Yes you can do it yourself. Doing it right is hardly more diificult
than doing it wrong, with the added benefit that your fence will stay
up the first time the wind blows hard.

If you are not looking for privacy you can use welded wire which only
requires well braced posts at the corners. Drive in a metal post every
10' in between using a fence post pounder - no digging required. It's
best to stretch out the welded wire with a come along when you attach
it. Otherwise,

1. You could dig holes with a shovel but the kind of post hole digger
that you rotate by hand and digs out the soil is not expensive and well
worth it. Or, rent or hire someone with a power post hole digger.
Getting down 2 feet should not be hard at all unless you live on
boulders.
2. You MUST use treated wood (or metal) for the posts or it will rot
and the termites will eat it up in no time. Even if you live in the
desert.
3. Setting posts in concrete is easy - set the post in the hole
vertically, using a level and a few rocks to keep it in place. Pour the
dry fence post mix around the post. Soak it with a hose. Poke all
around with a rock bar or other pointed metal implement to make sure
all the cement gets wetted. Recheck with the level. Water the cement
for the next few days.
4. Setting the posts the proper distance apart is not hard. If you are
off a few inches you can pad the post with a 2x4 if you have to to fit
the panels. Or, it's easy enough to string 2x4's across the posts and
attach your pickets to them.



Do I really have to set the posts in concrete? What's the risk (other
than having it look a little sloppy) if the posts aren't perfectly set?
Are panels a good choice? Is there a compelling argument against
using just any old panels? Is installing a fence really so tricky that
an inexperienced DIYer shouldn't even try?

Jo Ann