antenna installation

[thunderhead666]

i just got this big a%$ antenna from pacificwireless.com . http://www.pacwireless.com/products/soliddish_5ghz.shtml
im tryin to get connected wifi. im not sure how to hook this stuff up. do i need a router , adapter? what kind of cables, wires?

[mbossman2]

ummmm....how far do you need to shoot this signal?

there are a few things to consider when buying dish antennae:
1) they are usually sold "tuned" to a specific frequency range and the dish that you have may function with 802.11a (5gHz range)
2) they are usually sold in pairs as part of a point to point wireless link and these can range from 1 to 26 miles (in theory it can go farther but beyond actual "sight" distances alignment can be very difficult).
3) As the beam width is extremely narrow (+/- 5 degrees on both axises), it's use in a wireless LAN (client to AP/router) is severely limited, especially as the beam width is ~1-2 degrees in the <500 feet range.

having said all of that, you will need some sort of wireless aggregation device: a router or access point (for a wireless LAN) or a pair of bridges (or routers/access points capable of a bridging mode) for a point to point solution.

If you could give us a bit more detail as to what you want to set up from a wireless point of view, more specific suggestions can be given.

[glc]

Do you even have 802.11a equipment? Those antennas are not compatible with 802.11b/g.

[thunderhead666]

man i dont know to much bout this stuff.:confused: i dont know whats compatible with what. i thought this thing was just gonna use regular coaxial cable like for cable tv,that wont fit. it looks like i need something bigger. and then just hook it up to a modem, router, cable?!?? im just tryin to get onto the internet.

[Louds3]

I can't claim to be a networking expert but that's not what you need for wifi, is any type of wifi or 802.11a/b/g network mentioned on it's product page. That antenna is designed to wirelessly send data to 1 very specific location (like bossman said another dish or something). If you are just looking to get wifi in your house or small office environment you need to get any basic wireless router from a trusted name. Linksys, Netgear and D-Link are 3 companies that make solid products and you can get something for this application from $40-100 depending on if you need the latest and greatest technology.

This is a top seller and proven product that would fit the bill:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

Google a search for "setting up wireless networks" and I'm sure you'll find a million guides

Steve

[thunderhead666]

appreciate the help:cool: