Installation is a Cooperative Effort
LCWA is a volunteer organization and as such we rely on you as a member to help get yourself connected to our network. We need your help!
Now, don’t worry, our existing trained volunteer team does most of the install steps for you, but we always encourage members to assist. At a minimum, we want you to understand the process so that your installation best meets your needs. Feel free to review these installation steps below so we can answer any questions you may have about the process or service before you get started.
Attending a Pre-Install Meeting
As part of the installation process, you are requested to attend one of our Saturday morning coffee meetings. At this meeting will learn how our association works and we will obtain from you some specific information that our volunteer install team will need to complete the following steps.
Installation Steps
These are the steps our volunteers take to get you hooked up
1. Determine if we Can Reach You
We use online tools to obtain your GPS coordinates.
Once we have obtained your coordinates, we will run a computer simulation that helps identify potential access points that are visible from your location. Results of the analysis may indicate the quality of the the connection and may help guide our decision as to whether you can connect to our network or not.
2. Create an Installation Plan
Each installation is unique and requires some planning in advance. In addition to determining the location and direction of the equipment mast, our volunteers need to determine how the mast will be mounted. They will also map out and measure a cable path from the mast to you where you plan to install the router or connection to you computer(s).
By helping think through the installation you can support the installation. For example, together we may decide to use a non-penetrating mount on your roof and run the cable though an existing cable opening to your computer room. The volunteer group has amassed a lot of experience in doing installations and together with your advice will create your installation plan.
3. Install the Equipment
These are the steps we take to install the equipment:
- Mount an antenna mast with clear line-of-sight to the access point.
- Run a CAT5 cable from the mast to the router location inside the house. Note, our volunteers do not drill holes through the walls in your house—this is up to you.
- Terminate the CAT5 cable with connectors on both ends.
- Connect the router and POE power supply at the inside location.
- Connect the radio and align / mount it on the mast.
- Visually confirm the radio has power, LAN, and WLAN lights.
- Test your internet connection.
We do not send you any invoices until we have confirmed that you have a good internet connection.
That’s It!
Those are the steps we take to get you connected. We appreciate all help you can provide in the process.