downloaded 13.1 and burned to cd; verified the cd burn and upon trying to install also did a sumcheck and all shown with no error.
But as start to install get this blue strip saying ESSID and that can't find repository [thought the repository was part of the download image].
Many attempts, but can't get past that point, except offer install via net, but as don't have own line [need to click on a guest request for time -- and can't do that while trying to install].
Is all this normal? I usually install via purchased dvd, but decided to try via download this time to save time and money.
Any suggestions welcomed.

I think I've answered a different situation from yours. My recent installs have used a DVD image on USB sticks (had to buy some new larger sticks for that).

Save your image of the DVD to disk and mount it loopback. Define that as the repo (can look up details when I'm at home). That gives your system a starting point of all the current packages after which it consults online for changes. I've been doing this in versions before 13 and assume the same applies.