Re: Sharing Wireless Between Houses -- guidance needed

>I want to install a wireless router in Home 1, which has a broadband
>connection, and broadcast the signal via an antenna to Home 2, which is
>about 500 feet away. That way both homes can be on the same Internet
>connection.
>
>Currently I have a 3Com wireless PCMCIA card in my laptop. The laptop would
>be at Home 2. Can I install a hi-gain antenna to the wireless router at
>Home 1 and simply broadcast it to Home 2 and pick up that wi fi signal on my
>laptop at Home 2 using nothing more than my 3Com wireless PCMCIA card?
>
>If not, what's the shopping list of items I would need to buy and install?
>
>Alternatiavely, does anyone know a Web site where I can find explicit
>instrucitons on how to accomplish this?
>
Sounds like a job for bridges.
Favorite bridging links:

http://www.bextreme.net/wap11web/
http://www.craig-bartell.com/secret/..._11_Bridge.zip
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010628.html
http://www.d128.com/wireless/

Hardware links:

http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html
http://www.hdcom.com/2.4ghzantennas.html
http://seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/DirectionalYagi
_________________________
French Connection:
http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm

Christ. I wanted to go 500 feet, not 10 miles. I was hoping this would be
easier. I truly don't want to have to know a lot. I just want to plug the
Linkys antenna into an external antenna, which I'll aim in a generally
eastwardly direttion, and then I'll sit at my laptop and soak up the
bandwidth rays. Is this all a dream?


"AJ" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> >I want to install a wireless router in Home 1, which has a broadband
> >connection, and broadcast the signal via an antenna to Home 2, which is
> >about 500 feet away. That way both homes can be on the same Internet
> >connection.
> >
> >Currently I have a 3Com wireless PCMCIA card in my laptop. The laptop
would
> >be at Home 2. Can I install a hi-gain antenna to the wireless router at
> >Home 1 and simply broadcast it to Home 2 and pick up that wi fi signal on
my
> >laptop at Home 2 using nothing more than my 3Com wireless PCMCIA card?
> >
> >If not, what's the shopping list of items I would need to buy and
install?
> >
> >Alternatiavely, does anyone know a Web site where I can find explicit
> >instrucitons on how to accomplish this?
> >
> Sounds like a job for bridges.
> Favorite bridging links:
>
> http://www.bextreme.net/wap11web/
> http://www.craig-bartell.com/secret/..._11_Bridge.zip
> http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010628.html
> http://www.d128.com/wireless/
>
> Hardware links:
>
> http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html
> http://www.hdcom.com/2.4ghzantennas.html
> http://seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/DirectionalYagi
> _________________________
> French Connection:
> http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm

You don't want to know alot? Ok, then, don't try to design it
yourself, go pay someone else to. (There is no FREE lunch...SOMEONE
will have to know how to build your system. You get to decide who
that someone will be.)

You better learn how to 'google', if you are gonna design/build it.

For starters, you MUST have line-of-sight between the two points. No
intervening trees, etc. (And, if you didn't know that yet, then you have
a lot of learning to do.) And, make sure you know difference between
uni-directional antennas and omni-directional, and which you should use
and why.

My 2-cents worth to get you thinking...

Dave



"Maxxie Moore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:zC6Ka.95589$(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Christ. I wanted to go 500 feet, not 10 miles. I was hoping this would be
> easier. I truly don't want to have to know a lot. I just want to plug the
> Linkys antenna into an external antenna, which I'll aim in a generally
> eastwardly direttion, and then I'll sit at my laptop and soak up the
> bandwidth rays. Is this all a dream?
>
>
> "AJ" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> >
> > >I want to install a wireless router in Home 1, which has a broadband
> > >connection, and broadcast the signal via an antenna to Home 2, which is
> > >about 500 feet away. That way both homes can be on the same Internet
> > >connection.
> > >
> > >Currently I have a 3Com wireless PCMCIA card in my laptop. The laptop
> would
> > >be at Home 2. Can I install a hi-gain antenna to the wireless router
at
> > >Home 1 and simply broadcast it to Home 2 and pick up that wi fi signal
on
> my
> > >laptop at Home 2 using nothing more than my 3Com wireless PCMCIA card?
> > >
> > >If not, what's the shopping list of items I would need to buy and
> install?
> > >
> > >Alternatiavely, does anyone know a Web site where I can find explicit
> > >instrucitons on how to accomplish this?
> > >
> > Sounds like a job for bridges.
> > Favorite bridging links:
> >
> > http://www.bextreme.net/wap11web/
> > http://www.craig-bartell.com/secret/..._11_Bridge.zip
> > http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010628.html
> > http://www.d128.com/wireless/
> >
> > Hardware links:
> >
> > http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html
> > http://www.hdcom.com/2.4ghzantennas.html
> > http://seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/DirectionalYagi
> > _________________________
> > French Connection:
> > http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm
>
>

crap views allround.

google for "cantenna" and you'll see loads of ways of doing this for just a
few bucks.
no line of sight essential as signal bounce and reflections are fine for
normal domestic use
"(And, if you didn't know that yet, then you have a lot of learning to
do.)", hey Dave.

if you are not very practical building stuff, spend $20 at
http://www.cantenna.com/store.html

Andrew

"David Cook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> You don't want to know alot? Ok, then, don't try to design it
> yourself, go pay someone else to. (There is no FREE lunch...SOMEONE
> will have to know how to build your system. You get to decide who
> that someone will be.)
>
> You better learn how to 'google', if you are gonna design/build it.
>
> For starters, you MUST have line-of-sight between the two points. No
> intervening trees, etc. (And, if you didn't know that yet, then you have
> a lot of learning to do.) And, make sure you know difference between
> uni-directional antennas and omni-directional, and which you should use
> and why.
>
> My 2-cents worth to get you thinking...
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> "Maxxie Moore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:zC6Ka.95589$(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > Christ. I wanted to go 500 feet, not 10 miles. I was hoping this would
be
> > easier. I truly don't want to have to know a lot. I just want to plug
the
> > Linkys antenna into an external antenna, which I'll aim in a generally
> > eastwardly direttion, and then I'll sit at my laptop and soak up the
> > bandwidth rays. Is this all a dream?
> >
> >
> > "AJ" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > >
> > >
> > > >I want to install a wireless router in Home 1, which has a broadband
> > > >connection, and broadcast the signal via an antenna to Home 2, which
is
> > > >about 500 feet away. That way both homes can be on the same Internet
> > > >connection.
> > > >
> > > >Currently I have a 3Com wireless PCMCIA card in my laptop. The
laptop
> > would
> > > >be at Home 2. Can I install a hi-gain antenna to the wireless
router
> at
> > > >Home 1 and simply broadcast it to Home 2 and pick up that wi fi
signal
> on
> > my
> > > >laptop at Home 2 using nothing more than my 3Com wireless PCMCIA
card?
> > > >
> > > >If not, what's the shopping list of items I would need to buy and
> > install?
> > > >
> > > >Alternatiavely, does anyone know a Web site where I can find explicit
> > > >instrucitons on how to accomplish this?
> > > >
> > > Sounds like a job for bridges.
> > > Favorite bridging links:
> > >
> > > http://www.bextreme.net/wap11web/
> > > http://www.craig-bartell.com/secret/..._11_Bridge.zip
> > > http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010628.html
> > > http://www.d128.com/wireless/
> > >
> > > Hardware links:
> > >
> > > http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html
> > > http://www.hdcom.com/2.4ghzantennas.html
> > > http://seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/DirectionalYagi
> > > _________________________
> > > French Connection:
> > > http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm
> >
> >
>
>

I have found the Cantenna site, but they make no specific representations
regarding the range of their product. And while it is clear how to connect
the Cantenna to a wireless router, it is not clear from what is posted at
the site that the device will be capable of amplifying and broadcasting a
signal that would penetrate the walls of the house where it is located and
reach into the other house 500 or so feet away. The product they have
advertised seems to be designed for interior use only. Additionally, the
wireless PCMCIA cards that I own do not have any way to plug an external
antenna into them, so that if I wanted to attach a second Cantenna to my
laptop for reception purposes, I'm not sure how I would establish the
physical connection. Evidently there are PCMCIA cards on the market that
allow the connection of an external antenna, but I certainly don't know what
brand they are.




"Andrew" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bdbsfd$5ai$(E-Mail Removed)...
> crap views allround.
>
> google for "cantenna" and you'll see loads of ways of doing this for just
a
> few bucks.
> no line of sight essential as signal bounce and reflections are fine for
> normal domestic use
> "(And, if you didn't know that yet, then you have a lot of learning to
> do.)", hey Dave.
>
> if you are not very practical building stuff, spend $20 at
> http://www.cantenna.com/store.html
>
> Andrew
>
> "David Cook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > You don't want to know alot? Ok, then, don't try to design it
> > yourself, go pay someone else to. (There is no FREE lunch...SOMEONE
> > will have to know how to build your system. You get to decide who
> > that someone will be.)
> >
> > You better learn how to 'google', if you are gonna design/build it.
> >
> > For starters, you MUST have line-of-sight between the two points. No
> > intervening trees, etc. (And, if you didn't know that yet, then you
have
> > a lot of learning to do.) And, make sure you know difference between
> > uni-directional antennas and omni-directional, and which you should use
> > and why.
> >
> > My 2-cents worth to get you thinking...
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> >
> > "Maxxie Moore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:zC6Ka.95589$(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > > Christ. I wanted to go 500 feet, not 10 miles. I was hoping this
would
> be
> > > easier. I truly don't want to have to know a lot. I just want to plug
> the
> > > Linkys antenna into an external antenna, which I'll aim in a generally
> > > eastwardly direttion, and then I'll sit at my laptop and soak up the
> > > bandwidth rays. Is this all a dream?
> > >
> > >
> > > "AJ" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >I want to install a wireless router in Home 1, which has a
broadband
> > > > >connection, and broadcast the signal via an antenna to Home 2,
which
> is
> > > > >about 500 feet away. That way both homes can be on the same
Internet
> > > > >connection.
> > > > >
> > > > >Currently I have a 3Com wireless PCMCIA card in my laptop. The
> laptop
> > > would
> > > > >be at Home 2. Can I install a hi-gain antenna to the wireless
> router
> > at
> > > > >Home 1 and simply broadcast it to Home 2 and pick up that wi fi
> signal
> > on
> > > my
> > > > >laptop at Home 2 using nothing more than my 3Com wireless PCMCIA
> card?
> > > > >
> > > > >If not, what's the shopping list of items I would need to buy and
> > > install?
> > > > >
> > > > >Alternatiavely, does anyone know a Web site where I can find
explicit
> > > > >instrucitons on how to accomplish this?
> > > > >
> > > > Sounds like a job for bridges.
> > > > Favorite bridging links:
> > > >
> > > > http://www.bextreme.net/wap11web/
> > > > http://www.craig-bartell.com/secret/..._11_Bridge.zip
> > > > http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010628.html
> > > > http://www.d128.com/wireless/
> > > >
> > > > Hardware links:
> > > >
> > > > http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html
> > > > http://www.hdcom.com/2.4ghzantennas.html
> > > > http://seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/DirectionalYagi
> > > > _________________________
> > > > French Connection:
> > > > http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

>> I'm looking for a product that I haven't been able to identify in my various
>> Google searches, and that's what started me looking for an answer in
>> newsgroups.
>
>I can only suggest that you haven't looked very far because with line of
>sight, pretty much *any* 802.11 product will go 500', definitely if you
>add a couple of tin cans or a reflector.

I believe the gentleman is looking for an antenna that will flood a
home with WiFi, 500' away. So that he can roam around the house using
the notebook without a wire. I guess this might be possible but can't
imagine the cost for that antenna and/or booster. Also, I see many
reports of cantennas that are not great.
_________________________
French Connection:
http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm

David, how old are you? Are you still a child? Close to it? Teens, early
20's? Your pointless and gratuitously provocative remarks are without
reason. I realize that young boys find occasion and opportunity for
superciliousness in the mastery, or even ersatz mastery, of some arcane body
of knowledge. It is, I suppose, understandable that they can't resist the
opportunity to glow and preen in front of their peers, to demonstrate their
knowledge, to show off, in effect, as children are wont to do. But by the
same token a boy of your age should have mastered the apparently equally
arcane skill of civil discourse. Perhaps you should discuss this topic with
your parents before posting anymore notes on a public forum. They probably
still remember something about the art--nay, the necessity--of polite and
courteous dialogue. It is always much more productive than precipitously
hostile insults lodged at people you don't know, people who may, in fact,
be your intellectual, educational, and social superiors.



But don't despair. We have all lived through childhood, and the vast
majority of us survived it. I suppose you will, too--assuming, of course,
you are not as brusque and provocative in person as you are on line.





"David Taylor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I have found the Cantenna site, but they make no specific
representations
> > regarding the range of their product. And while it is clear how to
connect
>
> There is no specific range once you start adding obstructions!
>
> > the Cantenna to a wireless router, it is not clear from what is posted
at
> > the site that the device will be capable of amplifying and broadcasting
a
> > signal that would penetrate the walls of the house where it is located
and
>
> Why do you want to penetrate the walls? Just stick an external antenna
> at each location. No walls to penetrate.
>
> > advertised seems to be designed for interior use only. Additionally,
the
> > wireless PCMCIA cards that I own do not have any way to plug an external
> > antenna into them, so that if I wanted to attach a second Cantenna to
my
>
> Well, you're going to have to change your client cards!
>
> > physical connection. Evidently there are PCMCIA cards on the market
that
> > allow the connection of an external antenna, but I certainly don't know
what
> > brand they are.
>
> Orinoco, Cisco, many are DIY'able.
>
> http://www.nodomainname.co.uk/cantenna/cantenna.htm
>
> If you want to go 500' from one house to another and be able to roam the
> house with a wireless laptop at each end then I suggest a pair of Dlink
> DWL900+'s or similar, external cantenna's and then another pair of AP's
> on each ethernet port in AP mode.
>
> If you don't like the solution then you're going to have to stop whining
> that there's no product that doesn't fit your need, sometimes life
> sucks! I want a car that does 500mph, 1000 miles on a gallon of fuel
> but I can't have that either.
>
> David.

Thank you, AJ. That is very close to what I have in mind. I would be
willing to find a fixed position for the laptop and plug it into an antenna
if that would solve the problem. The Cantenna device doesn't say that it is
made for outside use, but they do mention that they provide only a very
short cable to attach it to the router because the signal loss is severe
with long cables. Given that limitation, and the fact that it would involve
a long cable both on the receiving and sending side, how realistic is it to
hook the Cantenna device up under those circumstances?


"AJ" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> >> I'm looking for a product that I haven't been able to identify in my
various
> >> Google searches, and that's what started me looking for an answer in
> >> newsgroups.
> >
> >I can only suggest that you haven't looked very far because with line of
> >sight, pretty much *any* 802.11 product will go 500', definitely if you
> >add a couple of tin cans or a reflector.
>
> I believe the gentleman is looking for an antenna that will flood a
> home with WiFi, 500' away. So that he can roam around the house using
> the notebook without a wire. I guess this might be possible but can't
> imagine the cost for that antenna and/or booster. Also, I see many
> reports of cantennas that are not great.
> _________________________
> French Connection:
> http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm

>Thank you, AJ. That is very close to what I have in mind. I would be
>willing to find a fixed position for the laptop and plug it into an antenna
>if that would solve the problem. The Cantenna device doesn't say that it is
>made for outside use, but they do mention that they provide only a very
>short cable to attach it to the router because the signal loss is severe
>with long cables. Given that limitation, and the fact that it would involve
>a long cable both on the receiving and sending side, how realistic is it to
>hook the Cantenna device up under those circumstances?
>
Good cable is very expensive. 5' of the cheap cable that comes with
some $20 cantennas, would leave you with zero output. The one link I
posted was kind of a poor mans guide to bridging. He runs CAT5 to the
roof since it's cheap and has zero signal loss. Since you can get a
WAP for under $100, I believe that is the cheapest solution. Get two
$20 cantennas. Tape a laser pointer to one of them and line them up at
night.
_________________________
French Connection:
http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm

As stated by others there are problems with the setup you want. The laptop
might receive the signal if you flooded the house with the signal - but the
return path from the laptop might be more difficult.
At the frequencies used in wireless links the signal can be absorbed by lots
of items including the atmosphere and people - note trees are the worst.
Metal items can cause the signal to be reflected elsewhere.
Also wireless cards in laptops have a limited power output compared to
access points and most dont have connectors to attach external antennas.
This is why when peple most often get from building to building to building
they use acces points with external antenna. I am not saying that it cannot
be done - just that the way you are considering is going to make the problem
harder to solve.
A larger anntenna should produce more signal to reach the wireless equipment
and make the link more reliable.
You could do an another option of using two access points for a point to
point link between the two buildings and a third connected to one using
network cable to act as a repeater inside the house broadcasting to your
laptop. There are always more than one way to solve any problem.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

AJ wrote:
>> Thank you, AJ. That is very close to what I have in mind. I would
>> be willing to find a fixed position for the laptop and plug it into
>> an antenna if that would solve the problem. The Cantenna device
>> doesn't say that it is made for outside use, but they do mention
>> that they provide only a very short cable to attach it to the router
>> because the signal loss is severe with long cables. Given that
>> limitation, and the fact that it would involve a long cable both on
>> the receiving and sending side, how realistic is it to hook the
>> Cantenna device up under those circumstances?
>>
> Good cable is very expensive. 5' of the cheap cable that comes with
> some $20 cantennas, would leave you with zero output. The one link I
> posted was kind of a poor mans guide to bridging. He runs CAT5 to the
> roof since it's cheap and has zero signal loss. Since you can get a
> WAP for under $100, I believe that is the cheapest solution. Get two
> $20 cantennas. Tape a laser pointer to one of them and line them up at
> night.
> _________________________
> French Connection:
> http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm