I will soon be starting a job travelling all over the world on boats
offshore.
Bearing in mind that while I love to try out other people’s code I can’t
program, I get the basics but could never get the hang of using other
peoples code.
I would like to entertain myself at sea and stave off the boredom.
Noting
that a moving boat is too awkward for satallite (not wanting to disturb
the
ships captain or onboard large dish and GPRS out of range), and laws
regarding radios what would be a good idea to spend money on?
On the one hand USRP from ettus is only £450. On the other why spend
such an
amount on something that could be a 5 minute wonder, or be too
complicated
for me to work on? How far can I get on a Motorola Surfboard 3200 cable
modem instead?
In fact, can WIFI hardware be modified to do more than originally
intended?
Is there other cheaper ways to start?
I already find software based radio facinating. The potential for a
device
to do Satallite, HDTV, cell phone, PCS, ISM and goodness knows what else
all
in one box I find astonishing and even good value for £450! But is the
reality that such a device could be confiscated or too awkwardly non
turn-key for me to use?
I will soon be starting a job travelling all over the world on boats
offshore.
Bearing in mind that while I love to try out other people’s code I can’t
program, I get the basics but could never get the hang of using other
peoples code.
Man what are you doing here?
I would like to entertain myself at sea and stave off the boredom. Noting
that a moving boat is too awkward for satallite (not wanting to disturb the
ships captain or onboard large dish and GPRS out of range), and laws
regarding radios what would be a good idea to spend money on?
On the one hand USRP from ettus is only £450. On the other why spend such an
amount on something that could be a 5 minute wonder, or be too complicated
for me to work on? How far can I get on a Motorola Surfboard 3200 cable
modem instead?
All the way to the end of the Web.
In fact, can WIFI hardware be modified to do more than originally intended?
A good question. I understand the firmware of WIFI is essentially
programmable radio.
Is there other cheaper ways to start?
Also a good question. I would be good if Matt could provide some
guidance on the minimum package to get started and “do something
interesting”.