1. Are you living in one of our coverage areas? Check this Coverage Areas page. If you live in one
of the circled areas close to a node then all you need is a computer
running Windows XP or Vista and a wireless network card.
These can come as internally installed PCI wireless network adapters for
desktop computers or smaller USB adapters that any computer with an open
USB port can use. Most portable computers have a wireless network adapter
already, but older ones can get a USB or PCMCIA cardslot wireless network
for a modest price:
![[Graphic: Required wireless network adapters]](img/wifi-adapter.jpg "A wireless network card is required.")
Here's how to connect to the Chebucto
Wireless service.
2. Are you within 1/2 a block of a node host or node host
candidate?
Check it out on the map below!
You might want to become a node host yourself. You'd pay
$75 a year for your own personal Internet connection and a $150 deposit
for the equipment. One of our nodes uses less electricity than a regular
personal computer, about $46 worth a year. Interested?
Node host candidate signup here!
Depending on the wireless reception conditions it may
be necessary to set up an external antenna.
3. Do you want to bring Chebucto Wireless to Your
Neighbourhood?
We'd like to bring Chebucto Wireless to as many areas as we can. To do
that we need your help. Are there potential node hosts in your area?
Google Maps/Google Earth Chebucto
Wireless Nodehosts (.kml file)
Node host candidates (locations approximate).
Green houses with flags
represent active functioning nodes.
A flag on a flagpole represents a functioning live wireless signal
transmitter.
Zoom in [+] for more detail/closer look. Click and drag to move map view.
View Larger Map
For your neighbourhood to get Chebucto Wireless service, it should meet
these qualifications:
- Have a permanent central location with a clear
line-of-sight view of the top of Fenwick Place,
surrounded by low-rise residential housing. This central node would
re-distribute the wireless signal to your neighbourhood.
- Have people willing to host nodes within 1/2 block of
this central node. It takes about 3 nodes
distributed around a low-rise residential block for complete coverage.
- Have enough nodes, each no more than 1/2 block apart,
to cover the neighbourhood. We estimate 10-15.
- Enough Chebucto Plus members in the
neighbourhood to support the service. We estimate
35-50 *new* Chebucto Plus members. An individual Chebucto
Plus membership costs $125 per year (equivalent to $10.42 a month).
If this looks like your neighbourhood, then you can start promoting
the idea to your neighbours. If there is a neighbourhood association, you
can start with them. Talk to your city councillor for help. We provide
promotional materials for you to use that you can print
off yourself here.
We believe that neighbours working together for common goals can achieve
great things. We need you and your neighbours to help us bring low-cost
non-profit highspeed Internet access to your neighbourhood!
