[stuff about possible power sources and transmission media]
A television report on 'Beyond 2000' described meteor-bounce radio. The technique extends the idea of bouncing radio waves off the ionosphere (for distance), to bouncing off the atmospheric trails of micro meteors. Reported applications are economical (at least run-time economical, start-up cost was not discussed) weather telemetry stations in remote areas. A solar panel provides the power, a small computer is needed to direct transmission. I don't know how reliable 'Beyond 2000' is, but they did show both the alleged transmitters and telemetry stations using them. This technique may not be feasible in the context you are describing, but the telemetry application was parallel in that it also comprises many independent, self-contained transmitters. Scott Collins | "Few people realize what tremendous power there | is in one of these things." -- Willy Wonka ......................|................................................ BUSINESS. voice:408.862.0540 fax:974.6094 collins@newton.apple.com Apple Computer, Inc. 5 Infinite Loop, MS 305-2B Cupertino, CA 95014 ....................................................................... PERSONAL. voice/fax:408.257.1746 1024:669687 catalyst@netcom.com