Extending WiFi network

[BobT]

Here's the situation.

Every once in a while we would like to have the ability to access the internet from our church. The cost to bring in a DSL or satellite connection just wouldn't be feasible since it would be used so infrequently. The parsonage is located about 100 - 125 yards away on the other side of a township road. Our pastor does have a wireless router in his home and indicated that it wouldn't be a problem to use it if we could access it. Due to the distance to the church we are unable to see his network.

I was asked to research if there was some way to increase their signal output enough so we could connect to their network from the church.

Are there boosters available that might work?

What about placing a modem in the church? If the two ranges overlap would it be possible for one modem to talk to the other and make a connection that way?

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

[pureinsanity]

1. You can attach a WiFi Repeater (also known as Wireless Range Expander) to your router and quickly expand the coverage of your wireless network without using any cables.

The Repeater should be placed within the range of your existing router and it will reflect the signals to other areas where the wireless reception was earlier poor (or totally absent). The Repeater can connect wirelessly to both routers and access points/

2. You can get another wireless router and connect it to your existing router using an Ethernet cable. The advantage is that this setup comes pretty cheap and the Internet speed stays almost the same even for computers that are accessing the web via the new router.

3.You also have the option to use an Access Point instead of a router to extend the WiFi range but that’s often not required because Wireless Access Points can be more expensive than equivalent routers.

The other advantage with a router is that is has extra LAN ports so, in future, you can connect more wired computers for sharing files or you Internet connection.

[upnorth]

100+ yards is going to be a killer for home wifi equipment. Most the time you are lucky to get a signal 200 feet line of sight with no structure or trees in place. We ran something like at a place I worked at before at about 200 feet and rain or snow would kill the signal or even a truck driving by. And that was window to window no structure in between. Not saying it is impossible just a real stretch. To even attempt this you would need an AP(access point) at each site, the one at the destination the church from your post would need to be configured as a repeater.

[Lowblazah]

Option 1) tether the laptop/desktop to an android phone using PDANet

Option 2) try boosting the wifi router with dd-wrt firmware. It cranks the radio WAY up on those cra-ppy home routers. I did it to mine and my neighbor shares my wifi now. He gets full bars.

[upnorth]

Still the 100 + yards thing is going to be tough to span. Especially if you are trying to go through walls. Even my cheapo linksys could be outside in the garage, but we are talking 30 feet not 300+

[CAMAN]

You can get directional antennas that attach to wireless routers and the distance can be extended 3x or more. Aiming that at a repeater in the church might be worth a try.

[upnorth]

That may be a viable solution, depending on how much someone wants to spend to try something that may fail.

[BobT]

Still the 100 + yards thing is going to be tough to span. Especially if you are trying to go through walls. Even my cheapo linksys could be outside in the garage, but we are talking 30 feet not 300+

This is the part that presents the challenge plus there is no 120vac power available between there for plugging in booster antennae.

What about adding something like one of these?

Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless-N Dual Radio Smart Repeater HW2R1

Anyone have any experience with potential range increase like how efffective and how much increse? I'm thinking they could locate this near a window facing the church and maybe this would work. I'd hate to spend $120 to find out it still wouldn't be enough though.

[Jim Almquist]

Bob is there any chance if the pastor has DSL that you could talk the phone company into wiring his number at home into the church and just move the modem? Just trying to do it the cheapest way possible. More than likly it won't fly but just wanted to throw out another option.

[upnorth]

This looks kinda hokey, but it is cheap to the point of almost free. Can't hurt to try.

[LwnmwnMan2]

This looks kinda hokey, but it is cheap to the point of almost free. Can't hurt to try.

">

[Scott K]

Or just buy 300' of cable and run a hardline right to it

[spearchucker]

Or just buy 300' of cable and run a hardline right to it

That was my thought as well, but then he did say there is a road in between.

[spearchucker]

The slowest DSL is usually only $20-30 a month. Just pass the plate and church and be done with it.

[BobT]

Bob is there any chance if the pastor has DSL that you could talk the phone company into wiring his number at home into the church and just move the modem? Just trying to do it the cheapest way possible. More than likly it won't fly but just wanted to throw out another option.

Hmmm. Something to think about. Thanks.

[BobT]

The slowest DSL is usually only $20-30 a month. Just pass the plate and church and be done with it.

Around here it adds almost $50/month. We use this church twice a month and would use the DSL even less. Not likely the congregation will see this as a worthwhile use of God's money.

[CAMAN]

I'm not familiar with how it all works, but would it be possible to contact the internet provider and see if they can provide the service for a minimum or no charge being its a church and all?

[MN Mike]

One thing worth looking into Bob is a VDSL Network Extender, they will probably set you back around $300 but you will not have any reoccurring monthly charges. It's going to take some cooperation from your local telephone company to find out if it is possible and what kind of distance you are looking at but if they can get you a pair of copper wires ( dry copper pair ) from the Parsonage to the Chruch, that's all you'll need..... besides a wireless access point in the Chruch. Our local Telephone Company does this quiet often bridging buildings where the distance is too far for CAT5. There are cheaper extenders out there but you have to watch the distance they are capable of and the data transfer speed, Startech has some that will go about 1km.

I have bridged a few buildings at the distance you are looking at wirelessly but I do not use repeaters, I've had NO LUCK using those. It takes a little more know how to make it work and involves external antenna's.

Hard wire is the best way to go if you can get you're local phone company to help out.

Mike

[BobT]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Gives me some options to consider.

[delcecchi]

If you only need it twice a month, perhaps some kind member with a cell phone data plan could volunteer their phone to use as an access point. I think that some Android phones will do that. May have to use some sort of app.

My friend uses his phone data plan as an access point at home, although I don't know the details.

[delcecchi]

Further research says there is one for a windows phone, but the android ones require you to "root" your phone. Or pay an extra charge to phone provider, probably.

[CAMAN]

Further research says there is one for a windows phone, but the android ones require you to "root" your phone. Or pay an extra charge to phone provider, probably.

No rooting necessary with PDANet, just purchase the app for $15, install the program on your computer and you're set. But I wouldn't dare try it without unlimited data. I use it for my home Internet and also if I need it while traveling. Saves me over $50 a month not having to pay for internet at home.

[upnorth]

My Droid phone allows me to set it up natively as a hot spot.

[CJH]

I was going to suggest some type of cell tethering/hot spot or separate pre paid hotspot device.

[delcecchi]

Shows what I found was a little out of date, apparently. That would certainly do the trick for the church. If necessary, add a range extender for better coverage.