General Meeting
Like the topic says, Jack covered many functions of a spectrum analyzer. This may be the ultimate tool for an RF engineer. Jack showed us how it worked, what it does, and significantly, how to use it in deploying a wireless network. If you’ve never used an SA before, watch the video from the link below and prepare to be amazed. If not for the price tag, no wi-head should be without one.
Frank went over a few items of importance. Most significantly is the shutting down of AT&T’s wireless CDPD network by June 2004. Plus they will stop all new sales March of 2003 (4 months!) This will have major impacts to tried-and-true systems used by many vertical markets and the public sector (trucking, carriers, emergency, public infrastructure, etc.) AT&T would like all of these CDPD devices to be changed out for their GSM/GPRS (2.5G) cellular data service. However, at this time, there is no service plan cost-effective enough to allow a changeover. AT&T does not have an unlimited data plan in place. And the other major cellular providers that do have unlimited plans, have strict license agreements preventing commercial use. Oh well. Time marches on. We will all scramble to find a data solution before the shutdown. And we’ll love it!
Frank also talked briefly about the CTIA conference in Las Vegas. And The Wireless WarDrive-In was a smash hit. See links below.
People hung out for most of the night as always, swapping war stories, asking questions offline, that sort of thing. As always, a great place to share and enjoy! (more…)
