November 2007
3 posts
Cellphone Tracking
Cellphone Tracking: Secret warrants are being granted without probable cause. Federal officials are routinely asking courts to order cellphone companies to furnish real-time tracking data so they can pinpoint the whereabouts of drug traffickers, fugitives and other criminal suspects, according to judges and industry lawyers. In some cases, judges have granted the requests without requiring the...
Technology Review: The World's Smallest Radio
Made from nanotubes, the world’s smallest radio could be used as a medical and environmental sensor.
Scientific American: How Does Bluetooth Work?
A very thorough description can be found here. The frequency hopping pattern can skip frequencies that have interference. Also there is a synchronous mode for real-time data streams such as speech, as well as an asynchronous mode for traffic that can tolerate delays.
October 2007
2 posts
Regional WiFi Planned for Silicon Valley
Who can predict the changes that will follow universal Internet access? Citizens will be able to post and access information from anywhere. Emergency response teams will have redundant communication systems. The physical channel may be well outside the 2-5 GHz range. Cable access to simplex television has freed a lot of UHF frequencies. Read about what’s up.
Wireless Debate
John Batelle is setting up a debate between telecoms and those who want open Internet access through WiFi. “This coming week at Web 2 I am leading a discussion on the wireless market. This is not my area of expertise, but I am fascinated by the ongoing fight between Google and its allies, on the one side, and the telecommunication companies on the other. (Background here and here).” ...
September 2007
1 post
Earthlink Layoffs
Apparently it is hard to make money hanging 802.11 access points off of light posts. Earthlink… said it would not take on any new municipal Wi-Fi projects until it’s confident of a reasonable return.” City-wide 802.11 would allow everyone to make phone calls and download mp3 files directly to mobile computers. The dinosaurs (Clear Channel, Verizon, AT&T) are chomping.
August 2007
3 posts
Low Power FM
Congress is going to allow expansion of low power FM into big radio markets instead of marginalizing them to rural regions. I just noticed in my local suburban newspaper, that Bexley has been running a low power FM station since March 2007. Michele Gutierrez, an organizer with the Bay Area-based Youth Media Council, which focuses on media as a tool for social change, says LPFM is only the start. ...
Installing City-Wide Wifi
For experience in installing 802.11 in Mountain View, CA, listen to this episode of IT Conversations entitle Unlicensed Spectrum: Tales from the Lamppost. The dinosaurs will try to block it, but the benefits of free Internet access go way beyond narrow business interests of a handful of Internet service providers. Related story: First year of google WiFi in Mountain View, CA. .
On Creating Radio for the People
Ready to give up your day job and start a public access FM radio station? Get ready to file an FCC application during the week of October 12-19. Amy Goodman describes it here.
April 2007
2 posts
Software Radio from Exploring GNU Radio
Software radio is a technique that gets code as close to the antenna as possible. “Perhaps most exciting of all is the potential to build decentralized communication systems. If you look at today’s systems, the vast majority are infrastructure-based. Broadcast radio and TV provide a one-way channel, are tightly regulated and the content is controlled by a handful of organizations....
Take Back the Airwaves
Take Back the Airwaves By Amy Goodman, King Features Syndicate. Posted April 11, 2007. Excerpts from the article:Our airwaves, the single most important method by which Americans get information about choosing the future president, are being held hostage by corporate broadcasters. … The NAB [National Association of Broadcasters] is one of Washington’s largest and most...
March 2007
4 posts
WatchThis video is entitled “Shift Happens”. One nugget of wisdom is that the US ranks 20th in terms of broadband penetration. Another is that Nintendo invested $140 million in research and development in 2002. The US federal government spent less than half as much on research and innovation in education.
FCC Hearing in Columbus Ohio - Mar. 7
Hundreds of people came to testify and learn about the future of the broadcast industry. Three commissioners were present along with a panel of 8 Ohio residents with many years of experience. At one time broadcast companies had to demonstrate community involvement to earn the right to renew their FCC license. No more. The event is covered here. Just to add my experience: I wrote up remarks about...
City-wide 802.11 Mesh Networks
An 802.11 network is also referred to as wireless LAN. Many business and home networks offer wireless connection to a router which is also connected to the “wired” Internet. In this way people have wireless access around the home or office. All new laptops come with 802.11 capability. Some cities (Philly, Dayton, San Francisco, Toronto, Anaheim, London) are extending these wireless...
Progressive Radio Links
Clear Channel Communications dropped support for progressive talk radio in Columbus, Ohio. The Internet makes it possible to listen to many of the same shows. I will list the URLs of some of the shows. Some shows allow you to download past shows or listen on line. You can support Air America directly through Air America Radio Premium. However, some of the podcasts can be accessed for free. Using...