My New Setup

[XStatic]

Hey,

My new wireless setup consists of:

1, 25dBi Hills Parabolic grid antennas
1, 1 Watt 2.4GHz Amplifier
1, Linksys WRT54GL Running DD-WRT v23 SP2 (@ 150mW TX power)

I am looking at getting a 12dBi omni, 500 meters away they are installing an air-stream AP that will link with the air-stream network (basically a big community run network that links up in Adelaide), I will run this 12dBi omni through the 1 watt amp, but i am looking at doing away with the amp as it's way past the output limit if i use it, and i don't want to get into trouble now!

What POE options are available to a Linksys WRT54GL (12 Volts)

I don't have a very good mast setup, it's actually an old drainpipe, but i have linked @ 1mbps 20 Kilometers away, I figure an omni will be better as i don't have very good line of sight because of the height of the AP.

If i run Power over Ethernet i may be able to mount the omni on my chimney with the TV antenna, and run the Ethernet in the roof up to the chimney with the Linksys in a waterproof box.

I have no doubt i will be able to sustain a connection, especially with the amplifier, i can see other AP's on the same site that this new one will be installed on (it's a university, so they have their own on campus)

Suggestions please!

Here is photo's of my current setup, currently linking 3-4KM's through many many many many tree's.

http://xstaticweb.ath.cx/upload/camera/IMG_0014.JPG
http://xstaticweb.ath.cx/upload/camera/IMG_0015.JPG
http://xstaticweb.ath.cx/upload/camera/IMG_0016.JPG

[Alan87i]

I'd keep the directional !!! Or sell it to me cheap ! Kidding
With the antenna you have your signal will be 10 times better than an omni . And at 500 meters you won't need an amp. The Ap you connect to is using x amount of power, if you run more power than the AP I doub't it will help. As you amp won't make the receive any stronger at your end.

The directional will focus the signal to where you aim it. Better in a (don't have very good line of sight) situation than an omni antenna.
As for POE search google there's tons of info on do it your self POE projects.

Mount your AP as close to the antenna as possible. You loose more signal BOTH ways with Coax. The more you add per foot in some situations the loss can be measured.
Also if you beam out a pile of power (more than anyone else ) You could be causing interference for others connected to the same AP. @ 500 meters.
Allan
VA2CBE

[umdivx]

linksys makes a nice 12volt POE kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124185

Also as already said stick with directional antenna, and if you can't amplify the other end, meaning the air-stream end, this is no point it this project because BOTH sides need to have amps and directional antennas to make this a solid, stable connection.

- Josh

[XStatic]

linksys makes a nice 12volt POE kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124185

Also as already said stick with directional antenna, and if you can't amplify the other end, meaning the air-stream end, this is no point it this project because BOTH sides need to have amps and directional antennas to make this a solid, stable connection.

- Josh
Both ends are identical for our link, 25dBi hills grid on each end, with a senao AP on one, and my end is running the Linksys, both ends are using amplifiers.

Thing is, the only gear that is mine is the linksys, the amp and antenna aren't, they are owned by the person who operates the senao side of our link.

So i am going to have to buy my own gear as the owner of this won't let me run POE for fear of lightning strikes/water damage/etc.

I am tossing up buying an omni or directional, personally the owner of the antenna doesn't have a use for it yet, but i would not like to get a proper link going with air-stream and then have him turn around and want his gear back.

That linksys POE device looks good, I will look into getting one, I live in australia and don't want international shipping if i can help it, but i have found a couple of sources in australia where i can buy one.

Since the new AP that i am planning on connecting to will be about 500m away, could i get away with a 12dB omni on my end? I like the idea of a low profile antenna.

Ideally i think the omni would be a good purchase because if i ever wanted to broadcast a signal (hotspot) comes to mind.. I would have the perfect hardware.

[umdivx]

stick with directional, you will loose a lot of signal quality and all that if you don't.

- Josh