WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

There are a couple of things which some indys have been trying to solve the last times which we are trying to give our own contribution with this SMS-tool.

-During events there is the usual problems that when people at dispatch make calls with people out there in the field the noise at the event makes Communication difficult.

-When many actions are happening smultaneously it can be very difficult for the ppl at dispatch to rapidly and precisely describe the happenings out there on breaking news as they where told over the phone.

-There are lots of people who would happily inform indy folks of actions if it was a matter of just an SMS as opposed to a phone call to the imc centre.

-Those who are quick (equipped?) with SMS may like to post a article from their cellphones to indy site.

In all these the SMS-tool is about making it possible to use cellphones and SMS to improve speed and coordinations from indymedia centres during events and to reduce cost as SMS communication is a lot cheaper than regular phone calls.

HOW IS IT?

Hardware

-A GSMmodem or Cellhphone(with inbuilt GSM). Note here that the GSMmodem normally comes with a power cable but sometimes without a serial cable.

-A GSMmodem antenna with a FME connector.

-A PC with online access

-A sim card :-))

Software

-We are using InPut as our basic platform because it is a visual display of basically all what is needed at dispatch.

-We are writing some bash-scripts(below) to communicate between the GSM modem and InPut.

-gsmlib which comes with most distributions of linux gsmlib for freedownload. This allows the GSMmodem and the PC to communicate. gsmlib uses AT commands for GSM devices ( more background on AT Commands )(more below).

Assembly+Logic

-Assembly: The SIM CARD is inserted into the GSMmodem. The GSMmodem is connected to PC. PC configuration (see below) is done to allow the GSMmodem to send and recieve sms. Then the bash-scripts (see below) are also set in place to tell the PC what to do with the SMS it recieves and to whom and when to send SMS.

EXAMPLE FROM SCRATCH

- * We got :

- a Linux-PC with online access,

- a Siemens TC35i serial GSMmodem (about 150Euro)

- a sim card.

-A GSMmodem antenna with a FME connector (starts from 20Euros)

- * Connecting hardware together

- SIM CARD is inserted in SIM Card slot on GSMmoderm.

- GSMmoderm is connected to PC with serial cable to serial port. GSMmodem is connected to power.

-Antenna is connected to GSMmodem.

- * Software side of things

-- SphinX - 09 Oct 2004