The Reality - Work in progress

Currently, we have three nodes on the network. Two of the nodes are on VHF and operate at 1200bps. The other node is on HF at 300bps, and is the long haul model. The HF link will be upgraded to 1200bps, utilizing the PACTOR-II protocol. Of course, when your base of operations is on a riverfront (read, at sea-level) a tower becomes a necessity.

Existing links are operational at 1200bps running over an Icom IC760 2meter radio and an Azden PCS-200. The Icom is using a Kantronics KPC-3, and the Azden is using a Kantronics KPC-2. The radio nodes are controlled by a 486DX2/66 running the Linux Unix operating system. All connections are currently running over AX25. TCP/IP is being tunneled within the AX25 Frame at the moment. This is currently operating as our backbone.

We are going to implement DNS servers to route our own Class B over the wireless channel. The ampr.org folks just don't follow through to our liking. I applied for 3 ampr.org addresses for the two links and a third for the mobile unit in the vehicle. After 5 months of no reply, I wrote off the ampr.org coordinators as unreliable and therefore not an option for the network we are designing. 

The next milestone is to install the TEKK radio's and connect to Sinister and L0pht Prime. A timeline with intended progress and milestones can be viewed. A simple network diagram shows what the network will look like by next spring, if not much sooner.

The KS-960 and the KS-1000 are to be employed between four nodes in the network. One link is 30 miles from the nearest hub. A five watt unit will be employed at that location to make the extra haul needed to reach Boston. I am a bit concerned that I will not receive the 2w signal from cambridge even with a hi-gain Yagi. However, I am line of site to the hub in Boston. 

Once the 9600 baud links are in place, one of the two 1200bps nodes will remain on the air to accomodate low data rate users. Routing between the slow 2 meter 1200bps ndoes to the other bands will take place within the Linux node controller.

Eventually the TEKK data-radio's will be modified for 19.2Kbps operation, and one 9600bps link will remain on the air for 9600bps traffic.

Work is also progressing utilizing COTS hardware such as the WAVELAN 900MHZ/2.4GHz 2Mbps Wireless ethernet cards. We have 3 of these units and are in the process of reverse engineering them in order to build a small amplifier in order to push the signal through the harsh Urban environment using a very narrow, focused antenna system. Wavelan Post-mortem pictures.

10GHz 10Mbit/s Data link

A quick solution to get a system up and running might be to just attach leased line T1 modems until an ethernet interface can be constructed. 

96K - 19.2k - 56k VHF/UHF directional/omnidirectional equipment

The development in this area is progressing the furthest. Mostly due to the availability to the equipment and antenna's, and with all the other research currently underway at various Packet organizations and commercial/educational institutions. 

There are some images of our accomplishments in the Images archives on the CD, including a picture of us erecting the l0pht 40ft tower on the roof of our location. A nice picture of the rest of our antenna's on the roof, like parabolic dishes, our 2 meter Beam into Boston, and various scanner antenna's and discones. Eventually I will include the images on this page.