The easiest way to get started is to get a Microtik hAP AC Lite (TC). One can be purchased from Solimedia (for less than $90 with tax and shipping), or from MikroTik Canada.

Once flashed with the AREDN firmware, the hAP will use the 5.8 GHz band as regular wifi for your computer to connect to, and the 2.4 GHz band can be used to mesh with other hAPs nearby. Realistically, the hAP is not useful to make long distance links since it would require an external antenna. But it is useful to tunnel to others on the network via the internet to get started with the system.

• Follow the instructions from the AREDN documentation.

• Read about Encryption before connecting your node to others.

• How to tunnel to other nodes

• Every few months, a new stable firmware version comes out. Updating devices is pretty easy, but there are a few steps to follow.