Trying to bridge 1 mile obstructed

I am trying to create a functional wireless bridge for the purpose of
sharing DSL with someone who is out of the telco limit.
We do not have line of sight between our rooftops, but it is only
blocked by trees, no earth or structures.

I've been looking at a few hi-gain antennas and I'm wondering if there
is any chance of getting a signal with them.

An SMC claims up to nine miles range without line of sight, but I'm
skeptical.
http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=...e=SMCANT-DI145
Does anyone have experience with this one?

Also, I'm looking at http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/hg2415y.php
which is much less expensive, but again I'm not sure of its
effectiveness without line of sight.

My last question: Is there any way to bounce wireless signals off an
object that is visible to both of us? Specifically, we have a cell
tower about 3/4 mile from each of us and it is visible to both our
rooftops. Any chance of getting connected if we both aimed our
antennas at that?

Thanks for any and all comments.

How many trees?

> We do not have line of sight between our rooftops, but it is only
> blocked by trees, no earth or structures.

How many trees, how thick? How far is the distance you're trying to go?

> An SMC claims up to nine miles range without line of sight, but I'm
> skeptical.

"Up to". I'd read that as if you're a few walls away it will help, 9
miles with no line of sight. It won't work 9 miles with obstructions.

> My last question: Is there any way to bounce wireless signals off an
> object that is visible to both of us? Specifically, we have a cell
> tower about 3/4 mile from each of us and it is visible to both our
> rooftops. Any chance of getting connected if we both aimed our
> antennas at that?

Not unless it has a nice flat surface that will act like a mirror. Just
an antenna tower won't help you.

Provide a link to pics somewhere.

David.

> Direct line, maybe 10 or more.
> Some evergreens, pretty dense.

and how far apart are your two sites?

I used terraserver images and pasted them together into one picture,
then added distances, elevations, and a few comments.
Basically, I'm on a hill and he's on a hill, but we can't see each
other for the trees.
The area between us (trailer park) is slightly lower than we are.
http://www.gemsdesigns.com/images/house2house.jpg


On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 15:56:36 +0100, David Taylor
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> We do not have line of sight between our rooftops, but it is only
>> blocked by trees, no earth or structures.
>
>How many trees, how thick? How far is the distance you're trying to go?
>
>> An SMC claims up to nine miles range without line of sight, but I'm
>> skeptical.
>
>"Up to". I'd read that as if you're a few walls away it will help, 9
>miles with no line of sight. It won't work 9 miles with obstructions.
>
>> My last question: Is there any way to bounce wireless signals off an
>> object that is visible to both of us? Specifically, we have a cell
>> tower about 3/4 mile from each of us and it is visible to both our
>> rooftops. Any chance of getting connected if we both aimed our
>> antennas at that?
>
>Not unless it has a nice flat surface that will act like a mirror. Just
>an antenna tower won't help you.
>
>Provide a link to pics somewhere.
>
>David.

"David Taylor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote...
> > Direct line, maybe 10 or more.
> > Some evergreens, pretty dense.
>
> and how far apart are your two sites?

Did you read the subject line? Maybe try reading it again! <g>

> I used terraserver images and pasted them together into one picture,
> then added distances, elevations, and a few comments.
> Basically, I'm on a hill and he's on a hill, but we can't see each

Well if it's *just* the trees, you might just get this to work with the
highest gain directional antennas. That house to the left of the
property at 453', is there any way that you might be able to mount the
antenna and bridge remotely on that property and just shoot straight
down the road?

I wouldn't rule it out but as soon as LOS is not present, it becomes
experimental.

David.

> > and how far apart are your two sites?
>
> Did you read the subject line? Maybe try reading it again! <g>

Duh! Funnily enough it did register the first time I saw the thread.
Must have been a blonde moment.

Thanks.
If I get up the nerve to spend the cash on this maybe, I'll post
results here.

On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 21:43:54 +0100, David Taylor
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> I used terraserver images and pasted them together into one picture,
>> then added distances, elevations, and a few comments.
>> Basically, I'm on a hill and he's on a hill, but we can't see each
>
>Well if it's *just* the trees, you might just get this to work with the
>highest gain directional antennas. That house to the left of the
>property at 453', is there any way that you might be able to mount the
>antenna and bridge remotely on that property and just shoot straight
>down the road?
>
>I wouldn't rule it out but as soon as LOS is not present, it becomes
>experimental.
>
>David.

> >> Basically, I'm on a hill and he's on a hill, but we can't see each
Not sure where you are but UK law states the top of the antenna must not be
higher than 5meters above rooftop before you need planning permission, so if
you stick a webcam on the end of a pole will it clear the trees?
Get your mate to put a divers torch or some bright light on the end of a
pole at the other end.
If you have some 100mW walkie-talkies (5km range 455mhz I think), see if you
get a clear signal if you cannot then I would say no.
You could setup a repeater with a neighbour midway and offer them cheap
internet.

I'm in the same boat as you, I have a single poplar tree in direct line of
site on a 3mile link. May be able to go one side or the other but because
there is a row of them I may hit the next one, and what happens when the
wind blows them about.....(

Cheers

Rob