Packet radio has made some progress since the 80s :). Here in North Carolina we have a network called TARPN http://tarpn.net/t/packet_radio_networking.html. We use re-purposed commercial radios, RaspberryPis, and custom TNCs for 1200 baud packet links. Some folks are experimenting with higher speed links (9600).
These ISM modules will work on low power for close range links, but you can't just slap an amplifier and call it a day. There are regulatory issues with the tech they use (spread spectrum, wide bandwidth, encryption, etc).
These ISM modules will work on low power for close range links, but you can't just slap an amplifier and call it a day. There are regulatory issues with the tech they use (spread spectrum, wide bandwidth, encryption, etc).