wireless technology

[Richard_R.Moore]

MSU is running four radio links with two or three more coming.  We use karlnet
 equipment (karlnet started running wrieless operations at ohio state univ.)
All operating routers are running in the 902-928 M Hz frequency and are direct
sequence spread sprectrum devices.  We are starting on installing one at the
2.4 GHZ frequency.  Two links are running around 2 to 2.5 miles, the others
less than that.  One that is coming up soon will be using the base station
software (i.e. two satellites linking to a base which, in turn, is linked to
michnet over an ISDN line).  The karlnet brouters are "rated" at 2 M bps.

As an aside, three of the operating links and one coming up are a part of the
SCNC project (although one was done before SCNC started).  One school
district, within the district, is running a base station-satellite network.

We have found the karlnet equipment to be reliable & the people easy to work
with.  You can find out more from their web site (www.karlnet.com).

We have had only one problem in running these: During the second ice storm of
1995, we lost connectivity for a day.  We have had problems when attempting to
install caused by interference from the operating link.  The yagi antennas we
use seem to have a wide "beam" with lots of spill-over.  If anyone thinks they
may be creating several sites, they should investigate antennas that orientate
the signal or go to the 2.4G HZ band.  Also, you need to be careful to be sure
all of the RF connections are firm, tight, well seated, etc.; a little
sloppiness can cause much grief!

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