Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Looking to setup a WiFi over long distance.
Right, basically.. I am looking to setup a wireless link between me and my friend. The distance is around 0.5km to 1.0km from A-B now, ( or upto 3km if I was to boost it to college ) as far as I can setup theres no way we can get a direct point to point facing. As we live within a small town.
That, and im pretty much clueless on what else to do... other than needing a wireless access point + booster, but from there it gets a lot more technical!
Cheers for any kind of advice, if ive been a bit to sketchy on the details let me know!
Dave
golfnut
09-10-2006, 05:14 PM
If there are obstacles between the two links, it won't work...
Greg
hm, we are thinking of setting up antenna's on the roof, that should clear the other buildings ( no high rises or anything like that, just terraces ), but even then I'd guess we'd need ones that 'aim' in the direction of each other?
We are actually thinking of, 'rebounding' the signal if its possible off a 'landmark' we can both see. In particular theres a windmill who I know the owner of that we both have line of sight too that is one possibility?
As I said, im not particulary familiar with the hardware, the durability in weather and such so im not sure how possible this project might be..
This type of antenna/enclosure might be a perfect match for you. All you have to do then is run Cat5 cable up to it instead of coaxial cable and power lines.
http://freenet-antennas.com/rootenna.htm
Clear LoS is extremely important and even a partial LoS may not be enough as it may create multipath interference.
Not exactly sure what you mean by rebounding off of the windmill. If you are thinking about setting up a station there that will transfer the link, that is entirely possible. You would need to get four of these devices and 4 access points or bridges that would create the link.
interl0per
09-11-2006, 08:47 AM
yes, i think it can be easily done
just put some bleachers out in the sun
have it down on highway sixty-one.
seriously though.. get an AP with at least 200mW and a grid parabolic or panel antenna with some gain and do the same with the client.
i am loving these USB adapters from engenius.. especially the one with the ext. antenna connector. (search eub-362 to find a vendor)
all the items can be seen and drooled over here:
http://www.wlanparts.com/
keep the feedlines as short as possible and if you can't- use POE for the AP and get it on the roof near the antenna.
don't skimp on feedline quality.
the enclosure antennas are a very nice solution and will save some money on feedline.
Great help guys.. I'm sorry if im a bit, out of touch with the details. Wireless long distance networking is far from my 'expert' field.
We've figured we might be able to get Line of Sight, from Point A-B without any obstacles ( if we can't for sure, for sake of argument say we can ). Would something like, two http://www.pacwireless.com/products/directional.shtml with a direct line of sight, be enough to create the WAN ?
I've looked at the rootenna, but not sure due to the situation and ideal of the location it would fit. However I notice it requires a PoE - Would the above need something similar ? Baring in mind that the window, that the wire will no doubt come through ( at both locations ) is located probably less than 2m away from the possible location of the antenna.
Anyway, thanks greatly for the help!
I guess my thoughts are that if you can mount that antenna, I do not understand why the rootenna would not be feasible. You need to remember that this is microwave frequency equipment and any coaxial line will add loss to the system. Do you also realize that the coaxial cable required to use that antenna is almost .5 inch or 1.3cm in dia and very difficult to manipulate. That is why I suggested the Rootenna, all you have to run is the Cat5 cable.
But the other antenna will work as well. You just have to get an access point with a removable antenna and then a pigtail (coaxial cable) that will run between the antenna and the access point.
interl0per
09-11-2006, 03:31 PM
yes i agree that the rootenna is the best solution for the AP.
you can use POE and make for a very unobtrusive installation, which can be a factor if the encolsure contains a moderatly pricey router.
something like this setup for example would be perfect for you:
http://wlanparts.com/product/G-470-ROO
for the client(s) you will want an antenna with similar gain and transmitter output power. i like the USB adapters because you can use a 10' USB cable to the adapter and then a bit of RF feedline to the antenna. the USB adapters are powered by the USB and that makes it very convienient to place in an enclosure also. (is this POUSB? heh heh)
the rootennas come supplied with the proper pigtails but you will need to specify the connectors to the RF outputs.
BTW , the pacwireless parabolics you linked to will need a pigtail to feed RF so you will either need an enclosure (anyway) or enough low-loss feedline to reach it through the window. this will up the overall cost. that being said, they have MUCH more gain and a very tight beamwidth.
good luck and please post your results.
interesting!
Yeah, sorry M/Q I see what you mean about the Rootenna. It should fit. Think im gna do a fair bit of reading up before I continue any further lol, this technical jargon on WiFi is getting me lost!
And don't worry ;) If I do go ahead with this I'll let you know how it goes. But to clarify, I wouldn't need a Roo at each point ? I know you mention for the receiving client(s) that you like the USB adapter, do you mean something like http://wlanparts.com/product/SUB-362EXT ( with an additional antenna ? )
Think my next stage, is to really make 100% sure I can get a eye<->eye view of the location.. again, thanks greatly for the help guys :)
No, actually I would setup a Rootenna at each location, and make it a bridge link. That allows you to use more power and higher gain antennas and still be legal.
I also will mention that the security and stability of a bridge link will be far greater than if you set one up as an AP and the other as a radio device ie USB wireless adapter.
The key and overriding issue though is that you get some semblance of clear LoS. Look at this link and refer to the Fresnel Clearance Zone calculation. I can not stress enough as to the importance of this.
http://www.terabeam.com/support/calculations/fresnel-zone.php