5-mile range internet bridge . . . !

[XMan]

I'm thinking about getting one of these to shoot an internet connection to my inlaws' down the road. They're just a bit under four miles away. I actually can't believe it's as cheap as it is . . .

http://www.wirelessnetworkprod...n=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1900

 

[drebo]

Never used one of those, no, but I have set up Cisco wireless bridges over 7 miles in range that have worked very well.

 

[JackMDS]

It can work provided that there is clear view between the two spots.

The two Antennae are highly direction placed on two high towers and a GPS is used to make sure that the Antennae are actually looking eye to eye.

Since the Antennae have to be outside on Towers, the construction involved in this process, and the special thing that would be needed to protect them from the elements would make it far more expensive than the cost of the Radios.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
It can work provided that there is clear view between the two spots.

The two Antennae are highly direction placed on two high towers and a GPS is used to make sure that the Antennae are actually looking eye to eye.

Since the Antennae have to be outside on Towers, the construction involved in this process, and the special thing that would be needed to protect them from the elements would make it far more expensive than the cost of the Radios.

The terrain here is flat as a pancake and both homes have existing antenna towers. I wonder what the best way to get perfect LOS is without a GPS. Google Earth FTW?

The site seems to indicate that they are sealed against the weather, just need outdoor-rated network cable.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Why don't you just get them an ISP at their house?

 

[spidey07]

This is against the terms of service of any ISP.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Why don't you just get them an ISP at their house?

Only thing available is dial-up.

Originally posted by: spidey07
This is against the terms of service of any ISP.

Really? Why? It's not like I'm going to sell it, and it's completely directional. Not like I'm making my own hotspot or something. If anything it's probably better than a wireless router because it would be nigh impossible to cadge onto the signal.

EDIT

Reading Comcast's terms of service, it would seem you are right. It is against their TOS to use the Internet outside of the premises. Theoretically though, that would mean that sitting in my shed and using my laptop would be a TOS violation . . . weird.

 

[spidey07]

Premise means property you own and have control over...what you do with it from there (the line of demarcation) is up to you. Sending to another premise is against the TOS, your shed is not another premise.

 

[NickOlsen8390]

You don't need GPS to align the two radios. the easiest way is to turn both radios on and align one untill the signal is as good as its going to get. Then tighten it down and button the wires up.

 

[kevnich2]

What your wanting to do is technically possible with the right equipment. As long as you have LOS and good equipment, 5 miles isn't difficult. To share your network is ok, however yes, to share internet would be against TOS with your provider.

 

[ICBM]

If the TOS bothers you, have whoever your isp is install a second connection at your place, and have your inlaws on that account. I don't think the isp would have any problems with that, since they are gaining another customer they otherwise could not have.

I am shooting 7 miles on a hop for internet. I highly recommend SMC2891W-AG. This model has the built in antenna for the a band, and is working very well for us. Price is around $600-700 dollars, so its pricey. However after running the radios for 14 months now, I have never had to reboot or touch them. Rain, wind, fog, dust...nothing seems to affect our signal, and I have used it during some pretty torential downfalls. It may be too pricey though, but if reliability is a factor, I give these radios a thumbs up.

If you are looking for something less expensive, check out the radios made by Ubiquiti. I have a set that has been operating around a month, no complaints yet. They seem to be well made and the interface is very user friendly. They offer both A and G models for under $200. Good Luck!

Update: I see the link you posted is an Ubiquiti. I would recommend 5ghz A band over the G. I have had fewer problems with the band. Just make sure you have good line of sight.

 

[NickOlsen8390]

Yeah, with 5Ghz LOS is a must, if you have a little bit of LOS you might beable to get away with 2.4, if there is no LOS your screwed unless 900mhz gear works. The lower the freq the better it penetrates. But its normally slower. 5Ghz being the fastest.