Jawug, PWP linked to PTAWUG!

Ryder_JHB

Ryder_JHB

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We've finally managed to successfully link up to PTAWug, and I would hazard a guess that we now have probably the largest community run wireless network in Africa (unconfirmed) and maybe even the southern hemisphere!

Thanks to all the guys who made this happen!

Right.. Next step Potch, Durbs and the Cape! :D

Well done people!
 
136km of links from furthest JAWUG node to furthest PTAWUG node...lekker

thanks to Greeny, JINX, BazDaddy, stew, ath0, midic0s that helped to get the link up from the PTAWUG side. Just some alignment still needed. Thanks to Xarion for going to GC countless times to replace hardware and align.
 
Ryder_JHB said:
Right.. Next step Potch, Durbs and the Cape! :D

Well done people!
Click to expand...

Yeah, Durbs is next! PTAWUG is sending me down to durbs in 2 weeks time, so hopefully we'll have a link in the near future :D
 
Hi Ryder_JHB, protzkrog etc.

Can you please PM/email as much detail as possible to me for an article:

--number of nodes
--network size and coverage
--equipment used
--How to get involved

No need to contact your PR agency - just mail the info in rough format :)
 
Hey rpm, i'll help you out, might as well post it here so the rest can see :)

Number of nodes:
Jawug 115
PTAWUG: +-65
PWP: +- 30

Equipment used: The main hardware used is the routerboard from mikrotik, however any standard wifi equipment that can to Client and/or AP mode such as linksys or wifi card _could_ be used.

How to get involved: go to http://www.wug.za.net and register yourself, activate your profile and login to WugNet (not the forum).

Have GoogeEarth (http://earth.google.com) ready to get your coordinates. Once you have located your position, on the wug.za.net click add location (wugplotter menu) and copy/paste the coordinates in. Then download the KML file which will open up in Google Earth and you will see what is covered, who is connected and what frequency they are operating on.

Next step is to do a Line of sight test to your closest active node. The line of sight is done on the wug.za.net site as well. If there is LOS (line of sight) the red line will not cut any black part. Sometimes its not really possible to judge just from the LOS, so pictures from your roof are essential, which may be uploaded to the relevant gallery at http://www.wug.za.net/gallery/ (will need to re-register for gallery). Once uploaded come chat with us and we'll help you decide what equipment you need and where to connect to.

If you have an IRC client: server: irc.jawug.za.net channel #wnet or if you dont click on http://www.wug.za.net/irc.php and it will send u straight to us

Please remember WUGs (Wireless User Groups) are non-profit organisations so no commerical services available SO NO INTERNET IS AVAILABLE - we are not a WISP

Basically I think what the wug end goal is, is to establish a new form of "internet" much like the way arpanet started the internet, its just wireless, free and self-contained now :)
 
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Some more PTAWUG info:

--Number of nodes : 65 connected members, mostly on 5.8ghz, 6 on 2.4ghz.

--Network size and coverage : 13 highsites in PTA from Moreleta Park in the East to Mountain View in the West. Elarduspark and Groenkloof in the South and Pretoria North and Magalieskruin in the North. About 90km of backbone links in Pretoria.

--Equipment used : Mikrotik on the 5.8ghz spectrum. Sector antennas on the highsites and grids or panels on the member side.

--How to get involved : Anyone is welcome to join, our youngest member is 17 years (GBM) and oldest is 72 (Chris). Read the getting started section on www.ptawug.co.za, join us on irc.ptawug.co.za #ptawug or send an email to [email protected].

--History : Started in July 2007 with 4 members and one highsite. PTAWUG follows an divide and conquer strategy, there is no set hierarchy - everyone is responsible for the network and helps to expand and maintain it. The network is split into parts where all the members in the area maintains their highsites. The whole network is built with donations from members.
 
Wugs are not limited to Gauteng of course, here are a list of other WUGS:

CTWug - Cape Town Wireless User Group - http://www.ctwug.za.net

DWC - Durban Wireless Community - http://www.dwc.za.net

StellWug - Stellenbosch Wireless User Group - http://www.stbwug.za.net

SBwug - Sandown Bay Wireless User Group - http://www.sbwug.za.net

SWWug - Somerset West Wireless User Group - http://www.sbwug.za.net

PCN - Potchefstroom Community Network - http://www.pcn.za.net

NamWug - Namibia Wireless User Group - http://www.namwug.za.net

KoshWug - Klerksdorp Wireless user Group - http://www.koshwug.za.net

PEWug - Port Elizabeth Wireless user Group - http://www.pewifi.co.za

BFNWug - Bloemfontein Wireless User Group
 
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Man that sounds so cool.. :D

Maybe one day it'll stretch right down and connect to the PeWug :eek: :D

I'd be curious to know what sort of latency and speeds can be achieved between the two furthest apart wuggers?
 
When we finalise the alignment and the linking we'll put some stats :)
 
Its amazing to think that Jawug (not to mention PWP and PTAWug) started with only two people, and look how it has grown! We are now over 200 connected members, stretching from Muldersdrift all the way to Pretoria North, and we are not going to stop there either!

I remember the nights spent on my roof, scanning for wireless networks, and one evening, I managed to get myself hooked up to a like-minded individual who had similiar ideas!

Eventually our little network grew, and we were able to connect up to other such smaller growing networks in different areas...

If you want a fantastic computer/technology related hobby, and you have lots of birds in your garden, looking for some nice perches :D, join your local wug, and you'll be amazed at how you lived without it!

I can't praise my wug experience enough, and as mentioned in similiar threads in the past, it's not just about the fact that I can download that latest service pack, or that new distro for free, at high speed, its the fact that I am part of a community, and have made countless friends, who are interested in the same kind of things that I am!

Long live Wugs! :)
 
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