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* Register with Melbourne Wireless [1]
* Setting up your Node [2]
* Who to connect to [3]
* Hardware [4]
* Antenna [5]
* Cabling [6]
* Connectors [7]
* Access Point [8]
* Connecting to you PC [9]
* What is available on the network? [10]
* Need more information [11]
REGISTER WITH MELBOURNE WIRELESS
The first thing to do is to become a registered user of Melbourne
Wireless, this is free. Don't worry, your email account will not be
spammed.
Register Here [12]
SETTING UP YOUR NODE
A node is a device that is connected as part of a computer network.
What is a Node [13]
A Melbourne Wireless node is created at the place where you are
interested in joining to the network, usually your home. The status of
the node can be set to 'possibly interested' if you are just testing
the waters.
Create your Node [14]
Node names are automatically generated as three letters and referred
to as NodeAAA [15]. Once your node is created you will be able to see
other nodes that are close to you.
WHO TO CONNECT TO
Now that you have a node all setup, who do you connect to? There are
two ways to find this out.
Areas are split up into regional groups and they usually have their
own email groups that you can ask this question in. This can often be
the best place to get started. Use this map [16] to determine what
area you fall under
GROUP ID
GROUP WEB PAGE
1
RGCentral [17]
2
RGWesternPlains [18]
3
RGMaribyrnong [19] encompassing RGNorthWest [20]
4
RGInnerNorth [21] encompassing RGMerri [22]
5
RGDarebin [23] and RGNorthernHills [24]
6
RGNorthEast [25] aka RGYarraNorth [26]
7
RGYarraValley [27]
8
RGInnerEast [28]
9
RGOuterEasternAndFoothills [29]
10
RGSouthern [30]
11
RGPeninsula [31]
If you can see a node that you would like to connect to from the map,
you can email the person directly. Click on the node in question, then
click the 'Contacts name' to email the owner of the node directly.
Don't be shocked if you do not get a reply, some people are fearful
about providing their real email address.
HARDWARE
The best way to find out what hardware is need is to ask the person
that you want to connect to. Changes are they will have some
experience and good idea what is needed.
In most cases it is as simple as fitting a WiFi [32] antenna to the
top of you TV mast, then running coaxial cable to an Access Point
hidden under the roof. The trick is to ensure you have LineOfSight
[33] to the node you are connecting to. WiFi [34] is directional,
meaning it does not travel thought houses or shopping centres very
well.
ANTENNA
There are many different types of antenna for WiFi [35], you will
only be interested in directional at this stage.
Parabolic grid [36], Helical [37], Yagi [38], Panel [39],Cantennas
[40] or others [41]
The least visual impact would be the Yagi [42], or Panel [43] types.
Retailers can be found on the HardwareSuppliers [44] page.
CABLING
No you can not use TV coaxial cabling. Special low loss 2.4Ghz
cabling is needed to run from you antenna to the access point. If you
use just any old coax cable [45], you'll lose too much signal before
it even gets to your antenna.
LMR-400 [46] is the standard we recommend.
CONNECTORS
There are many different connectors that are used, it is important to
order the correct ones. The industry standard connector used on Wifi
antennas is the NConnector [47]. Most access points have special
connectors just to make life difficult.
It is best to determine the length of cable you will need and order
it with the connectors already fitted. You will need to know which
access point you intend to use as there is no standard for access
point connectors.
ACCESS POINT
There are many different access points or wireless cards that are up
to the job, many are listed here HardwareCatalog [48]
Many people have had good reports with the linksys WRT54G, upgraded
with the dd-wrt firmware
CONNECTING TO YOU PC
So, you have a directional antenna on you roof, LMR-400 [49] coaxial
cabling running to you access point hiding under the roof. The next
step is to run Cat5 from the access point to your PC.
WHAT IS AVAILABLE ON THE NETWORK?
Remember that Melbourne Wireless is not an ISP and it does not give
out free internet. To find out what services are in your area best get
involved in the local email group for your area.
NEED MORE INFORMATION
More lite reading GettingStartedHowto [50]
Most detailed information is available on TheEvolvingFAQ [51]
The lists [52] is the best place to ask any questions you may have.
Remember google is you friend, there is a heap if Wifi information
out there.
Links:
------
[1] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#register_with_melbourne_wireless
[2] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#setting_up_your_node
[3] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#who_to_connect_to
[4] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#hardware
[5] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#antenna
[6] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#cabling
[7] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#connectors
[8] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#access_point
[9] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#connecting_to_you_pc
[10]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#what_is_available_on_the_network_
[11] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#need_more_information
[12] http://www.melbournewireless.org.au/users/register/
[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Node_(networking)/
[14] http://www.melbournewireless.org.au/maps/create/
[15] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NodeAAA
[16]
http://www.melbournewireless.org.au/nodes/img/area_boundaries.png/
[17] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGCentral
[18] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGWesternPlains
[19] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGMaribyrnong
[20] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGNorthWest
[21] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGInnerNorth
[22] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGMerri
[23] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGDarebin
[24] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGNorthernHills
[25] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGNorthEast
[26] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGYarraNorth
[27] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGYarraValley
[28] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGInnerEast
[29] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGOuterEasternAndFoothills
[30] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGSouthern
[31] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGPeninsula
[32] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WiFi
[33] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LineOfSight
[34] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WiFi
[35] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WiFi
[36] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?ParabolicAntenna
[37] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HelicalAntenna
[38] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?YagiAntenna
[39] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PanelAntenna
[40] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?Cantenna
[41] http://wirelessanarchy.com/#Antenna
[42] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?YagiAntenna
[43] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PanelAntenna
[44] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HardwareSuppliers
[45] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?CoaxialCable
[46] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LMR-400
[47] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NConnector
[48] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HardwareCatalog
[49] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LMR-400
[50] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GettingStartedHowto
[51] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?TheEvolvingFAQ
[52] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?mailing
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