Re: [scottish] Community Network ( was BT homehighway and isdn adapter ) Hi there,
I really do not know if this will be of any use but may help with the radio part of your planned network. Try the RadioCommunications Agency website, http://www.radio.gov.uk/ there will be all the reg's published for 2.4GHz so it may answer some questions about the legalities. This band is primarly for very short range devices. These devices are usually type approved and have to be used with 'small' antenna, published recommended max range is 1.5KM. Also, Email their enquiries department, they are usually very helpful (once you get through to the relevant person that is). Maybe contact your Amateur Radio mob (Email me if you need to and I'll find a contact for you), these folk are dead good at finding ways to do things in 'unconventional' ways, it is an experimental hobby and they are usually up for anything community based. You'd be looking at a microwave (SHF) radio link in order to get enough bandwidth, some of these guys would be able to make all the equiptment for you or at least source surplus stuff. Do not worry to much about antenna sizes, the wavelength of 2.4GHz is only about 8cm so you would be able to use a (physically) small dish. One of the major factors using a system like that wold be how many degree's the village appears to be to the antenna as they are very narrow beam (meant for point to point links only) Just a thought, maybe you will be able to get some government or lottery funding for the village/school part of your network (after all Tony B wants everybody online), this may be a way around the licensing too. > Yes. There are license issues with this band, especially for anything > deemed commercial use. I had planned to create a similar service but the > legal technicallities seem to be a grey area. The RA are trying to relax the reg's .. there is a PDF doc at http://www.radio.gov.uk/topics/pmc/consult/publictele/consultdocfinal181001.pdf it is a heavy read but the 'Background' section may give you some info, section 2.3 (Page 5) may be of particular interest to you. HTH (btw, I think it is very admirable thing you're doing) Cheers Mike > > Not if you use 803.11b, 2.4ghz band licence free... One of the reasons > > we are using it... And big Antennas!! > > Yes. There are license issues with this band, especially for anything > deemed commercial use. I had planned to create a similar service but the > legal technicallities seem to be a grey area. IANAL. -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.lug.org.uk http://www.linuxportal.co.uk http://www.linuxjob.co.uk http://www.linuxshop.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------
