Wifi house to shop building

[Alan L.]

There was a thread on this a few years ago, but I am hoping this technology has improved enough that I can get a computer out in my shop building to pick up my wifi signal from the house. The problem is that the building is metal of course, and the house has foil backed insulation on all the walls, plus foil backed decking on the roof. I have about 850 square feet of living quarters in the building and would like to be able to do some computer work over there.

The distance from the router in the house to the computer in the building is probably 100 feet.

Any advice on antennas, repeaters etc would be appreciated. Neither the house nor the build have any cat 5 cables installed, nor do I wish to run a wire to the building.

 

[k0ua]

Windows? all that is required is 2 windows. But if no windows.. cut some holes? put an access point in a plastic container of some kind (weatherproof). But, barring all that, you are going to have to put some antenna's thru the wall at least on one end..Rf as you know does not go thru metal very well. So you are going to run either coax (cant run much, losses are too high at 2.4Ghz) or run Cat5 or 6 to access points or 2 bridges on the outside or near the walls, and run short coax for the antennas. Once bridges are set up and spanning the distance plug you laptop into the bridge. Linksys makes some access points that will work as access points, repeaters, or point to point bridges, One of those scenarios will get you going, your choice.
James K0UA

 

[Willl]

Alan, you described my setup almost to a T.

From my cable modem, I hardwired in a Dlink-1310 modem in my bathroom closet.

From that I added a add-on antenna w/ 6' cord and run it out the wall so it hangs under the eve.

It's a booster type antenna, also a dlink, part #ANT24-0700

100 or so feet to the garage is another 24-0700 that feeds directly into a wireless card in the garage computer.

Need pics ?

 

[/pine]

every situation is different...

Google "directional wifi antennas"...you will find both solutions and forums with experts on the subject...

 

[EarPlug]

If you have power running from the house then you might try PowerLine Networking.

 

[California]

Linksys makes some access points that will work as access points, repeaters, or point to point bridges, One of those scenarios will get you going

I used an access point set up as a repeater for this. It was simply a standalone antenna device in a window, visible from both ends.

After I got it set up line-of-sight, I discovered it worked just as well bouncing the signal off the barn. This allowed locating it inside a more convenient window on the side of the house. Any time you use antennas there's a lot of magic and experiments involved, similar to finding just the right tail for a kite.

Here's a good one dedicated to the repeater function alone.

More, similar.

Weatherproof.

Some less expensive access point devices can be configured as a repeater or bridges (using two) but you need some internet research to find what you need.

 

[ronjhall]

I have a Cradlepoint MBR1000 router that has no problems getting signal the distances you are looking at. My router is inside of a block home. I can use my computer inside metal barn or motohome that are over 150 feet from router. Best signals are recieved when using my Windows 7 notebook with a 802.11 n Wi-FI receiver. Bought router off EBAY for about $150.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I have to pat myself on the back; when we run the power to the barn and my shop, I run along a 3g and 5g cable for phone and network. Now I have convenient plugs for wired network in two spots in my shop and phone where I need it. Wifi access point is in the house and the plan is to add one to the shop too, but since the cable is always faster I don't feel much pressured to do it soon.

Just the kids want it for their ipods

Sorry for the self promoting rant, I couldn't resist.

 

[lhfarm]

If you have power running from the house then you might try PowerLine Networking.

I would second taking a look at this approach. It is simple to set up and is reliable. I've got wires to the garage and barn, but tested this technology in a former tech support life. Do a search on Amazon for power line networks and you will see lots of choices.

Good luck,

 

[k0ua]

After I went to bed I came up with another possible idea that could work, Hang on it is a little "out there" but this can work. You build a passive antenna system. the general gist of it is you build/buy a hi gain, lets say at least 10db gain antenna (pringles can antenna is about that) and point it at your existing router/access point. then attach it to some LMR 400 or other low loss coax using type N connectors, and the other end of the coax (just enough to go through the wall) has another hi gain antenna either bought or made by you, and pointed at the barn, then duplicate this setup at the barn, and the inside antenna at the barn pointed at the work area for the laptop. Keep the coax runs as short as possible, as there is a lot of loss in the coax. of course there is quite a bit of path loss, but you are trying to make up for it by antenna gain. Google antenna designs, many can be made for next to nothing, except effort and work. You can get the LMR 400 made up in short lengths with type N connectors on the net, I know Cable Experts will make up pigtails for you. and others. the pro's of this setup, are low cost, no worries about surges into sensitive and more expensive equipment. Cons, requires work and "fiddling with " things you may or may not be used to working with. and a chance of failure. Good luck
James K0UA