Lets Set Up A Communi t y WLAN !

An Introduction to Setting up a Neighbourhood Broadband

Wireless System
Nora Wirel ess Sweden 2001
Henry Oani !"OA
December 2002
#at$ U%&%
Sick of DSL crap? Lets start our own service
!
List o' Se(tions
#a()*round
+ission Summary
Or*ani,ati on
-indin* A Site
A((ess .oint
Antenna
Antenna Performance:
Antenna Beams:
Polar Diagrams:
#rid*in*
he enthusiast approach:
User /0uipment
What you need:
Weat$er .roo'in*
!ed Bloc"
User Hot Spot
Setti n* up a !ateway
Practical:
#S Windo$s:
A Windo$s Internet:
%ate$ay Shopping &ist:
&inu':
Internet (osts:
Ot$er Ser1i(es
S($edule o' as)s
2e'eren(es
Author: Henry Oani 3 !"OA
Bath ) Dec 2002
*on+ Sec+ #endip !epeater %roup
,eeper: www.wlan.org.uk
2
Lets Set Up A Communi t y WLAN !
An Introduction to Setting up a Neighbourhood Broadband
Wireless System
#a()*round

his document has been prepared to pro-ide a general guide to setting up a community based
not.for.profit Broadband Wireless &ocal Area Net$or" in the /+,++
!ecent national sales promotions 0in 2001.22 of so called high speed broadband internet
access3 targeted for potential customers in cities4 profoundly disappoint computer users in rural
areas $hen told it is not for them and that broadband internet access (for profit) will not come
their way for many years - if at all! #uch modern rural employment depends on ha-ing up.to.
date datacomms+ As does countryside economic regeneration thorough successful rural
relocation of ne$ media and ne$ computer based industries+5
6conomically acti-e tele$or"ing country.fol" are no$ apparently left $ith no alternati-es but to
petition national go-ernment and operators to 7beg 8 plead3 for a broadband ser-ice+
1
here is
ho$e-er a -ery lo$ cost 7community self.help3 co.operati-e alternati-e4 promoted for se-eral
years $orld$ide: .
http://www.wlan.org.uk/community%20wlan%20promoting%20sites.html
he community self.help co.operati-e alternati-e as a ne$ concept4 originated in the /+,+ and
has been informally promoted since 199: -ia the $orld $ide amateur radio community and the
original $ebsite: . www.wlan.org.uk+ &i"e many ideas first originating here4 the e-entual ta"e.up
and building of actual (ommunity W&ANs has been more effecti-ely implemented abroad4 e-en
in countries such as Australia $here the go-ernment regulatory regime $as e-en less helpful
than here+ See: #elbourne Wireless http://melbourne.wireless.org.au/nodes/
heoretically 7a mass consumer mo-ement3 might liberate the community from the e'cessi-e
7tolls3
2
by $hich modern high.profit.ma'imi;ing telecommunications oligopolies can be seen to
7plunder and suffocate3 e-ery aspect of modern non.economic life+ See4 Nor5ert Wieners
6-at$er o' Cy5erneti(s7 passionate 189" so(io3politi(al :polemi(;4 3
<n'ormation Lan*ua*e and So(iety http://www.wlan.org.uk/wiener2.htm
In the /SA the same 7mar"et forces3 $hich marginalise rural communities in the /,4 li"e$ise
operate to e'clude $hole regions 0such as Wyoming . their least populated state2+ he &aramie4
Wyoming case study of $hat a community can do to help itself is particularly re-ealing4 see: .
:Si() o' (rap =SL> Start your own ser1i(e! : http://www.wlan.org.uk/sickofcrapdsl.html.
1
Whether or not this rural deprivation issue is actually industry led promotional spin: created
to focus want and need to push up prices or attract government funding remains to be seen
2
he a-erage teenager in the /, is spending %BP <1=00 per year on telcoms+ *idden as an
indirect cost in so many goods and ser-ices4 as much as 10> of the o-erall a-erage national
$age or income may be being leached out of the system -ia+ 7unnecessary media and
telecommunications ser-ice costs3+
3
Mission Summary
he aim is to set up a single communi t y broadband net$or" using license e'empt
Wireless &AN technol ogy+ 0Also "no$n as W!"#$ %&&& '()** or Wi-+i2 $ith simple
tried and tested met$ods 4+
In its simplest manifestation a (ommunity W&AN starts $ith a 7*/B3 . a single strategically
placed4 shared $ireless :A((ess .oint; 6A.7 connected to an omni.directional (ommunity
antenna located at some common -antage point+ his today allo$s at any one time up to *)'
computer users with wireless !"# transceivers at any line-of-sight visible distance of over *(
miles$ to interconnect free of charge to an **,b-sec local area networ. hub
A 7Wireless 6thernet *ub3 may seem no 7big deal34 but as 7a means to an end3 is an enormous
life bringing and $ealth creating community asset+
?
@nce the basic net$or" 7hub3 is set up4 the aim $ill be to e'tend its co-erage by
adding more identi cal nodes and connecti ng $ith 7peeri ng arrangements3 to any
other similar neighbouri ng groups+ All facili ties normal l y a-ailabl e to users of a
7$i red3 net$or" and especiall y broadband internet gateways to the outside $orl d4
neighbouri ng communi t y networ.s 4 mul ti pl e video conferenci ng nodes$ independent
communi t y /0 1 2adio webcasti ng and file servers may 5e added in due (ourse
on an ad hoc and possibly commerci al sponsored or subscripti on paying basis from
ANA point on a ne$l y created alternati -e net$or"+
B
Or*ani,ati on
A Communi t y Wireless &ocal Area Net$or" differs from commerci al alternati -es4 in
its pri macy of core consumer -alues+ raditional (o.operati -e structures preser-e a
neighbourl y communi t y sharing ethos4 fair disposal of collecti -e profi ts and long.
term strategi c benefi ts+

A genui ne pioneeri ng communi t y initiati -e $ill ha-e considerable practical
advantages o-er any purel y business approach+ Cor e'ampl e: any legiti mate /,
(ommer(i al operator must pay %BP <B04000 per anum for a Public
elecommuni cati ons @peratorDs license 03/42+ Also the going rate for commerci al
site rentals is many thousands of %B pounds 0typical l y %BP <E000 per year2
compared $ith general l y free or to"en rents granted to not. for. profi t communi t y
groups++++
Cor organi;ati onal structure4 there are alternati -e corporate models such as co.
operati -e limi ted compani es $here each member holds a 7propert y share
certificate3 but these are e'pensi -e to set up and mai ntai n and are more applicabl e
3
/sing e'isting out-moded and overpriced solutions4 a 7large British telecom company3 $ould
currently charge you indi-idually <EF:4000 per year for pro-iding a comparable 0but much
inferior 7leased line3 fully interconnecting person to person ser-iceG $hereas to set this up in your
to$n or -illage for e-eryone $ill cost today a single payment of only as much as a single des.top
computer 0%BP <F00 . <?0002 at a price depending on performance and reHuired 7Huality of
ser-ice3+
B
It should be noted that community I( is not only about democrati;ing the internet but
deli-ery of telephones and radio and t- media too since these are essentially carried as
data too+

4
to an organi;ation holding considerable assets and runni ng large turno-ers such as
a regional 0or national 2 co.operati -e internet band$i dth 7bul ". buyi ng co.op3+ Cor a
single -illage or neigbourhood4 a simpl e communi t y club structure
=
$ill be
sufficient and such a consti tuti on may be essential simpl y to a-oid the liabili ty of
7commerci al regulati on3+
he /+,+ *am !adio communi t y has in depth e'perience o-er 2= years of operati ng
'un(tionall y similar lo(al *roups $hich manage strictl y profi t. free 7l ocal
communi t y digi tal radio repeater installati ons3 0often -ery modest home.
constructed DIA installati ons at peppercorn rent on shared commerci al sites2+
Affiliation to the !S%B
F
as an 7Amateur !epeater %roup 0regardless of $hether or not the
community W&AN installation itself is actually 7Amateur &icenced3 or not2 is highly
recommended in so far as establishing the groupDs bona.fide status+ o be a openly 7bona.fide
local community group3 may 5e essential to :win; a se(ure and rent3'ree site on top of the
local hospital4 $ater to$er4 school or local go-ernment offices++
-indin* a Site
When starting out4 a secure site for the community antenna and hub seems relati-ely
unimportant4 but as the technical options and limitations are rapidly o-ercome4 site permission
actually seems to become t$e main o5sta(le%
he simple reHuirement is that a community W&AN hub antenna site should be -isible from the
rooftops of all or most of the potential users5 A prime pu5li( site wit$ mains power and
lon* term rent 'ree se(urity is a pri(eless asset% Places li"e -alleys in Wales and Scotland
E
are ad-antaged by nature since they can often locate masts on buildings on the side of hills
$hich are clearly -isible to 9=> of the potential users homes and offices 0in a small -illage or
hamlet2 and if placed on an occupied site4 not reHuire e'pensi-e $ind and solar electric po$er
systems or unattended security features+
:
@nce many local users ha-e scre$ed their antenna
to a fa-ourable rooftop point and ha-e carefully 7loc"ed them off3 for best signal4 mo-ing the
(ommunity AP mast to a completely ne$ location $ill not be popular+
Startin* wit$ a se(ure pu5li( site and *i1en antenna polarisation 'rom t$e outset? does
seem most important4 $hereas $hich eHuipment to use for a basic 7hub3 is far less so and any
cheap "3 will probably do to start off with
Public buildings such as (ommunity (entres4 Cire Stations4 &ibraries4 (ouncil offices and
6ducational 6stablishments seem ideal but $hen permission can be obtained from a single
indi-idual it is a lot easier5 @ther sites such a 7he Iillage Post @ffice3 or 7he &ocal Pub3 may
therefore in practice be more accessible+
5
A !adio Society of %reat Britain 0!S%B2 appro-ed model constitution for an Amateur radio
W&AN (lub may be do$nloaded at: . http:JJ$$$+$lan+org+u"J$gKrulesK1+htm
6
he 7!S%B3 represent the interests of amateur radio 7repeater3 enthusiasts to go-ernment and
ha-e other useful ser-ices such as affordable insurance for non.commercial4 not for profit 7club
scale3 radio site operators++
7
See: . Wireless broadband I( choices for hill 8 -alley communities 0in Scotland 8 Wales2
http://www.wlan.org.uk/ict_choices_1.htm
8
6lectricity consumption for a stand alone access point can be as lo$ as /S LF per year+
5
-i*% 2 WLAN Site at Uni1ersity o' #at$
If the antenna is to be placed far from indoor shelter and a source of po$er4 it is desirable that
the co.a'ial antenna cable0s2 should not e'ceed = )10 metres so the Access Point must be
mounted and $eather.proofed near the antenna $ith its feeds for po$er4 !S2?2 and 76thernet
/P cable3 run up to it from the location pro-ided for laptop node 7Administration Area3 $here
the po$er outlet and transformer po$er supply and /PSJbattery pac" are "ept5 If long cable is
una-oidable then a t$o.$ay masthead amplifier must be used55possibly offset in cost by
permitting the o-erall use of much lo$er grade and ine'pensi-e cable+
People in authority such as a manager4 -icar4 headteacher or chief librarian can often agree an
immediate Mtemporary or trialM installation to see $hat it loo"s li"e and $hat it in-ol-es+++ $hereas
full.blo$n permanent permission necessitates legal agreements and all sorts of implied rights4
liabilities and duties $hich are difficult to e'pect on a freebie basis+
9
he physical intrusion is to mount a piece of 2 inch dia+ 0B9mm2 scaffolding pole -ertically on a
gable end or chimneystac" etc+ he ma'imum length is 20.ft 0F#2 but anything from 2 metres
up$ard should be sufficient to mount a dish and omnidirectional community ser-er antenna+
*ea-y Duty I antenna brac"ets and e'panding bolts are typically used for this costing about
%BP <20+ 0All from www.cpc.co.uk2 A hole is drilled to run the cable inside the building or to be
less in-asi-e a $eatherproof access point bo' is installed close to the mast4 $ith a custom made
multicore cable neatly run and tac"ed to the 7Administration Area3 $here terminates a laptop
ethernet and serial connector4 po$er outlet and lo$ -oltage supply adapterJbattery 0such as an
indoor cupboard or electrical cabinet2+
he antenna should ideally clear the roofline but in many particular circumstances a 2E0 or 1:0
degree sector belo$ the roofline from the side or corner of a building $ill be all that is reHuired+

5ou can do lots of things on a temporary or trial basis providing it is temporary (which can
mean running it or a trial basis W6%!& formal approval is pending) "mateurs have operated at
prime sites for years$ with no rights per se at all!

6
A((ess .oint
o start a local group4 the basic shared community W&AN eHuipment is the antenna and a
W&AN A((ess .oint 0AP2+ S$itched on and set up this creates and an in-isible 11#bJsec
6thernet */B connecting all computers fitted $ith adapters $ithin its line of sight service area to
connect as if they are on the same $ired net$or"+
Anything today calling itself a Wi.Ci 7Access Point3 $ill at least $or" as a 7plain hub3+ Some
early products $ere limited to as fe$ as ?2 users+ he main feature to loo" for in alternati-es
from other -endors is the ability to 7daisy chain3 a string a chain of compatible free.standing
Access Points4 interlin"ing (ommunity W&ANs across a region and filling in 7local co-erage
gaps35+
-i*% @ <ntel 2011# "02%11 11+#Ase( A((ess .oint 6A.7
he Intel 2011B is a multi.functional high.end stand3alone unit4 $hich $or"s as a Wireless 6ub$
Wireless "ccess 3oint$ Wireless 2epeater$ Wireless 2outer$ Webserver$ 7683 9erver and
Wireless :ridge It has the special facility to connect to a standard dial.up telephone line -ia+ a
serial modem+ It can connect t$o distant Wired !"#s together5 It can connect t$o Wired
!"#s together $hilst maintaining local $ireless connecti-ity around each;<-*)'bit W&3 is
optional he 2011B also support 7Po$er o-er 6thernet3 ++++A recent practice of po$ering the
Access Points o-er 7spare3 $ires on the !NB= 76thernet3 cable5+ http://www.n!cwireless.net/poe/
Its soft$are allo$s it to support 10 named gate$ays+ he e'ternal antenna connectors
10
allo$
e'ternal high gain antenna to be fitted+
11
A standard community access point fitted $ith a omni.
directional high performance 2+B %*; omnidirectional antenna 0$hich today ha-e a ma'imum
practical gain of O1FdBi2 appro'imately Huintuples ser-ice range 0 ' =2+ his 7range gain3 of ' =
is multiplied by $hate-er gain is obtained at the 7clients W&AN ranscei-er3 end so that if using
a larger 120cms 0Bft2 dish 0' ?2 range2 the client can e'pect an o-erall range increase of ' 1F0
0say a fringe ser-ice radius of 20 ) ?0 miles or ?2 ) B:,m2+ he falling price of cheaper Access
Points is such that it is more important to secure a good site$ put up a communal antenna$ get
4#-"%2 as a local hub and for users to immediately procure, install and lockoff their
client systems$ than fuss about which "3 to use
Antenna
1"
he 0re-ersed BN(2 antenna connector can be made by mi'ing internal parts bet$een certain
BN( plugs and certain BN( line soc"ets 0%reenpar types do this2+ !emember to "eep the
discarded components since these ma"e an essential engineering test lead for the feeder+
11
With the 7Intel 2011B3 model internal transmit po$er regulation under soft$are control can
ensure that the station remains 6/ compliant $ith the resultant 6ffecti-e Isotropic !adiated
Po$er 06I!P2 inside the licence free limits+ 0Amateurs can run these at full po$er belo$
2B=0#*;2+
7
-i*% 9 :!"OA 5i3 0uad 'ed Satelli te =is$; 'or 2%9!H,%

he abo-e Cig+B is a lo$ cost Astra satelli te dish $ith a home constructed feed
12
A 7W&AN 6arly Adopter3 $ill $ant rotati ng "it li"e this at roof height to see $hat is
happeni ng locall y and help ne$comers get set up $hen there is no 7(ommunal
#ast3 yet a-ailable+
A con-enti onal dish antenna li"e this $ith a home. made bi. Huad feed and
micro$a-e coa'ial cable and sil-erJgol d. plated connectors is ideal for the radio
enthusiast and serious e'peri menter $ho $ants to attach standard connectors and
7pi g. tails3 to W&AN eHuipment or use signal anal y;ers4 signal generators4 po$er
meters ampli fi ers and other test eHuipment+ Wit$ t$e introdu(ti on o' t$e :red
5lo(); 6see 5elow7 su($ :(lassi(al ; te($ni(al approa($es are not now a
serious proposi tion 'or widespread ordinary use%

12
0Ne$ P %BP <1=+E0 from cpc+co+u"2 $ith a bi.Huad feed4 mounted on a standard antenna
rotator 0similar from cpc+co+u" for under %BP <:02+ his is actually a folding antenna mounted
on the roof of a IW (amper J mobile radio $or"shop+ %ain appro'+ 2EdBi+
8
Antenna .er'orman(e4
A theoretical plain radio emitter sends radio $a-es in all directions eHually strong+ his is called
7Isotropic3 radiation+ It corresponds to a pure optical 7point source3 emitter but has no 7real
$orld3 eHui-alent+
Iarious techniHues are used by radio engineers to gather and focus normal antenna radiant
energy into a single direction called a beam5 %i-en a fi'ed measure or a-erage total a-ailable
po$er4 the greater the concentration of po$er the thinner the cross.section of the beam
0aperture2 must be+ With dish reflectors the intensity of this 7collimated3 or 7concentrated .
pencil beam3 is directly related to its effecti-e range magnification5
he physics of this4 means that to Huadruple the intensity at one point4 its surface area must be
Huartered 0the diameter hal-ed2 and thus radio energy $or"s at t$ice the distance+ he smaller
the angular 5eamwidt$ the more intense the point of the beam is+ *o$ much concentration
may be obtained4 depends on the ratio of the dish diameter to the $a-elength of the radio $a-e+
At the $a-elength of a 2+B%*; W&AN 012cm24 a 2+B #etre 0:ft2 dish $ill ha-e a beam$idth of
Qust a fe$ degrees but $ithin the beam offer 0at ?FdBi2 some B000 times po$er gain++
-i*%B Antenna #eams
Cor broadcasting in all directions4 an omnidirectional antenna achie-es itDs all round co-erage by
flattening out the radiated po$er intensity li"e a flat dis" 0rather than a pencil25+
All seriously made antenna $ill ha-e a polar diagram $hich maps the antennaDs gain response
on a ?F0 degree s$eep+ /nless other$ise stated all antenna can be assumed to ha-e the same
gain in both transmit and recei-e modes+

-i*% C
-i*% D
-i*s% C E D .olar .lots 'or :1Cd#i Hori,ontally .olarised Omni;
he abo-e t$o 7polar3 plots Cigs+ F 8 E display the same measured gain and a;imuth data but
are represented differently+ Cig+ F corresponds to the shape of the ser-ice area 7footprint3 on a
perfectly flat terrain by $hate-er method the 7fringe3 is defined but is on a logarithmic polar
scale++
he four parameters of most interest regarding an antenna are its operatin* 're0uen(y?
1"
5andwidt$? polarisation? 5eamwidt$ and *ain+ 3olarisation describes the orientation of the
component electrical field and may be hori;ontal 0preferred24 -ertical or circular right or circular
left+ :eamwidth is the sector angle o-er $hich the po$er falls to the half.po$er points 0?dB2
defining the 7edge of the beam3+ =ain in dB is the 7relati-e po$er magnification3 on a geometric
decibel scale+ he use of dBi is $ith an 7isotropic antenna3 as a reference5 2ule o' t$um5: .
6ach FdB 0Huadrupling2 of po$er change at a distance corresponds 0in 7free space32 to an
effecti-e doubling or hal-ing of that distance++ ++ When using dish antenna doubling dish
diameter$ doubles range @n -ery long paths 7atmospheric attenuation3 comes into play so that
0+2dB of loss per "ilometre of 7hea-y rain3 can Huic"ly curtail the hard $on ad-antages in po$er4
lo$ loss feeder 8 antennas5+ 0=0 "ilometers of solid rain can reduce range by 10dB4 di-iding
effecti-e po$er 6I!P by 10 and range by ?2+
I hope that my practice of al$ays Huoting the 7free space range magnification3 of a W&AN de-ice
0e+g+ ' 1F 2 rather than Qust 72BdBi3 ma"es things easier for non.radio engineers+
-i*% " Hyper!ain H!291BU
*igh Performance 1= dBi @mnidirectional Antenna+ 7features an impressive *> d:i gain for long-
range multipoint applications in the )< =6? %9, band features a lightweight fibreglass
radome for durability and aesthetics %t@s mounting system features two heavy duty eAtruded
aluminium brac.ets and stainless steel B-:olts for superior strength in all-weather conditions
http://www.h!perlinktech.com
A top of the range 1=dBi @mnidirectional antenna li"e the *ypergain sho$n is Cig+ E is suitable
for a short range community $ireless hub4 has a po$er gain of about B0 times for a range
increase of about ' =+ At /S L190 it is relati-ely lo$ cost and has a lo$ potential -isual impact
$ith regard mounting in sensiti-e areas 0such as off a church steeple25++ As a -ertically
polarised antenna4 it $ill not deli-er the best results o-er -ery long 0DR2 or obstructed and
diffracted paths 0unless a pair are used mounted $ori,ontally at 90 degrees as a flat 7-ee32+
Cor ultimate performance 0my2 more e'pensi-e hori;ontal omnidirectional solutions $ill al$ays
hold s$ay5++ http://www.wlan.org.uk/hot#2"spot#2"16#2"page.htm
he distant user or 7client3 $ho is licenced4 $ould typically ha-e an outdoor parabolic dish
antenna of F0cms 02ft2 dia+
1?
13
At 2+B%*; $ith a dish of this si;e the po$er in the single focussed beam is intensified by
appro'imately 2=F times gi-ing an appro'imately ' 1F range increase in range 55++ (ombined
$ith the ' = 7magnification3 at the 7ser-er3 a total impro-ement 0Qust $ith high performance
antennas2 of ' 90 range $hich $ill e'tend the normal e'treme operating radius of I666 :02+11
11
#rid*in*
All "no$n Access points $ill pro-ide a basic 7local neighbourhood hub3 to $hich at least one
7gate$ay3 may be attached+ he maQority WI&& N@ accomplish a 7full $ireless bridging3
connection between other stand.alone Access Points $hilst maintaining a local $ireless net$or"+
1B
Cull bridging3 of 7free standing3 APs is necessary to enable e'tending the net$or" as and
$here reHuired from any$here in its e'isting ser-ice area by casually 7tac"ing.on3 only additional
free standing 7APs3 0rather than ha-ing to add full.time routing and bridging computers2+
I am reluctant to recommend the li"es of multinationals such as <ntel and +i(roso't4 but in the
real $orld4 the ordinary user needs a pac"aged plug in and go4 tried and tested solution+
Intel pro-ides this superbly $ith e'cellent documentation and $ebsite firm$are upgrades Qust as
one might e'pect5 In 2001 I recommended the Intel 2011B series for 2+B%*; stand
alone net$or" nodes in my area around Bath5+ A decision $hich has so far not been
regretted++
$e ent$usiast approa($4
A &inu' alternati-e $ith complete access to source code is ultimately 'ar 5etter than any 7closed
proprietary system3 such as IntelDs+ Cor hard.core Net$or" and Programming enthusiasts the
&inu' S#(J/S !obotics4 &inu' reprogrammed 76umitcom3 Access Points are recommended++
http://ww.wlan.org.uk/linu$an%.htm
It is possible to use a laptop or des"top as an access point+ Cor a ready.made solution4 (ompaH
offer #S Windo$s soft$are to turn a P( $ith a (ompaH P(I type W&200 card into an AP+
his is much the preferred route for the enthusiast+ &inu' can be used to bring old eHuipment
bac" into ser-ice++
!ecently released are products in the ne't generation of 7:02+11a3 W&AN $hich promise
connections of =B#bJsec on the =%*; freHuency band 5 some = times faster than 7:02+11b3+
0normally of no more than three or for hundred metres2 up to ?0 ,m for most municipal area
schemes and reliable $or"ing full.band$idth inter.nodal lin"s of : . 1=,m+
1B
7Bridging3 0to the ne't Access Point ) node.to.node.to.node or 7daisychaining32 is not a
7standardi;ed3 feature in :02+11 so that in the absence of a common operating protocol4
net$or" operators W*@ !6S/I!6 IN6!.N@DA& IN6!@P6!ABI&IA must use Qust
one of a limited number of incompatible 7full bridging3 AP products such as (isco4 &ucent4
Intel or the /S !oboticJS#( &inu' unit+ Some manufacturers of Access Points use the
term 7bridging3 in the limited sense of connecting one $ired net$or" to another4 $ithout
supporting 7#obile /sers3 at the same time+ Sometimes the term is confined to say
bridging a TDS& ser-ice to a local $ireless ;one 0he classic coffee shop *@ Spot
model2+
12
User /0uipment
What you need:
he basic user eHuipment reHuired for connecting to the 7$ireless hub3 0AP2 is a micro$a-e
radio modem 7W&AN ranscei-er3 called a Wireless 0or Net$or"2 Interface Adapter 0NIA2 and an
antenna if located more than say 1,m -isual line.of.site from the nearest Access Point
0assuming the AP has a good outdoor antenna2+
Whereas the choice of Access Points for later net$or" building is important and restricted to
perhaps a fe$4 all the basic user NIA products seem to $or" fairly $ell4 though some card types
can ne-er seem to $or" $ith certain P( #otherboard ypes and configurations++
-i*% 8 =3Lin) Wireless LAN rans(ei1er
6'perience $ith /ser P(s suggests /SB au'iliaries are the easiest to fit4 install and 7hot3 s$ap+
It is much the case also $ith 7W&AN ranscei-ers3 $here the /SB -ersion ha-e pro-en to be the
easiest to install on a number of different domestic and portable P(s+ /SB cannot be used $ith
a lead length longer than = metres so e'tension cables are used $hich ha-e self.po$ered built.in
cable repeaters+ It is possible to source these moulded into a single length+ Whate-er length
they are4 the reHuired /SB cables $ill be cheaper than the 0se-erely lossy2 eHui-alent lengths of
co.a'ial cable+
As computer processor speed creeps up$ards abo-e 2%*;4 there are (ompellin* /+C
te($ni(al reasons for "eeping 7$ireless de-ices3 as far from the computer as possibleU

Wireless &AN ranscei-ers 0Wireless Interface Adapter . WIA2 such as a =3Lin) =WL3120 Cig+9
0sho$n $ith dipole antenna -ertically polarised2 connect t$o computers up to ?00 metres $ithout
$ires 5 0his product apparently no$ has a redesigned case2+
!ange e'tending antenna are legal to sell or self.build since these $or" on the amateur 1?cm
band4 e+g+ using an old satellite parabolic dish and a fe$ pounds $orth of metal and other
materials but are generally illegal for non.licenced use+
13
Weat$er .roo'in*
In Cig+ 10 is sho$n the concept 0Pat+ App+ for2 of the 7!ed Bloc"3 W&AN ranscei-er $here the
/SB adapter is fitted into a $eatherproof outdoor mounting on a plane reflector 0a 2=0mm dia+
metal plate 1Bmm a$ay2 his can be used as a stand alone rooftop 7W&AN ranscei-er3 $ith
about 10dBi %ain 0' ? range2 or for long.range mounted on a standard satellite dish the reHuired
si;e 0 ' ?0 range for a 1+2 #etre J Bft ?0dBi dish2+
-i*% 10 S($emati( o' US# :2ed #lo(); W<A in weat$erproo' $ousin*
6Ferti(ally polari,ed7%
#icro$a-e o-en$are plastic is perfect electrically but may not ha-e more than a year or t$oVs
sur-i-al under the rigours of aggressi-e outdoor solar /I radiation and $eather +5 I ha-e used
MCrisbeesM 090p2 and for 100 up4 these can be custom printed $ith your logo etc 0ta"e care $ith
blac" paint2+ MPolyethyleneM $as actually de-eloped at the birth of !adar as a micro$a-e
dielectric 0ma"ing bo$ls and toys in the 19=0s $as 7Qust a solution loo"ing for a problemM++2
he main thing is to a-oid micro$a-e absorbing materials+++ Worst P blac" antistatic conducti-e
plastic and foam+++ Also anything $ith high moisture absorption content+++ dry $ood is bad++++
%raphite and carbon po$der often used in bloc" pigmentation5+ Putting D!A samples of
painted plastic in a 2+B%*; micro$a-e.coo"ing o-en is a po$erful go.no.go test 0be$are of
meltdo$n 8 fast ignition of samples2+ %rey 8 $hite plumbing PI( components $hich are
designed $ith a 1= year outdoor ser-ice life $ill meet our reHuirements $ell4 but are not the
cheapest5
With the supplied half.$a-e active dipole antenna element positioned parallel to the plane
surface of the reflector at 1Bmm distance4 a small impro-ement is gained by the addition of a
director element consisting of a circular disc of B? mm diameter and spaced 10mm in front of
14
the acti-e element dipole+ Note that as sho$n4 the assembly is for -ertical polarisation5
A small dry sponge foam arch 0cut li"e an 7Arc de riomphe3 2Bmm high2 can be used for
mounting the director o-er the acti-e element+ I ha-e stuc" these $ith super.glue4 hot glue and
stic"y.pads++
o ma"e the set up totally $eatherproof4 once e-erything $or"s $ell4 the ca-ity edges should be
entirely 7sealed for life3 $ith polyurethane foam+ A more professional and e'perimental solution
is to use a $eather proof4 radio transparent plastic housing but 0unless micro$a-e."itchen.$are2
e-en a budget gas"et sealed polycarbonate bo' and good multi$ay connectors $ill cost many
times more than the $ireless net$or" adapter itself5
All dish pole and $all mounts allo$ do$n$ard adQustment to ;ero ele-ation 0hori;on2 as this is
logically the lo$est possible setting+ he fi'ing trunnion fitted to the rear of the 7!ed Bloc"3 suits
the arrangement of all satellite dishes 0today2 $hich ha-e a standard 1+= inch diameter circular
fi'ing collar holding the regular 11%*; &o$ Noise Bloc" 0&NB2+ @/! 2+B%*; MW&AN
ranscei-er !ed Bloc"M are designed to replace the standard &NB5 *a-ing a different centre
0the point of focus a fe$ cm off a'is2 $ill account for a -ery marginal loss of performance 0say W
0+= dB2 but enable the beam to depress more do$n$ards to$ards the hori;ontal+
he red bloc" 0li"e all dish feeds2 can be used as a 7stand.alone3 12dBi gain antenna+++ 0 ' B
range e'tension2 or used $ith a -ariety of standard si;ed satellite dishes
1=
+
With a portable computer and using eHuipment no more sophisticated than a D.&in" DW&.120
mounted li"e this on a 2ft 0F0cms2 satellite dish4 !adio Amateur &icenced @perator %0NP has
connected 2B,m 0appro'+ 1=#iles2 line of sight to the Bath /ni-ersity W&AN+
he ordinary user may do li"e$ise $ith a DW&.120 mounted on a rooftop dish $ith a chain of =
metre long /SB repeater cables going do$n to hisJher computerDs /SB port+
1F
A local W&AN clubJ small business entrepreneur can assemble4 distribute and install eHuipment
of the abo-e sort in order to raise funds5+
User Hot Spot
15
CD !atio P 0+E2 0@n inspection !ichard Banbury reports great -ariation bet$een different 0so
called standard2 dishes calling for designed feed gains of bet$een : ) 1BdBi+
Cree standing M!ed Bloc"M P 10dB 0range '?2
With 1: inch Dish P 20 dB 0range '102
With B ft dish P ?0dB 0range '?02
16
he BI% ID6A of the M!ed Bloc"M is that by not physically and electrically connecting an
7e'ternal antenna3 0such as by connecting a 7pig.tail3 or soc"et to compromise the (6 #ar"
integrity2 long range is achie-ed entirely without internal modification or electrical connection
and therefore stands outside con-entional notional limitations on electrically attaching illegal high
gain antenna+5+Also as a self.assembly hobby item it is specifically e'empt from normal 6/
commercial product type appro-al regulations+ In the M!ed Bloc"M N@ physical antenna
connection is made to an NIA 5impro-ement is entirely serendipitous li"e mo-ing around in a
location in order to get a good signal on your cellphone+ 0phasing effects cause o-er 20dB J 100
times4 -ariation in signal as you mo-e around in a multipath en-ironment2
15
-i*% 11 A ypi(al HO Spot 6#at$ WLAN 20027
Cigure 11 sho$s a typical rural setting for an omnidirectional mast at a distance of F00 metres
from the pub beer garden sho$n in the foreground+ he distant mast has a 1+2 #etre 0B foot2
diameter dish and horn feed belo$ the tree line pointing a$ay from here4 gi-ing long range
interlin"ing to another node at the (ity of Bath some 1B,m distance5 See footnote
1E
his set up enables use of laptop computers and hand.held PDAs around the -icinity forming a
local 7*@ Spot3 of $ireless connecti-ity of at least F00 metres radius+
If necessary the Intel 2011B 0but not 20112 can regulate the transmitted po$er to $ithin the limits
of !icence &Aempt 8ompliant Bse+ See footnote
1:

hese access points pro-ides IntelDs o$n 7W&AP3 protocol for 7plug in and go3 self organising
net$or" interconnecti-ity bet$een a string 0and $eb li"e meshing2 of local nodes+
Setti n* up a !ateway
/sers of the basic community W&AN hubs proposed here can -ideophone4 net phone4 s$ap files
and play net$or" games at hitherto incredible speeds but at present4 connection to the internet is
see as a priority reHuirement+
(onnections to the internet al$ays cost money today4 ho$e-er the cost ad-antage of 7collecti-e
bul" buying3 is e'ceptionally good $ith internet band$idth4 such that a basic ADS& ser-ice
band$idth 0eHui-alent to the basic domestic ser-ice on offer today from B for G28%88 per
mont$2 can be pro-ided for F00 collecti-ely united 0(omm /nity2 users the same band$idth for
17
$o antenna connect to the <ntel 2011# A((ess .oints 7t$in di-ersity antenna3 soc"ets+ In
order to "eep antenna cable losses to the minimum4 the AP in this e'ample $as mounted
e'ternally Qust belo$ the horn feed in a $eatherproof polycarbonate enclosure+
18
In this case 0and $ith an add.on regulator called the 7%reen Bo'32 the range enhancement is
retained for reception $ithout e'ceeding 6I!P limits+
16
appro'+ %B 80 pen(e per mont$
18
+
Cor startup4 most 7Sysops3 0amateur system operators2 $ill start $ith the cheapest single.user
F0:1 contended TDS& connection $hich they then share through a W&AN gate$ay+ Whilst
perfectly acceptable for setting up and testing the eHuipment and long range operation through
multiple nodes4 from the point of -ie$ of a 7single.user ser-ice tariff3 this is not at all agreeable
to the supplier and can lead to sanctions+
20
When mo-ing on to multiuser ser-ice4 7bul" buying3 and distributing internet access in
commercial -olume4 these petty single.user limitations disappear but raises another problem
$hich is that under the present /, go-ernment regulatory regi me 0 See footnote
21
2 it is
not possible for a SIN%&6 organi;ati on to set up an I666 :02+11 Wi.Ci net$or" AN=
suppl y 7bul " purchased3 internet connecti ons $ithout a elecommuni cati ons
@perators &icence 0<B040002+ /sers $ho $ant to connect to the internet through an
open communi t y net$or" therefore get an email account and pay any fees and
subscripti ons for this pri vatel y 1 separatel y . obtained though an entirel y separate
organi;ati on which does not underta.e to suppl y wireless connecti ons at all + 0A
pri-ate landli ne dial3 up <A. can no$ be set up by anyone for under %BP <F002+ +
If the legal gymnastics of this proposi tion seem absurd4 consider ho$ the /, liHuor
la$s enable one to bre$ ones o$n ale and give it away$ but #4/ 9&!! it + @r ho$
you may sell alcohol in a shop but not at a cafX or restaurant 0yet people may be
encouraged to bring their o$n to consume $ith a meal52 @r better: ho$ a motorist
can stop and pic" up passengers and con-ey them any$here pro-i di ng this is
7stri ctl y N@ for hire or re$ard3 or else fall foul of the bus and ta'i licenci ng regi mes
5+
.ra(ti(al4
@nce the legalities are met4 a simple and Huic" start.up can be to use one of the lo$ cost
7internet sharing3 Access Point products $hich connect a top end DS& line 0permitted multi.
userJbusiness2 to a 7$ireless neighbourhood35+ Cor future ser-ice e'pansion a gateway will
1

2ec.oning based on:- 2esidential "79! C =:3 D)EEE contended ;(:* (>((F 7wn )>( Bp)
and G:usiness "79! C =:3 D*(( monthG contended <(:* for ),b % have a best alternative
BF Gbac.haulG figure of =:3 D;((( pa for >,b 7wn ),b up (> ,b is about right for a single
'()**b G**,bG channel) /his % thin. is *( times faster than >((F and (assumed
uncontended ;(:*) which is where % get the ;(( number from 64/
2"
See: 8able companies crac.ing down of Wi-+i:
http://news.com.com/21""&1"33&42323.html'tag(f%_le%e
21
).a*out nee%ing a +,- licence .4"/0 & an!one can now %o this un%er the general authorisation an% %oes
not nee% to notif! -1+23/45 or whoe6er7 *ut there are some things re8uire% *! the 9+:7 such
as a co%e of practice an% a %ispute resolution ser6ice. +he -1+23 site has a lot more information on it.
+here is also some gui%ance at:&
http://www.seeonline.net/*roa%*an%/,ommunit!;elf<elp/;elf<elp+oolkit/3egal/4egulator!/+elecoms4eg
ulation/ <owe6er7 we %o not agree with a num*er of statements there7 a*out things that might *e
re8uire% .such as 5nne$ :: status0
4o*ert = 3a%!man
>oluntar! 5%ministrator & wlan&talk?*ee*.net & ;!sop an% @35A Buil%ersC mailing list for
wlan.org.uk.
17
need to be set up based on using a stable 38 $ith a high speed Internet connection4 some$here
in range of the community net$or"+
+S Windows4
Cor beginners and non.enthusiasts4 there are o-er$helming ad-antages in setting up P(s $ith
the 7plug.in.and.play3 automatic dri-er and system configuration and a-ailability of standard
Windo$s Dri-ers+ he stability of #S Windo$s 09=4 9:2 earlier precluded it from small ser-er
applications+ he impro-ed reliability of #S Windo$s since the introduction of N 2000
.ro'essional enables a des"top or laptop Windo$s P( to no$ be used as a practical @S for a
first internet gate$ay 0or bac"up2 gate$ay ser-ice5
he Windo$s P( *ost has to be setup to connect to the Internet using a standard broadband
cable4 dial.up or satellite ser-ice+
he W&AN 0NIA2 and then the %ate$ay Soft$are are then set up in this order+
A Windo$s Internet %ate$ay Shopping &ist:
1+ A good Huality branded des"top P( computer+ !eliable and Huiet5 A 7Proper Ser-er3 e-en
better+ 0Dell do some cheap 7S@*@3 des"top ser-er P(s from %BP <=00+2
2+ Windo$s 2000 Professional operating system+
?+ !egular 0/SB2 TDS& connection 0must be upgradeable to a shareable uncontended TDS&
connection . up to 2#bJsec2+
B+ A (ompaH W&200 P(I card 02 high speed /SB ports may conflict2+
=+ 6'ternal dish feed and antenna pointing to the nearest Access Point+
F+ Win!oute &ite Pro'y Ser-erJ%ate$ayJCire$all soft$are 0unlimited users2+
Win2oute !ite offers a fast and easy solution for sharing a single %nternet connection for your
entire networ. Win2oute is a firewall, network address translator, and router$ all in one %t
can connect your networ. to the %nternet through a single %3 address %t provides transparent
networ. access for all standard /83 and B73 applications 9upported protocols and applications
include 6//3$ 6//39$ +/3$ ##/3$ 9,/3-343H$ %,"3<$ 2eal"udio$ 074!ive$ 8B-9ee,e$
%8I$ %28$ 33/3$ /elnet$ 996$ 9#,3$ 3ing$ and /raceroute With firewall security$ and newly
added networ. functionality such as port mapping$ and support for multimedia, online gaming,
and !" telephony$ Win2oute !ite proves to be an ideal solution for home and small office
networ.s http://www.tin!software.com/winlite.php
LinuH4
Cor -ersatility4 reliability and economy4 a &inu' machine and Apache Ser-er *osting is the best
small and medium solution+ Cor gate$ay soft$are4 enthusiasts and &inu' users ha-e a $ide
range of alternati-es4 $hich can build and configure a system from ra$ components 5
http://ww.wlan.org.uk/linu$an%.htm @e ha6e successfull! use% 5pache an% :D,op.
<nternet (osts4
At %BP G28%88 per month B currently is selling F00 users 7broadband3 0at =00,bJsec
contended =0:12 for a net annual fee of %BP G21B?82" per year+ his same band$idth IC
collecti-ely purchased and fairly distributed at cost can in principle be sold to 7bul".buying co.
operators3 for 1J?0
th
this price+ i+e+ Cor %B 90 pence per month or a net %BP GC000 per year+
See footnote
1
18
he more internet users4 the cheaper the band$idth+ (ompeting $ith the li"es of national
telecos should not be difficult: . a 90> discount 0%BP <2+99 per month2 or less for a superior
ser-ice loo"s Huite possible4 ho$e-er as things stand for many rural users simple a-ailability4
not pri(e is the current issue+
-i*% 12 Winroute Lite .roHy Ser1er Networ) Settin*s
In the recent past4 inserting ne$ cardsJadapters onto P(s or configuring e'ternal peripherals
such as modems and particularly setting up small net$or"s and host configuration $as a difficult
and time consuming 7highly clerical3 chore+
he really hard part of &inu' is that hard$are specific de-ice dri-ers for e-ery generic card and
on.board de-ice used on a &inu' machine has to already ha-e been $ritten by someone or else
must be freshly created4 de-eloped and debugged+ 6'perienced system builders therefore
regard the Huality and compatibility of any "no$n &inu' dri-ers as the primary consideration
$hen selecting components+
With modern Windo$s consumer 7plug in and play3 soft$are and especially the introduction of
7D*(P3 0Dynamic *ost (onfiguration Protocol2 in net$or"ing4 the setting up of
commercial proprietary soft$are such as Winroute &iteDs 7Cire$all4 %ate$ay4 Pro'y
Ser-er Soft$are3 ma"es the e'ercise 6al5eit at a $i*$ pri(e7 almost too simple+
22
Ot$er Ser1i(es
A 7gate$ay computer3 can be e'panded to function as a net$or" file ser-er and run
!adio and I $ebcasti ng soft$are+ See: . #ew hardware options for community media
hardware http://www.wlan.org.uk/st&well2.html
S($edul e o' as)s
Set up a group++
Ad-ertise group 0Posters5+Press !eleases etc2++
Inaugural #eet
Set up proper club++ @pen ban" account+
emplates J Ideas for all this:. http://www.wlan.org.uk/startup&pack.html
N%#% Demon Internet $as set up in 1992 by 100 (IR users putti ng up %BP <100
22
Bruce Ballard suggested: /he gateway can be more economically provided by either a H8om
firewall (D)>() or by a 38 running %89 (%nternet connection sharing) which comes with E'9& and
above "lternatively$ if %89 is non-preferred$ 9ygate 9erver does a similar Job to Winroute
preferred is the H8om.

1
pounds each++ /nfortunatel y despite being brilliantl y farsighted net$or"ers and
programmers they $ere too naY-e to be properl y consti tuted and t$eir a((ountant
a fe$ years later sold 7the business3 himsel f for %BP G@0? 000? 000 +
(ontact other local connectable groups for any possible reciprocal peering agreements+
!un the micro$a-e propagation program http://wlan.org.uk/%ownloa%s/g4Ent&at6.Fip
Is it feasible to connect to any distant community net$or"s or nodesZ
Where are good sites to put up a first (ommunity W&AN *ubZ
(an enough of the e'isti ng members all 7see3 the proposed mastZ

%et site permission+
!aise funds 0%rants P slo$est++ Ad-anced Subscripti ons
2?
P Huic"est2+
SA!/P N@6S . (*6(,.&IS
0http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_sp_1.htm2
!S%B #odel (lub (onsti tuti on
0http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_rules_1.htm2
Inaugural !esoluti on document
0http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_resol6e_1.htm2
Posters templ ate
0http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_po_1.htm2
SA! /P P!6SS !6&6AS6
0e+g+ http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_pr_1.htm2
#embershi p certificates
0e+g+ http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_memcert_1.htm2
Site @$ners Agreement
0e+g+ http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_site_ag_1.htm2
&A/N(* DA6 P!6SS !6&6AS6
0e+g+ http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_pr_2.htm2
23
%f ;( members agree to put up a single year@s basic commerci al broadband fee
(DH;( A ;()$ they can at a stro.e buy and permanentl y own their own local
broadband telecom system and get a *( fold performance (>,b-sec %nternet "ccess
contended ;(:*) and still have money in the .itty for eApansion
2"
2e'eren(es
"mateur 1 8ommunity W!"# Promoting site++ www.wlan.org.uk
(onsumer po$er++ www.consume.net 0all /, W&AN users should log themsel -es onto
the 84#9B,& database2
*ori;ontal Polarised 1FdBi @mnidirectional++ http://www.wlan.org.uk/hot#2"spot
#2"16#2"page.htm
&inu' Access Points are recommended++ http://opensource.instant8"2.com/.
#ew hardware options for community media hardware http://www.wlan.org.uk/st&well2.html
Norbert Wiener Cather of (ybernetics socio.politics: http://www.wlan.org.uk/wiener2.htm
Po$ering the Access Points o-er 7spare3 $ires on the !NB= 76thernet3 cable5+
http://www.n!cwireless.net/poe/
!ADI@ S@(I6A @C %!6A B!IAIN http://www.rsg*.org/
!S%B appro-ed model consti tuti on++ http://www.wlan.org.uk/wg_rules_1.htm
9ic. of crap 79!K 9tart your own service! http://www.wlan.org.uk/sickofcrap%sl.html
Iertical Polarised 1= dBi @mnidirectional Antenna++ http://www.h!perlinktech.com
Win2oute !ite an ideal solution for small networ.s http://www.tin!software.com/winlite.php
W&AN %roup startup help: http://www.wlan.org.uk/startup&pack.html
World Wide (ommunity W&AN Promotion++
http://www.wlan.org.uk/communit!#2"wlan#2"promoting#2"sites.html
(ampaigning #P? #usic Z
hunderclap Ne$man . +hereCs ;omething in the 5ir.GD3 69%C+#7 6una1aila5le $ere try
www%)a,aalite%(om7

Woody %uthrie - +his H@35AH @as Ga%e 1or Iou 5n% Ge.GD3 62%9+# 3 out o' (opyri*$t so
O%&%7
21
22