[Ham-80211] Re: Motorola 900 MHz Canopy Broadband Radio

[w3sz]

Hello, all

The units would fill a need I think many of us have; 3 Mbps plus data rate  
on NLOS paths.  But as Rich says, they are extremely expensive.  A single  
point to point link would be more than $1500 minimum based on the prices I  
found on the web [more like $2K in most cases].  That's a non-starter for  
us non-commercial types.

http://shop.wirelessguys.com/s.nl/c.ACCT69587/sc.2/category.190/.f for  
example shows pricing.
Tessco's prices are similar.

Is anyone aware of alternative 900MHz units [surplus, etc] that might with  
external antenna [and perhaps external bidir amp] give similar data rates,  
and work either unlicensed or part 97, but which are affordable for most  
of us hams?

Also, in terms of using 900MHz under part 15 unlicensed, it looks to me  
like antennas on that band for unlicensed use are limited to 6 dBi omni  
with no provision for higher gain antennas such as is made for 2.4 GHz,  
etc [and no power derating chart].  See  
http://www.qsl.net/kb9mwr/projects/wireless/pwr.html and daughter pages.

Am I right about how I am reading the Part 15 rules for 900 MHz?


Thanks in advance,

Roger Rehr
W3SZ

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 01:18:51 -0600, Rich Osman <rich at osman.com> wrote:

> It's pretty pricey stuff, it's been around for a while at 2.5 and 5  
> Ghz.  I seem to remember $1-2K for subscriber units and $5K for a hub  
> unit. It's showing up on eBay in the $200 range for subscriber units.
>
>


-- 
Roger Rehr
W3SZ
http://www.qsl.net/w3sz