The Perfect Long Range WiFi Setup?
For some time now (been on the road for 95 days) I have been looking for a way to get my family and I connected to distant WiFi networks. I do have the ability to teather to my cell phone which is fine for checking email etc, and I love the LTE connection speed...but up/downloading large files (and kids games) has twice pushed me over my 10gig limit :(
As we all know that WiFi is king when it comes transferring large files and streaming video. So I checked with a friend who is responsible for the wireless network at a very big outdoor event and he steered me to the products from Ubiquiti. I selected their NanoStation M2 antenna/radio and an airGateway WiFi access point. The two devices cost me just $108 in total (+tax).
The NanoStation features an 11dB gain antenna and a high power radio. When paired with another similar antenna it has a potential range of several miles (well aimed, clear line of sight, no obstructions, etc). The airGateway is a super-compact access point which basically gives the TC it's own secure hot-spot that the whole family can join. We even have our printer and AirPort Express on the network.
I'm not a networking wiz' so the initial configuring of the network settings was a challenge and it took me quite a while to get it working right. But now that it's set up, re-connecting to any other WiFi network is a snap.
When parked close to another access point the NanoStation can stay inside the TC, pointed in the general location of the other antenna. Longer range requires outdoor mounting. I'm still playing around with possible mounting schemes and will probably make a simple PVC pipe mount that attaches to my ladder. At the moment the NanoStation is zip-tied to a short length of PVC pipe and attached to my batwing antenna with a Velcro strap. As I type this I am ~1200 ft from the park's (Bahia Honda State Park) WiFi antenna.
This is a close-up of the NanoStation.
Velcro strapped to my batwing.
This shows the airGateway (small box) plugged into the POE power supply (larger box).
Hope this is useful to some of you.
Cheers,
-Mark
As we all know that WiFi is king when it comes transferring large files and streaming video. So I checked with a friend who is responsible for the wireless network at a very big outdoor event and he steered me to the products from Ubiquiti. I selected their NanoStation M2 antenna/radio and an airGateway WiFi access point. The two devices cost me just $108 in total (+tax).
The NanoStation features an 11dB gain antenna and a high power radio. When paired with another similar antenna it has a potential range of several miles (well aimed, clear line of sight, no obstructions, etc). The airGateway is a super-compact access point which basically gives the TC it's own secure hot-spot that the whole family can join. We even have our printer and AirPort Express on the network.
I'm not a networking wiz' so the initial configuring of the network settings was a challenge and it took me quite a while to get it working right. But now that it's set up, re-connecting to any other WiFi network is a snap.
When parked close to another access point the NanoStation can stay inside the TC, pointed in the general location of the other antenna. Longer range requires outdoor mounting. I'm still playing around with possible mounting schemes and will probably make a simple PVC pipe mount that attaches to my ladder. At the moment the NanoStation is zip-tied to a short length of PVC pipe and attached to my batwing antenna with a Velcro strap. As I type this I am ~1200 ft from the park's (Bahia Honda State Park) WiFi antenna.
This is a close-up of the NanoStation.
Velcro strapped to my batwing.
This shows the airGateway (small box) plugged into the POE power supply (larger box).
Hope this is useful to some of you.
Cheers,
-Mark
