Editing TasWireless

{{Citations needed|date=April 2024}}{{No footnotes|date=April 2009}}
'''TasWireless''' is a group of [[wireless network]]ing enthusiasts in [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]].  Between them they have set up [[wireless community network]]s in both [[Hobart]] and [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]].  The group has gone through many names, tas.air, www.tas.air.net.au, TPAN (Tasmanian Public Airwave Network) and now TasWireless.

With users from several different backgrounds, including [[computer network]]ing, [[amateur radio]], [[amateur television]], [[computer programming|programming]], [[Linux]]/[[BSD]] [[server administration]], [[antenna (electronics)|antenna]] and [[satellite dish]] installations, and lots more, they are willing to assist with any community networks in any part of the state.

==Introduction ==
The TasWireless site was first started in 1999.  It started as a splitter group from [[TasLUG]], the Tasmanian [[Linux User Group|Linux Users Group]].  There was only a small number of people who were interested in wireless networking at this time, less than five each in Hobart and Launceston.  A node [[database]] ([http://www.nodedb.com]) for Tasmanian regions was started, the mailing list was put on line, but due to the lack of practical experience and knowledge, very little happened.  The cost of [[Wi-Fi]] cards and [[wireless access point]]s was also a problem.
In early 2002, a flood of cheap [[SkyNet Global]] [[802.11b]] [[PC card]] cards flooded the market.  These cards were [[liquidation|liquidated]] stock and cost around [[Australian dollar|A$]]50-60 each - the average retail price was still around A$200.  A lot of these cards were shipped to the state and distributed (both by TasWireless admins and otherwise).

== 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.

== Wireless networks in Launceston ==
Wireless networks in Launceston were a lot slower to take off than in Hobart, but is to be expected with a smaller population.  Several small peer-to-peer links were tested, but no major infrastructure was rolled out.

At the end of January 2004, two groups appeared, around the same time.  One group was unnamed (though was working under the TasWireless name), the other was called [[tasgrid|TasGrid]].

Both groups currently have two major access points each with around 10-12 nodes being on each.  Neither group appears to be very active at the present time.

[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100844/http://www.launcestonwireless.com/  Launceston Wireless] has started forming some connections to hopefully create a working citywide public network

== Wireless networks in the north-west ==
There are several people who have expressed interest in a wireless network on the north-west coast of Tasmania - however no networks currently exist.

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100844/http://www.launcestonwireless.com/ Launceston Wireless]
*[http://www.taswireless.net TasWireless]
*[http://starnet.shacknet.nu StarNet]
*[http://www.tasgrid.net TasGrid]
*[http://www.nodedb.com/australia/tas/? NodeDB maps - Tasmania]

[[Category:Wireless network organizations]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Tasmania]]
[[Category:Communications in Australia]]