As a result of the  increasing pressure put on  all the authorities involved in basic supplies to rural areas and, in particular in a national and often combined effort of associations such as ACBA formed to use alternative methods , ADSL has now been configured on several rural telephone exchanges. This technology has been incorporated in our community network thus, making that technology available to all of our extended community many who would not be able to receive this technology without our radio system. The community is in an area that is served by three different telephone exchanges, with three different postal areas and comes under three planning authorities and covers an area of approximately fifty square miles.

This website was originally set up as a means of recruiting members for the proposed Wireless LAN Association.  Later it became a Community Website with a link to the newly formed ACBA Webpage.  Some of you may not have attended the Founding meeting or have viewed the old Austwick Community Wireless LAN WebPages.  Since announcing the award of Grant Aid for our Initiative, many questions have been posed.  The following FAQ sheet is an attempt to address these questions.

   Because of distance from the exchange and differing cable quality only a few will be able to have an acceptable connection. The advantage of the extended Austwick Community Network is that we are able to provide a good connection to all including those who will not be able to get a decent connection using BT or other ISP's. To fulfil the aim of ACBA we do need sufficient paying Members to make the scheme financially viable. Your Membership makes it possible for others in the Community to have a satisfactory connection. ACBA is also MUCH cheaper and offers many other advantages over other ISP's

Answer.  You will no longer require your present ISP.  The Austwick Community will in fact become your new ISP.  You may terminate you current contract with your present ISP and thus save money.  You will receive a new e-mail address.  This will be in the following form:  yourname@austwick-yorks.net or yourname@austwick.org you will be given the choice. Instead of 'yourname' before the @ sign you will be able to choose the prefix. You will be allowed more than one email address at no extra cost and you will be able to have more than one computer connected to the Network

Answer.  Everything will be done to achieve a connection.  If it should prove impossible then of course you will receive a refund of your service and connection fee. As of the beginning of July 2005 we have been able to connect all applicants to a satisfactory service. 

Answer.  We are using wireless LAN technology which is different from your the 'dial up' type of internet connection.  All necessary equipment to connect to one computer is included in the first year’s service fee to Founder Members. People joining later will be known as members and will have to pay the full equipment and installation costs.

Answer.  Users will only have one PC connected to the service.  Should they wish to connect other machines they can do so at their own cost.  The service fee is on a per household basis and will not be increased if you connect one or more computers

Answer.  The satellite connection has been superseded by the ADSL link that has 2megabits per second downstream and 0.5megabits upstream we have more than one 2Meg link.

Answer.  One reason why we were successful with our grant application is that the money was given to the community and the community is running its own system.   Any dangerous work will be contracted out to local qualified people, for example, erection of antennae.  Configuration will be done by trained volunteers. In most cases the connection to your computer is relatively simple and hopefully some subscribers will be able to do this themselves, when given an easy to follow instruction booklet.  Those who  feel they are not capable of doing this will be given additional help. Remember, ACBA is a Community Association run by the Community for the benefit of the Community. Help will be needed and it is hoped that each of us will make some input no matter how small such as providing a cup of tea to volunteers, helping with fund raising events and many other small duties needed to keep ACBA healthy and active.

Answer.  Most Website are optimised for viewing at a resolution of 1024 x 768.  It can easily be viewed at 800 x 600.  (We don’t recommend screen resolutions lower than that for general use). To change your screen resolution (1) right click on a blank space on your desktop (2) left click on properties (3) left click on setting (4) change your setting if necessary to at least 800 by 600 or if you have it, 1024 by 768. There is a possibility that when you have made the changes your control bars may not be in sight at the top and bottom of the screen. You will then have to adjust your monitor using the buttons on  your monitor.

Answer.   Since writing the following answer we have successfully connected all our Founder Members and we are covering an area of at least 50 square miles or more.

Wireless LAN equipment without external antennae can only achieve short distances.  However, with external antennae much further connections are possible.  In fact, some existing business installations already have their own wireless networks.  Some have extended their networks 25km with the same techniques we are employing.  The internet connection we use is 2mbps. We use external antennas to extend the range so anything up to 8km with good line of sight is a viable connection.  For those in “dark spots” have added further Access Points to extend the signal and are able to 'dog-leg' signals.  Most people in the village of Austwick itself are within 1.4km of the central site and are unlikely to have a problems.  People further away  need a good line of sight.  The topography of the Yorkshire Dales is not the best for radio transmission of this kind but  new technology has made connection more possible than when we first looked into the various possibilities. Feizor presented difficult problems but again, alternative technology was used to surmount difficulties.