Looking for advice

PolyMesh · 07-09-2004

Hello all, here is my situation.

I have an SMC2804WBR wireless router that has the standard rubber duck antennas. I am at school sharing my internet connection with a few other people that are helping out with the cost. I would like to expand my range because for one, the range sucks. (barely works about 2 apartments away.)And also I would like to possibly get more people involved in the network.

Also If possible, I would like to broadcast a signal that would reach a neighboring building with little expense.

Is it true that the other building would also need a high gain antenna for that? The building is diagonal from my block and in line-of-sight. Both have brick walls.

The other option is to forget all the other people, and buy a NIC with external antenna that would be able to reach my school about a half mile away, and get free internet through their service. Of course I don't know if they are broadcasting a signal that would reach back to me.

So far I have considered purchasing some small magnetic orinoco antennas that are rated at 7dbi gain, will that give me anything? At least a couple more apartments? They are the cheapest solution I have found.

Basically I am asking for any advice you can give me under a tight budget. Thanks in advance!

-Shaun

wrzwaldo · 07-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolyMesh

Hello all, here is my situation.

I have an SMC2804WBR wireless router that has the standard rubber duck antennas. I am at school sharing my internet connection with a few other people that are helping out with the cost. I would like to expand my range because for one, the range sucks. (barely works about 2 apartments away.)And also I would like to possibly get more people involved in the network.

Also If possible, I would like to broadcast a signal that would reach a neighboring building with little expense.

Is it true that the other building would also need a high gain antenna for that? The building is diagonal from my block and in line-of-sight. Both have brick walls.

The other option is to forget all the other people, and buy a NIC with external antenna that would be able to reach my school about a half mile away, and get free internet through their service. Of course I don't know if they are broadcasting a signal that would reach back to me.

So far I have considered purchasing some small magnetic orinoco antennas that are rated at 7dbi gain, will that give me anything? At least a couple more apartments? They are the cheapest solution I have found.

Basically I am asking for any advice you can give me under a tight budget. Thanks in advance!

-Shaun

First I have to ask. Does your ISP allow sharing of your connection? 99.9% of all ISPs prohibit this via their terms of service (TOS). If your ISP does not allow this then you are in violation and probably should not be asking this question here. If it is allowed I have to ask. Have you done the math (link budget calculations)? We could speculate all day on what may or may not work and never come to a resonable solution.

As for the free internet from "your school". Is that something they allow? If not then you are again asking a question you shouldn't. If it is allowed ask the wireless administrator for guidance on connecting to their WiFi from your location. And again do the math.

07-09-2004	#1 (permalink)
PolyMesh Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1	Looking for advice Hello all, here is my situation. I have an SMC2804WBR wireless router that has the standard rubber duck antennas. I am at school sharing my internet connection with a few other people that are helping out with the cost. I would like to expand my range because for one, the range sucks. (barely works about 2 apartments away.)And also I would like to possibly get more people involved in the network. Also If possible, I would like to broadcast a signal that would reach a neighboring building with little expense. Is it true that the other building would also need a high gain antenna for that? The building is diagonal from my block and in line-of-sight. Both have brick walls. The other option is to forget all the other people, and buy a NIC with external antenna that would be able to reach my school about a half mile away, and get free internet through their service. Of course I don't know if they are broadcasting a signal that would reach back to me. So far I have considered purchasing some small magnetic orinoco antennas that are rated at 7dbi gain, will that give me anything? At least a couple more apartments? They are the cheapest solution I have found. Basically I am asking for any advice you can give me under a tight budget. Thanks in advance! -Shaun

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