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PA2AGA > HDDIG 11.09.00 08:38l 104 Lines 4749 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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From: PA2AGA@PI8HGL.#ZH1.NLD.EU
To : HDDIG@EU
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 00 22:34:55 MET
Message-Id: <hd_2000_245B>
From: pa2aga@pe1mvx.ampr.org
To: hd_broadcast@pa2aga.ampr.org
X-BBS-Msg-Type: B
project that TAPR had attempted that involved the integration of
digital and RF elements into the design. All the other successful TAPR
projects to date have just focused on the digital side of things. With
Spread Spectrum digital communication systems, the integration of RF
and digital elements is crucial to the success of both making it work
and making it available at a price amateur radio enthusiasts will
perceive as useful and plunk down their cash to purchase.
To this end, at the TAPR Board of Directors meeting held in Dayton in
May, the board voted to fund the initial stages of a 900Mhz 256Kbps
FHSS (Frequency Hopper) design. This is one of two designs that TAPR
should be undertaking in the next year. The second design, which we
believe will target either 2.4GHz or 1.2GHz and operate at speeds up to
1.544Mbps (T1), is on hold awaiting for the NSF (National Science
Foundation) grant to support the development project to be started.
Both radios fall into a category of being intelligent. This is
something that many of us have been discussing informally for the last
two years and is a key part of the NSF grant proposal. The 900Mhz radio
design group has asked that their identity be kept quiet so as to give
them time to devote their energy to design and development. This group
has past experience in the necessary areas and I think we will see
something eventually. We must give them time and space to complete
their work. With luck, we will all be able to read about the initial
design at the upcoming Digital Communications Conference.
Greg, WD5IVD
Hmmmm... Seems to me there IS a conflict between 900Mhz vs. 2.4Ghz,
even in TAPR. In fact, as I understand it - there was a MAJOR
conflict, and 2.4 got SQUASHED. Anyway, this was written over 3 years
ago - and this project is no nearer completion than it was then. These
guys are going so slow that they have to totally redesign the product
every 9 months, because they say the technology keeps passing them by!
I wish them all the luck in the world - but I wouldn't bet a plug
nickel on them bringing this beast to market. TAPR is basically
resting on the laurels of the only REAL success they ever had - the
1200bps TNC2 design, from when was it? '84? Their second 9k6 modem
design worked OK, but it came too late, and it was too big, and too
expensive(at least the first 9k6 design was small and cheap and kinda
worked). If you ask me, what they SHOULD have been working on is
coming out with a miniature 56kbps modem and 100khz channel radios for
use on 70cm and 1.25m - now THAT would have been a good project! And
more within their limited means. The Frequency Hopping and Spread
Spectrum add "mucho" complexity to things, and don't really bring
diddly on the amateur application end. It seems obvious that these
guys are just funding their "science project", so that they can pad
their resumes with buzzwords and earn the really big bucks. Why else
would they always keep "redesigning"; they just want to stay up with
technology - and don't care beans about getting the thing actually
working. And what was with this "keeping their identities secret"
crap. If that wasn't a red flag...
I've asked if I could help out with the thing - no answer.
If they can't get SOMETHING with the FHSS to beta before February '01,
they'll have lost another member. I've got better things to "due" with
$20 than throw it down a rathole. Or maybe I should run for the TAPR
Board, under the premise of CANCing the FHSS project, and starting
a "reasonable" 56Kbps modem/70cm 100khz single-channel radio project
instead. What the hell - we could just take the GRAPES design, and
improve on that. WA4DSY is big and expensive - but at least it WORKS!
But that wouldn't get the inside folks at TAPR high-paying commercial
jobs - would it? Not sexy enough.
Speaking of "dues", I joined the ARRL a couple months ago - aren't I
supposed to start receiving some kind of publication? And that reminds
me, those TAPR guys haven't sent me anything for six months either.
What a bunch of Amateurs :)
> 73,
> Ed Hare, W1RFI
------- Stewart - N0MHS --------
Wireless High-Speed Networking and
Public Radio Services Information(MURS,FRS,GMRS,ARS,CB):
http://www.pubcel.com
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
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End of Ham-Digital Digest V2000 #245
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