Wanting to create a link to an access point 500m away. The distant access point is a high quality one, i just need something as the client.

I can connect to it using a cheap Dealextreme high powered RTL8187L adapter with small omni antenna, and get 1-4ms latency which is a good sign.

However after a permanently mounted adapter, and the goal is to be cheap since this is just for home use.

Part of the plan likely involves repurposing an unused satellite dish to help the signal which happens to be pointing in the right direction. Possibilities included using a usb adapter cantenna style, but the fact that usb is limited to 5m means a computer has to be placed directly by the window, which isn't really an option.

The issue is hardware. Another idea was to run a directional antenna attached to the dish to 4-5m extension (through a window) to a client device inside. But this requires a decent length of cable that can carry 2.4ghz Wifi without major loss. And this type of cable appears to be $10 a metre sadly. Of course it requires a directional antenna too.

The most likely, and most expensive option is to use something like a Ubiquiti Bullet or Nanostation where length of cable doesn't matter. At $100-150 though this is obviously on the more expensive side.


So aside from comments on this, Is there anything cheaper than the Ubiquiti Gear? Does anyone know a cheap way to run the anntena extension?