HInternet/FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the HSMM HInternet

Q: Why?

A: Because 44.0.0.0/8 could be used by the amateur service as a truly independent amateur-only network. Because the United States may implement an Internet kill switch. Because equipment is cheap and spectrum has been granted to the amateur service for it and there is no technical reason not to.

Q: Why HSMM and not traditional packet?

A: Although technical reasons like spectral efficiency do factor into the plan, the bottom line is that HSMM gear is an order of magnitude less expensive than traditional packet setups. For the same price, many more nodes can be deployed, even considering that VHF doesn't always require line of sight.

Q: Why use bands near the part 15 frequencies? Why not use 2.3 GHz or similar frequencies?

A: Cost. Cards for 2.3 GHz and similar frequencies cost much more than entire nodes for 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies.

Q: What about existing mesh networks?

A: They're welcome to link into the backbone as long as they implement filters to comply with part 97 rules on the gateway.

Q: Why 802.11s?

A: Because it's a standard that runs on many platforms, including the firmware of certain wireless chips. Other mesh routing protocols may have technical advantages over 802.11s, but they do not have firmware-only implementations which would reduce the cost of implementation.