Re: [ATM] Extending a wifi network

["matt" <electro_optic@bellsouth.net>]

The simplest thing is to get 2 small Yagi antennas . Even higher gain omnis
might work if your link is now marginal. Get 9dBi omnis first if you can
return them in case they didn't work . Do not waste your time making Yagi
antennas, buy them .

Don't get the real big ones with many elements, if your link doesn't work
with 12-15dBi's then it will never work. You may try first some patch
antennas, they're easier to install . You can buy 2 patches for under $100
shipping included .

Just pay attention when you orient them, aiming is important . Think aiming
a relatively unfocused flashlight for comparison.

You must have software that shows the field strength as a bar graph in real
time.

Don't try pringles and other crap, it's as likely to work without test
equipment as it is for a first mirror to come out better than 1/10 lambda
without even a Foucault test .

Be prepared to fiddle a lot with antenna position at each end to achieve
maximum field strength .


Get maximum height , obstruction free line of sight . Play with polarisation
too , because the multipath due to reflections on foliage is what kills
signal quality, not low signal. This is a very important point . Multipath
is the killer not lack of signal strength .

Moving the antenna up/down/left/right even small distances could restore
signal quality .

Do not use RF cables , attach the antennas straight to your linksys router,
and move the router around to achieve best signal .

 Use a longer Ethernet cable to connect the router to your PC, instead of
having the router next to the PC and a RF cable betweent he router and
antenna . Links of 10 miles are accomplished with these routers and
appropriate antennas and installation.

Back off the data rate in the setup software, there's no point in allowing
the link automatic speed selection. Set it for the lowest data rate at both
ends , and the link will work more reliably .

There's more, but you need to describe more accurately the first steps in
order to diagnose the problem.

best regards,
matt tudor


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Peck <mpeck1@ix.netcom.com>
To: atm@atmlist.net <atm@atmlist.net>
Date: Wednesday, December 07, 2005 1:08 PM
Subject: [ATM] Extending a wifi network


>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
>
>_______________________________________________
>ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/

_______________________________________________
ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/