Re: [ATM] Extending a wifi network

[Kevin MIchael Zabbo <chaosopher23@yahoo.com>]

Two choices for the WiFi, and a third not yet
described:
1. Yagi antenna.  Talk to a ham operator for the exact
specs, but I think a 5 element is good.

2. More powerful PCMCIA card.

3. Network cable and a hardwired network system.  If
you only have the laptop and your desktop connected
here, a crossover is enough.  If there is more than
one computer, a switch between the computers is
necessary.  You have a lot of space between the nodes
- I suggest an outdoor cabinet that holds your switch,
about halfway between the observatory and the house. 
It will balance the signal but you have something like
500 meters(?) to play with.

4. Sneakernet, but others can't see what you're
looking at.

Kevin of Eastern Iowa
Seeker of the Darkness

--- Michael Peck <mpeck1@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> This is marginally on topic at best, but I'm gonna
> ask anyway. If 
> anyone cares to respond privately that's OK.
> 
> I'm trying to extend an 802.11g wireless network
> from my house to my 
> observatory, which are separated by about 500 feet.
> I'm falling just 
> short of making it with my existing equipment. What
> I have now is a 
> Linksys access point attached to my wired network,
> and a second AP 
> set up as a repeater. The second AP has 7 dbi
> omnidirectional 
> antennas attached. I can put that in my attic at the
> closest point in 
> my house to the observatory. My laptop can see the
> network from 
> outside my house all the way out to the observatory
> although the 
> quality of the connection varies randomly for no
> obvious reason. Once 
> I set foot inside the observatory the signal is gone
> though.
> 
> I've tried a Linksys range extender inside the
> observatory with no 
> joy. I've also tried a panel style directional high
> gain antenna 
> attached to the desktop computer residing in the
> control room with 
> equal lack of success.
> 
> I'm thinking an outdoor directional antenna at the
> observatory will 
> probably do the job, but right now I'm confused by a
> proliferation of 
> products with different specifications and the fact
> that 
> manufacturers are careful not to make any claims
> about ranges.
> 
> Other options include an outdoor rated access point
> (Linksys makes 
> one), or ditching my current equipment in favor of
> "pre-N" 
> technology. I'd rather not go the latter route since
> standards 
> haven't been set yet. I'm guessing an outside access
> point will offer 
> marginal performance at best.
> 
> Any thoughts, and specifically can you recommend any
> vendors or 
> specific products? By the way, my property is
> heavily forested, 
> although part of the space between the observatory
> and house is 
> cleared with my driveway. I can't get above the
> trees but I can get 
> above the understory. Apart from that there
> shouldn't be many sources 
> of interference other than the usual electronic junk
> in our house.
> 
> Thanks -
> 
> Mike
> 
> _________________
> 
> Michael Peck
> email mpeck1@ix.netcom.com
> Wildlife photoblog http://wildlife-pix.com
> Amateur telescope making
> http://home.earthlink.net/~mlpeck54/astro/astro.html
> 
> 
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> 


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