Malusay WiFi Valentines Update

Here are a few updates about our long-awaited barangay wifi network. I took a 2-day leave from work last Monday and Tuesday. I (with Eva and the kids) managed to take the 9 am boat from Tangil to Guihulngan on Saturday--- a pleasant and enjoyable ride with excitement to see the famous dolphins. Unfortunately, not one showed up.

Immediately upon arrival at around 11 am, I checked the tower mast at the house that Popoy and team upgraded. The last 10-foot segment is ready to be fitted with the access points which will be raised and installed last.

In the afternoon, with the help of Jerry, Rodel and JR, we constructed the omni antenna that we planned to replace on the Nanostations. The materials were procured from Australia and HongKong (pigtails and N-Panel connectors) via Benjie's paypal account. To make it short, we attached the access points (BH-2 and Node 1), with Node 1 having the new home-made omni antenna on the last segment and performed tests.

With the availability of the "climber", we were able to raise the last segment up--- it was a day under the sun that caused me the burns and the first time for our climber to be up performing such a feat (of course with the industry-grade climbing gear courtesy of Benjie).

Late in the afternoon, we got the signal from the access point above (Node-1) on our test wifi-equipped PocketPC and Cellphones. The signal is weak due to the elevation, but the primary concern is to make this node link with Nodes 2, 3 & 4 (please see network diagram below) while giving the link to users nearby at the same time.

I considered the deployment of the BH-2 and Node-1 a milestone but we also had the opportunity to explain to other people and visitors about our project. All of them praised for the initiative and the help from those outside of the country. They even hoped they can do that in their places with our help some day.

Next, Popoy and I together with Rodel made an ocular inspection at Caesar M's property at the NORSU area. Popoy had prior verbal approval to use his property for the BH-1 tower. The plan is to start the construction on Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 (yesterday). Actually, Popoy sent me sms message that the construction is in progress as scheduled.

The following pictures explain more:

The Planned Network in general

The last segment with the BH-2, Node-1 (PowerStation and Nanostation using external home-made omni antenna)

Rodel staring up the climber

The climber with the climbing gear

The upgraded mast w/ BH-2 and Node-1 (View to the Northeast)

The upgraded mast w/ BH-2 and Node-1 (View to the East)

We also received additional pledge of donation from Benjie for the Squid Caching Server. Daghang salamat!

Of course, I also met the primary objectives and the reasons why I took the leave, but let me keep it to myself.

More updates as we continue this non-profit project for our kababayans!