E-mail Reaches the Unreachable via Shortwave in the Solomons

July 3, 2002 12:26 PM

E-mail Reaches the Unreachable via Shortwave in the Solomons
PFNet is an innovative development project which deploys a growing network infrastructure across the largely rural and remote communities of the Solomon Islands. "PFnet is based on a model where community-managed, operator-assisted email facilities provide all groups (even illiterates) the means to send messages and Internet emails. ... Owing to the formidable logistical barriers in this scattered island nation, the mainstay of the network uses HF/Wavemail; a well proven system short-wave radios in Pactor 2 mode." The organization is a finalist for the Stockholm Challenge, an award for innovation in IT development.
    All a community needs is a shortwave radio, solar panels, and a computer running Wavemail to send email, and potentially more. The results are quite impressive: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
posted by rschram (5 comments total)

Wow, the revival of Pactor 2. Perhaps I should renew my amateur radio license.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 1:08 PM on July 3, 2002

More on "bush e-mail" here.
posted by rschram at 1:30 PM on July 3, 2002

From: KngSolomn1223
Subject: Part-ay

Sup? kayla and babycakes r havin' a part-ay 2nite... can u come? jimmy will be there... remember the pond lol ;) hope u 2 dont go at it 2 much!!!

kthxbye
posted by geoff. at 2:44 PM on July 3, 2002

What's innovative is the way this is being used. This is ridiculously old technology. Packet radio, KA9Q, anyone? ;-)
posted by wackybrit at 6:09 PM on July 3, 2002

WB2MMR anyone?
posted by ParisParamus at 6:11 PM on July 3, 2002