Hola from Gawler South!
Machspeed (the trackmania master) here in this first blog. Thought I may as well start using this to note ideas and progress in setting up my connection to Air-Steam.
Since before joining in July I had already been considering connecting, but not realised the extent of the challenge. AS connections just looked so easy on a 2D map!
So, in October, I've already read through the technical pages, contemplated what hardware could be used, but finally started sorting out which APs I may be able to tap in to. I've been using Google Earth (yup, really technical :P) to perform my surveying and this is because even if I stand on my roof I can't see into Adelaide. So I had no idea how high I needed my mast if I were to proceed. So after having surveyed to the most likely APs, I drew the conclusions that the ones that I prefered initially I can't get to, except EARC.
My 10m mast shortlist comes down to:
- Angle Vale (~11km, and is preferred but last I heard was largely inactive and someone may correct me on this)
- Salisbury North (~19km)
- Paralowie (~22km)
- Osborne (~30km, and is LOS)
And my only hope for EARC is to go up 15m! I guess it's a bit of a shortfall from where I am (dreams of living in a house up the hills literally 80 metres away). Hillbank, Uleybury, and pretty much everything south and east of EARC are out of the question. If Woolsheds does go ahead, I have LOS to there, potentially Wasleys, and anything out Two Wells way!
If there is any word of anyone on the hills of Gawler South, or Gawler East, or even those on the flats in Gawler West wanting to join AS, they have a much better choice of APs, and I would really like to know and help get them up and running if it helps get me on! :D
I have also been contemplating just putting up a mast with an AP just to start things off.
I'm planning on attending this months meeting to see if I can get some opinions, and some help, as to where I can go to for the first connection.
Wonderful Information
Thanks for posting you information, I wish more members would, as I suspect there are a number of people in between your location also keen to connect. I hope you have also added your details to members database node map, so that other members can see where you are.
It is generally recommended in areas where there is no coverage to put an AP permanently running, as others may see you when they are searching signals, this is how the network started. Don't forget to email the mail list.
Robert