Hi, I realize that this may not be directly related to this groups' activities (so my apologies) but not surprisingly the number of people with experience in Nicaragua is limited. I hope that you can help me out.
I am working on a project in Nicaragua with an NGO to provide communications with rural communities. There are a huge number of ways that this can be done, but for a number of reasons the one I am focusing on right now would use a repeater on a hill overlooking the community from which I can get cellular (GSM) access (there is no cellular coverage in the community itself). The idea would be to have a repeater based on a cellular connection to the internet (via a modem-type connection rather than GPRS) and a 802.11b AP on the other side to communicate with PCs in the community (about 5km away), with a single board computer with Linux in-between to work everything out between them. * Can anyone point me to similar projects that have been done on this (ie with the cellular aspect)? I've seen some industry info on combining cellular/Wi-Fi, but not in the way I plan. * Recommendations of groups/forums that would be useful to contact. * Anyone have any comments on the feasibility of this project or recommendations on things to do/not do? (Only sensible comments please, I know this question is vague ;-) * Any recommendations on a single board computer for this project? Needs to be cheap, low power (will be solar powered), preferably using Flash drive, with Linux support. I was thinking of a Soekris, RouterBoard, OpenBrick board (probably overkill), or a PC104 board (which seem to be expensive to me). Any others? * While I have experience in Wireless networks, Linux, cellular... (worked in design of comms equipment for 6 years in Canada and have PhD in wireless coms) this will be my first 802.11 long-distance link, so I was wondering if there is anyone with more experience who would be willing for me to bounce some ideas off or review if my final proposal is actually likely to work? Thanks for your help, Kieran -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
