Required Hardware

General

The hardware and software required to connect to the Bristol Wireless network vary depending on where you are and what you want to achieve. Basic hardware consists of a device such as a desktop PC, laptop, or PDA with a wireless network card. This will get you connected at short distances.

Most people however will require an antenna and access point to connect, our 'standard' WRT54gL install is detailed below.

Suitable operating systems include all types of Linux, Windows, MacOS, Unix, BeOS, PocketPC, WinCE, PalmOS, DOS and numerous others.

Standard WRT54GL loft install

First check that you are in a coverage area: as a rule of thumb, if your house is on this map and you can see this towerblock (bw-twinell), then it is certainly worth trying. If your house is just off the first map it may be possible for you to connect.

you could buy a WRT 54GL (Make sure it is a 'L' model) You then need to InstallOpenWrt on it and set the Essid to something suitable (e.g. 'bw-twinell').

Then buy this directional antenna and this bit of cable You then need to remove the male end (the end that does not attach to the antenna) and solder this connector in its place.

At this stage you should hire a professional rigger, who will attach the antenna to the pole that your TV antenna is on. Your rigger should point this antenna at the nearest Bristol Wireless infrastructure point (e.g. bw-twinell. Your rigger should also check that the antenna pole is safely earthed in case of a lightning strike. They shoud feed the coax cable under the tiles and yoyu should connect the WRT to the cable.

You then need to buy this power kit (we have heard that it is possible to hack a homemade POE kit but to do so is probably a fire hazard and we would not recommend it) You also need a length of Cat 5 cable long enough to connect your computer to the WRT54GL in your loft (ready-made Cat 5 network cables are available locally in lengths up to 50 metres). When the WRT is switched on it should automatically connect to our network using DHCP.

If you plug your computer into the WRT you should be ready to open firefox or the the browser of your choice and start using the internet

Tools required for loft install:

• Soldering iron
• Sharp Knife

The approximate cost of all these components is around �130; to hire a suitably insured professional rigger will be between �50-�80.

Wrt external install

It is possible to install the WRT in a waterproof box for roof mounting you will then need to drill 1 x 20mm hole in the bottom of the box and one 16mm hole next to it. These holes need to be positioned so that they will take appropriate waterproof glands - one for the Cat 5 and one for the larger antenna cable. This is a similar approach to the one taken here; when drilling holes make sure that they are lined up so that the cable will connect to the Wrt.

Tools required for external install:

• drill;
• 16mm wood drill bit;
• 20mm wood drill bit;
• soldering iron;
• cat 5 crimps.

If you wish to re-broacast the wireless signal to your neighbours then you will need to become a LevelTwoNode..