Unlicensed Podcast

On today’s episode of the #UnlicensedPodcast we catch up with our recent adventures and give some general updates. First we recap our activities at #TitanFest2021 and discuss what we learned and then chat a bit about our Thanksgiving holidays. Next we provide some updates on a number of things that have been going on in the background. These include .ant and Google Network Planner file updates, EPA and wind load additions coming to the datasheets, and new product timeline updates. Additions to the Link Calculator are covered as well as channel and supply updates in Canada. Finally we wrap up with what we are looking forward to in 2022 in our industry.

On today’s episode of the Unlicensed Podcast, we’re very excited to have our first WISP guest! Joining us is Spencer Pous from BluBroadband and SJP Network Solutions. Spencer is a longtime industry member and was gracious enough to take time to talk about a number of topics including his personal history in the industry, how he runs both an MSP and a WISP, the differences in managing and supporting those two different business styles, and dealing with hurricanes and recovery in the Florida panhandle. Thanks again Spencer!

On today’s episode of the Unlicensed Podcast, we delve into a conversation about how even though some antennas from different manufacturers may look the same, they aren’t all equal. Whether it be a horn, a sector, or a dish antenna, you have to look past the fact they may look similar or have a few comparable data points in a spec sheet and assess it across all aspects. Things to take into consideration from an RF perspective are the beam patterns, side and back lobes, balanced patterns across both polarizations, and other characteristics across the frequency range. You also have to evaluate the construction materials and mechanical properties and how they will hold up in harsh environments over time. And finally consider the focus of the manufacturer in question, support available, and the ecosystem supported now and in the future.

On today’s episode of the Unlicensed Podcast, we discuss some common myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings seen in the WISP industry. We open with the myth that more gain is what you always want from an antenna. We follow up talking about the misconception that 2.4Ghz is a dead band in fixed wireless. Next we talk about some of the misunderstandings about channel planning your first big 12 or 18 horn array for 360 degree coverage. Also covered is a conversation about what noise the horns will eliminate, some clarifications about connector orientations, and once again talk about why fiber isn’t always the answer but maybe it is for you in a particular area.

This is the first one of these episodes we’ve done and it was a lot of fun. If you have any myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings you’d like us to cover in a future episode then please let us know in the comments below!

On today’s episode of the Unlicensed Podcast, we recap our adventures in Las Vegas during WISPAPALOOZA. Despite a few slightly chaotic bummers, we had a fantastic week getting to see everyone again and also meeting a bunch of new people too. The show itself ran really well and attendance was great. Here we also cover the feedback from the new products and changes we announced, the kick everyone got from the taco truck, and how our vendor spotlight session went really well. We look forward to seeing everyone in March for WISPAMERICA in New Orleans!

On today’s episode of the Unlicensed Podcast, we are getting pumped up for Vegas, Baby! On this WISPAPALOOZA Eve, we sit down to talk about what we do in order to get ready for the show and what the show schedule looks like for us from setup to tear down. We discuss the best way for people to get out and meet their peers and the other vendors. Finally we give people that are new to the show some tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years to get the most out of the week.

In todays episode of the Unlicensed Podcast we discuss some considerations and approaches for those looking for an entry point into using our horn ecosystem. We talk about hybrid tower designs and how to use the flexibility of our ecosystem to split existing sectors into smaller cells. We cover picking the right horn for the job and using our Link Calculator to make the design process more accurate. We discuss looking towards the future of further builds and growth and how our horn ecosystem can help you migrate into new technologies. We harp on a bit about making sure you know where your CPE’s are actually located so you can make the conversion more efficient. We talk about new tower builds and how to not be intimidated by implementing a full horn array. And finally we talk through some of our experiences with channel planning these new horn builds and how they can be a lot more efficient than you think.

On today’s episode of the Unlicensed Podcast we cover some of the causes and effects of the chip and commodity shortages, price increases, and shipping cost increases that we have all seen across the WISP industry as well as the rest of the world. While it is a bit of an unpleasant topic at times, we felt it was important to share our perspective from our position in the industry as well as relaying some further background information gained from personal experiences. And while things may look a bit bleak, we talk about some things that we can all do to better get through these events together.

On today’s episode of the #UnlicensedPodcast we are excited to have our first guest! Please welcome Claude Aiken, President and CEO of #WISPA. With the #WISPAPALOOZA trade show just a few weeks away. Claude was kind enough to take the time to chat with us about the upcoming show and what it means for our industry. We discuss what #WISPA is, his history with #WISPA, and some background details about the shows that people may not know. We cover the structure of the shows with sessions, the exhibit hall, and affiliated vendor training events. We speak about the biggest benefit of the shows being the networking and building of relationships and community within the industry. Finally we talk about some of the effects of COVID-19 on the show and the precautions being taken.

On today’s episode of the #UnlicensedPodcast we talk about all of the #DOOM that the #WISP industry is facing currently and how our world is poised to collapse any moment now. Well, except for the fact that we aren’t really doomed at all and we’ve been down this road before. Main topics include: 5G and how it’s not the universal rural broadband miracle that the tech media markets it as; Starlink and trying to decipher the actual potential effects in rural markets; Fiber growth by the competition and ways you can also benefit; and how to adapt and evolve in an ever changing industry.