Range extension without antennas?

My nextdoor neighbor rents a cabin up north and the owner has another
cabin a couple of lots away with an internet connection and a wireless
AP, and he's offered the neighbor use of the connection.

Problem is that neither the AP nor the neighbor's PC have the ability
to take an external antenna and the cabins are simply too far apart to
make a connection.

Any suggestions for making a connection over this distance that
doesn't cost a bundle, and is within the capabilities of a
non-engineer?

The neighbor's PC is a MacBook of some sort; I don't know if it can
take a PCMCIA WiFi adapter, although I suppose he could spring for a
USB-connected one if it comes to that.

--
Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | (E-Mail Removed)

I have found that the usb anenna's that come with a cable so that you
can put it up higher can pick up a signal from a little farther.

What you really need to do is establish where the signal disapears. If
you have a laptop with wifi start from your cottage and walk toward
the signal. This will at least tell you how far the signal is
traveling.

I have noticed that Linksys has an external antena now that will
withstand weather. Frankly if your going to get free interent access
then buy it and give it to the nieghbour.

"steve" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0df37f62-4570-4d67-9d51-(E-Mail Removed)...
|I have found that the usb anenna's that come with a cable so that you
| can put it up higher can pick up a signal from a little farther.

Avoid Belkin F5D 7050 series (they are not all the same) I've been through 3
DOA, Belkin support is clueless eventually them move you up to level 3 but
to what good as level 3 never returns their calls.

I managed to screw around with the device and get it working but only half
a**ed as it work only part time and has to be reset several times a day.

You could get a USB device for the Apple, I believe, if so, get one
with an external antennna connector like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833315075

Or better yet and more flexible, use an ethernet AP/client adapter
with replaceable antenna- something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817201523
http://www.edimax.us/html/english/pr...EW-7206APg.htm


And then this standard litany applies to both- or any adapter with
replaceable antenna:

If the included dipole antenna does not have the needed range,
consider adding a simple homemade reflector to the antenna to
increase it's gain significantly.
http://users.picknowl.com.au/~gloaming_agnet/ant2.html

For even more gain, replace the stock dipole with an inexpensive
directional antenna like this one:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/item.aspx?id=2298

If you go with the combo AP/Client adapter, you can use it on either
end of the connection. Or one on each end. Using it as an AP, you
could connect to the existing router and put it in a window or in a
case outside facing you. Again, increasing the gain of the antenna
is a further option.

Steve

On Sep 5, 1:37*pm, steve <stevesem...@lycos.com> wrote:

> What you really need to do is establish where the signal disapears. If
> you have a laptop with wifi start from your cottage and walk toward
> the signal. This will at least tell you how far the signal is
> traveling.

I second that suggestion. And the usual line of sight requirement
needs to be mentioned.

another Steve

In news:7195b721-1695-4fc7-86e6-(E-Mail Removed)
seaweedsl <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Or better yet and more flexible, use an ethernet AP/client adapter
> with replaceable antenna- something like this:
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817201523
> http://www.edimax.us/html/english/pr...EW-7206APg.htm

That looks like just the sort of thing he needs. I wasn't aware of
things like this that had a client mode.

The price is certainly right.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN (E-Mail Removed)

Bill Kearney wrote:
>> Any suggestions for making a connection over this distance that
>> doesn't cost a bundle, and is within the capabilities of a
>> non-engineer?
>
> Good, fast, cheap... pick two.

Sounds like an on-line dating service...

On Sep 6, 8:16*pm, "Bill Kearney" <wkearne...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> The most reliable way to do this would involve four radios. *One at each location to
> provide local wifi coverage. *Then two devices talking directly to each
> other as a connection link. *...
snip....
>You can't really get away with anything less because of how the coverage needs differ. *How you'd setup a router for
> local coverage is very different than for a point-to-point link.


As for how many radios at the internet source house, it depends on the
situation. It's possible that putting the router on the side of the
house (near a window perhaps) that faces your friends' place might
give him just the coverage he needs and serve for a point to point
link as well. But as Bill says, placement/antennas for local coverage
and point to point are often at odds.

If the router placement at the internet source house is NOT conducive
to a point-to-point link, then three radios ( the existing local one
plus two linking) will certainly do the job, and four radios are
needed only if you want WIFi coverage around your friend's house. If
not, then an ethernet cable coming out of a client adapter will be
very reliable. Adding an AP at your friend's onto that won't increase
reliability, but rather convenience.

You need to provide a few more details- ou need to let us know:
Is there line of sight between houses?
How far apart are they?
What is the wall construction of the two places- especially the source
house?
Is the existing router/AP currently located on the side of the house
that faces your friend ? Will they be willing to let you play with
their router placement in their house?

Routers and replacement firmware: Using free DD-WRT (or Tomato)
replacement firmware will further increase your options and allow you
to use routers and not just AP/clients to do the job. Not necessary,
as the specific dedicated products are cheap enough. But if you do
feel ok changing firmwares (not hard), then go this route for
increasing reliability and for any future repurposing. In that case,
I'd recommend a linksys WRT-54GL (L is crucial):

http://tinyurl.com/6b4a34

Note: price went back up- this guy was discounted to $50 (shipped)
last week when I ordered one.

Steve