[Tfug] Remote networking communications and Internet gateways aqumuhyr

[Bexley Hall]

Hi Casey,

On 4/15/2014 6:26 PM, Casey Townsend wrote:
> I would like to build (and then put together a how-to manual, with
> specific hardware recommendations and setup/config cookbooks) a
> system that can be deployed remotely to allow citizen journalists to
> be able to communicate with each other and upload video in real time
> from remote, no cell phone, no WiFi areas. My goal is to have this be
> almost as simple for the users as using their cell phones, while
> requiring minimal training for the technical people to set this up
> for them. Does this already exist?

By "citizen journalist" you presumably intend "normal (non-technical)
folk" to be the primary *users*.  Will they also be the *owners*?
I.e., the budget for something for John Q Public -- even a highly
motivated JQP -- is likely to be a lot more constrained than, for
example, a bit of kit that he *borrows* from some organization.
Budget?  Quantities?

What do you mean by "remote"?
- not in "the studio"
- in an area unserved by conventional comms
- in a truly isolated/desolate area

By way of examples:
- filming a traffic accident is typically "not in the studio" yet could
   be accessed from a variety of infrastructure services
- parts of Sabino Canyon are within walking distance of "civilization"
   yet have no cell coverage; I imagine there are many "civilized"
   places (power, sanitation, etc.) that don't have cell phone
   coverage *or* high speed internet
- I suspect parts of the Grand Canyon have no comms, power, etc.

What *other* services do you expect to be available in the location?
Power?  Voice comms?  etc.  For example, even a low speed (or voice)
comms link has some value in setting up/configuring/troubleshooting
such a device.  Recall, there is someone on "the other end" that is
also involved.  Or, are you targeting something like "deployment on
the antarctic continent"?

By "real time", do you mean supporting a high (video) bandwidth
link?  So, conceivably, the video could be fed for "live"
distribution?   Or, could you tolerate some delay as stored
video is squeezed through a too-narrow pipe?  We looked at doing
something like this ~30+ years ago with the PTSN -- a really
*narrow* pipe at that time!

Are these folks expected to subscribe to a "service" for that
"remotable connectivity" (e.g., a satellite uplink)?

> I know 'google is my friend,' but I hope with your help to not have
> to wade through hundreds of lame search results. I do not have
> personal experience with satellite internet, wireless mesh networks,
> or even portable cell phone towers, so I am asking for you to share
> your experience and expertise with me to help ease my learning
> curve.

Any "intentional radiator" (i.e., anything that *can* transmit) is
going to require FCC compliance -- even if the medium allows for
unlicensed use.  There are also restrictions on what sorts of
transmissions you can push down particular bands.  E.g., some
will only allow voice, others data, etc.  You can't, for example,
take a "walkie talkie" and push video through it (even if you down
converted it to a much lower bandwidth).

> My initial survey shows that Ham radio may play an important part in
> this as well. Any recommendations on who to contact here in Tucson,
> or nationally, to help me with that too?

If you go the Ham route, the "citizen journalists" will need Ham
licenses -- and, probably will be a cut above the JQP level in terms
of expertise (by licensing necessity).

I'd step back and *quantify* your needs.  How much video?  What
sort of quality?  I.e., do you want to be able to transmit
indefinitely?  How many "channels" (concurrently active
"citizen journalist" transmissions)?  Cost?  Operating conditions
(e.g., does this need its own power source?  Can it run off an
inverter?  Car battery?  etc.)?

E.g., if you assume folks are going to be willing to spend $100
for this, you may find your other goals are meaningless (in that
price range).  OTOH, if money is no object but folks aren't
going to be technically proficient/licensed, then you're at a
similar loss.

If *I* was doing a one-off for myself, I would probably look into
a modulated laser carrier from the "remote" to some "base" that
could be located in a safe/convenient location.  And, hope to hell
my aiming/alignment algorithm was brass tacks (lest I fry some
"innocent's" retinas!).

Good luck!
--don