WAPA

A new Spectrum Analyser supporting 1 MHz to 9.4 GHz is now available to WAPA’s Johannesburg membership. The SPECTRAN® NF-5030 & HF-60100 V4 will be kept at UniNet’s office.

This particular Spectrum Analyser:

1. has a high sensitivity (-155dBm) and low Noise Floor, which is advantageous to have for long range measurements and/or when the receive signal is weak.
2. supports narrowband signals and takes into account the modulation scheme of the signal: Wifi / WiMAX, Video signals, etc.
3. has an 80 times faster sampling time than the average hand held spectrum analyser.
4. has a vastly improved “spurious free dynamic range”
5. has improved filters and excellent bandwidth resolution which is important for distinguishing signals on adjacent channels.
6. has a faster battery charging than previous models.

Please note that use of the spectrum analyser requires that you have attended a WAPA spectrum analyser course. You can go here to apply for borrowing the unit.

WAPA is looking to employ or contract somebody who can help with technical and wireless operations management. This person must be neutral (not affiliated to a network operator) and independent. At the moment it’s a part-time position and focused on the Western Cape area.

Position: Operations Manager, part-time
Office location: Cape Town
Reporting to: WAPA Exco
Permanent / Contract: Negotiable, 5 days a week, half-day, 8:00 to 12:00
Required Start Date: ASAP
Renumeration: In the range of R5 000 per month, depending on experience
WAPA will also provide a mobile phone and petrol allowance

Summary of position: As WAPA’s Ops Manager you will be involved in all technical areas of running a non-profit industry representative body. You will need to coordinate and cooperate with members and partners. Candidates should have a strong wireless networking background and should be passionate and pro-active about improving the state of wireless networking in South Africa.

Responsible for:
* Highsite management policies
* Enforcement process
* Code of conduct
* Certification and training
* National coverage map

Must:
* Be Independent (neutral)
* Have own car and driver’s licence

Skills and knowledge required:
* Interference mitigation
* Wireless equipment, antennas, RF planning
* Internet, email and PC skills
* Technical writing skills

Personal Attributes:
* Good listener
* Integrity, Energy, Intelligence
* Excellent communication and writing skills
* High attention to detail
* Self motivated quick learner
* Proactive, problem solver

Bonus Attributes and skills:
* Interest in the telecommunications regulatory environment
* General interest in technology and internet services
* Training background

Please contact WAPA if you are interested in the position. We’ll respond and ask for your CV. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WAPA has purchased a spectrum analyser. It will primarily be used for high site maintenance and inspection or dispute resolution. Members will be able to rent the device and WAPA is in the process of arranging a training session for interested members.

The device has a record mode to capture the RF profile of a high site using a mobile computer. The data can then be analysed off-site. It includes software for visualisation and graphing.

With all the media attention and hype around WiMax this list may help you understand why not to discount practical Wifi technologies that are solving real world problems today. WAPA estimates that 40000+ clients are connected using outdoor Wifi and a potential 1Million more people who have laptops with Wifi features.

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With the rising popularity of wireless technology in our society, there is growing concern about the possible health risks of this convenient technology, especially in schools and in hospitals where use of these technologies are now very common.

Controversial articles have been published by health and nutrition groups warning us about the use of Wifi in our homes. Most of these warnings highlight the dangers of EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation), especially when linked to research which suggests a link between mobile phones and brain cancer.

The general assumption here is that indoor and outdoor Wifi technology works in very much the same way as GSM mobile phones and therefor similar health risks are involved. This is not the case.

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