deal for them. That's all made possible by custom software written by several folks here. So, what is the application that will drive more AMPRnet use? Honestly, because of #1 above, I don't think there is one! ;-( But hey, if anyone has ideas, I'm always looking for the next thing. Michael N6MEF -----Original Message-----