WiFi to underground pump house

[lhfarm]

I've searched on extending WiFi, but not sure I've found a solution (end-to-end) for my situation. My underground pump house is located downhill and in the woods from the house and detached garage. The garage is slightly further away, but would be easier to mount an external antenna, if required. The cable modem and wireless router in the house is located in the basement media closet. The garage (about 100' from the house) has an access point installed. The signal from both the router and the AP are very limited out in the yard.

In the small block pump house (4'x4' or so) is my booster pump, my driveway alert control box and a number of X-10 devices that I use to control those two items. I have other X-10 devices controlling the heat lamps. I've never measured the line of sight distance between the house or garage, but assume 200' or so. My goal is to eventually place a special purpose computer there to handle some of the automation (playing with a Raspberry Pi at the moment). I've done a quick test with a set of power line Ethernet adapters, but didn't get a connection, most likely do to interference (although X-10 does work there).

So I'd like to extend the WiFi signal to the pump house. It is probably another 500' from the pump house to the end of our drive. Not interested in having the neighbors picking up the signal. The access point in the garage has external antennas (it is an older Linksys model). I don't want to build my own antenna, but assume that I might find something simple and inexpensive. I'd like to limit what I need in the pump house to the small computer with a USB WiFi adapter.

Any advice on specific pieces of equipment to use or alternative suggestions for what I'm trying to accomplish appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Jimbrown]

You need one or a couple of these.

Ubiquiti Networks - NanoStation

 

[hutchman]

If you have neighbors chances are their 2.4GHz activity will step on yours since there are only 3 non-overlapping channels in that band so it makes it difficult to do directional long distance stuff.

Your best bet is going to the 802.11a band (5GHz). It has 11 unique channels so you can find one nobody is on. I almost never see anything in that band around me ... I have links that go over 1/4 mile.

If you go to a site like L-Com (they bought out Hyperlink-tek) you can find all manner of directional antennas from panel to parabolic and the pigtails to go from your radio to LMR 400 cable with N connectors.

Since you mentioned Linksys, you could check out OpenWRT's compatible hardware page and see if it will run on your current boxes.

I have Raspberry Pi and all the beagleboards/bones etc. There is software you can use on them but you would have to find a USB WiFi device that has external antenna connectors on it and they are super tiny and very fragile. The connectors don't hold up to too many insertions etc.

I think the 1/4 mile link I mentioned cost $500 in material.

 

[hutchman]

... Oh, and you need to research WDS mode since it sounds like you will have several hoops vs just one point to point link.

Example:

Atheros and MAC80211 WDS to implement a wireless network bridge [OpenWrt Wiki]

With Ubiquiti gear:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/userguides/ubiquiti-wds-bridge-setup.pdf

 

[aczlan]

... Oh, and you need to research WDS mode since it sounds like you will have several hoops vs just one point to point link.
Example:
Atheros and MAC80211 WDS to implement a wireless network bridge [OpenWrt Wiki]

Or just buy a Ubiquity Nanostation Loco M2 ($52 each on Amazon) and mount one in the pumphouse to pickup the signal from the garage. If needed, mount another in the house or garage to send a signal to the pumphouse.
We have a pair of them in a 600ish foot link and they have been very reliable for the last 3 years.

Aaron Z

 

[TravisD]

Have you considered powerline networking? Since the X10 presumably works, you should be able to run a powerline network.

 

[hutchman]

Have you considered powerline networking? Since the X10 presumably works, you should be able to run a powerline network.

OP said:

"I've done a quick test with a set of power line Ethernet adapters, but didn't get a connection, most likely do to interference (although X-10 does work there)."

 

[joecoin]

Ubiquiti will set you free!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

what x10 device do you use for the heat lamp? I need something like that for my Dad.

Ubiquiti looks nice. I've had good success with power line adapters to remote barns.

 

[zzvyb6]

I ran a 500' Ethernet cable from my U-Verse AP out to a $5 garage sale Netgear WRN-1000 router sitting on a fence post near an electric plug for the water tank heater. Bought the spool of cable on eBay, with connectors. I have plenty of N speed bandwidth for cameras and entertainment out at the barn Smart TV and Chromecast. SSID is "Michigan State Police". Secured WPA AES encrypted. I don't care who sees it.

I liked it so much I got another 1 (also $5) and run it in the house instead of the 2Wire460 wireless G radio. This setup eliminates all the ping pong you get from repeaters.