[HamWAN PSDR] VOTE: Approve spending for 3 modems

[Rob Salsgiver]

I don't have a vote, but I support the move.  It's an important upgrade to
the network all around and the choices are sound.  I'll send $100 toward the
effort.

 

Rob

 

From: PSDR [mailto:psdr-bounces at hamwan.org] On Behalf Of Bart Kus
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2014 5:18 PM
To: Puget Sound Data Ring; board at hamwan.org
Subject: [HamWAN PSDR] VOTE: Approve spending for 3 modems

 

Hello,

Yesterday we got a really important link working.  Directly from a major
Internet peering point with multiple fiber drops to our microwave network.
Specifically from the Westin building to our Queen Anne location.  This link
was then tested to perform at about 140-150Mbit.

Due to the geometry of the Westin building, the dish we're using there is
not a good fit.  At least 1/2 of it is obscured by the building's column.
I'd like to replace this dish + modem with a smaller QRT-5 modem.  The
integrated antenna of the QRT-5 should be unobstructed in its view of Queen
Anne.

I'd like to feed the Haystack site from our Queen Anne location.  However,
we have space and aesthetic restrictions at the Queen Anne site.  The best
performing and most aesthetically acceptable modem there is a QRT-5.

Finally, we have some spectral restrictions on our Baldi site.  I've been
exploring using the 3.3-3.5GHz ham band for PtP there, since it doesn't
overlap with commercial operations, and 200MHz of spectrum is a really
important asset.  I've tested one modem so far, the Ubiquiti XR3
<https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Ubiquiti+XR3&structure=HamWAN>
, but it's not a good candidate.  It doesn't cover anything below 3.4GHz so
we'd be losing 100MHz of potential bandwidth, and it's not a MIMO modem so
we'd be losing 1/2 the potential speed.  I'd like to purchase an F36N-PRO
modem card and put it through its paces.  For all the paces, I'd need 2 of
them, but I can start the testing with just 1.  And yes, I'd like to test
the US/CA version, not the international version.  I'm guessing we can make
the US/CA card work outside its intended spectrum, and it's cheaper and
easier to come by, so if that can be accomplished, it's the preferred model.
Also, we don't have to lie about export intentions when making the purchase.

So, to sum it up, here is the total spending request:


Qty

URL

Price

Subtotal


1

http://streakwave.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=F36N-PRO-US
<http://streakwave.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=F36N-PRO-US&eq=&Tp=> &eq=&Tp=

$95.95

$95.95


1

F36N-PRO Shipping

$15.54

$15.54


2

http://www.ispsupplies.com/brands/Wireless-Systems/MikroTik-RB911G-5HPnD-QRT
.html

$169.00

$338.00


1

QRT-5 Shipping

$22.31

$22.31

		
TOTAL:

$471.80


For Streakwave, I'm listing the reseller pricing, which I have access to.
Yes, the F36N-PRO is showing as available for $90 @ baltic networks, but
when you go to check out it shows as back ordered.  Don't want drama.

My vote is YAY.

--Bart

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