2.4 GHz HSMM (high
speed multi mode)
ON A BUDGET !
with IEEE 802.11
APs
the BitBucket
See QST for December
2004, Pg 21
Don't know what
it's all about? See July 2005 QST magazine Pg 35:"IEEE 802.11
Experiments in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley"
Get active on 2.4
GHz in a hurry without breaking the bank. The older slower APs
are available for
free and are perfect
for Ham HSMM links. Here's a way to try it out for almost nothing.
Here's a D-Link
wireless router mounted in a 3 gal plastic pail with a foil reflector.
Power & Ethernet
come out the bottom. Screw the lid on for a weatherproof enclosure.
Here's the BitBucket
lifted high on the tower with a nylon rope. It also was taped
to hold
the proper orientation.
Run either 5V or 120 VAC up the tower.
Now for some mobile
operation ! All you need is a laptop and a 2.4GHz USB adapter.
Make a quick 'n
easy parabolic dish from some flashing aluminum or cover cardboard
with
foil. Experiment
with spacing and hope for good luck.
Power the laptop
from a 12V source and you have a portable link for disaster communications.
Observations: You MUST be
able to see the BitBucket from the portable. Distances to 6 miles
were possible but there
MUST be a line-of-site totally
unobstructed. With better antennas it is possible to bounce off
of water-towers.
Several QST articles have
been published on the HSMM activity on the 2.4GHZ HamBand and
this is a good way to
join the action in your
town without breaking the bank.
73 de Ken, K0KS