The main AP has been shifted to the Redwood area of town and is back up and running on channel 11. Due to lower noise the network is back in shape and running beautifully. The antenna has also bee replaced with a better one to minimise SWR.
One notable change to come from this is that the antenna is now vertically polarised so you will need to adjust your antenna to suit.
Thanks for your patience!
The Marlborough Sounds broadband project is still active, and we are now ordering equipment. I’m also developing a Linux-based ‘WISP-in-a-box’ solution to compliment the Mikrotik access points, more will be posted on this later.
Testing has confirmed we have a site with an adequate connection to The Pacific, a local WISP. They have been very cooperative with residents and myself and have agreed to install a low-power version of their standard CPE specially for the project.
Ever tried getting a Compaq Deskpro to boot without a keyboard plugged in? While it initially appears impossible, I recently stumbled accross the proper method quite by accident. I thought I’d post some notes here as it is poorly documented on the web.
The Deskpro series are very well-built, quiet and reliable PCs and they suit the task of a ‘poor man’s server’ extremely well.
Bad news for users: The Marlborough Centre access point has been taken down today after discussing with their manager. The Marlborough Centre roof is being replaced shortly, and the noise issues were difficult to resolve. My apologies for not getting notice out sooner. The project is still operational and the plans are at this stage to start delveloping the network into a mesh arrangement.
A mesh network can reduce the dependency on a single access point and also helps shorten distances between links as more people get on board with the project. Please contact me if you want to discuss what is happening, or to find out more on how or where you can get access.
Thanks for your patience guys!