Wi-Fi Link between neighbor's barn and house

**davidamarkley** · February 25th, 2004, 03:44 PM

Situation:
A friend of mine has a neighbor that is getting high-speed satellite internet and is wanting to share the connection with my friend. Since they're both out in the middle of the country, sattelite is the only thing available.

Location:
Neighbor's barn is about 3/4 miles away. There is direct LOS(line of sight) between the neighbor's barn and my friend's house.

Connection:
Satellite internet at the neighbor's house. Dialup currently at my friend's house.

Probable Installation:
I was thinking one directional antenna at each site(which would be on top of the barn, and then on top of the house) along with one AP or router or whatever hardware I need. And, since it's only 3/4 mile and direct LOS, it shouldn't need too much power. But, if an amp is needed, let me know what would be a good one to get.

Region:
This is Kansas folks. FLAT. So LOS is perfect, and out in the country there aren't a lot of RF signals going everywhere.

What I'm needing to know is what would be good APs and antenna's to use for both antenna/AP installations.

Also, since it's out in the middle of nowhere, security isn't a big deal, so WPA is not required.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

If you're thinking to yourself, "I thought david was a guy to go to for wi-fi info?" Well... I used to be, but for one thing, I lost all my links for good products, and It's been awhile since I've been reading about the hardware and new technology so I'm a bit behind in this field.

**kwebb** · February 25th, 2004, 05:07 PM

Actually what you need to know first is: Is this against the terms of service of the user that is paying the broadband bill. It's almost a certainty that it is. It would then be against the contract and possibly illegal. At the very least unethical and would get the connection terminated if discovered. Most reputable BBS's have some guidelines about contributing to theft of service/circumventing school or work network, things of this nature. Since I don't frequent this board all that often it may be that someone jumps in and helps you. I would hope that is not the case until you determine if this is "ok" with the internet provider, the satellite company. If it's Dish Network or Direct PC then I can tell you it's not. I believe that to be the case anyway. LOS links of 3/4 miles are pretty easy once you have the right hardware.

**StealthyV** · February 25th, 2004, 06:47 PM

see this Post including my response...the Cantenna is available at Thinkgeek
neato, actually. some have mentioned using pvc pipe to elongate/re-focus the beam, as well as make it weather-proof for mounting outside.
also, a written agreement between both you and your friend detailing that (s)he knows you are sharing the connection could be useful for you, should your antenna be spotted and reported. I'd check the terms of service.
gl with your project!

~Branson

*edit:
you might also find THIS helpful in finding the signal strength at various locations in your house, from the neighbor's. Thinkgeek is a great website, and I happen to be wearing this shirt (longsleeved) right now! it glows in the dark

~b

**joker_927** · February 25th, 2004, 06:59 PM

My teacher told me about this guy who lived high on a hill, and went down into the town at the bottom of the hill and noticed he had perfect LOS to his house. Although it was around 3 miles. He went door to door until he found a guy that agreed to let this guy use his house as the transmitter.

He pays for the guy's Cable bill, and then beams it all the way up to his house with this gigantic antenna and sattelite.

lol!

**StealthyV** · February 25th, 2004, 07:03 PM

wow that's cool! I was thinking...maybe that cantenna could be modified with signal reflectors (or mirrors?) and you could beam your signal from your bomb shelter (ha!) to your neighbor's house, via the "periscope cantenna"

yikes, I need to get some food! I'm overdosing on TechIMO!

~Branson