Need expert help with sharing a satellite internet system

My neighbor at our lake house has a satellite internet setup. I told him
that I would share the monthly cost if I was able to get an acceptable
signal.

Using an Orinoco card, Buffalo Air Station antenna, and Network Stumbler we
were able to get a signal that varied from "excellent" to "no signal". He is
currently using WEP for security. If we switch to WPA, would it have any
effect on signal strength?

We are going to install two "dish" antennas that have a stronger db gain to
see if the signal can be improved to an acceptable level.

Can we feed the signal into a wireless router at my house so that I will not
have to run cables? If so, where can I find out how to do this?

Thanks.

mlsteen1 wrote:

> My neighbor at our lake house has a satellite internet setup. I told
> him that I would share the monthly cost if I was able to get an
> acceptable signal.
>
> Using an Orinoco card, Buffalo Air Station antenna, and Network
> Stumbler we were able to get a signal that varied from "excellent" to
> "no signal". He is currently using WEP for security. If we switch to
> WPA, would it have any effect on signal strength?
>
> We are going to install two "dish" antennas that have a stronger db
> gain to see if the signal can be improved to an acceptable level.
>
> Can we feed the signal into a wireless router at my house so that I
> will not have to run cables? If so, where can I find out how to do
> this?
>
> Thanks.

MVP Jack (don't know his last name, sorry) has information on extending
wireless connectivity here:
http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html

I'm sure you'll get some more answers, but I should tell you that
satellite Internet access is generally pretty slow. I have a few
clients who have it because they live in areas that are too far out
into the country to get DSL or cable. In this part of California (USA),
satellite Internet access for home users is provided by DirecWay. The
speed is somewhat better than dialup, but not anywhere near the speed
of DSL.

Here's DirecWay's homepage (TinyURL'd):
http://tinyurl.com/amgxf

Naturally, the speed and signal strength depends on how your neighbor is
getting his satellite access.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Thanks Malke.

"Malke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> mlsteen1 wrote:
>
>> My neighbor at our lake house has a satellite internet setup. I told
>> him that I would share the monthly cost if I was able to get an
>> acceptable signal.
>>
>> Using an Orinoco card, Buffalo Air Station antenna, and Network
>> Stumbler we were able to get a signal that varied from "excellent" to
>> "no signal". He is currently using WEP for security. If we switch to
>> WPA, would it have any effect on signal strength?
>>
>> We are going to install two "dish" antennas that have a stronger db
>> gain to see if the signal can be improved to an acceptable level.
>>
>> Can we feed the signal into a wireless router at my house so that I
>> will not have to run cables? If so, where can I find out how to do
>> this?
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> MVP Jack (don't know his last name, sorry) has information on extending
> wireless connectivity here:
> http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html
>
> I'm sure you'll get some more answers, but I should tell you that
> satellite Internet access is generally pretty slow. I have a few
> clients who have it because they live in areas that are too far out
> into the country to get DSL or cable. In this part of California (USA),
> satellite Internet access for home users is provided by DirecWay. The
> speed is somewhat better than dialup, but not anywhere near the speed
> of DSL.
>
> Here's DirecWay's homepage (TinyURL'd):
> http://tinyurl.com/amgxf
>
> Naturally, the speed and signal strength depends on how your neighbor is
> getting his satellite access.
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

I'm in northern CA, and have WildBlue satellite internet, and it's great.
WAY faster than dialup, very close to DSL speeds, although latency slows
things down sometimes.

www.dslreports.com has some good discussions on the various satellite
options, with very frank reviews. Direcway does not come off too good, a lot
of unhappy customers. WildBlue, so far, is getting generally positive
reviews. It's relatively new, though.

Satellite is still not marketed as an alternative to DSL or cable, and based
on the reviews and my own experience, it shouldn't be. It's really just for
those of us who have no other broadband options.

"Malke" wrote:

> I'm sure you'll get some more answers, but I should tell you that
> satellite Internet access is generally pretty slow. I have a few
> clients who have it because they live in areas that are too far out
> into the country to get DSL or cable. In this part of California (USA),
> satellite Internet access for home users is provided by DirecWay. The
> speed is somewhat better than dialup, but not anywhere near the speed
> of DSL.