Wireless link to neighbours

Some of the houses in my village are still rated 'Red' (out-of-range)
for ADSL even with Extended Reach, so I'm investigating what can be
done with wireless.

What is the range of a wireless router in a neighbourhood of detached
modern houses (brick and breezeblock up to 40ft high)?

Which is the best wireless router or base station for range?

Is some sort of wireless product with a greater range available?

--

Mark W. Lewis, Broadband for Long Ashton & Failand

I've already mentioned D-Link earlier today in another question, but they're
the site to check out again, they do wireless routers and also have
directional & booster aerials for both indoor & outdoor use. I can't
remember the range of the directional aerials, but think it is quite
significant, i.e. several hundred meters
www.d-link.com

If you can position the AP and the receiving adapter (USB) near windows with
clear line of sight in between,
any regular kit should (barring interference) work for 70m and maybe even up
to 100m.
Draytek Vigor 2600We works great for me in above scenario.
Otherwise you will have to test and probably try external (to AP point)
antennas etc.,
because of reflection and interference each situation is different. Moving
the AP or receiver just half an inch can make great difference.
Regards,
Martin

Check out http://www.dlink.co.uk/

D-Link make routers, directional aerials and relay stations.

I believe the directional aerials have a significant range. I read somewhere
recently that the record for a private DSL network is 6 km using a
directional aerial over open ground.

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 13:24:37 +0100, "Mark Lewis"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Some of the houses in my village are still rated 'Red' (out-of-range)
>for ADSL even with Extended Reach, so I'm investigating what can be
>done with wireless.
>
>What is the range of a wireless router in a neighbourhood of detached
>modern houses (brick and breezeblock up to 40ft high)?
>
>Which is the best wireless router or base station for range?
>
>Is some sort of wireless product with a greater range available?

Being quite new to Wireless I've found out quite quickly that it
does **** not do what it says on the box ****

The manufacturers are wildly optimistic with claimed ranges, when you
query the range then mention is then made of cordless phones,
microwaves, water tanks, insulated walls etc.

In my 1930s brick built bungalow I lose a signal two rooms away
although I have had a signal 60 feet away at the top pf my garden
beyond ONE brick wall.

I think it is best to stay with one manufacturer with all products
though why this should be I don't know.

External aerials, don't think they are quite so popular in UK as in
the US as yet.

Geoff Lane

"Geoff Lane" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

> In my 1930s brick built bungalow I lose a signal two rooms away
> although I have had a signal 60 feet away at the top pf my garden
> beyond ONE brick wall.

That describes the performance of my Vigor 2600 We perfectly.

> I think it is best to stay with one manufacturer with all products
> though why this should be I don't know.

I've done that. If you are right it would hardly be worth having
otherwise.

Malcolm

On 22/10/03 6:52 pm, in article (E-Mail Removed),
"Geoff Lane" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Being quite new to Wireless I've found out quite quickly that it
> does **** not do what it says on the box ****

Could you be a bit more specific ? - have you actually tried it in
802.11(whatever) conditions, namely free space without
interruption/obstruction and the right type of antenna. Use an directional
antenna and its much better - most boxes have a small (crap) omni fitted.

I think you'll find it does work, as stated, if the conditions are met.

What I think you mean, is that the stated conditions for the performance
were not highlighted clearly enough.

My friends WiFi box (D-Link I think) easily does 3 miles in free space
tests, as my Netgear does 150 feet through 2 or 3 walls. Its used a
backbone for a rural wifi network, and really does more than it says on the
box.

I sense your frustration, however I suspect at least 50% of the issue is the
lack of understanding of the test conditions which are of course optimised.

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 19:08:20 +0100, "Malcolm Knight"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> In my 1930s brick built bungalow I lose a signal two rooms away
>> although I have had a signal 60 feet away at the top pf my garden
>> beyond ONE brick wall.
>
>That describes the performance of my Vigor 2600 We perfectly.

Which one - the good signal at top of garden or the lost signal in my
bedroom.

I understand Vigor have a good reputation, I was thinking of their
ADSL modem router.

Geoff Lane

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 19:42:36 +0100, Graham in Melton
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> Being quite new to Wireless I've found out quite quickly that it
>> does **** not do what it says on the box ****
>
>Could you be a bit more specific ? - have you actually tried it in
>802.11(whatever) conditions, namely free space without
>interruption/obstruction

No, not really, I am quite new to WiFi so bought my Netgear Access
Point and PC card to be used for wireless access in my bungalow.

The range of the Netgear products are quite acceptable, it is a
handheld CF device I was mainly referring to.

Its spec lists an open office environment and a closed office
environment, it describes a closed office environment as 'brick walls
and floors' and lists a range of up to 50 meters in a closed office
environment.

Now I know the magic words 'up to' but I was rather hoping for more
than 30 feet.

>and the right type of antenna. Use an directional
>antenna and its much better - most boxes have a small (crap) omni fitted.

I'm a bit puzzled here, my Netgear Access Point has a detachable
antenna, Netgear market antenna but they are not shown as suitable for
my model Access Point.

>What I think you mean, is that the stated conditions for the performance
>were not highlighted clearly enough.

The dreaded 'small print' :-)))))

>as my Netgear does 150 feet through 2 or 3 walls. Its used a
>backbone for a rural wifi network, and really does more than it says on the
>box.

Are you based in the UK - if so what Netgear AP are you using and with
what aerial?

Thanks in advance,

Geoff Lane

"Martin²" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Otherwise you will have to test and probably try external (to AP
> point) antennas

So the idea is that you buy a standard wireless ADSL router such as
the DrayTek 2600WE or Netgear DG824M, and replace the little antennas
provided with this sort of stuff:

http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/products.asp?pm=1798

You would presumably try to get a neighbour to agree to this by
offering them free broadband off the router ie you would pay their
subscription?

Is anyone doing this? What router + antenna + receiver combo do you
have, and what range are you getting?

Why don't BT extend the range of ADSL via wireless by putting an
antenna and router on an in-range telegraph pole powered from the
street?

--

Mark W. Lewis, Broadband for Long Ashton & Failand

www.failand.org.uk