Wireless antenna question

Hi, I want to extend my wireless range so I can get a connection down in my cabin which is 200 yds down from my house down a slope. I have my router(access point) in my loft. I have read about high gain antennas but not sure which one is the best one to get. Everyone uses their own laptop. There are many different kinds to choose from. I want one that you don't have to plug into your laptop. I want one to boost the range from the access point. Also how do those ones attach to the access point. I have both a belkin router and a Linksys router. I hope someone will be of help.

maryanjo

 

Well I guess no one else knows about antennas either. Guess I'll have to look elsewhere. Where have all the good geeks gone? Have a happy Thanksgiving ya'll.

 

Give it more then a day for responses.

 

3 and a half hours before you gave up waiting for a response?

Since there are various laptops that will use the connection, get the antenna for the access point. This way, many people can use it at the same time with the built in antennas. Your best bet will be a yagi, something in the 12dbi to 18dbi range. These are dirctional antennas, so make sure you point it at the cabin. 200 yards is not too far, but if you have stuff in between, you may have some issues. Typically, the antenna will come with a short cable, and a connector, very much like your cable TV connection. Just disconnect the factory antenna (if it is made to do this) and connect the yagi. Linksys uses an SMA connector, just check the packaging and order your connection to match. You will get better results if you put the antenna outside of the house, so it does not have to go through the wall in your home. Just drill a small hole, and seal it from the weather. If you have line of sight to the cabin, and the cabin walls don't have metal foil insulation, you should be just fine.

 

Get 2 Buffallo whr-hp-54s (hp is the high powered versions) I think that is the model number. Flash them with dd-wrt firmware. Get 2 Yagi antennas and couplers/adapters. I don't have the exact nfo right here with me for ordering those couplers. Then set one router up as an access point and the other as a bridge or WDS (Wireless Distro System). Yes and mount the antenna high & with a clear line of sight.

I use this type of set up at many of my remote sites.

 

200 yards? if you do not have clear line of sight forget about it.

If you do have clear line of sight you need one or two additional Access Points with Directional Antenna.

You can Not use your current Access Point for this purpose since it needs a directional Antenna pointing to the cabin. Once you put on it a directional Antenna it would not cover any more the main house that it is in right now.

Wireless Bridging - http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html
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Thank you JPSchwartz, foogoo, cat5e that was a comprehensive clever set of replies. I'm going to that website to see if I can make head or tail of it and get back. I might have to message you personally to get more indepth about it. I hope that is acceptable. Sorry, I though all the big geeks had left town... it's just me I know. Expecting instant results.. got used to getting information quick. Blame this internet thing. Thanks once again and looking forward to christmas.

 

I am opting for an extra router with directional antennas in place of the ones the routers come with. 2 questions I need answering though:
1) Will I need to replace both the antennas on the routers with directional ones or will one do?
2) I use a Linksys system, but some antenna ads say that you have to be careful about reverse polarity. Are all Linksys products antenna connections reverse polarity? You can see why it's crucial I know cos it could be disastrous. I have a WRT54GS and a WRT54G. I haven't updated the firmware either. I guess that would help too huh?

 

Okay! For those who are interested but don't want to admit it. I finally chose a Hawking dish usb adapter which I use in the cabin. It works perfect. I just aimed it up at the house and it locked on right away.