how to make long range wireless net?

**accord** · 08-15-2002, 06:44 PM

I want to receive wireless service from school which is about 3 miles from home, is there anyway to make this work?
I can't do anything about transmitting so is there anyway make long range receiving?

**CrazyLittle** · 08-15-2002, 07:51 PM

well for one, you need to have transmittitng equipment that matches a similar transmitter at your source (ie- perhaps a dorm buddy can point an antannae out their window towards you)

but other than that, do a google search for "pringles 802.11" and you should be able to find specs on how to build a 10-20 mile Wi-Fi antannae

**Falcon62Travis** · 08-15-2002, 10:22 PM

Check out these two links:

Homebrew Antenna Shootout!
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/has.html

How To Build A Tin Can Waveguide Antenna
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

The second link has a calculator to help you build it correctly.

I have a friend on the other side of the valley that is willing to try this out with me. Considering that the antena can be built for less than $5, I may have to get workin on it!

**mp3z24** · 08-16-2002, 09:11 AM

those are only uni-directional antennas.... right.

is there any way to make a cheapo antenna that is omni-direcitonal. something to extend a home network, but not a wireless bridge...

~Mike

**GuRuGoD** · 08-16-2002, 09:18 AM

there are plenty of omnis out there to extend range, but a 2-3min dirve!!! Keep in mind that for wireless to work from more than 50 feet, you will pretty much need line of sight. Large trees will wven kil your signal. Yes, the pringles can is directional...but thats the most powerfull way to get a long distance shot. To put it another way, 802.11b is the wrong technology for "I want wireless internet on my palm/car pc as I drive around the city..." 802.11b was devoloped as a replacement for small office/home networking or medium distance shots(where both antennas usually have to be on a building or tower of some sort). Its justnot feasable technology for what you want to do with it.

**ShinkunoNamida** · 08-16-2002, 12:34 PM

Don't tell the FCC but a friend and I have been talking about creating a wireless networking method using ham radios. He seems to think he's got it all figured out, now we just need the money to put it together.

**magnetik** · 08-16-2002, 02:00 PM

i would be very supprised if you can make that work... HAM has alot of static/noise... which if anything is gonna drop the speed of transfer right down.....

but I can be proven wrong..... sounds like a good project idea...

**ShinkunoNamida** · 08-16-2002, 02:06 PM

we anticipate the speed to be sub 14.4 which isn't great, but it's globally available. Asside from the static the next problem is with latency. The connection might time out by the time replies are recieved. Security is also an issue, we were thinking of using PGPhone. I don't have any idea how that would work at all. During a discussion someone brought up that it could be used to provide security. I don't even know if it really exists

It might not work at all, but it'll be fun to try it.