Heavy Wireless
Packet Pushers
Heavy Wireless is a deep dive into Wi-Fi, IoT, wireless security, and more. Host Keith Parsons, CWNE#3, draws on his decades of experience to educate, entertain, and inspire those working in the WLAN industry. Each twice-monthly episode explores an aspect of wireless technology with guests including Wi-Fi engineers, industry experts, and vendors. Whether you're already a WLAN specialist or looking to expand your skills in this high-demand sector of IT, Heavy Wireless gives you the technical know-how and industry context to succeed.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 6, 2026 • 32min
HW090: Inside eduroam
Keith Parsons talks with Mary Bull from Internet2 to discuss the history and widespread deployment of eduroam, a global Wi-Fi roaming service supporting research and education networks. Together they discuss the technical scale of the US eduroam infrastructure, recent load-balancing improvements, and strategies for modernizing campus Wi-Fi. AdSpot Sponsor: Meter Most IT teams are managing... Read more »
Sep 22, 2026 • 24min
HW089: Spectrum Analysis and Vibe Coding
Keith sits down with Kjetil Hansen to explore spectrum analysis and vibe coding for wireless networking tools. They also discuss building custom tools, using AI for 3D network modeling, and how Kjetil uses OpenIntent in his projects. Episode Links: Kjetil Hansen’s Website Kjetil Hansen on YouTube
Sep 15, 2026 • 27min
HW088: Scaling Your Wireless Team with Ekahau SaaS (Sponsored)
In this sponsored episode, Keith is joined by Matt Starling and Troy Martin of Ekahau to announce their new Software as a Service (SaaS) licensing model. Together they explain the different flexible subscription options and how they complement traditional perpetual licenses. They also breakdown the hardware capabilities of the Sidekick 2 and the Speedtest Pulse.... Read more »
Sep 8, 2026 • 29min
HW087: Designing for 6GHz Standard Power Indoors
Keith welcomes David Coleman to examine the technical advantages and practical challenges of implementing standard power 6Ghz Wi-Fi in indoor environments. They also discuss automated frequency coordination (AFC), geolocation mechanisms for indoor APs, and LPI fallback strategy. AdSpot Sponsor: Meter Most IT teams are managing networks stitched together from years of acquisitions and vendor contracts... Read more »
Aug 25, 2026 • 27min
HW086: High Density Wi-Fi Part 2
By popular demand, Keith is joined once again by Ferney Muñoz and Tom Hildebrand to answer listener questions and to dive deeper into designing high-density Wi-Fi for large-scale events. Together they share practical insights on managing DHCP scopes, the realities of client isolation, and more.
Aug 11, 2026 • 32min
HW085: Designing Wi-Fi for High-Density Events
Keith is joined by Ferney Muñoz and Tom Hildebrand to break down the complexities of designing high-density Wi-Fi for large-scale events. They dig into the strategic use of directional antennas, channel reuse techniques, and the necessity of on-site verification to ensure network reliability. They also share practical tips on device roaming, troubleshooting, and cross-team collaboration.... Read more »
Jul 28, 2026 • 26min
HW084: Spatial Reuse in Wi-Fi
Jake Snyder joins Keith Parsons to explain the mechanics of spatial reuse in Wi-Fi. They discuss practical implementation, the trade-offs involved in increasing signal detection thresholds, and why effective RF design remains the primary method for optimizing network performance. Episode Links: Jake Snyder’s Website
Jul 14, 2026 • 20min
HW083: Inside the WLAN Pros Toolbox – A Free, Multipurpose App
Host Keith Parsons recently launched the WLAN Pros Toolbox, a multi-function app with all the calculators, live tools, reference materials, and Wi-Fi readings you need. Today, Keith opens the toolbox to talk about what’s in it, how it was built, and why it’s being given away for free. AdSpot Sponsor: Meter Most IT teams are... Read more »
Jun 23, 2026 • 23min
HW082: Employee or Independent Contractor in the Wi-Fi Industry?
Is it better to be an employee or an independent contractor in the Wi-Fi industry? Keith walks us through the good, the bad, and the ugly of both sides of the equation, offering a candid look at the financial and professional realities of each. Keith helps provide a framework for listeners to assess their own... Read more »
Jun 9, 2026 • 13min
HW081: What to Do About the 6GHz Upper Band Split
The upper 6 gigahertz band is fracturing among national lines after a verdict from regulatory bodies in the UK and the EU. While the US enjoys full Wi-Fi access along the entire 1200 megahertz, the EU has decided to reserve most of the upper band for mobile services, and the UK is testing a split... Read more »
