[HacktionLab] Peace news camp advice

Andy S andys at bristolwireless.net
Mon May 6 20:56:04 UTC 2013


On 6 May 2013 21:00, gzikskud <gzikskud at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi
>
> long ethernet can be an issue, and yes depending on the weather you will
> need to do something about the cable, also the maximum length of the cable
> according to the book is 100 meters. If that is within reach you need to
> think how you are going to run the cable, and stop people stamping all over
> it, tripping over etc..
>
> Something to consider is that some ISP's can be a bit iffy about sharing
> connections, and so if your event is likely to generate interest then you
> may find the ISP is pressured into doing something…
>
> So I would plan on both options. get an unlocked 3G dongle and a section
> of sims (giffgaff, 3, etc.) and confirm which one gives you the best
> coverage before buying top ups.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> On 6 May 2013, at 18:00, U wrote:
>
> > Hey
> >
> > Thanks so much for your offer. We spoke to the owners of the house
> nearby and they've said we can use their broadband. I'm thinking the
> easiest / most logical thing would be to run an (long) ethernet cable into
> the field. Do you know if there would be any issues with this, would it
> need weatherproofing? Plastic piping? It's only for a few days.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Usayd
> >
> >
> > On Mon, May 6, 2013 at 5:48 PM, Jim Dog <theinnercityhippy at riseup.net>
> wrote:
> > Hey
> >
> > Tagging onto the broadband line is generally going to be best (wired if
> possible) but if you end up going down the 3g route, we have a 3g Yagi
> antenna (a bit like a tv antenna) in Bradford that I'm sure you could use.
> >
> > It attaches onto a 3g dongle and when aimed at the nearest mobile
> antenna, boosts the signal.
> >
> > JD
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Reply message -----
> > From: "U" <us2cool at gmail.com>
> > To: <hacktionlab at lists.aktivix.org>
> > Subject: [HacktionLab] Peace news camp advice
> > Date: Sat, May 4, 2013 13:01
> >
> >
> > Hey all
> >
> > I'm helping to organise the Peace news summer camp (which you should
> check out :)) and I thought i'd ask if you guys could give me some tips.
> >
> > We are camping out in a field in 'Diss' near Norfolk. We might be able
> to get access to a broadband line from a nearby B&B otherwise we might have
> to use 3G or something else.
> >
> > Does anyone have advice on:
> >
> > a) How best to bring broadband into a field from a nearby house (i.e.
> wireless repeaters, ethernet etc)
> >
> > b) What to do if we can't get a hard line, are there any good solutions
> for boosting 3G signals, would 4G suffice for video conferencing?
> >
> > Really appreciate any advice and if you have any questions about the
> event feel free to ask :)
> >
> > Much appreciated
> > Usayd
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > HacktionLab at lists.aktivix.org
> > https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/hacktionlab
>
>
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As mentioned above, the easiest is hooking into nearby broadband, which is
what we do each year at Barn Camp without issue, and yes, ~100m is the
limit before needing a switch (acting as a powered powered booster) and
you'd need to be careful about the routing of the cable, ideally use
outdoor Cat5 which is a bit tougher (although we haven't needed to for a
short term event).

Using a wireless link as an alternative is also feasible (if there is line
of sight) and there is plenty of kit to do the job, both new or hacked:

If you have budget; we have used Ubiquiti devices (Nanostation and similar)
to create a link to remote location or, if there is less budget and you
have someone fairly tech savvy, you could flash a pair of Linksys WRT54g
routers with Gargoyle Router or OpenWRT and configure as a wireless bridge.

Using 3g networks as primary connection is doable, but very dependant on
signal in the area and usage, there are specific 'Mifi' devices you can
plug a SIM into and away you go, or alternatively you could try an ad-hoc
wireless 'mesh' using software such as Open-Garden (opengarden.com) which
can connect an internet connected computer (could simply be tethered to 3g)
to share the connection wirelessly via mesh with nearby devices.

Of course any of these ideas soon fall apart when someone tries to download
a film using Bit Torrent or stream TV etc. so you should be clear about
acceptable use at the event, you will find that with sensible usage the
bandwidth consumed can be surprisingly low and not necessarily likely to
attract unwanted attention, of course will depend on the supplier..

A

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