[CQ-Contest] 3Y0X - Peter 1st - optical fiber

[Zoli Pitman HA1AG]

 Why not to use WLAN? with 300m site-to-site distance it would be no problem.  You can set it up very cheaply, easy to service and operate. If you keep the AP inside the hut or tent even wx should not be a problem.  Fiber is IMHO not for temporary installations as it is vulnerable and requires special tooling to repair. The bandwidth U don't need anyway.  Just a thought... zoli ha1ag--- On Wed 10/06, Eric Scace K3NA < eric at k3na.org > wrote:From: Eric Scace K3NA [mailto: eric at k3na.org]To: yccc at yccc.org, pvrc at mailman.qth.net, cq-contest at contesting.comDate: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 16:18:13 -0400Subject: [CQ-Contest] 3Y0X - Peter 1st - optical fiberDo you have access to fiber optic cable? Can you or your radio club make a targeted donation to the 3Y0X Peter 1st DXpedition?Then read on...N1DG, VK4GL and I are responsible for the IT infrastructure for the DXpedition. We will be running 9 stations at 2 or 3 sites onthe island, each separated by about 1000 ft from the others. Multiple
  sites increase the chances that we can run 2 or 3 stationssimultaneously on difficult bands & openings at full power; e.g., during any (brief and marginal!) 10m/12m openings.TC Communications has loaned the DXpedition three Ethernet/optical switches that can be used in a self-healing ring network. Notonly will such a network keep all our logging computers fully & continuously synchronized, each operator will know exactly whereevery other 3Y0X station is operating. A complete network allows instant "gab" messages between the operators, which is helpful ifa rare opening begins (e.g., 10m) and we need to instruct operators to move a couple of rigs to that band to maximize QSOs. Thenetwork allows us to easily, automatically and routinely back up audio archives and the integrated log to DVD during the course ofthe trip. And it eliminates a 3000 ft hike plus another half-hour of off-air work every day, when we prepare a summary of the logto be uploaded to the webmaster --
  the summary that you will be checking to verify your QSOs are in the log. (Without the network,we will do this by "sneaker net" -- or, more precisely, "snow boot net": walking to the sites to copy the logs-to-date and thenintegrating them at a central computer.)Unfortunately, the best quotation we have been able to get for a two-fiber cable with ST-connectors is $220 + shipping. Each runof fiber cable is about 1200 ft; we need two runs plus a spare for a 3-site DXpedition. Our budget is already in the red, and wecan't afford the additional $700 cash outlay at this point.Without a network (but weather and all else cooperating), we will have a successful DXpedition. But we will not havecontinually-synchronized logs, automatic backups or the ability to tell you what other bands/modes are currently active.We have examined both wireless and wired network options, but these appear to be less satisfactory or impractical. (See belowfor an explanation.)So... as a last resort, I am a
 ppealing to the contesting/DXing community:-- Can you, or someone you know, provide two or three 1200-ft runs of 2-fiber cable with ST connectors?-- Can you, or a radio club that you know, provide a grant that will help us acquire the necessary fiber?Thanks for considering this little project. We look forward to working you from Peter 1st.73,-- Eric K3NA====================Q: Why not run Ethernet wiring between the sites?A: The necessary length of Ethernet cable costs about the same as fiber. The distance exceeds the Ethernet specification for properoperation. A 1200-ft (350m) run of wire through the antenna fields may pick up enough RF to interfere with the operation of theEthernet switches/hubs. The long cable length may radiate into the antennas. Since each site is powered by different generators,which are not synchronized in phase and do not share a common ground reference, a large differential voltage may appear on theEthernet cables.Q: Why not run wireless networking b
 etween the sites?A: The wireless networking system specifications do not guarantee operation at these distances. We have not located suitab
 le gainantennas that would allow three sites, in a equilateral triangle, to reliably stay connected. We expect blizzard conditions on somedays; the intense snowfall may kill the wireless links during the storm. Other days will have thick fog; we are not confident ofthe ability to maintain long distance links through thick fog.... However, even connectivity on nice weather days would be an improvement over "no network". If you have expertise and accessto long-haul wireless networking gear that can do the job more economically, let's talk.Thanks!====== end ===========_______________________________________________CQ-Contest mailing listCQ-Contest at contesting.comhttp://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

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