sillyputty wrote:

> I could probably find the answer to this by some research, but I'm too
> lazy. :D We have the beginnings of free wifi in our city (Portland),
> though it's still spotty, at best, since not all areas of the city are
> 'wired.' I was thinking about how the nodes only cover about 300'
> each, then there's obstacles, interference, etc. Why can't they put up
> one big antenna, like radio stations, and pump out 50k watts, or
> whatever would be necessary to cover the entire city?

.... but now the wifi client in your laptop needs to be able to respond
(acknowledge packet received, send a packet, etc), using its own
50kw transmitter. Really shortens battery life!