2003wirelessfieldday

2003 Wireless Field Day - Saturday, August 30th

CaseyHalverson came up with the idea for a Seattle Wireless Field day last year. Because of the timing and city permit processes the event didn't happen. Instead we had a BBQ - BBQPictures

This year with Mt Baldi coming online, support from the City of Seattle and some corporate sponsors, we have decided to make the event really happen this year.

Similar to amateur radio field day, a mock emergency network will be created this summer using off-the-shelf 802.11b hardware, computers, and battery/gas power supplies. Network applications such as VoIP (Voice over IP or Internet Telephony), streaming audio and video, file sharing, chat, network games, and others will be implemented across a multi-hop wireless infrastructure.

If resources allow, the goal is to connect this mobile network to the existing Seattle Wireless network, which currently exists in the Seattle area. This network can also provide access to the internet and our community network partners like Seattle Pacific University and Council House Projects.

Network connections to include Magnolia to Alki Beach, and possibily the rest of the SeattleWireless network.

How -- How are we going to do this

Event Coordinators CaseyHalverson and PeterYorke will organize this with the help of Site Leaders, Demo Leads, and General Help volunteers.

Site Leaders will be responsible for overseeing activities at a site such as a park or medical center

Demo Leads will prepare and manage the demos at the Sites.

General Help folks will be asked to assist the Site and Demo Leaders the day of the event.

If you are interested in being a site leader or want to do a demo, please send e-mail to CaseyHalverson or PeterYorke

2003FieldDayInfrastructure

What -- Things to do at the Field Day

We plan to have a number of demos and simulations at each site with professionally prepared signs and with people to answer questions.

Here is a partial listing of some of the ideas from last year:

• Emergency communications practice (EmergencyResponse and EmergencyPortableNode)

• LAN gaming
• VoIP testing
• Streaming media - simulate remote video triage?
• Test routing software
• Antennas

  • PassiveRepeater test would be very interesting.

  • Antenna comparison testing.
  • Cantennas

• Bring food -- it's a party too! try Barbecue Grill Antennas

Where -- Places to set up

Magnolia Park and Don Armeni Park are firm sites.

For EmergencyResponse reasons, we should consider trial connections to hospitals and emergency management centers.

Proposed network diagram for 3 sites (50k jpg)

We are going to need a permit. Officially calling the field day a picnic is the only way to avoid bonding/insurance issues.

When -- Saturday, August 30th

10AM - 2PM

Seattle's park office and other City officials have helped us hammer out a date and some other park facility issues.

Stuff -- Equipment people can bring

We will be putting together a list of items that will be needed for the network and other kinds of support.

Hardware needs to be offered in order to make this a success. You can be present with your equipment (and install it) if you wish. Everything will be returned by the end of the day.

Some items that will be needed:

• laptops
• wireless cards
• antennas and pigtails
• tripods, sawhorses, straps and other stuff to mount antennas
• Access Points
• Hubs, Cat5 Cable, crimpers, RJ-45 ends, cat 5 cable stripper
• Chairs, tables
• Digital camera / digital video camera
• A first aid kit, bandaids, etc.

• Umbrellas / tents to pass out in / just in case it rains. (Forecast looks clear btw.) http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USWA0395.html

How do I register?

Add your name to this list of what level of participation(Site Leader, Demo Lead or General Help) you would like, also provide a brief description of your demo idea if you are doing a demo:

FAQ

Question: Since Alki Beach Park is fairly long, at which end of the park will you be located?

Don Armeni Park

I'm starting a new page for this. --MattWestervelt

2003FieldDayAlkiSite

2003FieldDayMagnoliaSite

Question: Since Magnolia Park is somewhat large, at which part of the park will you be located?

Answer: We will be on the top end by the street. Will post pictures later in the week.

Question: Where do we go to if we are interested in the Tacoma demonstration site?

Answer: Tacoma is not happening

Question: Which location is the "best" one to go to if we can only go to one site?

Answer: They are all good. Go to the closest.

Question: Will internet access be available from an access point at each demo location?

Answer: Strong possibility

Question: Which site will have the "picnic"?

Answer: All of the sites can have picnics, we don't have access to the firepits, so bring your own Hibachi or other cook gear.

Question: Will there be PRE-demonstration and POST-demonstration activities outside of the times listed?

Answer: Set up is at 9:30am at both parks

Question: What was the previous field day that people have talked about?

Answer: The previous year's field day was going to be on June, but it didn't occur because of scheduling conflicts and other wireless activities using up time. However, for historical purposes, you can see WirelessFieldDay and JuneFieldDayRegistration. Those webpages are no longer current and do not pertain to the 2003 Wireless Field Day coming up.. (StartideRising)

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