Need suggestions for weak signal with WET11

Overview of my network:

A buddy of mine has an Aironet AP connected to his broadband ~700ft
from my building. I have a directional antenna pointed at it, which
is connected to a Linksys WET11 bridge. The bridge is then connected
to a Linksys wireless router. I then have several computers in my
home that connect to the internet through that router.

My problem is in the 700ft between me and my buddy. It took me about
2 hours to get the antenna aimed in the best possible way, but the
signal still isn't quite up to what I would like. Also, the signal
seems to vary from day to day and with different weather conditions.
Some days I feel like I am back to the days of modems, and others I am
watching h/q streaming video.

Here are the things I have been considering and need help with (please
keep in mind that I am a poor college student and saving money is top
priority):

-I was thinking about purchasing a Linksys WSB24 ,which is basically a
cheap bi-directional signal amplifier and rigging it to hook up to my
bridge. However, I have done some research and found that this unit
uses two antennas (one for Tx and one for Rx), and I need both Rx and
Tx to go through my single directional antenna. Can I just combine
the two? Is there any other cheap amplifiers out there for under
$100? I am not even sure what the power output is on the bridge to
begin with.

-Then I was thinking, for the price of the bridge plus some kind of
amplifier, as above, maybe I could just get a better quality / higher
powered bridge. I know the Cisco stuff is out of my price range, but
is there something a little better for ~$220? I could just return the
bridge (bought from friend).

-Is there something I am missing here?

Thanks a lot,

-=Sam=-

> My problem is in the 700ft between me and my buddy. It took me about

That shouldn't be a problem.

> the two? Is there any other cheap amplifiers out there for under
> $100? I am not even sure what the power output is on the bridge to
> begin with.

You don't need an amp, you need to work on your antennas and feedline.
What you didn't say was what sort of cable you've used to connect to
your WET11 or how long it is. I'd go so far as to suggest that the
problem is at the WET11 end and not the Cisco end. Does the Cisco still
have the stock 2.2dBi antennas?

What gain is your directional antenna?

> amplifier, as above, maybe I could just get a better quality / higher
> powered bridge. I know the Cisco stuff is out of my price range, but
> is there something a little better for ~$220? I could just return the
> bridge (bought from friend).
>
> -Is there something I am missing here?

A good antenna of the right gain with a high quality SHORT feedline
probably. Come back with the answers to the above questions...



David.

David Taylor <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed)>. ..
> > My problem is in the 700ft between me and my buddy. It took me about
>
> That shouldn't be a problem.
>
> > the two? Is there any other cheap amplifiers out there for under
> > $100? I am not even sure what the power output is on the bridge to
> > begin with.
>
> You don't need an amp, you need to work on your antennas and feedline.
> What you didn't say was what sort of cable you've used to connect to
> your WET11 or how long it is. I'd go so far as to suggest that the
> problem is at the WET11 end and not the Cisco end. Does the Cisco still
> have the stock 2.2dBi antennas?

The cable coming out of the antenna is about 2ft of very thick coax.
I have then rigged a BNC connector on the end of it and then using 6
feet of 50 Ohm (ThinNet) cable going to the bridge which I have also
rigged a BNC connector on. I am guessing that the stock antennas are
being used on the Cisco end, but I don't really have the means to find
this information out. Furthermore, I do not have the means to
adjust/modify anything on my "buddy's" end of the connection.

>
> What gain is your directional antenna?

I am not sure about the gain on the antenna. I asked the friend that
I bought it from and he had no clue. I cannot find any part number on
it or indication of manufacturer.

>
> > amplifier, as above, maybe I could just get a better quality / higher
> > powered bridge. I know the Cisco stuff is out of my price range, but
> > is there something a little better for ~$220? I could just return the
> > bridge (bought from friend).
> >
> > -Is there something I am missing here?
>
> A good antenna of the right gain with a high quality SHORT feedline
> probably. Come back with the answers to the above questions...
>

Should I maybe remove the thinnet cable all together and connect the
bridge directly to the thicker cable comming out of the antenna?

Thanks,

-=Sam=-

> The cable coming out of the antenna is about 2ft of very thick coax.
> I have then rigged a BNC connector on the end of it and then using 6
> feet of 50 Ohm (ThinNet) cable going to the bridge which I have also
> rigged a BNC connector on. I am guessing that the stock antennas are

Well with 4 connectors, connectors not rated for the frequency and not
the best cable, you'll see some loss.

> being used on the Cisco end, but I don't really have the means to find
> this information out. Furthermore, I do not have the means to
> adjust/modify anything on my "buddy's" end of the connection.

Accepted.

> > What gain is your directional antenna?
>
> I am not sure about the gain on the antenna. I asked the friend that
> I bought it from and he had no clue. I cannot find any part number on
> it or indication of manufacturer.

Describe it! Should be able to at least work out a rough
guesstimate as to the type and probable gain.

> Should I maybe remove the thinnet cable all together and connect the
> bridge directly to the thicker cable comming out of the antenna?

That would be a great starting point.

The other thing to do is to get the latest firmware for the WET11. I
understand that this includes a site survey although I don't know if it
gives signal strength in meaningful numbers. Someone else here will
know.

Alternately, if you can scrounge or buy an Orinoco PCMCIA card, you
could try connecting the external antenna to that and use Netstumbler
(or just the plain client utility) to get some numbers on the signal
strength.

One other question, have you oriented the antenna correctly? Did you
try turning it 90 degrees?

I can get a 200m link through some trees with huge success and plenty to
spare for rain with cardboard antennas so with something a bit stronger
you shouldn't have any problems.

http://www.nodomainname.co.uk/cantenna/cantenna.htm in case it gives you
something to think about. The horn antenna is very effective although
you might want to try www.freeantennas.com to maybe get your friend to
add a reflector to his end?

David.

You can replace the card inside the Wet11 with a high power
Senao/Engenius PCMCIA card. It has better receive sensitivity.
Cost less than $100. Try Netgear.com or eDigitalwireless.com

correction: that should be Netgate.com not netgear.

On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 05:34:36 GMT, MrMitt <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>You can replace the card inside the Wet11 with a high power
>Senao/Engenius PCMCIA card. It has better receive sensitivity.
>Cost less than $100. Try Netgear.com or eDigitalwireless.com