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Military against Wi-Fi

2002-12-17 20:16:28+00 by Dan Lyke 5 comments

It's hard to tell from the headline or the article, Military seeks to restrict wireless, Wi-Fi could block U.S. radar, but I think they're complaining about 802.11a. But the real issue here is that low power consumer electronics could jam military radar. Is the fix really to ban the electronics?

[ related topics: Politics Wireless moron ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment made: 2002-12-18 00:06:58+00 by: meuon

Scary. Military communications stuff should be more robust.. what happens if my microwave oven (2.4ghz) leaks a little and knocks them out?

#Comment made: 2002-12-18 00:14:02+00 by: Dan Lyke

That's why I guessed 802.11a, they talked about 5GHz. Yep, there's enough wacky 2.4GHz radiation flying around that complaints about being vulnerable in that band would be way in the "just shut up already" category.

#Comment made: 2002-12-18 12:55:26+00 by: meuon [edit history]

I just envisioned a 14 year old pimply faced youth playing with WiFi (even at 802.11a 5ghz) getting console on the Armies latest high tech fly-by-wire tank..

Wow.. this is the best tank simulator ever. these cars look REAL when I drive over them. Hey.. There is my school.. load - aim - FIRE!.

#Comment made: 2002-12-18 17:50:40+00 by: Dan Lyke

Shades of that old urban legend about police radar and missile systems.

#Comment made: 2003-02-03 20:27:50+00 by: meuon [edit history]

An UPDATE VIA CNET is interesting. I'll bet that although they say Wi-Fi interferes with military radar, it's really about acquiring more spectrum for wireless networking. ie: follow the $. If a $69 wireless access point distorts Military Radar like they say... we are in a sorry state of military technology.