Editing TasWireless (section)

== Wireless networks in Hobart ==
The predominant network in [[Hobart]] is called StarNet.  This was started as a private network by a small group of [[amateur radio]] enthusiasts, around April 2002.  It included around six or seven sites.

In April 2003, an operator of the TasWireless website stumbled upon one of their nodes, with SSID ''StarNet'', and posted his find to the mailing list.

As a result, all users involved were able to share knowledge and make some minor changes to the network routing.
Another network ''RexNet'', based in [[Kingston, Tasmania|Kingston]] was also found; they had already been working with the StarNet group to eventually join the networks.

In mid-2003, various [[802.11b]] [[wireless access point]]s appeared on the market at low prices - [[Svec]] and [[Minitar]] brand access points were selling for around $100.  This made setting up nodes easier, as the compatibility issues between various brands of [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] cradles, [[PC card]]s, and operating systems caused some problems.

By the start of March 2004, there were around 25 nodes on ''StarNet'', reaching from Tea Tree, Otago, Rosetta, Lutana, Glenorchy, Moonah, Lindisfarne, Lenah Valley, Bellerive, Acton, Tranmere, Sandy Bay and Kingston.