Extending the range of a wireless LAN

[Jeff]

Hi Group,
I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I would like
to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.
I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will only be
a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's.

Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?

Jeff
jeffqld_at_gmail.com

 

[Borat]

Hi Group,
I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I would
like to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.
I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will only
be a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's.

Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?

Jeff
jeffqld_at_gmail.com

No experience, just aware of the following from lunch break chat. Free net
access via maccas?

Would a passive repeater work?



http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448
"As I happen to be 0.6 mile LOS from ................."

http://www.cantenna.com/
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/cantenna.html

 

[atec77]

Hi Group,
I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I would like
to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.
I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will only be
a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's.

Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?

Jeff
jeffqld_at_gmail.com

You need an external antenna , if it has a nic then apply a suitable
router/ap mounted in a water proof box under the external and cat back
to the lappy ( although you might detect the wireless in the house it is
unlikely) email me if you want more information ,



is it 400m in the clear line of sight ? ( or it wont work)

 

[jasen]

Hi Group,
I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I would like
to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.
I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will only be
a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's.

Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?

put a wireless repeater/bridge behind (or near) the laptop with a high-gain antenna.

or do the USB-wifi + reflector thing with the laptop..

Bye.
Jasen

 

[Spajky]

I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I would like
to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.

Only?

I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will only be
a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's

Hope you have an USB port ..

Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?

Sure! here is a repost ... from sci.electronics.design
============================================

I'm looking for a good pcmcia or usb 802.11g wifi adapter which
operates well at long range (50-100 ft).

get the cheapest Usb one like Canyon CN-WF518 for 20$

By "operates well" I mean "doesn't lose the signal". Even if it drops
to 1 Mbps, that's fine to me.

set to 802.11b Only mode!

Also, which has longer range: usb or pcmcia wifi?

USB one (easier to implement "enhancing") ... & do some enhancing
with it ... Buy cookies in a reusable tin box! For few km links
.... see some mine experiments & data (measures etc) ... text you won´t
understand (sorry still not translated in english for my site,
planning to do it in few months when having time to spare ..) ´cause
its in my native one -slovene ... check fotos: SpajkyTenna®s )

wifi USBkeY range Enhancers-boosters ´4 Dummies´
http://www.wlan-sat.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4102

ST® - CorNET™ enhancers w/antennas 12dBi ...
http://www.wlan-sat.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4241

You´ll get some clues .. ))

 

[Terryc]

Hi Group,
I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I would like
to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.
I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will only be
a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's.

Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?

Yep

1) It MUST BE be clear line of sight. Anything in between (walls, glass,
etc can stop it working.

2) If that doesn't work, then you need an NIC that will take an external
aerial, which you install with clear line of sight.

3) If that doesn't work, then you needs a focused external aerial (about
$300 each) and clear line of sight.

4) If that doesn't work, then something ic fscked.


Theoretically, you can stand 400 metres away across a cleared paddock
and depending on the nics, they should connect. Sometimes you might need
to stand on a tall ladder at each end.

Generally, the internal aerials are crud for distance. They are really
only designed for a WAP in the top corner of a room.

 

[atec77]

Yep

1) It MUST BE be clear line of sight. Anything in between (walls, glass,
etc can stop it working.

2) If that doesn't work, then you need an NIC that will take an external
aerial, which you install with clear line of sight.

3) If that doesn't work, then you needs a focused external aerial (about
$300 each) and clear line of sight.

Suitable aerials are available for less if you know where , I would
suggest most situations are covered by the home made bi-quad antenna

 

[Larry]

atec77" <""atec77 \"@ hotmail.com wrote:
: Terryc wrote:
:: Jeff wrote:
::: Hi Group,
::: I am looking into extending the range of a wireless LAN setup - I
::: would like to reach a target approximately 400 meters away.
::: I could setup external antenna/s on the source but the receiver will
::: only be a laptop with no access or provision for external antenna's.
:::
::: Has anyone had experience in overcoming this sort of problem?
::
:: Yep
::
:: 1) It MUST BE be clear line of sight. Anything in between (walls,
:: glass, etc can stop it working.
::
:: 2) If that doesn't work, then you need an NIC that will take an
:: external aerial, which you install with clear line of sight.
::
:: 3) If that doesn't work, then you needs a focused external aerial
:: (about $300 each) and clear line of sight.
:
: Suitable aerials are available for less if you know where , I would
: suggest most situations are covered by the home made bi-quad antenna
::
:: 4) If that doesn't work, then something ic fscked.
: agreed
::
::
:: Theoretically, you can stand 400 metres away across a cleared paddock
:: and depending on the nics, they should connect. Sometimes you might
:: need to stand on a tall ladder at each end.
::
:: Generally, the internal aerials are crud for distance. They are
:: really only designed for a WAP in the top corner of a room.

Check here for home made antenna info
http://www.wardrive.net/general/antenna

 

[Terryc]

Suitable aerials are available for less if you know where , I would
suggest most situations are covered by the home made bi-quad antenna

Agreed, but I expect OP isn't looking for a home made solution, thus he
could be pleasently surprised when he found a cheaper commercial aerial,
That was actually an old price on a high gain directional from Rojone.

agreed

Considering that peeps have 8kms (hill top to hill top) on pringles
can, but that was fiddlers and sadly they only used netstumbler and
didn't test through put.

 

[atec77]

Agreed, but I expect OP isn't looking for a home made solution, thus he
could be pleasently surprised when he found a cheaper commercial aerial,
That was actually an old price on a high gain directional from Rojone.

COmpnay based in WA with outlets in most states has a suitable for
around $160.00 plus mount

Considering that peeps have 8kms (hill top to hill top) on pringles
can, but that was fiddlers and sadly they only used netstumbler and
didn't test through put.

It's easy to achieve with the right equipment .

 

[Terryc]

It's easy to achieve with the right equipment .

that was basically what we were demonstrating. so long as you ave good
line of sight, no problems.

Sadly I'm in a valley and were did all these trees come from {


and line of sight

 

[atec77]

that was basically what we were demonstrating. so long as you ave good
line of sight, no problems.

Sadly I'm in a valley and were did all these trees come from {


and line of sight

I have a link atm nice and solid line of sight , over 40k
until it rains .

 

[APR]

I have a link atm nice and solid line of sight , over 40k
until it rains .

Hi atec77, what are you using at each end and for the aerials and what speed
can you maintain?

 

[atec77]

Hi atec77, what are you using at each end and for the aerials and what speed
can you maintain?

The devices are commercial 21 db devices (aerials) and it's fast enough
to do whats needed so better than I expected ( unless it rains)
also a fair bit of heliax and some range boosters

 

[Jeff]

Thanks to all the useful posts, I will continue my research on antenna's
etc.

Yes I did leave out the vital "line of sight" situation that I need to over
come, with increasing the height of the "base" I should be ok.

Once again thanks for all who have given me some more directions to take.

Regards
Jeff
jeffqld_at_gmail.com

------------------------------------------------------

 

[Spajky]

... see some mine experiments & data (measures etc) ... text you won´t
understand (sorry still not translated in english for my site,
planning to do it in few months when having time to spare ..) ´cause
its in my native one -slovene ... check fotos: SpajkyTenna®s )

You´ll get some clues .. ))

new article/sorry still not translated in english ...
Ultimate wifi antenna TinCan Enhancers - part-2 ...
http://www.wlan-sat.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4782

 

[lentildude]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000BB3C8-B910-15DC-9E5E83027AF10110


try the wok antenna idea!!

 

[Jonno]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000BB3C8-B910-15DC-9E5E83027AF10110


try the wok antenna idea!!

Or the range extender available for around $200

 

[Spajky]

try the wok antenna idea!!

I did something similar (20dBi) already ... )