The SeattleWireless backbone is made up mostly of PointToPoint wireless links running in Ad Hoc mode using directional antennas. These links work best with a direct LineOfSight between the nodes (AxNode, BxNode, or CxNode), and you will very likely have to place your antenna on the roof in order to get this. Because of RF cable losses, the best way to do this is with a RoofTopAdHoc.
However, you may be lucky. Perhaps you can see your link partner's node from an attic window, or your balcony, or your bedroom. In this case, you can consider an IndoorAdHoc. It is much easier to maintain equipment indoors than on your roof!
You can put your entire installation, including the antenna, indoors. NodeOne is an example. The radio signal will go through ordinary windowglass with little loss. Watch out for "Low-E" thermal glass! ChuckSimmons has demonstrated that the metallic coating which makes these windows so energy-efficient can also block 2.4Ghz completely. Test your window by comparing signal strength with the window open and closed.
You may also be able to transmit your signal right through the wall or attic roof of your building. The foil layer on common fiberglass insulation will obstruct RF, as will aluminum siding or metal lath. Many other building materials are quite transparent, so it's worth a try. When choosing your antenna, remember that signal losses are greater when the material is wet from rain. Thus, you may prefer to get an antenna with higher gain to overcome the greater losses.
With the node equipment in your living space, you will want to look at small, fanless components for routing.
Even if your windows and walls block RF, you still may find it convenient to place your wireless network equipment close to an exterior wall or inside your attic and run a short cable through the wall or window frame to a directional antenna mounted to the side of your building. A patch antenna can be effective and unobtrusive. If you can easily get to the antenna (say, from a balcony), and it has good LineOfSight to your partner node, this is every bit as good as a rooftop installation, and safer to maintain, too.
Be sure to waterproof any holes where the cable passes through the wall. It's amazing how much damage you can do to your house with a water leak.
When mounting an antenna inside the attic, don't be limited to using existing attic trusses and beams. You can build your own small portable/movable antenna mount which will allow you to easily reposition the antenna as needed. Simply get a piece of plywood and screw either a plate that allows for a vertical pipe to be attached or a mount that allows a vertical PVC pipe to be attached. Then attach the vertical PVC pipe and your antenna can be attached to this. Because the piece of plywood can be easily moved around, you have an easily repositionable antenna.
For those who have zero woodworking skills or desire, you can make an attic antenna mount completely out of PVC pipe. It will cost you more this way though. Simply, buy enough PVC pipe and joints to make a box frame or other physically stable framework. Then fasten your antenna to this frame.
