RE: WiFi + External Antennae

[Nigel Giddings <nigel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dean,



Interesting problem=85



I would suggest that the signal inside the =91Van=92 is heavily attenuated
=
by
the aluminium skin and that any signal they receive is via the windows or
open doors.



If there is a reasonable signal outside the van a simple solution may be to
put a WAP in repeater mode on the pole in a plastic box. If it was able to
receive the signal it would effectively reconstruct the signal and
rebroadcast hopefully with enough power to get inside the van.



Downsides (isn=92t there always):



=B7         The throughput will be halved as the repeater works in a store
and forward mode

=B7         Their signal will also be available to everyone else locally so
combined with the previous point may lead to congestion



What you suggest with Back to Back WAPS sounds a bit more complex but could
work as long as the =91Rx=92ing WAP at the Van (Client) is able to
establis=
h a
connection with the =91Serving=92 WAP. Many of these =91public=92 systems
r=
equire
you to log on through a web page/portal to enable the device to connect to
the network/internet (use MAC address to identify the user).



I wonder what sort of antenna is being used at the =91Transmit=92 end
(originating end)? If it is  a simple =91Rubber Duck=92 maybe they could be
encouraged to upgrade the antenna to give everyone better service or
install a second WAP with a directional antenna pointing towards the area
where the problem is being experienced?



The antenna you suggest looks good but if there is some signal inside the
van I would assume there is a lot more signal outside the van. Running long
tails of coax at 2.4/5GHz can quickly use up any gain you may get from the
antenna. I personally prefer to keep the antenna as close to the WAP as
possible. I did a write-up on my own 3G/WiFi solution and Mark published on
the UKHA site which may give you some more things to think about.



HTH



Nigel



*From:* ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] *On Behalf
Of *Dean Smith
*Sent:* 03 September 2013 08:29
*To:* Ukha_D@Yahoogroups. Com (Ukha_D@Yahoogroups. Com)
*Subject:* [ukha_d] WiFi + External Antennae





I've been posed a question by some friends with a static caravan down in
Dorset. The site provides wifi but the reception is extremely marginal
inside the van - "some devices pick it up inside occasionally".
They would
like a solution that retransmits a decent signal inside (need a variety of
devices/phones so a direct USB aerial isn't an option)

Initial reaction was to get an old wireless AP that can run DD-WRT in
clien=
t
mode.attach an external aerial (the van has a mounting pole for the TV
aerial already) and then run that AP back to back with a second AP
transmitting a a fresh SSID inside for their own devices on a different
channel. There's no option to change the wifi provision itself - so its
jus=
t
a case of maximising the reception.

I've never played with external wifi antennae so 2 questions arise.

1) What aerial should I go for.its to receive the single specific WIFI
network on the site so I assume directional would be best. And how do you
know what gain to go for ?. Something like this..
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoorantenna-24-panel-12pn.htm

2) Are there any more elegant one box solutions available?

Thanks
Dean

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

<*> Join the Automated Home Forums
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/