wireless internet at the barn?

[jmc]

I have a wireless network in the house that is not strong enough to extend to the barn. If I run a phone line to the barn, what else would I need out there to have a wireless connection to a laptop? (The laptop already has the wireless card)

John

 

[MikePA]

How far away is the barn? There are new wireless solutions that reach up to 800 feet.

 

[jmc]

Mike,

About 200 ft. but the shop part of the barn where the internet access should be has steel siding such that an 800 megahertz phone doesn't work in there but does work in the rest of the barn. Would this 800 ft system require replacing the existing (801g?) system in the house?

Oops. Make that a 2.4 gigahertz phone.


John

 

[MikePA]

You'd have to replace your existing Access Point with a 'Pre_N' Access Point (Pre_N is what Belkin calls their version). A Pre_N AP can talk to any device that supports 802.11g.

 

[tinytractors]

Strange but true....

I upgraded my house windows to the super insulated everything and it had the membrane between the panes.
Now I can't use my 2.4 gig cordless phone outside, had to go back to my old 900Mhz... it works fine. For years I had a wireless link going to the workshop from the house computer... guess what, the wireless link stopped working unless I had two windows open facing the workshop. Now that the weather is changing for the better, I'll be trenching and laying CAT-5 cable.

Pete.

 

[Hypernix]

John,

Does your existing access point have external antenas? Some access points like the LinkSys have replaceable atenas. You can buy long reach antenas a your local Radio Shack.

Hypernix

 

[ducati996]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a wireless network in the house that is not strong enough to extend to the barn. If I run a phone line to the barn, what else would I need out there to have a wireless connection to a laptop? (The laptop already has the wireless card)

John )</font>

If you are running cable already then include Cat5e so you can hardwire your connection instead of wireless. It should always be the last resort (wirelss that is)

 

[gws]

Most routers have 2 antenna. Get yourself an antenna and coax and run to a position facing the barn. You can also consider moving the router to a central point in the house that can see both the barn and computers in the house.

I see my neighbors wifi almost 1/2 mile away.

 

[caddison]

Depending on the router, it is possible to mount an external antenna outside the house. Make sure you turn of SSID broadcasting or your neighbors might be sharing your Internet access as well!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[lhfarm]

Another alternative is to use Powerline Ethernet adaptors. These devices inject Ethernet over existing electrical lines. In the house, you plug one unit in the wall and attach an Ethernet cable from your router. In the barn, you plug the second unit into a wall socket. You now have an Ethernet jack in the barn. You can add a second access point.

Siemens did make a Powerline Access Point (you just plugged it into an outlet) and I used that in my detached garage. I don't know that they still make them.

Send me a note if you want more details.

Barry