Unusual setup - need Wireless advice

[Eteq]

I live in a house 300-400 feet away from the road and the main cable line that runs through my neighborhood - unfortuantely, I don't have a cable line that runs down to my house from near the road, and for various reasons it would be difficult to try to lay one... It seems to me that this is the perfect place to use wireless networking. There are a couple of problems though:

1. Are there any reasonably priced commercial 802.11b routers that can transmit about 400 feet through trees? the road is actually higher than my house, so I have a reasonable line-of-sight to the point I'd like to connect to, but I get the impression that most 802.11b transmitters don't quite reach that far.

2. I live in Minnesota - temperatures of -20 degrees C are common, and it's usually below 0 C for most of the winter... is there any kind of somewhat inexpensive enclosure I could purchase (or build?) that would keep temperatures high enough to prevent problems?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Skywanderer]

Supposedly this 802.11b access point can go up to 457m outdoors. If you have too many trees in your area, and it can't go the distance, This should do the trick for you. Its instructions on how to make a antenue to boost hte gain.

 

[Eteq]

hmm... that helps quite a bit - thanks skywanderer.

There's still the larger problem though - how can I keep a modem and wireless router above freezing in a Minnesota winter? Is it even necessary? Will the components work even if it's -30 C?

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: Eteq
hmm... that helps quite a bit - thanks skywanderer.

There's still the larger problem though - how can I keep a modem and wireless router above freezing in a Minnesota winter? Is it even necessary? Will the components work even if it's -30 C?

I just found a random D-link wireless router and here is it's operating temperature:
Operating Temperature 0°C ~ 40°C, 32°F ~ 104°F.

You would almost have to build a super insulated mini shack to house this in and you would have to figure out some way to effectively and safely heat it. You would need power at this location too for the computer equipment and heating. Wouldn't it be easier to just run the cable?

 

[Eteq]

Well the problem is, there are a large number of oak trees between the road and my house, and laying a cable might require exposing their roots, which could give them oak wilt (a tree disease that's common in this part of MN). I was hoping there'd be an easier solution to this, but it looks like I may have to just lay the cable along the surface.

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: Eteq
Well the problem is, there are a large number of oak trees between the road and my house, and laying a cable might require exposing their roots, which could give them oak wilt (a tree disease that's common in this part of MN). I was hoping there'd be an easier solution to this, but it looks like I may have to just lay the cable along the surface.

Just run the cable through a conduit like 8" deep. I realize you are supposed to go below the frost line but this should work. Is there any other path the cable could take?

 

[Soybomb]

I don't believe you'll find any 802.11b product that will transmit through 400 feet of trees. It doesn't take many trees to stop the signal because of their water content. If you find some equipment there are numerous nema enclosures that have a small heating element that would work to keep your equipment warm, although you still might look at higher end equipment just so you don't have to go out and reset it in that kind of cold. It sounds like the trees ruin it though. Be really careful of grounding and the like when laying cable outside on the surface. What type of cable? Do you have a buddy at the end of the road you're going to try and shoot internet access from?

 

[ericboo]

Sounds like with all the trees and weather to consider, you may want to look at the cost of runnning fiber in conduit. Go to HDCOM, get their phone number and tell them what you want to do. They will give you great adivce on wireless, will tell you what antennas you may need and what cabling.

It would still be an expensive trial and error! I have a Linksys wireless router in my unheated attic, but I live in NY. It works right through the winter.

Would it be possible to share via wireless with a neighbor?

 

[Eteq]

hmm... well, it sounds like all the wireless options are either too difficult or too expensive given the time and money I have - I'll just have to look into laying a near-surface cable when the ground thaws.


Thanks for all you advice

 

[ericboo]

Heed the warnings about using Cat5 to different buildings though. If you are going to use it, there is plenum Cat5 which is better for outdoor use.

Sucks when little or no options are available. Good luck.

 

[Eagle17]

Cisco Makes a wireless brdge that you can add antena's on. Also the cisco devices have higher output wattage giving them better range. you could end up spending a lot (compared to running 4 - 8" deep conduit). Just do not run the cable in the ground without at least a plastic conduit unless it is rated for underground use (this is usually very high density stuff like 100pair and up). Plenum cable is used for indoor wireing because it is less toxic if the building catches fire (the alternitive is PVC).



Also just for future REF. Definition of Plenum

 

[jbritt1234]

Hey, I may be wrong, but can't you only run Cat 5E cable 329 feet? So, sounds like that option is out also...

I thought plemum was just non-toxic when it burns. Is it really better outdoors? That's good to know! Thanks.

 

[Athlex]

Hey Eteq,
I work for a WISP and feel your pain when you're dealing with those longish shots through trees. Line of sight is always preferable, but when you don't have a clear shot, you can always brute force it. By using more sensitive directional antennas, you will almost certainly have more success than with the crappy little omnidirectional antennas most APs come with. Most APs have standard MMCX antenna connectors and there are plenty of aftermarket antennas that might suit your needs. Granted, I'm not sure how thick your shot is, but when there's a will, there's a way.

Wireless "extension" a friend of mine did:
http://www.sonicspike.net/projects/wap11bridge/

Wireless gear vendors:
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/
http://www.demarctech.com/
http://www.superpass.com/

HTH