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Might look to sites like Community Wireless. Good place to start.

Two ways - Google for a group already working on it in your area (not unlikely), or if you're not as lucky as that then start such a group. Plenty of information online as to how to participate in such a network and you can pretty easily buy off the shelf products to do so (no messy self assembly required). Might try looking at Locust World, Ultramesh, and Community Wireless.

I have to admit your post has me thinking about the possibilities. I will have to bring this up with the local Linux group, and see if they want to try it out. The only problem I can see of is how do you split a line so there is enough distance between the routers. Eventually there is a limit to how far cabling and wi-fi can carry a signal.

I've had that idea too: I want me and my friends to set up 802.11a routers in our houses with pringle-can antennas pointed at each other to make a backbone, and attach 802.11g routers to them for local access. And, of course, attach each node to our DSL lines.

I don't think there would be any kind of problem with signal-carrying limits, as long as you have a big enough antenna. ; )

Also, check out this post and this website for information.

I'm just looking forward to the day when connecting to the internet means putting an advanced wifi antenna (if they can ever beat the routing problems) on your roof and using an ad-lib connection which uses other peoples antenas to span the distances, and forgo the monthly cost all together. A one time purchase of hardware to create a network that is self expanding and self upgrading.

Yep, it's happening as we type: see Community Wireless project.

Mesh networking provides an innovative method to build complex data networks very easily. Using the intelligence of each component, meshing helps them to join into a self-organising structure. This approach differs from the traditional "top-down" design of data networks, and provides many benefits, including flexibility, speed and ease of management, making it very easy to deploy widespread networks with low overheads.

Mesh Networking is particularly suited to wireless networks, where the connections can't be predicted in the same way as a wired network, catering for mobile nodes, instant growth and unpredictable variations in reception and coverage.

Mesh networking builds up a wide spread multi-hop network making connections between neighbouring nodes on demand. Once connected the nodes can explore the network and establish their routes through it, finding the resources that they need automatically.

The LocustWorld Mesh uses a public networking standard AODV, to build the mesh. AODV, Ad hoc, On demand, Distance Vector, published by NIST, is recognised as a leading standard for wireless mesh networking. The LocustWorld mesh router is available as a software package and as a hardware device, and it is widely used to deliver wireless broadband networking in challenging terrain.

As each mesh node is autonomous, discovering routes on demand, there is no central control to act as a bottle neck. As the network grows the routing task for each node does not grow exponentially, as they only build routes to the resources that they need. Routes are established on demand, and un-used routes are flushed out after a short time.

If one route becomes un-workable then the node will automatically seek out another, providing self-healing structure and removing the reliance on single points of potential failure.

The LocustWorld MeshAP implements wireless mesh networking within a package of features that provide practical support for internet service provision. Mesh networking is not dependent upon any particular physical networking connection. LocustWorld currently support 802.11, Bluetooth and Ethernet. Many other wireless and wired networks are suitable for meshing, and the MeshAP can support them as demand for them develops.

Meshing is a fundamentally different approach to routing through networks, and does not follow the conventions of network design. In a mesh network nodes get given their basic rules of the road, and then they are left to establish their connections autonomously. The node may discover many potential routes through the network, and it will select the most suitable route based upon the shortest distance to reach the other node. Other criteria, such as the quality of the connection, can influence the decision, but ultimately the router decides on the routes itself, and the manager only provides the ground rules.

Meshing delivers networks that are:

Self Organising - each node works the routing out for itself, saving time and effort in administration

Wide Ranging - multi-hop networks extend wireless range around obstacles and over greater distances.

Scalable - just add more nodes. The routing configuration is automatic, and there is no exponential rise in complexity as the network grows.

Resilient - The self organising functions run continuously, so when changes occur to connections and reception the mesh will automatically re-route around blockages in real time.

Affordable - Each

Not such a far fetched idea... As part of the UK project, communitywireless we are already using modified Compaq Ipaq PDA's as phones (nicknamed 'Sunseekers'). Using a custom protocol developed by Locust Technologies and open-source software, we have succesfully made P2P VoIP calls. Check out LocustWorld for a range of the kit we're developing... we already have a wide service area in London N6... and it's all Not-for-profit!

Two antenna, however, does not make a huge wireless network IMHO.

The Highgate test network communitywireless.org is bigger than this! If you're interested in that an the mobile hardware they're using, check out locustworld.com