By Wyn Purwinto, AB2QV.
Watch this! Many notebook pc users and licensed radio amateurs will experience a glooming history of wireless internet connection. On the fax machine I found a flyer of a brief information on the future of Wi-Fi (wireless internet) technology and business. According to the info, �Indigo Technology is looking to take a position within a $7B Wi-Fi industry that is expected to grow to over $44B by the year 2007 (In-Stat/MDR). By 2005, 95% of all new notebook computers will include Wi-Fi as a standard feature. The number of public access Wi-Fi �hotspots� is expected to reach 160,000 by 2007.� I think, this is a prediction for U.S. market only. So, those of you who like to deal with portable or mobile data processor and radio, be prepared to enjoy!
Moreover, the advancement of multimedia notebook pc is demanding, too. Combine both Wi-Fi standard feature and multimedia for the notebook pc will ease a portable access to internet infrastructure of amateur radio world wide. So far, VoIP for amateur radio includes EchoLink (supporting both radio and pc usage with a valid amateur radio license), eQSO that requires a valid amateur radio license, and web-based HF/VHF amateur radio provided at www.w4mq.com and www.lamonica.com. Other than that, there is IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) that only supports radio usage through internet connected repeaters available in many locals around the world. Hence, IRLP requires a radio to communicate. Of course, your Wi-Fi multimedia notebook pc can only Rx a node in progress available at www.irlp.net. The advancement of Wi-Fi and multimedia technology will, indeed, effect the advancement of internet infrastructure of amateur radio.
Through local Wi-Fi services an operator will be able to use many different radio modes available from the hardware (interface) and software in the notebook pc. For more convenience, the engineers should build both external and internal radio interface. This will allow an operator to choose which radio interface s/he can use given whether the notebook pc has a room in it or not. By executing a program such as MixW for Wi-Fi soon-to-be, DigiPan for Wi-Fi soon-to-be or something else new that is developed especially for Wi-Fi multimedia notebook pc, an operator will be able to operate using a variety of radio mode. For instance, the latest version of MixW (v2.12) for pc to radio supports CW, AM, FM, SSB, RTTY, BPSK31, QPSK31, FSK31, MFSK, Packet (HF/VHF), Pactor (RX only), AMTOR (FEC), SSTV, MT63, Hellschreiber, Throb and Fax (RX only). The current status of both MixW and DigiPan has been discussed in Popular Communications magazine, August 2004. Currently an experimentation of digital voice over two-way radio communication is underway. Further information on digital voice in hamradio is available at www.qsl.net/hb9tlk.
Another thought that a radio amateur can have more fun is to install GPS (Global Positioning System) and APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) a digital packet-radio network as a tracker in the Wi-Fi multimedia notebook pc. A moving transmitter connected to a handy GPS unit can be watched on the notebook screen to track. This sophisticated capability can also support and monitor the RDF (Radio Direction Finding) activities. In an emergency, a radio amateur, police or another security officer can activate his/her APRS transmitter on the critical scene. So, the ambulance, helicopter or any medical unit can locate easily and faster where the critical scene is. At least two articles in QST magazine, October 2004, have discussed about GPS and APRS.
PC security? What about an anti virus and firewall for your Wi-Fi multimedia notebook pc? Current status of using the anti virus and the firewall software has been discussed in CQ magazine, August 2004. The ham writer for CQ runs both McAfee anti virus and Norton anti virus on different machines. While some other people like to use the AVG freeware. Moreover, the ham writer for CQ did not like to use both McAfee firewall and Norton firewall. Instead, he has been using ZoneAlarm firewall that is considered the best in his opinion. ZoneAlarm provides both freeware and commercialware. By the time, the Wi-Fi standard notebooks are out in the market, the anti virus and firewall software will get updated.
Now imagine a radio amateur uses his/her Wi-Fi multimedia notebook pc in downtown during lunch time. Simultaneously take a fresh picture using his/her handphone camera connected to the notebook pc. Then s/he sends the image to his/her friends� transceivers around the world. Or open another window on the monitor to execute GPS and APRS to inform about such a moving object or radio activity. Indeed, as soon as Wi-Fi services are blooming all over the world, the internet infrastructure of amateur radio and radio spectrum will be busier than ever. If you are a person who plans to buy a notebook pc you might need to wait until better Wi-Fi standard notebook pc comes out soon. If you are a radio amateur be prepared to do some portable or mobile world wide internet-linked radio experimentation and qso (chat on the air).
Now if you are lucky you can get a notebook PC with mobile 2.8GHz processor, 40GB hard drive, 256MB RAM, ATI mobility graphic and built-in speakers, DVD-ROM/CD-RW and dynamic display for US$695 on sale. It does not have a built-in wireless 802.11g connectivity, but you may add on either internal or external one. You might find several different brands of notebook PC that have almost the same specification plus a wireless card with a higher price. Dell would be able to offer its B130 Notebook (1.4GHz) with an internal wireless (802.11b/g) for $499 (original price was $649) during holidays 2005.
To stay connected anywhere, you can use the wi-fi spot locators such as www.wififreespot.com and wireless.usatoday.com. Or search through www.google.com. Also check the park, shopping mall, restaurant, lodging, business center, educational institution where you are at. Just be cautious that open access sometimes means less secure. Read the computer magazines or the articles on computer security to keep you updated. More information on amateur radio (hamradio) go to www.arrl.org, www.qrz.com, www.eham.net and www.google.com by searching: hamradio or amateur radio.
--------
September 1, 2004.
* Wyn Purwinto, AB2QV, is the trusty of the Amateur Radio Club at Syracuse University (ARC@SU), Syracuse, New York. eMail AB2QV
Powered by qsl.net