Long range Wifi experience

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Rsmith

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#59086 26-Mar-2010 10:42

I'm interested in setting up a point to point wifi link over a distance of 2km.

The only obstacle blocking LOS is a row of large Totara trees ~50m from one of the two sites.

Does anyone here have experience with long range wifi links? I'm concerned that the Totara trees may rule out making this connection and would value feedback from anyone with experience doing this.

Note that the link is for providing a basic internet service only so a sub 1Mbit connection would be acceptable (obviously the faster the better though)

Ragnor

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#311597 26-Mar-2010 12:01

What are the gaps between the trees like?

This explanation might help:

To have a viable RF link 60% of the Fresnel Zone must be free of obstructions. The Fresnel Zone is at its widest in the middle of the link. There are formulae that can work out what clearance you need at certain points along the link but most of the time it is best just to make sure there is plenty of gap, and do a wireless site survey first.

Source:
http://gowifi.co.nz/Wifi-Basics/getting-the-most-out-of-your-wireless-network.html

raytaylor

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#311696 26-Mar-2010 17:12

In my expierence, you can pretty much rule out anything with trees in the way. Unless there is a gap you can aim through, or they are very thin where you can see the colour of the sky through the tree then its a no-go.

Ray Taylor

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dynamiccomputers

37 posts

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#313138 30-Mar-2010 21:32

What speeds are you needing?
If you go with lower frequency ie 900mhz gear this i have found in the past more suitable for obstructions and good for distance, but it is limited in speed, ie 2mpbs but can have very low latency which is a benefit also.

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raytaylor

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#313296 31-Mar-2010 03:18

Hey dynamic - sorry to go a little off topic,
Can you suggest some 900mhz radios that you have used.
I have looked but cant really find much because half the FCC's unlicenced 900mhz band is used by our cellphone networks and all locked up.

I would be interested in playing around with some to see how they go through trees myself.

Ray Taylor

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webwat

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#314038 1-Apr-2010 21:59

I think anything using OFDM has a better chance of getting a signal through or even bounced off nearby obstacles. Not sure if any wifi equipment would have those capabilities but might be carrier-grade stuff.

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kyhwana2

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#314042 1-Apr-2010 22:03

Can you not run POE up to the tree's and throw the AP on one of the tree's?

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brcjackson

35 posts

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#321360 21-Apr-2010 16:02

I would try using two Engenius 2610 units at each end, you might be surprissed with the result.