Wireless router w/external antenna

bregent · Post by **bregent** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 4:11 pm

A few months ago I posted here regarding a friend that has two homes across the street from each other and wants to run a wireless network between them. Because of distances and internal and external walls, we are assuming that an externally mounted directional antenna system will be required.

Which of the major home wireless players (dlink, netgear, linsys, smc; others?) have wireless that can use external antenna? Many of the systems use dual antennae. How do you configure an external antenna on a dual ant. system?

Also, the home with broadband access will need it's router located in a back room, about 35ft from the homes front wall. I see two options:

1) Use a wireless router and run about 50ft of coax antenna cable to the antenna.

2) Use a wired router and run about 35ft of network cable to a WAP, and then run 15ft of coax to the antenna.

Given the distances involved, is either option better? I know that longer coax reduces gain, but I've also read that some WAPs have problems with long network cables. Thanks folks.

--bob

bregent · Post by **bregent** » Sun Jul 21, 2002 12:55 pm

Still wondering if anyone has any experience with wireless antenna systems? Thanks,

--bob

Technoid · Post by **Technoid** » Sun Jul 21, 2002 2:20 pm

I don't think you will find much discussion here on broadband connection sharing. You might however find this site/article helpful.http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/product ... 21,00.html

Stef · Post by **Stef** » Sun Jul 21, 2002 2:57 pm

Here's a link with a few datasheets and even a few examples on making your own wireless antena.

http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/wireless/appendixE.html

Stef

Susky · Post by **Susky** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:36 pm

I'm not sure if they have anything specific like you need, but these links might give you some valuable info:

http://www.freenetworks.org/

http://www.80211-planet.com/

http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/FrontPage

gordonjames · Post by **gordonjames** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:46 am

Here is my experience.

Cable moden is in the basement.
Router is on the second floor mounted high on a wall
The network connection (from modem to router) is excellent with probably 50 feet of network cable,

The router signal goes to a hub (in the basment) and is split to a number of other wired computers spread throughout the house

here is what I find regarding antenna.

1. Always have your router as close to your antenna as possible.
I am adding an external antenna 21dbi gain

there are 4 hard wired computers

House is fully wired for cable / network
I share wireless signal to 4 homes and our church network with the church being furthest away at 100 m (300 feet+)

gordonjames · Post by **gordonjames** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:50 am

Here is my experience.

Cable moden is in the basement.
Router is on the second floor mounted high on a wall
The network connection (from modem to router) is excellent with probably 50 feet of network cable,

The router signal goes to a hub (in the basment) and is split to a number of other wired computers spread throughout the house

here is what I find regarding antenna.

1. Always have your router as close to your antenna as possible.
I am adding an external antenna 21dbi gain
The electrical signal to antenna will degrade rapidly with increased coax length

2. Use as much network cable as you need to get good placement of your router / antenna
I am placing my router in the attic so the antenna is close to the router.
I use an extension cord with a timer circuit to simplify a daily reset of the router.

our home is new, and fully wired so this is simple.
There are 4 hard wired computers
House is fully wired for cable / network
I share wireless signal to 4 homes and our church network with the church being furthest away at 100 m (300 feet+)