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News :: Media |
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Urbana's Free Wireless Network Moves Ahead |
Current rating: 9 |
by Peter Miller
Email: peterm (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
14 Sep 2002
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Today, Dave Young and I installed an antenna on the roof of my building, 407 W. Green St, Urbana. Once connected to a server in my apartment it'll be the second node in Urbana's free wireless network. Dave will explain more about this. |
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I've got a few quick pictures of the end of the day. But let me say a word about the previous few hours.
Dave and I aren't extremely mechanically inclined. Given enough time and assistance, we can figure out some basic construction projects, but I'd be stretching things to say it comes smoothly.
The installation of the antenna ended up taking a full day, with two trips to Farm and Fleet, two trips to Mike L's place, and one failed effort to get a 10' ladder up to the third floor of my building. (Many thanks to Mick for letting us use his 8' ladder.) (And many thanks to Mike for his experience and tools.)
The free wireless project needs several more antennae, so if you're a trained electrician and you want to help build this network, please contact me or Dave!
When we got down to the work, I did the hammer drilling into the chimney, and Dave finished off the ends of the cable. Dave did ALL the preliminary work and has a big table full of electronic gear at his workplace.
We finished everything as it turned dark.
Here's dave brandishing the antenna:
#file_1#
Now he's fastening it to the pole:
#file_2#
Here he is raising it to its final position:
#file_3#
And this lets you see the antenna and the treeline:
#file_4# |
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Great Story And Pics |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 3
15 Sep 2002
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I wish I had an antenna on MY house.
;>) |
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Keep It Up |
by josh michaels
joshm (nospam) pianosa.catch22.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
15 Sep 2002
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community free wireless is the greatest thing on so many different levels. keep it up guys. |
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Ya Ya Girl |
by Sandra
spiritofsandra (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
15 Sep 2002
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Where do we go to learn about if this would be "right" for us? |
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CU Wireless Website |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 2
16 Sep 2002
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http://wireless.cu.groogroo.com/ |
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Electricians, And More |
by David Young
dyoung (nospam) ojctech.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
18 Sep 2002
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Peter is right, we could use the help of an electrician to put up the antennas. We made some mistakes that cost us lots of time. I figure we could do three installations a day with
the help of someone who knew what they were doing.
By the way, the antenna, mast, cable, connectors, waterproofing materials, and mounting hardware all cost money. So do radios and computers. If you would like to sponsor a station on our network for the cost of some of the parts, you may contact me or Sascha. If you live near Sascha, you can sponsor your own node, AND join the demo network. In exchange for your sponsorship, we will emblazon a dusty, beige Pentium with a neon green Post-It note bearing your name written in shiny, silver ink. We would engrave a Pentium with its sponsor's name, but the Pentiums are on loan.
If you can provide an inexpensive broadband Internet connection to our network, then you should also contact Sascha or I. |
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The Rest Of The Story |
by pm
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Sep 2002
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Go here for Dave's explanation of this whole wireless thing:
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/7716 |
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Where The Transmitters Are |
by Peter Miller
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Sep 2002
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 |
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#file_1# |
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We're Connected! |
by David Young
dyoung (nospam) ojctech.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
24 Sep 2002
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Sascha's and Peter's house were connected on Saturday. We are selecting the next home, now. |
