Looking for a good long range router

[paul0660]

Ok I am getting used to the idea of two WRT54GL routers with DD-WRT. Here is what I don't know:

If I mount one directional antenna on router A, will the other original omni antenna still serve my house, which is mainly in the opposite direction of the directional service? I get excellent house coverage with the current Netgear.

Can router B, the repeater (?) sit anywhere, powered but not hardwired to the computer? In that case the first question still stands.....does the original omni antenna serve the second house while the new directional antenna solely connects with router A?

Thanks, very interesting stuff for a newb, especially as the technology is "advancing" so quickly.

[badhabit90]

This is your best bet.


N-Draft or Wireless-N routers do not have the power to go long distance through walls, trees, etc...

then what is the use for the N routers?? if not more range??

[paul0660]

then what is the use for the N routers?? if not more range??

A cynic might say they just want to create a new market for the latest and greatest. As I mentioned, n has greater range in clear line of sight (some say five times), but the higher frequency is more prone to interference from obstacles.

Anyway, I moved my router to a better spot so it is now nearly line of sight from my upstairs window to her upstairs window, with a couple eucalyptus in between, and I get from 30 to 80 percent strength throughout her house on my laptop with internal antenna. I have a usb antenna coming

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704045

with extra cable and have high hopes for a well placed antenna, with perhaps some home made directional add on, doing the trick.

My el cheapo netgear router is doing very well...but it IS only 100 feet and change.

[badhabit90]

so should i mount my router in my hallway to get better reception since it is in one of my rooms?? i had signal issues with my g router even with high gain antennas. i couldnt get reception in my garage and its only about 35 ft away. grrrr.....

[JDay]

Ok I am getting used to the idea of two WRT54GL routers with DD-WRT. Here is what I don't know:

If I mount one directional antenna on router A, will the other original omni antenna still serve my house, which is mainly in the opposite direction of the directional service? I get excellent house coverage with the current Netgear.

I'd put one directional antenna on each router and aim them at each other, the omnidirectional antenna will still serve your house.

Can router B, the repeater (?) sit anywhere, powered but not hardwired to the computer? In that case the first question still stands.....does the original omni antenna serve the second house while the new directional antenna solely connects with router A?

You can place it anywhere you want so long as you can still connect the directional antenna.

Thanks, very interesting stuff for a newb, especially as the technology is "advancing" so quickly.

Anytime.

[paul0660]

The project is finished. I mounted my Netgear router on an upstairs window frame of house 1, and got a 15 ft extension for the antenna I got from Newegg to get the antenna as close as possible to the router, while being in the same room. So, the signal is going through the window, a few trees, 100 feet, and then the exterior wall and two interior walls in house 2. Signal is 15-16 db, varies between "good" and "very good" with the TP Link client, is called "low" by windows client, and download rates are virtually identical to my wired service. Very happy, and except for some noobyness (somehow the router password got changed and I didn't know it), setup and connecting was quick.

I might eventually get the antenna up in the attic to see if it improves reception, but it is working very adequately now.

[CGT80]

I would have just strung some cat5e over to the other house. If I remember correctly you can run up to 100 meters with cat5. Or, do you live across a street from her?

I'm glad the wireless worked for you.

[rkba707]

Congratulations on the wireless shot!

I have done a few long(ish) distance shots too. I've got this set up I'm itching to try out...

a tech tried using them new out of the box for an emergency setup a while back. Gave up after 10 minutes. --pfft. i spent more time then that making the mounts :-/

anyway, I'm interested in playing with them, but haven't found a purpose yet.

engenius --they are wireless bridges. they talk to each other and plug into the routers on either end, or even just switches.