We auto-reply to your Join request within 5 minutes. If you do not see the reply, check your spam folder and mark it “not spam”. You can also email us.
Please read our FAQ and the Network Commons License (NCL.pdf) before filling in the Join form. Also read our install info.
If you can convince your neighbors to also join, we will put you at the top of the install list. It is easier for us to do multiple installs in the one building.
Why should I join the mesh now?
By joining the mesh now you help us grow and increase our reach across the city. This is a community project and you will be helping to create a decentralized infrastructure, free from traditional business interests.
Routers-
To connect to the supernode you will need a LiteBeamAC for outdoors or a NanoBeamAC for indoors. Ask us before you buy. We use the Ubiquiti firmware on these devices.
You have to have line-of-sight to one of our supernodes to for this type of connection-
Here is the coverage map for downtown Manhattan supernode1
Here is the coverage map for Brooklyn supernode2.
We currently have two options for non-supernode routers- an indoor router and a $90 outdoor router. You can buy the routers online and configure them yourself using our simple download instructions. Otherwise, you can come to our meetups where we often sell preconfigured routers that you can simply plug in.
Here are the two router choices for local mesh connections:
1) An indoor TP-Link 842ND router (~$33) This is only available second-hand. We are looking for a replacement
2) An outdoor NSM5 Ubiquiti 5GHz router (~$95)
What you can do with your router-
The TP-Link is a normal home router with a range of one or two buildings, or across a street. If you are close enough to another active node it will mesh over the air. With the TP-Link router you would usually connect it to your own internet so it can “tunnel” and connect with the mesh. It is also possible to use multiple routers with your neighbors to split your ISP bill, or for friendly internet sharing.
It is easy to flash this TP-Link router with our download instructions. Otherwise, you can come to our meetups and buy one that is already configured.
Once you have a TP-Link router you will be able to access all of the “.mesh” local websites. So far we have a wiki, chat and some local information sites. The available servers and content are being expanded every week.
The Ubiquiti NanoStation we use is directional with a 45’ beam. There are two ways to use this router. It can be set up as a public access point by pointing it at a park or other public area. This obviously means you are the community-minded kind of person with a good internet connection. Alternatively it would have a line-of-sight connection to another NanoStation up to two miles away. It best if we install these as pairs, and we need to know beforehand that the two locations can actually see each other. We will help install and configure the NanoStation for you. We have outdoor cable and tools and experience doing this. Please email us a panorama pic of your view so we can see what other nodes you may be able to connect to. The range will vary but it should reach about two miles. Nanostations can also be installed behind windows if you don’t have rooftop access. They also work fine indoors as an unconventional looking router with two ethernet ports.
For the more technologically adventurous-
It is easy to set up your own server and connect it to the TP-Link router. The mesh has it’s own zeroconf mDNS system- “.mesh” and your server will be available to anyone on the mesh on our private 10/24 network.
How to configure them-
There is nothing to configure. Go to our download page and follow the instructions for installing the firmware and the router will automatically be configured.
If you would like to play around with the setting you can email us for the login info.