Wireless Spectrum Finder: Telecommunications, Government and Scientific Radio Frequency Allocations in the US 30 MHz - 300 GHz
By Bennett Kobb
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Copyright: 2001
ISBN-10: 0071375066
Full review (my review from Amazon.com):
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Highly useful book for wireless reference, July 12, 2001
| Reviewer: | Steve Stroh (Woodinville, Washington USA) - See all my reviews |
Wireless Spectrum Finder has come full circle. It was originally published as SpectrumGuide in hardcopy, then published as an electronic book, and has now reverted back to hardcopy, published by McGraw-Hill. I was permitted to see a review copy of SpectrumGuide, and while it was tremendously useful to have the ability to do keyword searches, I like the book format of Wireless Spectrum Finder even better than I liked SpectrumGuide. Wireless Spectrum Finder is an annotated list of the various spectrum allocations in the US. In that role, it's extremely valuable to see Kobb's notes on how a particular chunk of spectrum came into use (and often what use it served prior to being reallocated), how it is encumbered, and what "special features" it has. Kobb basically works his way through the spectrum, and handles what could be a dry and dull job with grace and humor. In the sections of particular interest to me, such as 902 - 928 MHz, 2.4 to 2.485 GHz, etc. Kobb does a very credible job of explaining the varying (and at times conflicting) uses of a particular chunk of spectrum. At one point I offered some feedback that Kobb didn't make particular note of the fact that 2.4 - 2.485 GHz was heavily used by ISP's using Part 15 equipment, and that comment was included in the next issue of SpectrumGuide (and was incorporated into Wireless Spectrum Finder). Of particular note is that Kobb maintains an online errata list on his web page. This is particularly welcome for a reference work. I highly recommend Wireless Spectrum Finder. It's an excellent reference work and I find it indispensable in my work as a writer dealing with wireless issues. It has found a permanent home on the "gotta be within easy reach" top shelf of the bookcase behind my desk.
In 2007, some of the information presented is inevitably dated, although it's amazing to me how prescient Kobb was in the evolution of certain spectrum allocations with his informed speculative comments. However... that dated information gives this book a considerable advantage because spectrum allocation policy in the US is almost entirely built upon legal precedent. In many cases, it can be highly advantageous to know "what went before" for a particular spectrum allocation.
I continue to recommend this book very highly, and long after other reference books have been crowded off the "gotta be within easy reach top shelf of the bookcase behind my desk", my 2001 edition of Wireless Spectrum Finder will still be there.
By Steve Stroh
This article is Copyright 2007 by Steve Stroh
The listing of this book originally appeared on the Broadband Wireless Internet Access / WiMAX weblog. This website, Broadband Wireless Internet Access Books, is intended to be the most comprehensive listing of books relating to Broadband Wireless Internet Access, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and related technologies available for public access. If you would like to offer suggestions or updated information, please send email to Steve Stroh.
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