Avatar_default
Reputation: 6
Follow 0
Follow 1

Is there a Wi Fi repeater that works for the hilly, tree-filled boondocks?

We have a small cabin in the NC mountains without DSL (AT&T swears the available ports are all claimed), and we refuse to use dial-up. Our neighbors with DSL, who live about 200 yds away, will let us poach off their wi-fi signal, but there are trees and topography in between. Anyone have any experience using WiFi repeaters under such conditions who could make a product recommendation?

emma's bee asked in Geek Week about 1 year ago | Report
New answers are not being accepted at this time.

Asker's Favorite

  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 22
    Follow 0

    There are two solutions I'd suggest. The first is to string an Ethernet cable, with a repeater. The Ethernet specification says that cable runs without repeaters have to work at a range of 100 meters. There's nothing stopping you trying to work with 200 meters, though it will get flakier with added distance.

    Alternately, you can buy a Ubiquiti Nanostation (A Seattle retailer sells them: http://metrix.net/ubiquiti-nanostation-2-ns2-p-110.html -- disclaimer: friend of mine). You may wind up having to mount it on a pole, as trees and terrain are horrible for wifi signals. You'll pretty much need line-of-sight.

    I've worked with Nanostations before, and I highly recommend them. They're really nice: they come with a pole mounting, are pretty much weatherproof, only require a single cable (the network and power are run in the same cable) and have really handy signal-strength lights directly on the unit.

    chronomex answered in Geek Week about 1 year ago | Report
    1 comment by emma's bee…
    Share this answer with a friend:

1 Other Answer

  • 101835_photo_99_small
    Reputation: 25
    Follow 0

    There are line of site dishes designed for long distances like that but they are expensive and not reliable (can be susceptible to weather), You'd probably be better off running a cable that far. I don't think ethernet will work that far though without a powered switch in the middle to act as a repeater. If you use a switch with power over ethernet support as well as cable you should be good to go and not have to worry about having power in the middle of the line.

    Brandon Humphries answered in Geek Week about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend: