2nd wireless attempt

[1velcro1]

I want to set up a small wireless network with a neighbor. The computer rooms are about 130 feet apart. Both houses are brick with wood frames and drywall. Have cable modem into my house. What equipment do you recommend to get the most signal to my neighbor.

I appreciate any help.

------j.

A couple of you guys gave me advise in feb about a small set up for my parents house..thanks it's working great.

[Uncle Ken]

Can you see one room from the other? If not, what's in the way?

[Phoenix]

We need a lot more info before we can say what to do. Will the signal have to pass through brick walls? Interior walls? Windows? Trees? I can tell you right away that 2.4GHz (and higher) won't pass through the brick walls (the vapor shield insulation used in most brick and block homes is metallic and absorbs and/or reflects at high frequencies.) So first off, you'll need the signal to pass through a window in your house to a window in your neighbor's house.

As for equipment, you'll need a wireless router or a wired router and wireless AP. I'd recommend the second choice because it allows you the flexability of placing the AP anywhere rather than just right next to the cable modem.

Your neighbor will need an AP or wireless to ethernet bridge. The bridge will be much simpler to set up and use, but the AP will have better range, in general.

[1velcro1]

My computer room is in the front of my house (B). In that room there is one window facing forward (away from my neighbors house) . My neighbors house is behind me. His computer room (A) faces out the back of his house on the second floor looking down on my house .




A
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........................|....................... ............B|

{----50ft---yard-}{---house-------80ft------}

{-------------------------------130ft---------}


Both houses are brick. There are no trees between us.

--------j.

[Phoenix]

This might work using the equipment I mentioned by directing the signal though your attic... I'm not sure about the signal propagation through your roof though. I've never tried this.

If this does work though, just don't go around bragging about it. Sharing you Internet connection is illegal...

[drozdown]

I, too, would like to share the expense of my hi-speed cable, considering Comcast just raised the rates 30% after taking over At&T cable. My neighbor's window is 30 feet from mine, direct los.

What is a wireless to ethernet bridge? Is this something I can buy in Fry's?

Would you please delve into the setup of this equipment?

[Phoenix]

Check out the D-Link DWL-810 at http://www.dlink.com/products/dwl810/
or the Linksys WET11 at http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=432

Basically these devices connect a wired Ethernet network (or Ethernet device) to the access point wirelessly. You can connect a PC, printer with Ethernet connection, Playstation 2, Xbox, or several devices that are connected in a wired network to an AP via wireless.

I've seen these on the shelves at Best Buy and CompUSA, so I'd imagine you can find them at Fry's.

[1velcro1]

How expensive/difficult would it be to set up a small antenna on the roof? I have an attic, with multiple heat vents that would be very easy to snake a cable through.

[blue141]

My brother-in-law and I were considering using ethernet cable to connect our 2 houses. We are almost identical in housing situations. What are the options for a simple antenna setup?
(My house is a one story recieving a signal from the window of a 2 story right behind me).

[drozdown]

Phoenix,
I have a Linksys WAP router. This will let me tx/rx with my neighbor. Now how about to the house 100' across the street that I have LOS with?

[Phoenix]

You'll be cutting it close at 100ft. I can tell you from my own experience with the Linksys BEFW11S4 router and WPC11 (version 1.0) in my laptop that I can travel across the street to the sidewalk (about 80-100ft) and that's as far as the signal travels. The embedded antennas in the WPC11 aren't very good, so I'd say that's a pretty good distance to travel and still get connection. Maybe if your neighbor across the street had a WAP11 you'd be able make a connection.

[HITMONEY]

This maybe of some service to those inquiring about external antennas.

802.11b external antennas (http://www.vbnets.com/pdfs/antennas.pdf)

:D

[Phoenix]

This need-to-know might also help:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/Sections-article47-page1.php