Connecting to Hot-Spot

[landysaccount]

Hello.

I live approximately 2 miles away from a hot spot at park offered for free to anyone. I would like to know if there is a way I can access a hotspot from that distance using a grid antenna pointed in that direction?

Has anybody done something similar to that?

Thank you in advanced for your help.

[Planet]

Its not likely that you'll receive usable signal from that distance, not even line of site and odds are there are obstacles in the way.

[landysaccount]

What can I use (hardware, antennas, etc...) in order for me to get usable signal from that distance?

[CDX825]

The hotspot is going to be the problem because it's probably is not set up to cover a large distance. Just the park, so it's not going to be able to send signal back to you.

[Planet]

^ exactly my point. The hotspot is broadcasting to a limited range, preventing a long distance antenna from receiving the signal regardless how focused or large the antenna may be. You can do s simple search here in the forum for the word "antenna (http://forums.wi-fiplanet.com/search.php?searchid=152720)" and see hundreds of examples of the same issue.

[dissturbbed]

items you will need;

1. 2.4 GHz 24 dbi parabolic grid antenna,you can get one at hyperlink for $60 one important detail is the type of antenna connection it has my bridges antenna has a rpsma connection, if you have the money and want to go to the extreme they have a 30 dbi grid antenna for $425, this antenna is huge about 59 inches in diameter, the antenna is the most important part of your system you can reach a few miles in a city or a hundred miles with a clear line of site to the wlan" wireless local area network", these grid antennas are very directional but are very effective in focusing the beam to just one area even if there is trees or other obstructions in the way

2. wireless bridge or access point, if you want to go the cheap route get a linksys wrt54g router with third party firmare installed "dd-wrt" this software will turn most routers into a bridge so you be able to connect to your wlan, you can get one on ebay for $30, i would personnely recommend a Buffalo AirStation WHR-G54S this wireless router can used as a bridge by changing the settings on the setup page and if your not technical at all you can get a linksys wet 54g bridge just plug and play

3. wifi amplifier, the amplifier is really only necessary for transmitting, the grid antenna if very capable of receiving but transmitting long distances you need power from the amp, i got mine from ayagroup.com for $49 it is capable of 1 watt which is several times more powerful than most wireless routers, one word of caution the fcc has limits on the amount of power and type of antenna, mine is illegal with the amp but i take that chance if you get caught the fines are pretty high, if you cause interferance and somebody reports it you will most likely get caught, most interference is caused by very strong amplifiers..like in the 6 watts or higher , fcc limits personal use at one watt "1000mw" if you want to go stronger you will need a liscense and if your able to purchase something stronger your stepping in fire, i have seen 20+ watt systems selling on ebay...wouldnt recommend it!

4. ethernet cat 5 or 6 cable to connect your pc to the bridge, i have a 75 foot cable connected to the bridge, i have seen people use 150ft of cable without a problem


here is basically how it is all connected, pc is connected to the ethernet cable,ethernet cable is connected to the bridge, bridge is connected to the amp, the amp is connected to the antenna. It is simple to setup even for a newbie, there is no settings on the amp or the antenna, all you have to do is plug it in, setting up a bridge to your pc is the same if not easier than setting up a router to your computer, good luck if you have any questions just reply