Pilot System
Testing Project
At some point in the future I want to set up a pilot system for testing purposes here in our home neighborhood of the Whispering Pines area just off State Route 676 on Rummer Road, 6 miles from Marietta, Ohio. This wide area wireless network, (WAWN), will encompass an area roughly two miles in diameter and cover approximately 100 homes. If you are using wireless networking in your home you may see our test network come up on your list of available networks. The Identifier name on the network will be SSWN1. It is most likely you will not be able to use this network if you do not have and external antenna for your wireless adapter or card you are using for your computer. we are also going to be limiting access to the network by using protocol known as MAC address filtering. Every wireless networking device has a unique electronic serial number coded in it. If this code is not one of the ones in the filter list, it will not be able to communicate with the system. If you wish to participate in this testing project arrangements can be made to grant you free access to this system for the period of time the test will be conducted. Read the following for information and instructions if you wish to be a part of this testing program.
The intent of this testing program is to first establish a working physical system. When this system is fully operational free access will terminate. From that point on access will only be granted to those who are willing to share in the operational and maintenance cost of the system. During the testing phase there will not always be continuous access or service as there will be periods of adjustments that involve adding equipment and software. Also the reliability and speed will not be optimum during the testing period due to several factors. The major factor here being that we will do all the testing while interfaced with an existing system that is not as capable of providing the optimum speed and traffic handling ability as the service the system will ultimately be served by if and when we put in it regular service with paying members. The reason for doing the test in this manner is to avoid paying the high cost of a service provider during a testing period. The quality and speed capabilities of the service provider have nothing to do with the operational capabilities of the shared system.
At this time the details have not been worked out as to what will be required of any participants in the testing project. There will be no fees involved but the participants will be required to provide their own equipment. Starscan Systems will provide free installation and set up assistance. We also are considering some sort of incentive in terms of a waiver of an initial fee that will later be required of members who sign on after the system is in operation. We could possibly devise some other incentives for those who participate in the testing phase.
There are only a few absolutes in the planning stages of this testing project at this time. The first and most obvious is that this project WILL NOT evolve into a fully operational and maintained shared system if there is not going to be enough interest and guaranteed participation. The initial cost of the testing project and the physical system is assumed in it's entirety by Starscan Systems. Any and all costs incurred by the volunteer test participants will remain the sole responsibility of those participants regardless of the results of the testing phase.
Hopefully the test project will be a success and the resultant shared system will become a working reality. Similar systems and co-opted organizations have been set up an flourished in many places through out the United States and Canada. There are still many questions that can be asked about this program. We have only touched on a few of the major issues involved here. If you have questions please feel free to use the e-mail address and/or the provided phone number. If you are interested in participating in the test project and/or would consider being a part of a shared system we would like for you to contact us with your inquiries and also contact information. Please provide your name, address, phone numbers and contact times. If you currently have a working e-mail address please also provide that. We will guard your privacy. We do not provide mailing lists to outside interests. we really don't want to maintain this sort of information but unfortunately there is no other way to implement a testing project like this or to set up a shared system.
Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this testing project. If you are located in the proposed system area and are interested in participating please contact us. You can call or e-mail us anytime at your convenience.
Best Regards,
David G. Boley
owner,
Starscan Systems
E-mail us at