[gentoo-user] WiFi needs ESSID to connect?

[Mick]

Hi All,

I am unable to connect to a wireless access point unless it is set to announce 
its ESSID.

The error I get in the logs is:
==========================================
Jan 16 09:42:22 lappy wlan0: starting scan
Jan 16 09:42:24 lappy wlan0: scan completed
Jan 16 09:42:24 lappy rc-scripts: WEP key is not set for " " - not connecting
Jan 16 09:42:24 lappy rc-scripts: Couldn't associate with any access points on 
wlan0
Jan 16 09:42:24 lappy rc-scripts: Failed to configure wireless for wlan0
==========================================

This happens despite me changing the key entry from key_ESSID-name="12345678" 
to key="12345678".

Can you please tell me how to associate with access points that do not 
transmit their ESSID but have WEP enabled?  I tried using the MAC address of 
the ESSID but it did not work.
-- 
Regards,
Mick