Trying to be the Master of Your Domain? Be the First WISP in Your Neighborhood
Okay, so first of all, what is a WISP? Well, that’s a Wireless Internet Service Provider, sometimes called a Wireless ISP. By setting up a WISP tower, you’ll be able to provide wireless Internet access to anybody within range.
Generally it will be a professional, established ISP that will be going around setting up WISP towers. However, just like the hey-days of dial up modems, the world of wireless has opened up a world of possibilities for savvy entrepreneurs.
I remember the dial-up hey-days. Teenage geeks across the nation were making mad money starting up businesses that provided dial-up Internet access by setting up rows of modems and computers in their basement. There are still a few of those around.
But with broadband Internet access becoming a virtual necessity thanks to Flash enabled websites, large-file animated GIF’s, and streaming content, a Wireless ISP is the new teenage-geek business to be in. The only difference is that setting up a WISP tower is going to cost a bit more than gradually adding modems to your basement.
Some dedicated amateur HAM radio operators know the drill. Setting up a WISP tower isn’t much different than setting up a radio tower.
A few things to get in order:
- Get a building permit from the local municipality (that’s typically the head honchos for the city you live in)
- File the necessary paperwork for the FAA (to ensure no domestic aircraft or UFO’s will be flying into your tower)
- Make sure you’ve got the room to put up a tower
- Account for the costs of necessary setup equipment (backhoe, concrete, rebar, etc.) or hiring out to have it done for you
- Make sure your neighbors are okay with it
Okay, so the last one might not seem necessary, but if you don’t let them know what you’re doing before hand, they might get grumpy and start a petition to force you to stop. With enough signatures, your neighbors can bring your project to a grinding halt even though you’ve already gotten permission from all the proper government channels.
Trylon towers are perfect for the job. Trylon towers can be purchased up to 96 feet tall and have the sturdiness required to handle wind speeds of up to 100 mph. Also, if you’re not the handyman type, consider outsourcing the job of erecting your shiny new WISP tower.
Everything you need can actually be found at Champion Radio Products. These guys are already the preferred source for HAM radio operators that have always wanted their own radio tower. It’s not a far stretch that they’ll soon be the #1 go-to guys for WISP tower installation and setup.