FidoNews is the official newsletter of the International FidoNet
Association, and is published weekly by SEAdog Leader, node 1/1.
You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
FidoNews. Article submission standards are contained in the file
ARTSPEC.DOC, available from node 1/1.
Copyright (C) 1987, by the International FidoNet Association.
All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted
for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances,
please contact IFNA.
Table of Contents
1. ARTICLES
Plans being made for The Official EchoMail Conference List
Public Digital Radio Service
2. NOTICES
The Interrupt Stack
HELP with MULTILINK vs. FIDO
A new Echo Conference devoted to discussion of various subjects
effecting Software Engineers and MIS professionals has been
started by SuperResume Fido in San Francisco, 125/612,
415-546-0119. SuperResume is operated by Lee Johnson, the
owner of LEE JOHNSON INTERNATIONAL, a recruiting firm
specializing in Software Engineering and MIS Professionals
since 1974. This 12 years of experience seeing candidates
succeed and fail in their professional careers has provided
some very interesting incites. What is needed is a national
forum to discuss these issues and bring together new ideas from
a wide variety of professionals. THE PROPOSED ECHO CONFERENCE
DISCUSSION "AREAS HAVE BEEN REDUCED FROM 15 DOWN TO 3
are as follows:
JOBSENG ....... Software Engineering Jobs Echo (jobs with
VENDORS of computer systems)
JOBSMIS ....... MIS Jobs Echo (jobs with USERS of computer
systems.)
SuperResume Fido 125/612 will initially function as the "hub"
for the conference, and will poll participating Fidos.
The file CARECHO.ARC is available for download on the
SuperResume (tm) Fido (125/625 - 415-546-0119) for those who
would like to participate in all or some of the above AREAS.
It contains a copy of this announcement.
In addition to coordinating the SOFTWARE CAREERS ECHO
CONFERENCE, Lee Johnson is also making available his
copyrighted SuperResume (tm) QUESTION.BBS file for Fido
Sysops who wish to run it as the questionnaire feature of their
Boards. It produces a detailed, accomplishment-oriented
resume. This is extremely important because a resume is the
single most important representation of a professional's
career. Many well qualified candidates never even get to first
base (the interview) because they were screened-out due to an
inadequate resume. Nevertheless, most of people only think
about their resume when they are considering changing jobs. As
a result, many deficient, flawed, and poorly constructed
resumes are in circulation today, and many people's growth is
being held back.
Lee Johnson is also offering Fido Sysops A WAY TO DEFRAY A
PORTION OF THE EXPENSE OF OPERATING THEIR BOARDS. If a Board
Fidonews Page 3 2 Feb 1987
runs the SuperResume Questionnaire and obtains a completed
SuperResume (or any resume) of a Software Engineering or MIS
Professional candidate, Lee Johnson will pay a $500.00 US
finder's fee to the Sysop and $50.00 US to the National FidoNet
Administrator if LJI successfully places that candidate. If
the Sysop personally interviews the candidate, and provides a
written appraisal of the candidate, the finder's fee goes up to
ten percent (10%) of LJI's gross fee, which sometimes can be
$15,000, or a $1,500 finder's fee. Detailed interviewing
forms will be supplied if requested.
If you are interested in either participating in the SOFTWARE
CAREERS ECHO CONFERENCE, or in running the SuperResume (tm)
Questionnaire (or both!), please contact Lee Johnson at:
FidoMail 125/612; voiceline: 415-788-6000;
dataline: 414-546-0119.
EchoMail has grown to become one of the most diverse, useful,
and interesting utilities available to Fido SysOps today. You
all know what it does.. Its ability to allow multiple BBSes to
share a common discussion board allows SysOps unlimited new
ideas and prospects.
EchoMail has grown beyond all expectations. Since its creation,
local and nation conferences have come to life all around the
world in virtually every net of the Fido Network.
With this unexpected surge of growth, however, comes mass chaos
and confusion as to the EchoMail conferences that exist. With
that, I get to the reason for which I have written this article.
I would like to propose "The Official EchoMail Conference List"
in which would be listed all existing EchoMail conferences, both
on a local, and national scale. I will process this list, and
send copies to major nodes, to be downloaded accordingly. This
list will not be updated on a regular basis, rather whenever
enough additions or deletions are present to require a new
version.
In order to make this list a reality, I need the help of all
EchoMail conference coordinators. Please send a message to
Genesis OPUS BBS, in the nodelist under 135/3, containing the
following information:
- Conference Name
- Coordinator's Name
- All participating Nodes
(Name and Node #)
- A brief description of the topic available
on the conference.
If you do not send this message, your conference will not appear
in the list. It is up to you to get this message in on time.
I cannot predict an accurate date of release, however, look for
it about 1 month after this article appears in FidoNews.
PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF THE PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE
FILED BY
Donald L. Stoner, W6TNS
October 20 1985
SUMMARY OF PETITION
This petition is to identify the need for a new class of radio
service. This radio service is described in the petition as the
PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE.
The petition shows that creation of the service and the
allocation of spectrum is in the public interest, convenience and
necessity.
Presently, computer-to-computer communication by the general
public is confined to the telephone network. Millions of computer
owners find that it is increasingly expensive to utilize this
network to satisfy their communication needs.
Establishment of the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE would permit
the owners of personal computers to communicate by radio. Instead
of a traditional channelized scheme, the petition describes a
radio Local Area Network (LAN). The PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE
permits an infinite number of local area radio networks to be
interconnected into a national packet radio network.
The PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE would allow computer owners to
exchange messages, bulletins, computer programs and other
information by radio, and at no cost.
The petition describes how the Commission could create the PUBLIC
DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE, which will adequately serve the needs of
the public for at least the remainder of this century.
BACKGROUND OF PETITIONER
I have been a radio amateur (W6TNS) since 1954. A large part of
my career has been devoted to the field of writing. For an
extended period, I was the Novice and Technician editor of CQ
Magazine. I have written hundreds of articles and authored
several books on the subject of amateur radio and computer
communications. I was also responsible for the idea which grew to
become the OSCAR satellite, and I was able to make useful
contributions to the program during its early stages. I have been
an educator and taught at Chaffey College in Southern California.
This experience provided an opportunity to observe and study
personal motivation, goals, effort versus reward, and so on.
During the 70's I was involved in the manufacturing of Citizens
Band communications equipment. Thus, I was able to write about CB
initially and then participate in its "self destruction". The
experience afforded the opportunity to see what "went wrong" and,
with hindsight, to realize how to avoid these mistakes in the
Fidonews Page 6 2 Feb 1987
future.
In 1983, I made a reply comment to PR Docket No. 83-28. This was
the controversial "No-Code" document. As part of my reply, I
proposed "THE CREATION OF A COMPUTER HOBBYIST LICENSE CLASS".
It was (and is) my contention that this license class would have
brought in literally millions people into amateur radio. However,
the amateur fraternity decided that no amateur radio licenses
should be granted, under any circumstances without a Morse code
examination.
Clearly, the proposal for a "computer radio band" received
considerable attention on the part of the Commission. In its
decision relative to Docket 83-28, the Commission left open the
possibility of a radio service for computer hobbyists. However,
radio spectrum was not allocated for such a service.
It is the purpose of this document to further amplify the need
for such a service, to make a recommendation on spectrum
allocation, and to outline technical specifications which will
ensure the successful introduction and usage of the PUBLIC
DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE.
The accumulated knowledge of the writer has provided certain
insights, many of which have contributed to the preparation of
this document. A careful and serious consideration of my petition
by the Commission is sincerely appreciated.
THE PETITION
Why Is A Computer Radio Band Needed? The increasing popularity of
personal computing is well known. There are presently more than
18 million of these devices in the hands of the public. Today, a
computer can be purchased for less than $100. Thus any American,
rich or poor, can afford to own a personal computer. Many experts
feel there will be a ten-fold increase in the acquisition of
computers by the end of this decade.
The Commission is aware of the popularity of computers. High
frequency digital circuits produce radio and television
interference. The Commission recognized the growth in the
personal computer market and regulated interference levels before
an untenable situation occurred.
The Commission is also aware of the popularity of computer
communications via the telephone network. As a result of the
"Carterphone Decision", there has been an enormous increase in
type acceptance applications for telephone modem devices.
According to Creative Strategies International, a Cupertino
Calif., research firm, the modem market will reach $555 million
by the end of 1985 and is expected to top $1.5 billion by 1988.
The bulk of these telephone modem sales are to the owners of
personal computers. It is presently possible to purchase an FCC
approved modem for as little as $29.95. If one assumes an average
price of $100.00, there will be 15 million modems in use by the
Fidonews Page 7 2 Feb 1987
end of this decade.
Why do owners of personal computers utilize modems? The desire to
communicate with others having like interests does not diminish
with the acquisition of a computer. Computer owners like to play
interactive games, exchange messages and software, assist others
having like computers, and so on. This desire to communicate has
provided the basis for a number of national information utilities
such as The Source, CompuServe, PlayNet, Delphi and The Shuttle.
These organizations allow computer owners to interconnect and
exchange all manner of information via the national telephone
network. These services are extremely popular. CompuServe, for
example, claims to have 250,000 members.
The exchange of information between computer owners is not free,
however. These information utilities charge hourly fees varying
between $3.00 and $20.00, depending on time of access and the
data rate.
More relevant to this discussion is the cost for the transport
medium, the telephone network. In the previous decade, the cost
of a computer was relatively high while telephone costs were
relatively low. In this decade the situation has reversed.
Telephone companies are beginning to implement charges based on
time and distance for local calls. Thus the cost to the public
for computer communications will increase significantly.
Recently, a number of telephone companies attempted to impose a
surcharge on those using modems. Some modem users have added an
expensive second telephone line. Without this alternate path, the
telephone is essentially out-of-service while the user is on-line
with the computer. Thus the user is unable to receive emergency
calls. At the slow data rates prevalent on telephone networks,
these periods can be quite lengthy.
It should be stressed that much of the existing and future
computer communications could be handled by suitable radio
devices. Recently there has been a significant increase in the
interest and use of radio waves to transport computer data. The
trade press regularly mentions companies trying various
approaches which avoid the use of telephone lines for data
communications. The most common activity seems to be the use of
FM subcarriers for point-to-multipoint networks.
Motorola has been a leader in the area of point-to-point data
communications. They offer a wireless data system which allows
portable-computer owners (possessing Motorola cellular-radio
telephones) to transmit data at speeds up to 1200 baud.
Motorola has also supplied a hand-held terminal for IBM field
engineers. It allows two-way communication with a central
transmitter and computer.
Finally, Motorola has recently petitioned the Commission to share
satellite frequencies in the 1.7 gHz. range to create local area
business radio networks.
Fidonews Page 8 2 Feb 1987
All of the above products benefit the business community. They
are designed to make businesses more profitable, productive
and/or efficient by transmitting computer data via radio.
None of the products described above are intended to benefit the
general public. The PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE can make
personal computers more useful, interesting and/or productive to
the general public. It is in the public interest, convenience and
necessity that the public also have access to this precious
resource called the radio spectrum.
While modem communications will continue to be popular, an
alternate cost-free communication path should be available to the
computer public.
This document describes such a service, called the PUBLIC DIGITAL
RADIO SERVICE. It petitions the Commission to create such a
service with suitable regulations and to allocate sufficient
spectrum to insure the success of the service.
TYPE OF SERVICE PROPOSED
In the past, there has been some discussion of permitting
computer communications on the Citizens Band. CB usage and
channel loading is currently a fraction of what it was during the
previous decade. Four additional CB frequencies, formerly used
for the remote control of objects, are virtually unused. Other
bands (in particular, 49 and 72 mHz) could accommodate computer
communications.
In the above examples, a channel scheme is implied. The use of
communication channels, however, leads to ham type operations
("send the data to me on channel X"). Channelized operation and
shared services would probably not work for the PUBLIC DIGITAL
RADIO SERVICE. The users of this service will expect operation
and performance similar to that of a telephone modem. Telephone
modems do not have channels.
The computer public is not interested in the radio aspects of
communication other than as a means to an end. Thus there is no
need or desire for voice communications as part of an equivalent
radio modem. This precludes the "chit-chat" type of operation
which was destructive on the Citizens Band.
Sharing frequencies with voice communication (such as on CB)
would be unacceptable. Interference, caused by frequency sharing,
would garble the received data. Since the interference is
transparent, the typical user will assume that data errors are
caused by equipment faults. Thus, it is essential that the
frequency allocation for the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE not be
shared with any other service.
Channelized plans inevitably lead to a further problem. If the
service becomes popular, there will ultimately be a need for more
channels. This is exactly the situation which occurred on the
Citizens Band. The Commission is well aware of the problems which
Fidonews Page 9 2 Feb 1987
resulted from the disruption of adding additional CB channels.
The alternative to a channelized scheme is to send the data at
high rates using packet technology. A single wideband channel can
be thought of as a digital highway with addressed packets
entering and leaving the route in a highly organized manner (see
"What Is A Packet Radio Network?").
AN ALLOCATION OF SPECTRUM FOR THE PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE
A wideband digital channel can only be accommodated within the
VHF band or higher frequencies. To keep the cost of equipment
low, a band between 30 and 300 mHz is ideal. Some readers may
feel that a service as described should be placed in the UHF or
SHF range. This might be true if a suitable allocation within the
30-300 mHz band did not exist.
However, within this frequency range there is a band, 2 mHz in
width, which is virtually unoccupied and therefore unused. I
refer to the spectrum between 52 and 54 mHz. Radio amateurs are
permitted to operate on frequencies between 50 and 54 mHz (the
six meter band). For a number of reasons, this band is
"underoccupied".
It is estimated that out of 400,000 radio amateurs in the United
States, less than 1,000 are active on the six meter band.
Due to the potential for inteference with adjacent television
channel 2 (54-60 mHz), virtually all six meter users operate
between 50 and 52 mHz. For all practical purposes the radio
spectrum between 52 and 54 mHz is wasted.
The radio spectrum is a precious natural resource much the same
as our beaches and national parks. The public access to the radio
spectrum resource is severely limited. The entry fee is an
amateur radio license. This can be justified in instances where
the resource is severely limited or where national security is
involved. It cannot be justified by any stretch of the
imagination when the beach or park is totally deserted!
POTENTIAL FOR TV INTERFERENCE
The Cause of Interference- Radio amateurs have not used the 52.0-
54.0 mHz portion of the six meter band due to the high risk of
television interference. This interference problem occurs through
no fault of the amateur or the transmitting equipment.
A typical ham six meter transmitter can induce several volts of
radio frequency energy in a nearby television antenna. The
induced voltage can be thousands of times stronger than the
television station being received. Thus, the strong signal from
the ham station can overload the TV receiver.
This effect is called crossmodulation and can cause interference
on all channels. The level of interference can vary in intensity
from "crosshatching" to a total loss of the picture.
Fidonews Page 10 2 Feb 1987
Radio amateurs have access to many bands of frequencies
throughout the radio spectrum. None of the other bands share the
close proximity to television channels as does the six meter
band. Clearly, amateurs have resolved the problem of television
interference simply by not using this portion of the six meter
band.
To date, no one has addressed the problem of using these
frequencies in a manner which will not cause television
interference.
This portion of the spectrum could be utilized by reducing the
power output of the transmitter below the point where television
interference can occur.
Eliminating Interference- It is the opinion and experience of the
writer that no televison interference can occur from a radio
modem operating in the 52.0- 54.0 mHz band if the following
conditions are met:
1.zThe signal strength of the TV station being received exceeds
100 uvolts.
2.zThe effective radiated power of an adjacent radio modem does
not exceed one watt.
3.zThe separation between the radio modem antenna and the
television antenna exceeds 8 meters.
4.zThe radio modem antenna is vertically polarized with respect
to the horizontally polarized TV receiving antenna.
5.zAll modulation and spurious products which fall outside the
authorized bandwidth conform to the FCC 43 plus 10 log10 rule.
If these conditions are met, the 52.0- 54.0 mHz band will be
suitable for the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE and no significant
television interference will occur.
WHAT IS A PACKET RADIO NETWORK?
The reader may be familiar with the term "local area network"
(LAN). In this system a limited number of computers are connected
together by cable in a manner which permits intercommunication. A
packet radio network is an infinite number of LAN's connected
together by radio waves.
A packet radio network may be thought of as a digital equivalent
of the U.S. Postal Service. The information to be sent to another
computer is equivalent to a letter. The letter is placed in an
envelope which includes a destination address. This is called the
packet. This packet is sent along with those of other users into
the network, which acts like a mailbag.
The packet address also includes something like a postal zip
code. The postal analogy varies somewhat in the handling of
Fidonews Page 11 2 Feb 1987
messages. Each radio modem connected to the network is a
destination mailbox. At the same time it can also act as a "post
office" for others connected to the network.
Each user is considered to be a "node" in the PUBLIC DIGITAL
RADIO SERVICE. These stations or nodes constantly monitor the
transmissions (mailbags), looking for packets (envelopes) which
are addressed to them. If a message addressed to the node is
detected, it is held in memory (the recipients mailbox).
The message may be intended for a nearby node as indicated by the
"zip code". In this case, the node "mailbox" does not activate.
Rather, the node becomes a "post office" and passes the message
to one or more other nodes. The reply from the destination
computer is handled in the same manner but the direction is
reversed.
Packet radio transmission (movement of the "mailbags") can occur
at very high speed. In fact, the speed is only limited by the
bandwidth of frequencies allocated to the network. This petition
requests a band of frequencies 2 mHz in width. This is sufficient
to handle data rates in excess of 1 million bits per second. When
one considers that the typical rate of data transmission on a
telephone network is 300 bits per second, it can be seen that the
PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE can handle a large number of
simultaneous users.
Unlimited Users- Actually, the number of simultaneous users is
unlimited due to an advantage of FM radio transmission called the
"capture effect". Each node will "hear" (or capture) only the
strongest stations in the immediate area of the node. More
distant stations will be inaudible and will not cause
interference. Thus users in two adjacent cities (for example) can
communicate within the cities without interference from users in
the adjacent city. Of course, if it is desired to send a message
to a user in the adjacent city, the appropriate nodes will repeat
the message until it reaches the destination and triggers a
delivery acknowledgment. Other messages, not addressed to the
adjacent city, will be ignored.
WHAT IS A RADIO MODEM?
The device to control the node (see previous section) functions
similar to a ham radio "digipeater" but at a much higher speed.
Since the the term "digipeater" has no significance to the
general public, the node controller is referred to as a "radio
modem".
What is it?- Technically speaking, the radio modem is a non-
persistent, carrier sense, multiple access with collision
avoidance device. In practice, the radio modem consists of a
small box, whip antenna and coaxial cable. The unit contains a
receiver and transmitter, in addition to an RS-232 computer
interface.
In addition to acting as a transceiving device, the radio modem
Fidonews Page 12 2 Feb 1987
is also capable of repeating received packets on the basis of a
stored algorithm. In other words, it will receive, store and
retransmit messages along the addressees route. Note that it is
capable of acting as a repeater even if it is not connected to a
computing device.
Training- Upon activation, the radio modem executes a stored
training sequence. When first installed, the radio announces its
presence and digital address in the network. The radio modem
transmits its position with respect to other units, determines
the digital address of other nearby units and finally, adjusts
its power output to the minimum required to maintain
communications with the other nearby units. This power can vary
from 1 milliwatt for densely populated areas to the 1 watt
maximum in rural areas. It is essential that the radio modem
transmit only sufficient energy to maintain contact with other
nearby radio modems (nodes).
Training the radio modem for power output insures that a minimum
signal level is radiated by the antenna. The purpose is to
minimize the possibility of television interference. Some readers
may point out that one watt is simply not enough power for rural
areas. However, it is not the purpose of the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO
NETWORK to duplicate the elaborate trunks of the public telephone
network. There are bound to be areas which cannot pass messages.
Under no circumstances should consideration be given to increased
power output in these instances. If a high power mode is
available, it will be abused.
A COMPARISON WITH CB RADIO
Those reviewing this petition may have a tendency to make
comparisons with the introduction, usage and the degeneration of
the 27 mHz Citizens Radio band.
The following points are presented with this comparison in mind.
No one, including the petitioner, would like to see the PUBLIC
DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE meet the same fate as the 27 mHz Citizens
Band.
There is a major reason for the chaos which developed on the 27
mHz Citizens Band. The licensees of this service did not feel it
was in their interests to abide by the Rules and Regulations. We
can learn from this experience by designing a service where Rule
compliance is in the interests of the user.
MODULATION- There must be no provision for voice communications
in the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE. Users of radio modems wish
to exchange digital data, not the spoken word.
IDENTIFICATION- Enactment of a PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE will
not affect the licensing workload of the Commission. Services
which are essentially self-regulating (such as the remote control
of objects, garage door openers, etc.) do not require the use of
call letters. Inherent in the addressability of the radio modem,
is a built-in aid to compliance and enforcement. Each radio modem
Fidonews Page 13 2 Feb 1987
has its own unique identification code, that is, its packet
address. This is both the serial number and digital address of
the unit. This code also identifies the manufacturer and the
physical location of the radio modem. Violations of technical
requirements can be easily be correlated by manufacturer. In
other words, if a significant number of units are observed to be
defective, the manufacturer can be immediately determined by
serial number correlation.
If a unit is found to be non-complying, a message can be
addressed to that radio modem advising the user of the problem.
The Commission personnel sending the message receives the
customary delivery acknowledgment of the message. Thus there can
be no question that the user received the Notice of Violation.
POWER OUTPUT- A major contributing factor to the "CB problem" was
the addition of power amplifiers to CB radios in an effort to
increase the talk range.
Adding a power amplifier to a radio modem will produce no
increase in performance. The unit will "retrain" to reduce its
power output to maintain the nominal signal level at nearby radio
modems. Thus, the power delivered to the antenna might be 50
milliwatts (as an example), with or without the power amplifier.
ANTENNA- To further increase transmitting range, high gain,
directional antennas were connected to CB radios. If the same
type of antenna were connected to a radio modem, it would result
in a "negative improvement". There would be no increase in range,
since the radio modem would retrain to produce the nominal signal
strength at nearby nodes. More important, the radio modem
connected to a directive antenna could miss messages arriving
from directions other than the antenna principal gain lobe. By
the same token, raising the elevation of the antenna would cause
no noticeable increase in communication range.
OFF FREQUENCY OPERATION- Illegal out-of-band operation caused
sizable headaches for the Commission enforcement personnel. This
will never be the case with the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SYSTEM
however. There is only one "channel" or band. If, by some means,
the frequency of a radio modem were lowered, the data would be
destroyed by amateur radio transmissions. If it were raised,
video information from TV channel 2 would do the same thing.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The "radio modem" (node controller) to be used in the PUBLIC
DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE shall meet the following specifications:
FREQUENCY BAND- Equipment authorized to operate in the PUBLIC
DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE shall be capable of receiving and
transmitting data within the band from 52.0 to 53.999 mHz.
MODULATION- The data shall frequency modulate the carrier in a
frequency shift keyed scheme. Under no circumstances will
equipment authorized for use in the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE
Fidonews Page 14 2 Feb 1987
have provision for voice modulation or detection.
MODULATION AND SPURIOUS PRODUCTS-
The data rate (see Note 1), waveform and signal processing shall
be such that all products which fall outside the authorized
bandwidth be suppressed by 43 plus 10 log10 (mean output power,
in watts) decibels.
POWER OUTPUT- The power delivered by the final amplifier stage
into a 72 ohm load shall not exceed 1.0 watts. Further, the radio
modem (node controller) shall have an initial power-up "training"
mode. Upon power-up, the power output will be 1 milliwatt.
The power will increase during "training" in 3 db. steps until
contact is established with nearby radio modems (node
controllers). This value is stored in memory and becomes the
nominal power output for the radio modem.
ANTENNA- The antenna shall consist of a vertical radiator which
does not exceed one-quarter wavelength. The antenna shall exhibit
no gain or directional characteristics. The antenna shall be
supplied with a nominal length of coaxial cable.
TRANSMITTER IDENTIFICATION- Each radio modem shall have an
embedded identification which is transmitted as part of its
packet address. The address will be used to identify the
manufacturer, the serial number and the routing code of the
equipment.
PACKET CONSTRUCTION- The packet and destination address will be
contained in the header. The header will be constructed to limit
the number of destination addresses. This is done to specifically
preclude the transmission of "junk mail".
REMUNERATION- Users of the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE shall be
specifically prohibited from receiving any form of remuneration
or compensation, either in the form of funds, goods or services,
for handling data on the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE (see Note
2).
TYPE ACCEPTANCE- Type acceptance procedures, similar to those for
Citizens Band equipment, will be required. This insures that
commercially manufactured equipment used in the PUBLIC DIGITAL
RADIO SERVICE meets the specified technical requirements for this
service.
NOTE 1- No data rate is given in these proposed specifications.
It should be left to industry to determine the data rate.
Schemes, unknown to the writer or Commission, may permit higher
rates within the authorized bandwidth than conventional theory
would dictate.
NOTE 2- The purpose of this provision is to prevent the use of
the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE for the benefit of common
carriers.
Fidonews Page 15 2 Feb 1987
The restriction should not be construed to preclude the use of
the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE for business applications. For
example, the radio modem would be extremely useful within
buildings to avoid the need for local area network cabling. It is
likely the signals of an office radio LAN would not connect to
the external PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE.
The reader might envision that the service would be usurped by
the business community. This is not likely, however, due to the
self-regulating nature of the PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE.
Businesses are used to the near instantaneous response of
telephone data communications.
In comparison, the message response of a packet radio network is
relatively slow. Only small businesses would find these delays
tolerable. These are the same business which can least afford the
increase in telephone rates.
There is an analogy in the use of the Citizens Band. Numerous
channels are available and the equipment is quite inexpensive.
Even so, this band is seldom used for business purposes. There
are simply too many disadvantages for the business community.
CONCLUSION
In response to this petition, the Commission may point out that
there has been no popular "groundswell" to create a computer
radio service. Likewise, there was no public interest in the
creation of a television service in the 30's. However, in 1932,
the Commission recognized the significance of television and
allocated two bands for development of this new technology.
By the same token, the Commission recognized the impact that FM
radio broadcasting would have on sound reproduction. In 1941 they
allocated an eight mHz band to bring high fidelity sounds to the
public.
In either case, there was very little awareness that such
technologies were possible when the allocations were made.
The creation of a PUBLIC DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE is another
instance where the Commission could take the initiative and
create a new service in keeping with current technology.
International Regulations- Since the allocation is above 50 mHz,
it appears that no international treaties would be involved in
making the proposed allocation. Rather, it is likely that other
countries would develop a similar service for their citizens.
Amateur Radio Opposition- It is safe to assume there will be
sizable opposition to this petition by amateurs. The writer has
been a radio amateur for 30 years. During this period, no
permanent allocation has been "taken away" from the amateur radio
fraternity.
However, there can be no defense by amateurs of the inactivity on
Fidonews Page 16 2 Feb 1987
6 meters. A reallocation of the frequencies requested would
benefit the majority at virtually no expense to the minority.
Amateur Radio Collaboration- The principal purpose of this
petition is to obtain an allocation for a public computer
communication band. The writer would not object if this goal
could be achieved as part of the Radio Amateur Service. The
computer public would accept an administrative fee in return for
access to the radio spectrum. However, they would never accept
any sort of "testing" to achieve this goal.
The writer would like to thank the Commission for the opportunity
to submit this petition. Further, the writer appreciates the
consideration this petition will receive by the members of the
Commission.
Signed 20 October, 1985
----------------------
Donald L. Stoner, W6TNS
6014 E. Mercer Way
Mercer Island, Wa. 98040
(206) 232-6968
17 May 1987
Metro-Fire Fido's Second Birthday BlowOut and Floppy Disk
Throwing Tournament! All Fido Sysops and Families Invited!
Contact Christopher Baker at 135/14 for more information.
24 Aug 1989
Voyager 2 passes Neptune.
If you have something which you would like to see on this
calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1/1.
The file FIDOMLNK.ARC is available on my system for Seadog file
requests for any of you that are interested in seeing sample .BAT
files and configuration notes on running one or two Fido's under
Multilink Multitasking.
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