Wireless network.....how far can it go?

[Colb]

My parents and my sister live about 30-40 yards away from each other. Is there any wireless device that could network this far away?

My main reason is that my sister might be getting a computer, which she could easily mooch off of my partents nice dsl connection.....if the hardware is available. I just dont want to spend the money for the chance that this would be too great a distance.

[doctorgonzo]

How many walls/floors/structures are between the two? That distance could be within the range of some adapters, but it really depends on what is between the two endpoints.

[Colb]

There is a MH about half way between the two homes. Besides that, it is a clear shot from one to the other.

[glc]

You don't know till you try it - that's the problem. You may have to get MIMO equipment such as the Linksys GX or Belkin "pre-N" - or high gain antennas.

[mfreddo]

Maybe a cantenna?

[Colb]

Thanks for the replys, my dad now wants to get wireless regardless if it can reach my sisters moblie home. But , I am still going to try to connect the two.
So, If I get a Linksys GX, and a good wireless card for the moblie home......should this be just about as good as a consumer wireless connection goes? If the connection does not reach, is there some type of wireless device postioned in the middle to amplify the connection?

[Colb]

Well, I found a little more info on Linksys' site. They have an Expander I could use.

Now, my dad allready has a wireless card for his new computer, I would just need a good wireless router, good wireless card, and then the expander if need be.
Should I just stay with Lynksys for all? Any more recommendations?

[Panama Red]

This info is a little late but it may be helpful if someone else views this thread.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

[Colb]

How does this look:

Router

Extender
(do these things actually work?)

Now, I need an internal wireless card for the PC that is going to be the furthest away from the router, will an average card do the trick or should I continue to stay with a premium priced Linksys card? And could you recommend a card?


Also, what are "access points" used for?

[Panama Red]

I could be wrong as I've never used either component you've linked but be careful. Newegg calls it an "Extender" but Linksys calls in "Expander". Everything I read inidicates the Expander will increase the signal concentration within the same coverage area. In other words, if you were only getting 2 bars in signal strength before adding the Expander, you might get 4 or 5 bars after the installation. Nowhere do I see that it will extend the Distance/Range of the wirelss system. If that's true, you're still looking at the 450' limit of the router you've chosen according to the chart I linked above.

Maybe someone else knows more about these devices and can confirm or refute my understanding.

An Access Point is any wireless device that provides Access to your internet connection or network. It can be a router or WAP (wireless access point).

[Colb]

Alot of the reviews on that extender were not good.........I even read that you can make a WAP54G to work as a repeater. Could this be what I could use to cover the long distance?

[glc]

Do this. Borrow equipment if necessary, you may have a friend that has the equipment:

Hook up a wireless router or AP in your house. You don't even have to plug the modem into it or configure it as long as the wireless section is enabled and you know its SSID and any encryption it may have. Take a wireless laptop over to the mobile home and see what kind of signal you get. Go from there.