At 02:29 PM 9/8/98 -0400, Ryan Lackey wrote:
Is anyone else interested in setting up a radio net......<snip>
I have been thinking allot about this over the last couple of months. I have subscribed to a packet radio mailing list (linux-hams@vger.rutgers.edu (majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu)) just to lurk so I could get a feel for what it took to set such a network up. Much of my family are hams and have dabbled in packet radio at one time or another. They say once set up it works well (slow but dependable) and is an ideal way to carry non-real-time traffic in an emergency. As far as a secure network, that's why I lurk in this list. :-) If such a thing should ever be outlawed or restricted most Hams I know are law abiding citizens and would more than likely conform (No Ham should take offence to this, its meant with the best intentions and respect). I think a radio network linked to the Amateur networks sending secure packets, using tunneling or maybe just encrypted traffic (There may be some FCC rules regarding this. I don't want to break any laws so am still looking into this part.) with nodes connected to the internet (or other network as well ... Remember FIDOnet) would be a good idea. The Ham networks will probably stand up well in the case of a national emergency. That's something these folks are real good at. In the off chance that the telecommunications Infrastructure becomes unavailable due to political or other reasons, some of which have been discussed quite often here. This network could break off and stand on its own carrying important traffic for those whose need to communicate with loved ones and business associates would be worth whatever risk might befall them. If Y2K turns out to be a real problem (as I believe it might) or something else happens. I plan on still being able to communicate with my loved ones; business associates, and hopefully still get this list. :-) I plan on adding another dedicated LINUX box for this in the near future and will be looking for others with the same types of concerns to link with.
I think the cost would be something like $1-5k per station, and it could be done in a fairly turnkey fashion.
I think it would be considerably less money wise, and still could be done properly. I would be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on this and maybe communicating with other like-minded individuals off list. Since this list seems to have attracted a lot of attention from the authorities as of late. I wonder what the ratio of cypherpunks to spooks (IRS, FBI, NSA, British Intelligence, Government informants, and assorted other agent types) on this list is now :-) Would all the spooks please raise your hands? You... in the back listening quietly.... Is that you Inspector Gordon? :-) -- Bill H. billh@ibag.com -- William J. Hartwell (602)987-8436 Queencreek, Az. billh@ibag.com billh@interdem.com billh@hartwell.net