how much would it cost to build a pair of radio links?

Probably about $20/each (you would need 2 of them)<P>
The IC chip costs $9.xx and the other parts with PCB total to around $10...so I would say $20...we were using parts from the lab...so I couldnt tell you the exact price.

lol, reno from subspace?

planned
Renowned
a lot of the other stuff I say

This is great, can't wait to get it built.

Ya know, depending on the effective range of this, it might be a GREAT addition to the idea a while back about using your TI in class for covert internet access... If the range is anything like I think I remember it being, you should be able to hook one up to the computer connected to the internet, then just carry the little box with you instead of a laptop.

This would also do very well using a PC as sort of a server, that can manage accounts, chat, get email, etc...

Why am I talking about any of this? I can't find a program that will let me telnet with my 82, and I homeschool, so all my work is done beside a computer with internet access. I just think it's all incredibly cool. :)

Transmit power is 10mW...yes the possibilites are endless....after prototyping is done, we will work on devising some type of email system to send email to other classmates...

How are you going to prevent cross-talk when more than two radiolinks are active in the same area?

At this time, it can only be used with 2 calculators until we figure out a way to prevent exactly what you said...but our radiolinc team is working hard on it

Couldn't it work the same way as with the IR link? No recieving acknowledgement, just broadcast and listen?

Once you've done that, you could program in who the data is for, so that if a program on another calc gets it, it ignores it.

Of course, then we'd see the rise of 'sniffer' programs that would catch everything, so maybe some simple encrytion would be in order.

Programs to find and extract certain strings of data while listening would probably take up quite a bit of memory, maybe all of it if you have an 83...
-Colin

What would the average range be with this RadioLinc? And when you stated it'll be compatible with all calculators.. did you mean that I could send info from an 89 to an 86 and so forth? That would be cool..

no. that is programming. but you could. what "compatable with all calculators" means is that you could use it on a ti-82 or ti-92+. not cross platform communication.

Hey, don't get too optimistic! the ti86 can handle BASIC from the lower calculators (don't take 'lower' to mean anything other than 'having a lower number after the "ti" bit') and Asm from the ti85. With a bit of clever software you could use ti83 asm on a ti86.

What would be really cool would be a computer plugin that is linked to a set of revision notes - then you can search dynamically for keywords in a test. Seriously though, some teachers think you're crazy if you ask them to move when you're doing a test (some of use use the cheaper IR links that need 'line of sight').

Nice toy :)

Ciaran
http://www.asm86.cwc.net/ for a ti86 asm tutorial.

That would all depend on the software used... There are some programs, IR Chat (?) the one that comes to mind, that are programmed for multiple calcs, so any combo is possible...82-85, 86-89, 82-89...

What we really need is a standard communication protocol, not just for radio, but regular linking cable as well.

Will you guys ever start "producing" these for sale to the TI Community? I'm not much for wiring up circuits and such, and it would be a great thing for you guys to sell. Any chance this might happen? If so, any idea on a possible price? Thanks guys.

-Fil

I think that would be a great idea, many people lack the skills or the equipment to build these, some won't even be able to buy all the componets.

We should be selling them as soon as the first final version is released.

According to FCC regulations you can't sell these things. Don't ask me exactly where. I don't care though, I want a pair.

By the way, the site address brings up some secure server hosting thing.

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Actually, we have spoke with the FCC...and we will be making sure they meet all requirements before marketing them.

We are aware of the problem with out site, and are working with our hosting provider to resolve the problem.

I know I would, maybe two.