OK.
I am going to set up what is essentially a gigantic wireless network. It will be 'open', in the sense that it does not require a password to connect to.
You will be able to connect to that network with your smartphone, computer, internet radio or any other device that supports wifi. Once you connect, and try to use the network (i.e. open a browser as one example), you will be taken to a web page that will explain what you just connected to, and will let you then listen to Artisan Radio. You will NOT be able to access the Internet through the hotspot - again, I just want to implement my own 'ether' for the radio station.
To actually implement what I just said (hopefully it was understandable) is the trick. That's where you get into mesh's, bridges, point to point, etc. Plus directional antennas. I'm going to be small, only my immediate neighborhood to start with. Heck, I'm doing it because I want to see if I can.
But the neat thing about this technology is that it can be easily expanded. If, for example, I wanted to put up a similar network in another neighborhood, I just duplicate what I've done for the first, and then bridge (i.e., join) the two networks together - that's the point to point in the equation.
What I also like about all this is that it's effectively digital radio (taking advantage of commonly available technology available even on your phone) - you either receive it or you don't. There's no noise, no distortion, no big radio stations tromping over your signal during the day, or rolling in at night - again, the signal is either there or it isn't. Much like over the air ATSC signals (digital TV) which I've recently gotten into (no longer any fuzzy channels, which can exist even on analogue cable, plus it's free).
What I'll do, once I've gotten something going, is publish a white paper on what I've done in the Library here. If I got into any more detail here, now, I might lead you astray - I think I know what I'm doing, but like any other endeavor, including Part 15 radio, you really only know once you've tried it. And I'm still attempting to round up enough equipment to get started.
I don't know either what is being said here, even though I am super interested.
A "mesh network". That's nice. What is it though?
And all the other talk which does not translate for something who doesn't grasp what is being said.
Start over, add more detail, talk as though to a child. That would be me.
At this moment we have no wi fi components.
We have a browser on the wire internet.
What piece of equipment do we need to be able to look for a wi fi connection?
"What piece of equipment do we need to be able to look for a wi fi connection?"
A 10 dollar USB to Wi-Fi adapter found at any wally world or "off" target or stimples and pimples, even the infamous rat shackles will have them.
RFB
Any computer or internet WiFi capable smart phone will show you available connections.
Many people and businesses have in-house WiFi for their laptops, especially motels, restaurants, etc., for customers. But suppose that instead of each having its own individual connection, they were all connected to each other, like wireless LAN.
On or off the Web, the participating users are sharing p2p without going thru some company's data system servers. If one drops out, the system will simply reconnect to the next working node, so you not only have incredible speeds, but it is also self-healing.
You could indeed start small and develop it using, say, Barix Extreamers and Instreamers to feed audio to businesses, or to AM or FM transmitters for analog reception ... Lots of options.
If you have a smartphone, Carl, then you have wifi capabilities (all recent ones can hook up to a wireless network, either your home wireless network or an external one such as the one I want to build).
Almost all computers sold these days, laptops or desktops, have wireless capability. Heck, even TV's, BluRay players, etc. have that capability.
And if your computer doesn't have that wifi capability, you can add it. As RFB pointed out, a USB one is the cheapest and easiest way (they look like USB memory sticks).
I would hazard a guess that more people have wifi capability these days than have radios - they certainly use that capability a lot more than radios in any event. So why not take advantage of the available technology and go for it?
We have a Linksys Router in the junk pile that was Wi fi capable, but I preferred ethernet at the time for security and speed.
Then I tried to flash the ROM with an upgrade but the attempt failed and I was unable ever to get the device working again.
However, I did not have the companion piece in the computer that would have connected with the router by wireless.
Plenty to explore.
We have it in our house.
I don't know much about it,
but the capability is wonderful.
Bruce, W 60 HZ - - 1020 AM CC
I have a spare WIFI unit. I'm waiting
for a junk computer from a friend. (For
about a year now.)
I could see putting the computer in the
attic, connected to the WIFI unit, but
not hooked to the internet.
If that could run station audio, I would
say that it could probably go 500 to
1000 feet with a high gain omni 2.4 antenna,
poked out the attic window.
)??????)
As Sargent Shultz from Hogan's Hero's said,
"Uhhhhhhh Ohhhhhhh Errrrrrr, Colonel HOGAN!!!!!!!!!
I know NOTHING!!!!!!!"
Bruce, W 60 HZ - - AM 1020 CC
Wifi is just the fast lazy fix to a wired LAN.
Now, now, I hear the roaming droves of I-whatever and Droids barking otherwise.
Wifi has it's place for the roaming tether heads who are mainly now on their phones.
Wifi radios exist, but their numbers are few. Wifi is just used instead of the ethernet cable, pure IP throughput out to the internet.
So, nothing useful here or enabling.
There is however, I've long believed, and in the same vein as LP broadcasting for neighborhood wifi networks. Being able to roam around your town and connect to the community internet could actually be very useful. I'd be wary of much throughput to the internet (if any). Instead focus on "ON THE NETWORK" or "IN THE TOWN" content, data, etc. Streaming local programming would be great (think limited options here and audio - video won't scale). Also local forums, classifieds, weather, file sharing, etc.
Wifi to accomplish this would require a mesh based solution unless your town is very small.
Wifi radio receivers are plentiful on the market, but not all will allow you to enter in a specific stream (as stated previously most let you select only stations from a database). However the Logitech Squeezebox Wi-Fi Radios do let you tune in specific streams, and they are a nice looking stand alone radio.
Although the discussion mostly appears to be in creating a wifi radio mesh network, I tend to think it might in the end prove to become an almost pointless effort.
The reason is I really suspect eventually self contained wifi internet radios will become more predominate in homes and businesses as they continue to go down in price, making our stations much more accessible to receive, thus an additional accompaniment to our on-air broadcast.
Well Rich, wifi radios had their run. Seem to be fewer companies putting these out each year.
Prices are still way too high for what they are. It's a very low power, low functionality device with a high price (i.e. $100 and above).
With a Droid or I-phone and apps, you can do everything these wifi devices do and do it over wifi or the cellular network.
I was in the market for one of these radios, but couldn't justify the price. Ended up buying a Motorola Droid back then (2 years ago) used for $100. Still using it to stream audio. Nice with Bluetooth accessories can stream wirelessly to headphones or speakers for better fidelity.
Now this year, I buy used Droids off Ebay that are unable to be activated on the cell carrier (due to non payment of subsidized phone) for $25. It beats the pants off of all the wifi streamers I've seen. Apps I use for audio:
Pandora
Winamp
TuneIn
iheartradio
BeyondPod (podcast catcher)
I recall younger years when digital watches and calculators were just beginning to hit the market.. The average Joe didn't have them as they were very pricey. Now you can get them at the Dollar store.
Same goes for color tvs, microwave ovens, cellphones, home computers.. Back when these things first came on the scene most people couldn't even afford them, they were luxury. Now they've practically become throw-away items; disposables.
It's not going to be long before wifi radios can be bought for $10 at a local convenience store.
Wifi networks are a useful way to extend your Part 15 range in a closed space, i.e. a neighbourhood or an island. Not so useful in densely populated, larger areas - very expensive to create, and as I've mentioned previously, not the most efficient way to distribute radio signals.
Internet radios are interesting devices. As with any dedicated device, they are somewhat more expensive per use than a multipurpose one (such as a smartphone), but then, the audio characteristics of a smartphone don't hold a candle to the better internet radios (such as Roku, the Squeezebox, etc.) - the latter were designed to attach to your stereo system and deliver much better sound than that smartphone or other such device. As for computers, the sound on them is suspect unless you pay big bucks to get a decent sound card (probably as much or more than an Internet Radio).
Generally, you do get what you pay for.