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From DwcWiki

The first step in getting connected is to head on over to http://www.wug.za.net and register there. Once you have registered, plot where you want to connect from with the wugplotter. After you have done that, you can now see if someone is close enough to you for you to connect to. In order to connect with someone, you must have Line Of Sight. You can try using the LOS Line Of Sight calculator but it is not 100% accurate. Once you have done all of this you can email me and we can get you in touch with that person that you can connect to. Please take some photos of your view and then we can identify if you have LOS to a node.

The equipment you will need depends on the node you are connecting to. Is it 2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz? How far is it and a few more factors. My recommendation for if you want a really easy setup is to go for a CPE (Client Premises Equipment), it is a MikroTik Router Board with an antenna and radio build into a single unit. You simply have to point towards the other node and plug the UTP cable in and the power and a short config of the CPE and you sorted. Other equipment you can use is a Linksys WRT54GL or build up your own routerboard/radio/antenna configuration or build up a wireless router with an old PC. See this link for pros and cons of each.

Here are some other questions asked:

• How much does it cost to connect? - Cost about R1500-R2500 for the equipment to connect to DWC once you have connected it is free.

• Who pays for what? - The general rule is that you pay for your link, both sides. However there may be a time that you are lucky and that the person that you are connecting to has spare capacity and you will not have to pay for anything on that side. If you are connecting to an existing DWC highsite then you don't have to pay anything. If you want a faster link then you pay for the upgrade to the highsite.

• Who will install it? - You install it, however you may be able to get someone from DWC to assist in the installation if they have time. Of course you can always ask on IRC for help or via email.

• Does DWC offer internet access? - NO.

• Is it legal? - Yes , even if it crosses boundaries.

• Where can I get wireless stuff from? - You can get wireless equipment through DWC. We get most of our equipment from Miro at cost price we sell it on at their retail price, sometimes less, and money that is made from that sale goes towards highsites and backbone links for the network to improve. So support DWC and buy from us. Yes you can buy direct from Miro but support the cause.

• What speeds can I expect? - Speeds go from about 5mbps (500Kbs) to 50mbps (5MBps) depending on the LOS and equipment used. Average speed is about 10mbps or (1MBps).

Here is a simple checklist the 10 step program:

1) Get a Positive attitude then Register on wug.za.net.

2) Identify who you will be connecting to.

3) Take LOS photos.

4) Email me who you want to connect to and the photos of your view.

5) Expect to pay R2000 or so. It is worth it.

6) Decide what equipment you can afford and setup.

7) Order and pay for the equipment. Get equipment and mount it.

9) Do a few lines of config and connect to the other node.

10) Enjoy and contribute back to the community.

Ask if you got any questions. We all started out not knowing anything and had to ask questions too.