Here is another wiki guide with a bit more detail for getting started:
http://www.eqemulator.net/wiki/wikka...akka=PlayGuide
Here is a nice list to start when considering joining a server. I don't think that all of these are still available, but many are:
http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=24875
You can start a server of your own, but most likely you would be much better off trying an already existing server to get the hang of things and check out what the emulator already offers. Just try out a few of the popular servers and most likely you will find one that you enjoy. You can tell which ones are decent by looking at the player numbers.
As for wanting to summon items, you might be able to find a non-legit server that is still running where you will have that option and others. The only problem is that if they offer most command access, then most likely you will be bored within an hour or so. There are only 1 or 2 long running non-legit servers that I have seen over the past few months, but I think both have been down for a bit now.
Setting up a server is pretty easy. Everything after that point for making a server is the hard part, or part where the hard work comes in.