G+_Gilbert Knarr Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I need some quick wireless networking advice. I'm driving 400 miles this weekend to help a friend get internet into a second building on his property. My next chance to get down there won't be until Thanksgiving. The problem isn't distance it's getting through the walls (1940's or so block construction) of the two buildings. My friend is an older gentleman (60+ and not very tech savvy) and just wants to get netflix so speed isn't a major factor. His provider is the cable company and he is using their modem/wireless router. I don't know the model but he was able to tell me that there are no external antennas. I may get down there and not need any equipment but I need to have it with me (better safe than sorry) when I get there.. I fairly certain just getting an antenna or AP outside of the one building should be enough. As of now I'm looking to get Ubiquiti's Pico M (https://www.ubnt.com/airmax/picostationm/). I will be ordering either tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows another product that will do what I need less expensively or easier setup. Thanks in advance for any advice and sorry about the short notice. https://www.ubnt.com/airmax/picostationm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Politi Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 You didn't say how far the next building was but I would run a cable over to the next building and then add another wireless router. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Gilbert Knarr Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 The building is <75 yrds away but there is a concrete parking area and driveway between them so running a cable is not a feasible option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Gilbert Knarr I'd try to have an outside AP at both points even if it's not "needed". You do have a clear line of sight between the buildings without trees or shrubs in the way, right? If you do it should work quite well, and I think a couple PicoStations are a great idea. I have family in farm country smack in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains. They've been distributing a wifi signal over ~12 miles by beaming a signal to the highest and tallest point in the area (a grain silo). Provides internet for the extended family where none could be had otherwise. Edit: Last I knew they were using PicoStations for the distribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Gilbert Knarr Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 Yes there is a clear line of site. It's just getting through the walls. I used to live in the duplex next door, same construction and about the same distance, and my phone kept my Wi-Fi signal about 3 feet into the house. So one unit outside should be enough since the Pico has a stronger signal than the Dlink I was using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 One will probably be enough, but remember that the signal has to go both ways. From my limited experience, I really like Ubiquiti! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Travis Hershberger?, 12 miles sounds pretty awesome! My brother is <10 miles away and just has DSL but is paying more than I am for 200 Mbps cable. I think it would be difficult to get line of sight, but still something I'd like to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Yeah, line of sight is going to be your biggest headache then. Silly leaves do a good job of attenuating a wifi signal. Should be ok, but it'll be one of those things that's only proven when tested. Also, yeah, 12 miles is easy when you have LOS. Latency gets a little longer, but nothing like satellite thankfully..... even the speed of light takes seconds to get up to a geosync sat and back down to earth. Been there, done that, dropped it like a hot potato. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Gilbert Knarr Remember that windows are mostly opaque to more than just light, they attenuate a wifi signal much less than a wall. So you could mount them in the corner of a window as well. Doesn't sound like it'll be a problem, but never hurts to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Wayne Hobbins Yes. Windows tend to be more "transparent" to radio signals than walls. If nothing else there is normally less material in a window than the walls. 1to3 panes of glass compared to sheet rock, studs, insulation, plywood, water barrier, and siding. Not that glass is really transparent to wifi, just less material to block signal makes for more signal getting through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Wayne Hobbins True. I've never found a window, yet (key word), that attenuates a signal as much as an exterior wall. Of course I'm used to measuring snowfall in feet, so walls full of insulation are standard around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Marsh Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Ben Reese A little altitude can go a long way to having enough LOS/Fresnel zone clearance to get a good link. I used an app that would determine link quality between points, aid aiming directional antennae, all sorts of great utility; it had topo data and accounted for all the variables (antenna type, gain, &height, plus base elevation, frequency used, output power, etc.). For IOS... http://apple.co/1OmscYU For Android... http://bit.ly/1hrcXzs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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