Help and FAQs
Who can join?
Absolutely anyone who does not use the network for commercial use.
Is it free?
Yes it’s free! All that we ask is that you sign up as a member to this site and notify the admin of your intentions, although this is not compulsory. As the project does run out of my pocket, contributions are also welcome!
How much will my equipment cost?
There is no short answer to this as it depends on your location and what type of gear you use. You can do it for about $50 if you aready have a suitable access point and build your own antenna and hardware, or you might want to spend up to $400 on getting a carrier-grade client device and antenna.
Budget for about $200 all up if you need to buy a basic access point, a new antenna plus an enclosure, mounting hardware, cable, etc. Make sure you read the Getting Connected page before buying any gear.
Is it legal?
Of course it is. This is a project run by hobbyists; we don’t want to be criminals. Use of wireless network equipment for a project like this does not require a licence.
Do you provide internet access?
No. It is being investigated and a notice will be posted once it is available.
Can I use my wireless laptop?
If you can pick up the network with your laptop then absolutely! The name will appear as MarlWiFi.org.nz in your laptop’s network list. Though you probably already know that as you wondered what the heck it was before visting this site!
How can I test if I have reception?
You will need a laptop and a good antenna to test this properly, or you can contact me via the link at the bottom of the page to arrange a visit where I can help you get set up.
Why I can’t pick up your network?
Check that your device supports operating in client mode, plus you have your antenna facing the right direction with a fairly good line of sight to the Redwood area of Blenheim.
Other common causes are poorly made antenna cables or too small an antenna. Some cheap wireless gear also has bad reception quality, most manufacturers publish this data and you want something capable of at least -90dB at 1Mbps.
I can join but access is slow
Once again, check your alignment and line of sight. Your equipment may not have a very good receive sensitivity, ideally it should be at least -90dBm at 1Mbps. Most manufacturers publish these specifications; if yours doesn’t you should seriously consider getting better gear.
Check your antenna cabling and if you have a home-made antenna, try to compare it with a commercially built one to see if it is working they way it should. Contact the site admin if you need to arrange a test.
Who can I contact?
Click here to contact the project administrator.