Long range point 2 point wireless network

[implexant]

First, let me say I've never dealt with wireless beyond the "thinking" stage, so I'm going to need some tips on which antennas ect. to get.

I have a client who desperately needs a wireless connection from her house to her local church. This will all be internal network stuff, basically for surveillance cameras. The cameras work on an internal network in her house. A WAP is connected to the network. Her laptop connects to that wirelessly through a laptop wireless card. Everything is 802.11b standard. So 11MB.

The connection distance is about one mile. This is a "downtown" type of area, older homes and so forth. There is no line of sight because of various trees and homes. I do not know of any MAJOR obstacles because I have not yet surveyed the sight, but I know the area well enough to say no sky scrapers.

Problem is, she installed this all herself, and didn't realize that wireless connections do have limits. So I've explained she will need antennas to beam a signal that far. So here's what I've been cooking up:

Install this antenna to the current WAP to extend the range to the church. Antenna would be mounted on the roof pointed to wards the church. At the church I would mount another of the same antenna on the roof pointed to wards her house. This would connect to another WAP which would run a CAT5 cable down to her laptop and serve up the connection to her house.

Question is, is this the right antenna? Would buying two of these antennas and another WAP do the trick? Would I need any other cables? ANY suggestions are welcome, but try to keep them intelligent

Help is needed somewhat quickly considering that she wants this fixed ASAP. Probably go survey the site next week sometime.

TIA!

-Chris

[implexant]

HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP! Please, HELP!

AKA *bump*

Anyone?

-Chris

[meese]

The range of most wireless devices following the 802.11b standard is only about 300 ft, although Linksys says their WAP11 has a range of up to 1150 feet Outdoors. This is line of sight. You are talking 5000 ft and not line of sight. There may be wireless stuff available that can do it, but I would imagine it would be much more expensive.

[implexant]

Thanks for your reply

Actually, a mile is very much possible with 802.11b, I'm just wondering if I have the correct antenna. The 802.11b standard itself is not limited to a certain range, it's limited to the power of the antenna. You could beam up a link to mars if you had a powerful enuf antenna.

So basically, for you that know what your talking about, do I have the right stuff picked out? the WAP would have removeable antennas, so I'd just plug these babbies in.

Another concern is cables. I'd need a long enough cable to run from the antenna down through the roof into the house to attach to the WAP. Which cable would I use?

Two things:

1) Right antenna?
2) Which cables?

-Chris

[meese]

The length of the antenna is determined by the wave length of the rf signal. The wave length is 1/freqency. So if you are using a 2.4GHz wireless system the wave lenght is 1/2.4GHz, which is pretty damn short. If the antenna does not match the wave lenght properly you will have reduced range or possibly no range. The antenna you want to use, from its documentation, looks like it can be used by the WAP. But I think you would need to move the WAP close to the antenna. The antenna to WAP distance (I believe) should be as short as possible. I guess you would have to test it with a BNC-BNC RG58 coaxial cable, but I'm thinking it will not work this way.

[implexant]

so the antenna connects to the WAP via a coax cable? I can get the WAP within 3-5ft of the antenna if necessary.

-Chris

what AP is she using?

if its something like linksys AP the antenna pull right off so you can add a different antenna to the AP. Which looking at the picture will work.

Also http://please please please please p...the importance of lock down her wireless network to the best she can. Espically with a distance of one mile.

As for reaching wireless can be very stuborn. I suggest that you look at what you are dealing with before making a purchase


btw how much does one of those cost? stupid web proxy is blocking the sales sites

[meese]

Its definitely coax cable. its the connector I'm not sure about.

Ok, I am sure of the connector. It is NOT a BNC, but is an N-type connector like this one:

http://www.yeeuntr.com/N/nFlexible.pdf figure 1, part #C 380-011

Again, even 3-5 ft may not work, I really don't know. I don't have a way of testing this.

[dunbar]

Here is a link to another forum, the post discusses playing with Antennas to get over 30 mile links.

[implexant]

thanks everyone this is great!

I'm already very versed in network security, WEP will be enabled with other features. Firewall on both ends.

She'd be using a DLink WAP with dual removeable antennas.

$93 for each antenna from Newegg.com

WAP is like $75 or 80.

I will survey the site before even taking the job, but thanks for the advice!

I'll be doing more research in the next few days and will let you all know how it rolls out.

Thanks again,

-Chris