Point-to-point wifi for IP cams - 3000ft doable?

[whoiswes]

First, thanks for looking.

My mom and stepdad raise angus cattle, and have a small farm in Illinois. They would like to set up a couple of cameras in one of their barns to keep an eye on pregnant heifers this winter and have enlisted my help.

The house is about 3000 feet away with a direct line of sight to the barn. I've proposed a point to point wifi network, as they don't have any kind of broadband or network coverage. I don't believe the land between the barn and the house is all theirs, so trenching in a line is probably also out of the question (not to mention very time consuming and difficult). I was gonna use a couple of Foscam units for the camera system and hardwire them into a router at the barn site, then use a directional antenna to bridge to another router at the house, where they could hook in over a wired/wireless connection to view the cam output.

I have the following questions (sorry, my background is systems and storage, not much networking)

1. Any suggestions for a weather-resistant or proof router for the barn site? The router will be inside but it's a non-heated area with very little moisture control. It shouldn't ever be exposed directly to rain/snow but could see dust, fog, etc.

2. Any antenna suggestions? Also, do I need a directional on each end, or would one end only do it?

I've set up a couple of basic bridged networks in the past (think dd-wrt on some linksys gear) so I get the concept but I"m far from any expert. Any advice that you might have would be very much appreciated. I'm also open to completely different technologies/architectures if they fit the need.

Also, figure a budget of $500 for networking gear. If that's unrealistic, propose what you think would be sufficient but not extravagent.

Thanks again for looking.

 

[imagoon]

Depending on what level you want to go, these are good to 10miles and designed for weather.

http://www.dragonwaveinc.com/products-wireless-ethernet.asp

You would likely need a protective enclosure for any gear in the barn, possibly heated. Most SOHO devices would not last long in that environment. If you are going to try SOHO gear you can pick up a pair of yagi antennas and likely make it work, just remember you will need weather proof enclosures (likely heated) for any gear outside.

I am guessing $500 is unrealistic.

Also I would like to mention that people will throw out "install it in tupperware" etc. While this works "ok" for damp, it doesn't do anything for when the device freezes, condenses and soon after fails. The main reason you heat is to keep the temp warm enough to prevent condensation. IE keep the devices in the 45-50 degree ranges.

 

[drebo]

Use a couple of Ubiquiti NSM5 radios. They're outdoor radios and are very easy to install and configure. 3000ft with line of sight should be no issue at all (I've done over 1.5 miles with these particular units.) You should easily get 50-60mbps over them, and they're only ~$90/ea.

Biggest issue will be running cable in your house up to your roof. They make an eavemount for them as well (think of the same kind of mount a satelite dish uses.)

We like them a lot, and they're very inexpensive. Combine them with a simple small switch and a 12-inch NEMA-type box you can pick up at any hardware store, and you'll be fine.