WISP consulting beginning

I have been involved with the WISP community for the last 15 Years, and I will highlight some of those activities.  I started out following Part 15 Mailing lists, and saw the potential for network accessibility, which is a major step expanding LAN to more of a WAN environment.  It expands a private network over a large geographic area (almost like a WAN) using wireless technology to connect customer locations to the providers network.


I started working for PDQ Link installing Access Points on Towers, and CPE devices art customer premises.  I helped with several trade shows (WISPCON). 


The first wireless devices deployed were Devices designed around the Orinoco Silver and gold PCMCIA cards.  They had a limitation of 26mW.  I also worked with Motorola Canopy devices, and the next one were the SmartBridges devices that were 200mW.


My second wireless consulting client is still in the WISP business.  Nathan and Jason from WISPER had me install their first Canopy cluster on a tower in Fairview Heights   I mat Charles Wu the trade shows, and he trained me with a Comtrain certification for tower climbing.  I installed some microwave gear for him as a part of the Kankakee County 911 system.  I also climbed my first mono-pole tower near the Joliet raceway.  I then started working with Larry Yunker at Cyber Broadcasting doing tower and customer installs.  We installed about a dozen tower locations and about 200 customer installs the first year.  Larry sold the company to a local competitor, and I moved on to several regional freelance locations, until I started working consistently with WISPER expanding their Metro St. Louis footprint.  I also did some specialized point to point high capacity links with Orthogon and Canopy Back-haul products for a regional Health Care Group.  I started working part time as an employee for WISPER, traveling from my home town of Coal Valley, IL. to metro St. Louis for a couple of years.

The beginning of consulting

I started consulting and networking around 1993, with some database programming projects, until I moved to northern Missouri and worked for a plastics manufacturer that was a subsidiary of Union Carbide.  I also started teaching adult education classes for a local community college. I did some computer sales and service, hiring a tech. My consulting group covered service, programming and sale for the southern Iowa and North Central Missouri area.

The next  project came from the teaching contacts for an Iowa Utility company.

I did a pilot programming project for the Iowa Southern Utilities Southern region while still teaching college courses over several southern Iowa locations.

This project required an outside energy consulting group to meet and review the database design. I was competing with another region of the newly formed electrical company when ISU and IES (Cedar Rapids IA.) merged and they also had a similar project. Cedar Rapids was the now parent company, and their project won out the project.  I was dialing in to the NWS for climate data to be calculated in my program.  This was the beginning of the Internet, and dial in was to the Iowa Climate Data to download weather data.

 Next I tried full time consulting with Baird Kurtz and Dobson CPA IT side. We had over 200 employees in the Kansas City office with 14 offices in the Midwest.  One project that consumed most of my billable hours was to provide IT support for a transportation broker.  They had a contract with FORD motor company to provide rail transportation substitution for a few months because of a rail car shortage.  I programmed an interface to call into Ford's COPAC system and receive and transmit vehicle deliveries.  I the few months, the company received several million dollars in fees tor transporting the remaining vehicles for the model year to two locations from Kansas City to Tulsa OK, and Santa Fe NM.

Next I was hired by some friends I met while teaching C Programming at the community college. I worked on several programming projects supervising a team of programmers and analysts.  We started a project to become dial-up service provider with a target project for the Iowa Farm Bureau to provide a frame relay network across the state of Iowa.  We started with two locations as a proof of concept in Des Moines and Ottumwa. I worked on several Cisco router ate Access points, and several providing the backbone across the frame relay network. I was hearing new things about wireless networking, and looked into this concept.

Katrina Relief Monday Activities

Monday,

We got up pretty early, thanks to Adam and his annoying wake up routine. The other guys from the California team arrived, and we planned our next moves. We were busy preparing, and loading the trailer. Paul left with the California guys to Bay St. Louis MS, and the rest prepared to head for Alexandria LA. I got about 10 guys together and I gave a class on how to be ground support for the tower climbers, and showed them some tricks on handling ropes, and securing loads and making our life easier on the tower. The guys absorbed it real well, and understood why it should be the way I showed them. They walked away with an understanding of how to make the job easier for the climber. They will secure the radios, in a way that will help the guy on top, so it makes it an easy process. Steve was shaking his head and apologizing profusely, since he was Patricks Ground man on Friday, and he didn't understand why the ropes and gear were set the way they were, and he disconnected most of it. He knew he made it harder for Patrick without realizing it.

(following paragraph by Patrick)
After the class was over and a quick run through for each person to try on the climbing harness the semi trailer was loaded with tower sections by Jimmy(on the forklift), Doug, Adam, Mike K. and Patrick. Next to be loaded into the trailer was the palatized equipment with help of Jimmy(driving forklift), Doug, and Patrick. Then the tent was completely packed up and loaded into the trailer along with all of the poles, stakes, and chains needed to re-erect the tent later. After all of this was done Mike had finished ordering guy wire for WisperISP and the two of us were able to get seen off by Sharon, Jimmy, Doug, and Adam. Everybody else being incredibly busy with getting everything ready for the base camp move.

We packed up our gear and headed out around 1300. We promised to return in a couple of weeks, and jump back in to the whole project.

It is a hard to describe the emotions I went through preparing to leave. Just looking back on the selflessness of all of the volunteers, and the looks on the people displaced from their homes when they can make contact to the outside world. Nobody was doing this because they wanted recognition, or personal gain, it was more of a matter that the tragedy of hurricane katrina was something that they couldn't just sit back and watch, they had to do something. Providing a basic service to these people with the technology we have available is our way of doing something. Internet access is more important than anyone realizes. Just imagine filling out the FEMA registration forms without it. Most of these people already know how to use the Internet, and it was just unbeleivable how important the work we did was. The sheer volume of calls made from the shelters in the past few days speaks volumes. Over 10,000 outbound calls over our equipment. The majority were made to the FEMA numbers.

I am confident that we made the lives of these displaced people more comfortable by providing our unique service, and I am very thankful I was able to be there. Thanks Nathan and Jason for encouraging and supporting Team WISPER and our work at Camp ShagNasty.

Katrina Relief Sunday Activities

Sunday

We woke up more refreshed, since we didn't try to poison ourselves like friday night. Matt Larsen missed out on the breakfast that Sharon prepared. Biscuits and gravy, sausage and eggs. We were able to skip lunch. Patrick, and Mike Taylor from North Carolina went with me to try to get the last shelter online. First, Patrick climbed the NOC tower, and adjusted the link between Oak Ridge (ATT Tower) and the NOC. Signal was still poor, so we headed to Oak Ridge (again) before heading to the Start tower, and the Alto shelter. We were able to use a compass heading to get the antenna lined up, and got a connections, but a poor signal. -81 is not enough to sustain connection for this link. So, someone will have to climb NOC again to tweak the signal. The guys that went to the Kings camp (the one with special needs) and tried but were unable to get a 900 link up for them. This link NOC to Oak Ridge feeds that camp.

We arrived at Start, and put the link back to the NOC live, and aimed the AP in the right direction. We started using compass bearings, so we could show the climber(Patrick) the correct position on the ground, instead of relying on distant landmarks for antenna placement. The link was a -73 with a 100/100 speed test.

We then went to the Alto Camp, and met with some of the evacuees, and explained what our group was trying to do for them. This group was very fortunate, since all of the family members from several households were related, and were able to stay together. The father was seperated for awhile in the beginning, but he made it out and back to his family. He was stubborn and would not leave when the rest left home, and he barely made it out. His daugher said he ws really lucky and really stupid at the same time. They have no idea when they will be going back to their homes, (in the NO area). The camp is a bible camp compound, with buildings, and power, water. They are even using the meeting hall building as a kitchen, meeting room, and bedroom for some adults and kids. There were all kinds of clothes that had been donated there.

We did not get a good enough signal at this camp either. 6 miles through dense trees did not work, since we could only get about 15 feet height out of the Su side.

We returned to the camp and enjoyed the best brisket meal I have ever tasted. It was so tender, Clyde Sr. wondered how the cows could swalk with such tender brisket. After dinner, the circus tent was dropped, and preparations for the move got underway. Pallets of pc's to be configured and put into service were shrink wrapped, and readied by Jimmy and crew. We had a late night strategy meeting to discuss what provisions we would need, and safety issues were addressed. Two guys from New York and one from Ohio arrived, and at around 0030 a pair from California rolled in.

Saturday activities

Saturday. We woke up slowly after a long night around the campfire. The videographer team showed up at 0900, and interviewed as many of the team as possible, especially the ones that had to leave today. We lost Matt, John, and several of the other specialists in VOIP and mesh networks. At least they have the Asterisk box set up and can maintain it remotely.

I configured more Trango TLink radios for another hop to the Start LA, tower, for a shot to the Alto shelter. We waited for Patrick and Steve to finish at the old ATT tower, before we headed out. We hung the Tlink 10, and the Trango 900 AP in a short time, since it got dark on us,. We got a marginal signal back to base camp, and wi9ll tweak the BC tower side in the morning. We need to also tweak the link to the ATT tower, then we can set up Alto camp for connectivity.

We had a couple of new members of the team arrive from Winnipeg Canada. They jumped right in and learned the tower ground crew role.

The VOIP stuff is pretty cool. we connect a router that the guys have programmed, and plug two phones into it, and then the evacuees can make two calls at once. all is handled by the asterisk box onm site. We are working on a script to parse the logs for call duration, and other specifics. It should be easty because the logs are in comma delimited format.

We had Catfish filets and fries tomnight for supper. I visited for a while, then sat down to start this blog, and fell asleep in the chair.

Fridays Activities at Camp Shagnasty

Fridays activities.

We woke up after about 3 hours sleep. after meeting everyone, and getting the general orientation, we set about pitching in. I jumped in with Jim from Atlanta, and we built a ramp for the semi trailer that was sitting there waiting for loading for the move to the next region. We found some tire racks in the shed, (Mac used to have a tire shop) and they were capable of holding people and goods when loading. We welded two racks together, then another set of two racks. We fashioned some angle and made the racks the right length. We made it as a three piece unit, that will allow hand carts and walking up to the truck. It is held together by six bolts, and can break down to be placed in the trailer for unloading. It is a strong, and portable, and it will provide a safe platform for future operations.

I then moved on to programming some Trango radios for deployment. A set of T-link 10's and a 900 AP-SU pair. This will be for the Start Tower connection. It will be the last local tower link to complete, then we will prepare for the move further south to set up more shelters.

I climbed the NOC tower to try to fix a link to one of the sites. Apparently a CM9 radio had stopped working. I swapped the radio, and it still was down, so we pulled it down to troubleshoot it. It appeared that when we hooked up the pigtail it killed the radio. We waited until the heat of the day was replaced by the evening, and sent people back up. We hung a Tlink-10 as a replacement. It needs final aiming, once the remote unit is hung, we can get a solid link for that camp.

We ate supper about 9 in the evening, it was a steak barbeque. Mac's family and friends took care of treating us like royalty. We then gathered around a campfire, listening to satelite radio Jazz and blues and socialized (or swapped lies in LA terminology).

I have been oeverwhelmed with emotional feelings hearing about all of the benefits of our labor, and the feelings from everyone helping out. Pictues to follow as soon as I get my USB card reader to cooperate.

Hurricane Relief Work

Wisper Hurricane relief efforts.

Thursday evening, after working all day, Mike and Patrick from Wisper drove to Rayville LA, from St. Louis. We came down to Louisiana to answer a call for tower climbers needed ASAP. Mac Dearman (wearing hat) had stopped his life to devote his efforts to connect these people displaced by the hurricane.

Mac Dearman, a friend of mine in the WISP industry, is organizing a group of people from all over the country to provide connectivity, computer time and much needed Voice over IP for telephone connections to the shelter camps set up in the North East LA region. He is hobbling around on a broken shin bone, and can't climb right now. We arrived at about 0300 on friday morning.

I have been an emotional type of person, since certain tragedies over the years, even though most people that know me don't ever see this, because I concentrate on work or whatever task I am doing somewhere between 100 and 110 percent. This has been really hard, and fulfilling for me. The mindset of everyone here is gut wrenching. It is all give, and no problems of any kind. It is amazing to see a group of 30 strangers thrown together with diverse personalities, and backgrounds working together like they have a common bond that will not let anything interfere with their goal. That goal is reinforced when you see the despair and helplessness of the people in the shelters, and the lifting of the spirits when they can get on the phone and call loved ones, or start to put their lives back together. We receive words of encouragement and praise from Mac, and other locals and it hits me every time. I wish I could do more, and I definitely will be back for more. I don't do this for myself, it is more because I have a unique set of skils, and there is a definite need for them down here.

I will be posting more of the daily activities, and also fill in some photos if my computer will start cooperating.


http://crisis.wispa.org

This is one of the many links for news about this cause.

Flag Pole Install

We installed a Backhaul unit to a flag pole in Missouri. It sits above the tree line, and works great. Apparently there is a tower restriction that a pole does not meet those standards in that city.

The 34 foot bucket truck was not enough to reach this, but a man lift was available just down the street.

Downtown St. Louis Install

I was on the top of the Metropolitan Square building recently installing a 2.4 Canopy link. The view was outstanding. The Canopyt 2.4 is pretty impressive. It has connections about 8 miles away through RF hell.

The Cardinals were on the field at Busch Stadium warming up for a game that day. Busch Stadium looks different from above.

Site Surveys the Fast and Easy Way

I have been doing an average of 20 Site Surveys a day, by using some innovative tools.
First and foremost is a 34' bucket van. I download my list of sites, and plot them in Map Point, I drive to the addresses, and pull in the driveway near the building, and hop into the bucket. I extend to an optimal place, get signal readings, check for new possible towers or repeater sites, then log it into the Access App I created, and drive to the next location. No climbing on roofs, or setting up appointments to have the property owner there to give permission to climb on the building. I have a pocketPC (IPAQ) set up to talk wireless with an AP in the Van. I can then connect to a Canopy 900 MHz SM to do NLOS surveys. The Canopy has a convenient feature for PDA's, with a three second automatic refresh. I utilize a 19db Panel antenna with Mini Stumbler on the PDA for 2.4 signal testing.

Unfortunately it takes more time collecting the client information and getting the results to the sales people than doing the surveys.

We are working on several information systems to handle the demands for the amount of surveys.

1000 foot Tower

We recently installed a Canopy Cluster with a CMM at 750 feet on a 1000' tower, with another CMM and Backhauls at 600'. It was an interesting install, and except for losing my cell phone over the side of the tower at 750', it was very successful.