Equipment
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Last updated September 2, 2019 by Meitar M
To connect to NYC Mesh, you will need to install wireless networking equipment on a rooftop or outside a window. This page lists a range of equipment and tools that are commonly used for typical installations. Before assembling any equipment, first carry out a site survey and make an install plan to narrow down the equipment you really need. For detailed information about specific routers, visit the hardware docs.
You can download a handy checklist of the equipment listed on this page here.
For DIY installers: To get help figuring out which essential equipment you need for your installation, first familiarize yourself with the equipment below and then reach out to the NYC Mesh community on slack on the #diy-install-support channel.
For volunteer installers: Prior to any install, make sure you have access to the equipment listed below. If you are missing any equipment needed for an install, reach out to install leaders on slack on the #install-team channel to ask to borrow them. Shared tools are available and we can purchase, order and ship networking equipment (routers, cable, connectors, etc.) to your address.
Networking Equipment
| Product Name | Product Photo | What it’s used for | Where you can get it | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop (charged) |  | Configuring outdoor and indoor routers, reading docs and install plan | Bring your own | |
| Outdoor router(s) (pre-configured) |  | Connecting to a node | Order online (refer to specific product page in hardware docs) | |
| Power Over Ethernet (POE) adapter and power cable |  | Providing power to the outdoor router and passing data to and from indoor router | Comes packaged with the outdoor router | |
| Indoor router |  | Connection point for user’s devices | Order online (see TP Link page for an inexpensive and commonly-used model) or use existing indoor router | $20+ |
| CAT5e cable (outdoor-rated, grounded and shielded) |  | Passing power and data between outdoor router, indoor router and power outlet | Available from online retailers in different spool lengths - recommended product | $130-150/1000ft $90-110/500ft $20-30/100 ft |
| RJ45 Tough Connectors (metal, with grounding loop) |  | Gets crimped onto the ends of the CAT5e cable to provide power and data interface | Available from online retailers - recommended product | $0.6/connector |
| Two Ethernet patch cables |  | Connecting routers to POE injector, battery pack, laptop | Available from online retailers - recommended product | $1.5-2 per <=3ft cable |
| Portable battery pack with three-prong power outlet (charged) |  | Providing power to outdoor router while surveying for signal | Available from online retailers - recommended product (less expensive) / recommended product (better features) | $50 for 11,600 mAh $150 for 46,400 mAh |
| Gigabit USB/Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter |  | Connecting laptop without an ethernet port to outdoor router (not needed if connecting wirelessly) | Available from online retailers | $15 |
Tools
| Product Name | Product Photo | What it’s used for | Where you can get it | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet cable crimper |  | Attaching RJ-45 connectors to CAT5e cable | Online retailers (included in crimping all-in-one kit) - recommended product | $25 for crimping all-in-one kit |
| CAT5e cable stripper |  | Stripping CAT5e cable | Online retailers (included in crimping all-in-one kit) - recommended product | $25 for crimping all-in-one kit |
| Ethernet cable tester |  | Testing that Ethernet cable has been correctly crimped | Online retailers (included in crimping all-in-one kit) - recommended product | $25 for crimping all-in-one kit |
| Scissors |  | Cutting CAT5e cable and cable ties | Hardware store tools aisle | |
| Needlenose pliers |  | Clamping CAT5e cable ground wire, pulling cable through holes | Hardware store tools aisle | |
| Cordless hammer drill |  | Drilling holes, inserting screws, securing pipe clamps | Hardware store tools aisle | |
| Hex socket drill bits (3/8” for hose clamps and ¼” for masonry screws) |  | Tightening hose clamps, inserting concrete screws | Hardware store drill bits aisle | |
| Carbide-tip masonry drill bit (5/32”) |  | Drilling holes in concrete or masonry for inserting masonry screws | Hardware store drill bits aisle | |
| Cobalt / titanium drill bit (¼”) |  | Drilling hole for CAT5e cable to pass through steel window frame | Hardware store drill bits aisle | |
| Hammer |  | Driving in concrete nails | Hardware store tools aisle | |
| Concrete nail |  | Starting a hole in concrete or masonry (makes drilling easier) | Hardware store nails aisle | |
| Phillips Precision Screwdriver (No. 1) |  | Assembling Litebeam Router | Included in crimping all-in-one kit, Hardware store tools aisle | |
| Adjustable crescent wrench (6”) |  | Assembling J-pipe mount | Hardware store tools aisle | |
| Vise grips |  | Removing stuck drill bits | Hardware store tools aisle |
Mounting Equipment
| Product Name | Product Photo | Field Photo | What it’s used for | Where you can get it | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small diameter (28) hose clamp |  |  | Securing the router to a thin mast or pipe | Comes with outdoor router, hardware store plumbing aisle | |
| Large diameter (88) hose clamp |  |  | Securing the router or mast to a large pipe or window guard | Hardware store plumbing aisle | |
| J pipe antenna mast |  |  | Mounting to a wall or parapet | Online retailers - recommended product / 10-pack | |
| L pipe antenna mast |  |  | Orienting an SXT router up and down | Online retailers - recommended product | |
| Concrete screws (3/16” hex head CSH316134) |  |  | Securing mast mounts to concrete or masonry | Hardware store screws and anchors aisle | |
| Washers (¼” hole diameter) |  | | Securing mast mounts to concrete or masonry | Hardware store fasteners aisle | |
| Zip ties |  |  | Securing ethernet cable | Hardware store electrical aisle | |
| Cable staples |  |  | Securing ethernet cable to an indoor wall | Hardware store electrical aisle | |
| Cable fastener clips |  | | Securing ethernet cable to an outdoor vertical surface | Hardware store electrical aisle or online retailers - recommended product |
Miscellanious supplies
| Product Name | Product Photo | What it’s used for | Where you can get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical tape |  | Pulling cable through holes | Hardware store adhesives aisle |
| Weather stripping (9/16” thick or greater) |  | Sealing the bottom of a window when the CAT5e cable is run over the window frame | Hardware store insulation aisle |
| Rubberized waterproof sealant |  | Sealing gaps and holes to prevent water infiltration | Hardware store adhesives aisle |
| WD-40 or other oil |  | Drilling through thicker metals | Hardware store |
| Small brush and dustpan |  | Sweeping up cable ends and metal shavings from drilling through window frame | Online retailers |
| Biodegradable wet wipes |  | Cleaning dirty hands | Online retailers - recommended product |
| Small garbage bag |  | Disposing of garbage | Reuse a shopping bag |
| Hand truck |  | Transporting cable reel box and equipment bag in and out of subway stations - stair-climbing model is ideal! | Online retailers, larger hardware stores |
| Backpack |  | Transporting equipment safely up ladders - slim backpacks are the safest! | Many places |
Safety gear
| Product Name | Product Photo | What it’s used for | Where you can get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Glasses |  | Eye protection while drilling | Hardware store apparel aisle |
| Thick-soled shoes or work boots |  | Protection against sharp objects on rooftops | Work wear store |
| Sunblock and hat (in summer) |  | Preventing sunburn | Pharmacy |
| Cold weather apparel (in winter) |  | Preventing frostbite | Clothing store |
| Water and a snack |  | Staying hydrated and preventing fatigue | Grocery store |
| First aid kit |  | Treating minor injuries | Pharmacy |
| Fully-charged cell phone |  | Communication in case of lockout, team communication, providing mobile hotspot | Charge at home |