Hi vicarious

Joining the network...hmmmmm....not sure there is one to join yet. We'd need a good cross harbour link to hit my place. As for gear. That depends whether you want to be a a client node (just hooking into the network), or an AP (providing some sort of service and/or extending the network so others can hook to you).

To extend the network - especially in Welli - you'll likely need a client wireless card/pc and high gain antenna. To provide service you need an access point (commercial off the shelf or Linux based) and an omni directional antenna.

I've had several discussions on our mailing list over the types and polarisation of omni antennas we should use and I recommend the slotted waveguide omni which is horizontal polarised. The Auckland guys are mainly going vertical polarisation - not sure why. You get much better signal propagation at horizontal (just my 2c).

We are looking at having a get together of the wellington 'clan' soon(ish). I suggest you hook into the mailing list as thats where most of the activity takes place. There is a mail archive if you want to search it or just get a general feel for what is going on.

Let me know if I can help with anything. I monitor this thread so either here or the mailing list is good to get me.

Cheers - Colin.