Wireless networking between two houses? Need help.

[Skarekr0w]

Hello, My father is getting a cable connection hooked up this week. I live across the street, a few houses down, about 150 to 200 feet away. My computer room has a clear view of his (you can view his computer room window thru mine). Is there a way I can use his connection (he says he will get the equip if I can figure out what I need) from 150 to 200 ft away? I have looked at a few of WI-FI Linksys systems and have heard i might need a External antenna. Anybody know what kind of setup that i will need to achieve this?

I appreciate all you help, I can even draw a diagram out if needed, Thanx

Ron

Email is Skarekr0w@hotmail.com

AIM is CavityCr33p

 

[neuralfx]

You can try this, being outside I dont know how well this will work, but if you are really only about 200-300 feet away you are well within the qouted spec of 802.11b's 150meters .. its worth a shot, buy stuff you can bring back, also check out google for more info .. good luck ..
-neural

 

[Rkonster]

I would stay away from the linksys. Get Orinoco client cards. Check
Here for review info.

 

[ktwebb]

Several ways you can go about this since you have line of sight. Two wireless AP's that will bridge with directional antennas on both is the most reliable, albeit one of the more expensive.

 

[Skarekr0w]

Okay guys, could you please make a complete list of what I need to get, detailed. thanx.

 

[Skarekr0w]

Here, I drew a diagram of what our line of site looks like

www.kornguide.0catch.com/housemap.jpg

 

[Eug]

<< Here, I drew a diagram of what our line of site looks like

www.kornguide.0catch.com/housemap.jpg >>



My guess is that if it works it's gonna be unreliable, at least with the affordable consumer-level equipment that's currently available. Unless you can find a store that will take open box stuff back no questions, I'd scrap the idea.

 

[ktwebb]

Easy to make work if you know what your doin and reliable as well. The only thing I would recommend if reliability is key, is to elevate the antennas. That makes the whole thing more difficult to be sure but would cut out resends from moving obstacles in the path. Even at eye level, it can still be reliable. Unless the traffic from cars is extreme, and the connection is strong (proper antennas and clear line of sight) the resends sent due to moving obstacles in the path would not really come into play if sharing a broadband connection is the motive.

 

[Soybomb]

I think it'd be just fine, remember though trees will block your signal as would a van parked in your line of sight most likely. I'd either put an antenna up on the corner of your houses or on like a 10 foot tower to get it up and out of the way some. The other thing to do would be like put one of your antennas up on a like tv antenna tower outside and the other of you with a small panel antenna or something on the ground aiming up at it, of course assuming a good line of sight

 

[ktwebb]

That is exactly what I was saying. The only caveat to that is having to run coax if you elevate the antenna on mast. No need for towers but masts would eliminate cars as a path obstacle. If that is done, use low loss cable. Normally for a short run LMR400 is fine but that does introduce loss as well as loss from the connector crimps. If done improperly crimps can introduce significant loss. Not weatherproofing connectors properly is another problem so while using masts can eliminate some problems it can cause others, specifically if done improperly. Wrapping connectors in electrical tape will work for the short term but no the long. Short answer is to try it from a window if you have the line of sight from window to window. If that doesn't work then try something more elaborate.

 

[Tiger]

I think you need to rethink this project.

Times Microwave LMR 400 cable is $.70/ft. The connectors are $9.00 a piece.
Add to that the fact that 100ft of cable, even good cable like LMR 400, loses 6dB of signal @ 2Ghz
2.4Ghz antennas aren't cheap either. Multiply all this times two not even counting the NIC's and AP's.

Nice idea, technically do-able, but expensive as hell for internet access.

 

[ktwebb]

Using LMR400, mid to high gain antenna, and masts is all hypothetical. Chances are, given the diagram and distance, the need for elaborate site setups is remote. Entirely possible but not a given at all. Pringles can directionals can overcome the loss in a LMR400 run and since he already said he has easy line of site, its hard to imagine a transmission cable run over 20 feet. Hardly a loss issue worth worrying about, even with low gain antennas. I agree, the most dificult alternative to this situation brings cost to over the top levels (things like lightening arrestors for any masted antenna and other hidden costs) but giving up based on worst case scenarios is defeatist IMO. So bottom line, if you really want to try this skarekr0w, start with minimal site hardware, two bridges and cheap directional antennas and see if it works. Assume it will not however and be prepared to give up or get more sophisticated. If you not willing to do that, then you probably shouldn't even try. But if you purchase you hardware from vendors with a good return policy your probably only out a restocking fee.