https://networkfanatic.com Solutions Architect specializing in MDU wireless solutions, Amateur Radio operator N4OG, CWNE #596, and Border Collie trainer. en-US alek@networkfanatic.com (Alek Murray) alek@networkfanatic.com (Alek Murray) Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:02:17 +0000 https://networkfanatic.com/blog/ap-antennas-and-why-they-matter https://networkfanatic.com/blog/ap-antennas-and-why-they-matter Buried inside every access point, from a $30 consumer device to a $2,000 enterprise powerhouse, is the component that separates tiers more than any other: the antenna system. A walkthrough from PCB-trace PIFAs to RUCKUS BeamFlex+ adaptive arrays. Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Wireless RF Design https://networkfanatic.com/blog/aris-point-it-at-a-frequency-and-let-it-tell-you-the-story https://networkfanatic.com/blog/aris-point-it-at-a-frequency-and-let-it-tell-you-the-story ARIS (Amateur Radio Intelligence System) connects AI-powered speech-to-text to KiwiSDR receivers, turning HF audio into searchable transcripts and summaries. It's the same 'AI as log reader' idea from WLPC Prague, applied to amateur radio. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Tech Projects https://networkfanatic.com/blog/how-multi-psk-grew-up https://networkfanatic.com/blog/how-multi-psk-grew-up The multiple pre‑shared key methodology is present in most modern vendor toolkits, but outside of certain verticals it remains strangely under‑appreciated. Here's how we got here. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Wireless https://networkfanatic.com/blog/per-identity-psk-the-feature-wifi-forgot-to-standardize https://networkfanatic.com/blog/per-identity-psk-the-feature-wifi-forgot-to-standardize Per‑device and per‑identity PSKs power real Wi‑Fi deployments, but the standards still pretend they don’t exist. It’s time to admit what the industry is already doing and standardize it. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Wireless https://networkfanatic.com/blog/openroaming-in-mdus https://networkfanatic.com/blog/openroaming-in-mdus How incentives, privacy, and device reality make OpenRoaming a great LPV story and a shaky MDU one. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Opinion https://networkfanatic.com/blog/wifi-7-and-beyond-2025 https://networkfanatic.com/blog/wifi-7-and-beyond-2025 Where Wi‑Fi 7 really stands at the end of 2025, what Wi‑Fi 8 (and 9?!) are actually trying to solve, and how to think about upgrades without getting lost in the hype. Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Wireless https://networkfanatic.com/blog/optech-2025-wifi7-in-the-wild https://networkfanatic.com/blog/optech-2025-wifi7-in-the-wild Testing Wi-Fi 7 with a speedtest game at OPTECH 2025—What I learned about RF density, device capabilities, and practical throughput in high-density environments. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Tech Projects https://networkfanatic.com/blog/so-i-guess-im-blogging-now https://networkfanatic.com/blog/so-i-guess-im-blogging-now I'm a little late to this blogging thing. I don't really use social media other than to post pictures of my dogs, so I guess I'll just claim my own corner of the internet. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Personal