A Roaming Initiative Tower is a compilation of hardware that you can use to create a mesh backbone, it will connect devices over long distance, and can contain a UPS for resistance to utility failure.
- Aluminum flag pole or mast
- OmniTIK U-5HnD wireless omnidirectional router
- 35-ft CAT6 patch cable, pre-crimped (This is a minimum size, feel free to go higher if your situation requires).
Total price of these components at the time of this writing, from the sources given: $72.39 + Price of OmniTIK (which you'll probably need to buy via eBay). You can expect to pay around $30 for that, so the whole thing costs about $100.
- UPS, any type designed for outputting 120v AC, or any UPS capable of putting out between 12v to 24v DC for more efficient Power Over Ethernet to your radios.
- Multiple 1-2 ft CAT6 patch cables, preferably pre-crimped.
- Extension cord, if necessary.
- Fiber relay hardware (TBD)
- Arc Wireless FreeStations or Ubiquiti Nanostation Locos, as many as desired.
- Additional band clamps, if necessary (probably a good idea, and a necessity if your hardware doesn't ship with them)
TODO: instructions for downloading and flashing ADRIS-T on OmniTIK router.
Multiple options are available for setting up a flagpole such as the one listed above. In terms of mounting the pole, you can either pound the included mounting tube into the ground & set the flagpole into that, or you can band clamp it to a fence or secure it to a roof. Note that once this particular pole is locked & extended and has been exposed to the elements for a few weeks, it is unlikely to twist down & telescope properly. Luckily, the pole itself is only 8.1lbs, and the omnitik adds on another pound or so, so when you need to take it down just bring an extra person to help you with it, and it should be fairly easy to do even though the flagpole won't telescope.
The Omnitik includes a band clamp & mounting bracket for poles & other cylindrical objects. Just mount the Omnitik to the pole using the included parts, as they work well for the task & are compatible with the pole. Make sure to skip mounting the included brass ball on the top of thepole, as it blocks other radios from seeing a good chunk of the Omnitik's antenna.
Use the long CAT6 cable to run down from the router to the ground. Plug in the POE (Power Over Ethernet) injector on the ground end of the ethernet cable, and plug that into a nearby outlet, using an extension cord if necessary.
You can now test your tower via 5ghz WiFi with a laptop or other mobile device, or by plugging in to the Omnitik using the tail end of the POE injector.