Connect to a wifi connection 100 meters away?


  1. Posts : 391
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #1

    Connect to a wifi connection 100 meters away?


    I know this is far less related to Windows 7 issues (completely unrelated :P), and more related to hardware and such, but anyway. I am on an absolutely pathetic internet connection of 20gb a month (Internet in New Zealand was monopolised by Telecom, and the industry went nowhere for years, our speeds are stupid and the prices would be considered unacceptable in many countries). Me and a friend do a lot of data sharing, and he also hosts a minecraft server, which uses a lot of internet. Luckily for me, he moved in 4 houses down from me. Our solution was going to be for me to connect to his wifi connection from my house, and just to be safe, from his end I would be restricted to his Lan network, but not internet data :P. However after fruitless attempts to make a home made yagi antenna from everything from a fly cover for a large dish to a kitchen wok, nothing worked and we ran short of ideas. Does anyone know of a cheap way we could accomplish this? We could buy a yagi antenna (for those of you that don't know thats like long range wifi antenna), but they aren't cheap, and I was wondering if anyone knew of something else that might be more succesful.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #2

    An ethernet cable functions up to 100m - maybe even a bit more. But maybe you cannot run it thru the neighbors yard.

    The maximum range of an 'N' router is 250m outdoors and 70m indoors - maybe that is an option.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 145
    Windows 7 Enterprise x64 SP1 Version 6.1 Build 7601
       #3

    100 meters is not so much..
    Maybe some matematics can help you :)

    for example:
    cable between antena and router/adapter may be max 15 meters.
    dbl power may be maxed up to max "adapter amplifer" under linux.
    using as les connectors as possible.
    etc.. a lot of factors

    use this tool to calculate:
    Radiolabs - Wifi Range Calculator
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,960
    W7 x64
       #4

    Look up Mikrotiks gear, they make some superb omni-directional outdoor router/antenna hardware - the item in the link is just one example... :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #5

    For that kind of distance you won't have much luck if any walls or other obstacles are in the way of the wireless signal. Still a wireless USB adaptor with a USB extension would be required on your end to be placed in an optimal location in order to get maximum signal strength.

    You would need to place a wireless A/P "access point" outside his house some place that is weather proof like under the eve's of his house. I use the DAP-1522 for this. You could also try using one of those antenna's in a similar location. After that run an extension type USB cable from your machine to a USB adaptor which is also outside your house in an area that is weather proof, like under the eve of the house where water can't get to it.

    It's best to place both so there is a direct line to each other with no obstacles in the way such as trees, fences, walls or other houses. That's about the only way you will get close to the range your talking about and still have enough bandwidth to function well.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 391
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Any sort of cable isnt practical. We can get line of sight (almost, perhaps a tree or 2 in the way), however for me to run a cable from that place all the way back to my computer is...impractical to say the least. It can be done, and I think in reality it is going to need to be, but if it could be afforded that would be lovely :P. As for products on the market, things like that Mikrotics antenna would be sweet, but it costs about $200 here, and I have an absolute max of $50 (NZD). I appreciate the suggestions though, I am putting them all into consideration :).
      My Computer


 

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