1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat and AC

Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by kogepathic on Friday June 12, 2015 @11:01AM (#9706293)

> The only problem is that the computer operates on the same frequency as some of the walkie-talkies used by the maintenance department.

It's awesome that it's been functional for this long, but given the press attention I hope they don't receive unwanted attention given that this system was implemented in the 1980s, before computer security was as large an issue as it has become.[1]

With the amount of publicity this article has generated, I bet someone with an SDR is going to drive over and analyze the RF signals, and then hijack the HVAC systems for the lulz.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notable_computer_viruses_and_w...

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by JoeAltmaier on Friday June 12, 2015 @11:04AM (#9706311)

Except its in Michigan.

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by ehntoo on Friday June 12, 2015 @11:36AM (#9706520)

As a Grand Rapids resident who knows quite well how to use a SDR, I'm going to choose a positive interpretation of this comment and assume you're referring to the phenomena of "West Michigan nice", where hacking a public system for lulz would be absolutely unconscionable.

That being said, I'm actually rather tempted to at least figure out what the air interface is. The article mentions a 1200 baud modem - does a standard UHF/VHF voice channel have enough bandwidth to run PSK/FSK V.22 or V.23? That'd be quite a hack.

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by kevin_thibedeau on Friday June 12, 2015 @12:34PM (#9706944)

Very likely it's Bell 202 AFSK. This is specifically designed to run at audio frequencies with 1200 Hz and 2200 Hz tones. You'd have to figure out how the higher protocol levels are implemented but it's probably going to fall within the realm of what is done with AX.25.

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by JoeAltmaier on Friday June 12, 2015 @11:40AM (#9706550)

I meant that its far the heck away from everywhere and the population is low. Thus, a low incidence of griefers of any kind. But your take is good too.

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by da_chicken on Friday June 12, 2015 @12:01PM (#9706710)

Two hours from both Detroit and Chicago isn't far. A city of 180,000 isn't low; it's the largest city in the state behind Detroit.

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by JoeAltmaier on Friday June 12, 2015 @12:14PM (#9706807)

And hey! In a list of US states by population, Michigan is #10! Who knew?!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territ...

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by jessaustin on Friday June 12, 2015 @01:03PM (#9707142)

Anyone who has ever been there? I guess unless you flew directly into UP... b^)

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by organsnyder on Friday June 12, 2015 @01:12PM (#9707211)

Is there an airport up there?

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by JoeAltmaier on Friday June 12, 2015 @02:02PM (#9707536)

Hey I've been there, and remember endless empty foresty spaces, with some towns every hour or so.

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Re:1980s computer controls Grand Rapids Public School heat a... by saalweachter on Friday June 12, 2015 @02:09PM (#9707578)

Yep. The Northwest Territory is now home to over 46 million people. Just because it's less dense doesn't make it empty.

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