Need LONG range 802.11g (not pre-N)

Hey all,

My grandfather is trying to get this set up with my old M140 computer:
1) 802.11g router in the house
2) Laptop in the barn, about 150-175 feet away

The only problem (from what he's told me) is that with the steel building construction he can't even get RADIO reception in the barn. So I'm wondering what I can get from Best Buy (I need the part tomorrow) that would have a chance of pulling this off?

BTW, the notebook has an ExpressCard Slot, so I'm thinking that PC Cards of any type just won't help me out.

Any help would be appreciated...and yes it has to be from Best Buy (no other b&m stores around here that carry this stuff).

Thanks,
night

 

oh, and if there are no devices that can cover that distance...which one would get the longest range? he might be overshooting the distance a bit, or we might be able to install the router at the closer corner of the house.

i would also consider getting a device that could extend the range of the primary router (like place a booster at the other end of the house)...if you can do that.

 

There isn't anything, since I'm pretty sure even if the router was directly outside, it may be hard due to the interference.

Does the barn have electricty from wires? Perhaps setting a 200feet ethernet cable would be the best idea, and tag it with the wires(Assuming the wires are above ground.

Or perhaps try those Chip Canister projects....

 

Or getting 2 WRT54G linksys routers and connecting them wirelessly, and installing 3rd party firmware like DD-WRT for bridge mode if you're into that. Here's a link that shows how to make this happen

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=68

 

I agree. And since it's a barn, I'd figure it's open space. Maybe you can even try setting the wires underground if it all dirt.

 

I think you can use wireless repeaters, the configuration if your choice but it can be like:

Wireless Repeaters
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1571601

If it's not enough you can use some wires also...your choice.

 

Yea, the barn has electricity running throughout...120V, 240V, and a few 480V lines.

Assuming that I can actually find the link for the firmware (I'm looking but I'm blind here), I have no problem updating to 3rd party firmware. I actually wanted to do that with an older router of mine, but it died before I had the chance.

The firmware idea would configure the router itself as a repeater, this might just work.

AND I STILL THINK HE OVERESTIMATED THE DISTANCE!!!

also, what if I got a pre-N router and just operated it in 'g' mode? I can't go to an N network because of the lack of N WiFi on the laptop (and lack of expansion options), but if an N router in G mode gets better range...?

 

Pre-N routers are backwards compatible so it shouldn't make a difference. Then again, pre-N routers sometimes include hardware which is proprietary to the vendor so you might wind up having to buy that same companies receiver, etc. You might also want to look at buying or making things like the Cantenna which claim to boost the computer's reception.

~ Brett

 

Here's a link with all the steps and d/l links for it to work if you ever find the need for a second router if 1 router didn't provide enough coverage.
http://scorpiontek.org/portal/content/view/27/36/
http://www.bitsum.com/openwiking/owbase/ow.asp?WRT54G5_CFE
DD-WRT works only on "some" Broadcom based routers, it woun't work on routers like D-Link and some other routers.

 

Here is alink for exernal Antennas and amp's if needed. http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/24ghz_amplifiers.php

Any good AP will make the distance without any problem. It the metal building that is killing you. I think you should be able to use external antennas and make the link.

But I would consider using a external Cat5 cable. I did this between houses. Then connect a AP to the cat5 if you want wireless capability in the barn.

 

IMO, a hardwire link between the house and barn would be the most efficient. Make sure to follow your local building code when you run the CAT-5e wire outside, and make sure you purchase cable rated for outdoor use. Usually you can run the cable inside some PVC pipe and bury the pipe.

 

Have you considered linking the house and barn via 2 HomePlug (ethernet over powerline) devices? They are very simple to install/set up and the Turbo versions can transfer at up to 85Mb/s.

Regards

 

i think it would be much cheaper and much easier for him to run conduit from the router to the barn with an ethernet cable. you'll get guaranteed connected and guaranteed speed.

i think you can have a drop of 100 meters for ethernet so 100 ft shouldn't be a problem at all.

you're talking about a few dollars worth of PVC or similar + a few dollars ethernet cable + a little elbow grease to dig a path for the conduit

vs.

upwards of $100 dollars or more for a router that may or may not have a stable connection.

EDIT: or you can read kegobeer's post since he already mentioned it

 

Here's My rig:

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=115&categoryid=29

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=110&categoryid=29

The keys to the range enhancement of the Buffalo High Power parts is that Buffalo has set the output on both the Router and Wireless card at 100mw...where most routers and cards output 40mw.

I can attest to the fact that this rig DOES work...and well. My router sits in my home office. In order for me to sit on my deck at the back of the house...the signal must go through the office walls...pass through a hallway...enter into a bathroom with metal pipes...exit the bathroom...go through another set of walls in the living room and pass through the outer brick layer of the house. With a normal router / card...I would get signal strentgh of MAYBE 2 out of 6 on a good day. With the WHR-HP-G54 and the WLI-CB-G54HP...I get a signal strength of 5 out of 6, consistently. I can even get signal where I never could before...going through the house...into the large dining area...way across...going through another set if brick walls, et. Never before could I get any signal into that area...now I consistently get 3 out of 6.

Buffalo is one of the best kept secrets around. Their products are all Broadcom...just like Linksys...Their tech support is toll free and based out of Austin, Tx. GREAT company...and always willing to help. Their warranty for all products is two year...not the standard one year that everyone uses. If you have a pretty clear shot for the signal, it can go quite a long way. I have been able to connect at a neighbor's house, two houses down with signal of 3 out of 6...to my network.

Also uses WPA-AES encryption...so you pay no penalties for running encryption...all hardware based...

Check it out for yourself...you might be pleasantly surprised

Bob

 

Here is a link to some high power cards for notebooks.

http://www.netgate.com/index.php?cPath=26_34

If you run the after market firmware with a couple of highgain antennas you should not have a problem. Remember dual antennas do not produce a radio frequency that provide circular fields. They produce a figure 8 patern, front to back. So point your router in the right direction.

 

Try a USB in the barn and a reflector. You can run up to about 30 feet of USB cable without too much hassle (that would get you outside the barn), so you can position the dongle for best reception. www.Freeantennas.com can show you how to add a reflector.

 

dang night asked a qustion hes usually one that has the anwsers lol but yeah wireless has crappy range hopefully they will make something that has more power in the future.

 

I used to set up networks and such like you're talking about. What you'll want is to run an extender cable from one of the AP's antenna jacks to an outside wall, then put a good directional antenna on the end, and point it to the barn. Put another directional antenna on the barn pointing at the one on the house with a line of sight, then run the cable from the barn's antenna inside to an 802.11g access point or range extender like this (NOT a router... make sure of that. AP's just connect wireless to an existing network, they don't provide new IP's or anything like that). Then it'll work.

You can also hook a network cable from the inside router all the way out to an access point in the barn as well, which will provide a more stable connection. The most important thing is to get an access point running inside of the barn, because otherwise you're just trying to transmit into a Faraday cage, and it's just not going to work.

If he has a common electrical system at all between the barn and the house, he may be able to use something like this.

 

We tried a few of the long range products (eg: Buffalo, SRX200, extenders) and nothing worked once we turned on the power to the barn. Without the electricity everything was fine and running at full speed...until that. Either we'll have to run the line (which as stated below won't happen for a while), or we try out the Super Cantenna. Any thoughts? I can order one through Circuit City, so if it doesn't work I'll be able to take it back any time.

The only problem is that all the grunt work to bury cables was done several months ago. We won't be able to get that done for another 4-6 months...if that (of course, he doesn't want to go through that unless he has to).

They are on two separate circuits that run from the power company. The juncture for those circuits is too far up for a signal to survive the beating.

 

Shame. What a bummer.

Regards

 

Thanks man...
Problem is, when I ask it's usually a major problem

Tell me about it.

UPDATE: Super Cantenna's on order, should be able to install and test in about a week or two (next time I travel in that direction).

 

My USR5450 is suppose to beable to do 300' indoors with their matching 5410 (pcmci). I know it covers 50' 4 wall with no degrade in performance running on LOW power. I think the metal barn is killing all of your signal, as other test have proven.