[TriLUG] [OT] long range WAPs

[Joseph Mack NA3T]

On Mon, 23 Apr 2007, Chris Bullock wrote:

> I have a relative that has finally decided to get broadband, only because
> there is no DSL or Cable in their area, they are getting satellite.  There
> 6 people (all family) who want to connect to this connection, the drawback
> is that the 2 farthest people away are about 1000' from the
> modem/satellite.  What are my options for shooting a signal about 1000' in
> 2 directions.  There are several tall poles so line of sight is already
> there.

(I have not done this but I've thought about it, since I was 
considering doing the same thing myself

http://www.austintek.com/astro/wifi_in_the_wilderness/wifi_in_the_wilderness.html

).

1000' is just about the range that could be covered by a 
line of sight wap without any modifications. You might want 
to try it first. The next thing to try is a gain antenna. 
Whether you want omni or directional will depend on the 
relative location of the other people involved. An omni is 
simplest - much radiation is not directed horizontally and 
an omni will send it all out horizontally. Say you need to 
move the wap 3 times closer to get a decent signal, then 
you'll need a gain of 3^2=9 from the antenna for your 
preferred location. Just get adapters for the antenna to fit 
your wap. Use coax rated for that frequency and keep it 
short (about 1 foot) as even good coax at that frequency is 
lossy.

The next alternative is a 1W amplifier at your wap.

Joe

-- 
Joseph Mack NA3T EME(B,D), FM05lw North Carolina
jmack (at) wm7d (dot) net - azimuthal equidistant map
generator at http://www.wm7d.net/azproj.shtml
Homepage http://www.austintek.com/ It's GNU/Linux!