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WiFi for Consumers

You're considering participating in a community network.  Perhaps it is because you live in a rural area.  Or perhaps it is because you're part of a local organization.  Whatever the reason, your decision to subscribe to a community network involves just a few things.

  • You'll need to work with your community service provider, commonly a neighbor.  This can make things more personal and enjoyable.
  • You'll need to get the equipment you need to receive the WiFi signal and transmit it back to your community service provider.
  • You'll need to protect your network from intrusion.  Typically, the community service provider will work with you to pre-configure your hardware so that your communications are as secure as they can be.

 

Your Equipment

As a customer, you'll need a few pieces of equipment.  For each item, a suggested item is shown with an approximate price.  Because your needs may vary and because prices fluctuate, please take these as guidelines, not exact items or prices.  Please work directly with your community service provider to get exactly what you need.

  1. Internet Service - You'll be obtaining service from your community service provider. Fat Bear helps set up WiFi networks and works directly with your community service provider to ensure that they have the right equipment and that you do, too!  And, we help pre-configure your equipment to make your network as secure as possible.
    • Fat Bear provides 3rd-party support service to community service providers and their customers.
  2. Antenna - You'll need to receive signal from your community service provider and transmit signal back to them. If you are near, you may be able to skip the need for an external antenna, but if you are too far, you'll need equipment that will not only receive their signal, but (more importantly) transmit back to them with sufficient signal strength. Click here to learn more about how to choose the right antenna.
    • Hawking HAO9SIP 9dBi omni-directional antenna kit ($99.99).
  3. Tripod - your antenna needs to be securely mounted to your home or office building.
    • WeatherShack 7716 Tripod ($65.00)
  4. Ethernet Cable - You need varying lengths of Ethernet cable to connect components together
    • Cat 6 Ethernet Cable, 7', Red, White, Yellow ($5.99 each)
    • Cat 6 Ethernet Cable, 14', Black ($8.99 each)
  5. Cable - you need cable to connect your antenna to the equipment above. You need enough length to reach the equipment. Choose the shortest length possible. Why? Cable length reduces the performance of your network.
    • Hawking HAC30N 10' Cable ($22.99)
    • Hawking 30' Cable ($34.99)
  6. Signal Booster - to improve the performance of your network, you'll need a signal booster. The maximum that is allowed is a 500mW booster.
    • Hawking HSB2 Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster ($79.99)
  7. External Router - You need to securely receive your signal. If you're going to connect your computer to this router directly, then you won't need the internal router below. But, if you're going to want to establish your own WiFi home network, you'll need the next item.
    • Linksys WAP54GS SpeedBoost Router ($69.00)
  8. Internal Access Point - If you're going to want your own home WiFi network, then you'll need an access point.
    • Linksys WAP54G Wireless Access Point
  9. Internal Router - You want to improve the signal distribution for your home-base location. The standard antenna on the router is a 2dBi antenna. You'll want to replace it with a 7dBi antenna.
    • Linksys HGA7T Antenna Kit ($49.99)
 
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