I'm wireless

[_RaT_]

I\'m wireless

A couple of weeks ago we went broadband for the first time. We have no cable, DSL does get this far, satelite is available but at a hefty price. A couple of young guys started a wireless broadband service with a free 30 day trial. It has worked superb. We have a small antenna mounted outside it is about the size of a TV remote control. It has line of sight ability only (microwave I presume) so it's not without limitation. You can purchase varying amounts of speed going beyond what DSL offers, but also at a increase in price. We pay $29 a month which includes the equipment rental and the slowest speed service they offer. First thing I did was update Windows 98 SE and our antivirus software. The Windows update was about a 13 Mbyte file and took less then a minute, a vast improvement over our dial up. It's always on, inside there is no cable or DSL modem, just a RJ45 jack and a small powered connector it plugs into. If you don't have DSL or cable, check to see if you have wireless if it's something you have a desire for. I thought dialup was fine until I would go to my sisters homes and try their broadband connections. It's a reasl convenience always being "on" plus the phone line is never busy while using the internet. Rat.

 

[DocHeb]

Re: I\'m wireless

Make sure you're connection's security is clamped down. I have two friends that have cancelled their cable broadband since they can surf for free on their subdivision neighbor's wireless routers.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: I\'m wireless

Doc, good point. Our installers mentioned the same thing. I use a wireless router for the laptop. Our router indicates all activity and even though my closest neighbor is a ways away, it's still something to consider.

 

[DocHeb]

Re: I\'m wireless

I should have also included congratulations regarding your hook-up. It can be pretty frustrating to be on a T1 or T3 line at work, and then be stuck on dial-up at home. I am constantly amazed at the information available on the Web.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: I\'m wireless

_RaT_ we went wireless a couple years ago and I would never want to go back. I put in an AIRPORT EXTREME wireless transmitter into the house connected to a Skycasters Satellite bi-directional broadband connection because we only had dial up available where I live. Our laptop computers are also using 802.11g wireless transmiters so we are on line anywhere inside the house we have a laptop. As for security on the system, that is a location dependant issue. My antennas only have a range of about 150' and my closest neighbor is at least triple that distance away, but I did test my equipment so I know where the actual perimeters really are, and all are well inside my property lines. I suppose one day I might wake up and find a teenager in parked in my driveway playing internet computer games, but until then I'm reasonably safe. You should check to see if your neighbors can tap into your service.

 

[thcri]

Re: I\'m wireless

Our internet connection is wireless or microwave I guess. It is through our cell phone company. We also have to see our tower. I have it but my neighbor can't because of a house in line for him. But our house was wired for internet throughout the house so I elected to stay with that instead of wireless network connection. So I should be pretty safe.

murph

 

[OkeeDon]

Re: I\'m wireless

Wide Internet System Provider (WISP), using wide area wireless, may be the best answer for rural areas. As you discovered, but a few others may be confused about, this is not your own, personal home wireless system. With a WISP, someone sets up a wide area transmitting antenna (typically a 10 mile radius, although other distances are possible), hooks it up to something like a T1 line for internet access, and broadcasts the connection. You lease a descrambler antenna for your location and connect your network to it. Within your own location, it could be a single computer, or a wired or personal wireless system.

With a WISP, there is no danger of anyone else stealing the internet connection if you do not set up a personal wireless system. The wireless connection is similar to wireless TV broadcast systems. The signal is available anywhere in that typical 20 mile diameter area, but only if you lease the descrambler antenna. The line-of-sight limitation is from your location to the central antenna, generally miles away.

In comparison to other types of connections, it is relatively inexpensive to set up a WISP, and I believe regulation is somewhat eased, as well, but it's been a while since I looked into it.

{edit} While I was writing this, thcri described it pretty good.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: I\'m wireless

Don, we actually bounce off a reflector antenna. We live on a hill but above us is more hill which keeps us from seeing the central antenna. For those who are familiar with the area I live in, there is a large observatory out near Folsom Lake that is viewable from all over the place. We can see it as well. They have the antenna there and it is reflected to the central antenna. They have several of these reflector antennas in various locations. Once the signal is in the house, I distribute it via the wireless router to about 200' around.

 

[OkeeDon]

Re: I\'m wireless

That sounds pretty cool. Once we get our place built, I'm going to try to set up my own "mini-wisp". The total property, including my 5 acres and the 2.5 acres of my daughter's, is 280' wide and almost 1200' long. It now looks as though my son will be buying the remaining 2.5 acres on the other side of my daughter, so we will be 1540' long by 280' wide, stretching corner-to-corner between two side streets.

We all love outdoor living, and we all like to surf the 'net. Plus, I want to set up wireless cameras on the gates so we can log in to the camera on any computer screen and see who's there. There are two ponds, there will be 3 houses, two barns and a garage with an office, two picnic pavilions, etc. We all have laptops, along with 3 or 4 desktop machines. We will also be having guests stopping by with their motor homes, and they all have wireless laptops, too.

I want to set up a wide-area wireless network so we can use any of the computers anywhere on the property, even on the tractor! The internet connection will be by satellite, or by cable if they get it out this far by next year (there are positive rumors). I'd use a wireless service like yours if someone set one up. I've looked into directional and omni directional antennas, amplifiers and wireless access points. I'm pretty sure I can blanket the entire property with an external, amplified antenna on each building, plus one about halfway to the gate from our house, and directional antennas on the gates. It looks like I can accomplish it for about a thousand bucks. While that's a bit expensive, we will all be sharing one high speed internet connection. If it's satellite, I'll bump it up a grade or two to get increased speed and enough bandwidth; should run about $100/month, which isn't too bad, shared among three households.

The CFO is already planning on a nice, shaded bench in her future butterfly garden where she can check her stocks and email; otherwise she'll be by the pool. I'll probably prefer to work out by the pond, in the upstairs office of the barn, or on the loft in the house. The whole network will be protected by security, and we will give our guests temporary passwords.

We've had as many as 6 people logged in on our current home wireless system at one time, 3 of whom were guests. The first time my son walked in our house with his laptop, he turned it on to log in to his company through a cell phone connection. He was surprised when a little window popped up and said, "Would you like to join HornerNet?" He logged in and transmitted his work over the 6 mbit cable line. Very pleasant.

There is absolutely no way I want to go back to the "good old days". I'm trying to figure out a way to broadcast our own mini-TV network, next. The satellite TV folks have apartment systems that might work, but they're pretty pricey. They use some sub-UHF channels, I think.
Essentially what I want is wireless TV anywhere on the property.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: I\'m wireless

Don,
You should be able to cover that area with one good radio and an omni antenna. I have a friend that has 2.4Ghz 11Mbs network that works 13 miles away. His antenna is up almost 200 feet, but I would imagine an antenna on your roof or chimney will cover your area just fine.