Linksys BEFR112S4 with grid antenna

BraveSpear · 03-05-2003

I have a question. I am somewhat of a newbie to wireless. I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router and am trying to connect a remote home appx 350' away using a parabolic grid antenna, but also want to be able to use the wireless in my own home as well. Do I need to make any changes to the antenna spread pattern? I'm not sure I know exactly what the spread patterns are used for. If I understand correctly, diversity spread alternates between the antennas for signal strength, but if I have on antenna as a directional to another house and leave the other antenna with the default omni, will that cause any problems? I have looked through a number of the forums for any info regarding this, but couldn't find any specific info. Thanks!

chemman14 · 03-05-2003

this is a totally un educated guess but i thought diversity spread meant that it shares the signal between the two antennas

BraveSpear · 03-05-2003

It may be like you say. Like I said, I am a newbie to wireless and have tried to absorb a lot in just a few weeks as time permits. Is there a post or FAQ that explains what these are? I checked the FAQ's here to no avail, and the Linksys web site is a font of non-useful information.

agentgrn · 03-05-2003

In this case, I'd suggest using the grid antenna at your remote location, keeping the onmis at your base. You won't be able to do much surfing around your place if you've got a uni running there.

Thorn · 03-05-2003

Bravespear,
The diversity will lock on to whatever antenna is receiving the stronger signal. You cannot set up the AP to use one antenna for PtP and the other for just the house. It will just lock on the PtP link. Use a wireless bridge for the PtP.

A grid overkill for only 350'. A grid designed is PtP links of miles.

BraveSpear · 03-05-2003

I know it's definitely overkill, but I got them for $29 each and thought I would need both for this to work. I suppose I could set up another house and point it my way now. Hmm... any idea's on a good, cheap omni antenna then? Or should I just make one? Or is there another setting that will allow me to use both antennas?

Thorn · 03-06-2003

Grids will work, but you may cause interference problems for other WiFi users in the beam area, and you're sending your signal much further than it needs to go. RF system design should not exceed what is needed in order to: A) reduce interference for other legitimate users in the area, and B) prevent your signal from being picked up by people who's motive might be less than pure. You can't crack what you can't receive.

For most antenna needs, I like SuperPass

Signull also has an excellent product lineup, and comatose is a member here.

Last, but not least, is of course Fab-corp. Don't forget their generous 'Stumbler discount.

For 350' I would think that a low dB directional (patch or yagi) would be more than sufficent. Do the math and you'll know exactly what you need.

The only setting which will allow both antennae to be used is the diversity setting, but that isn't want you want. If you want both a PtP for between the houses and a PtMP for the house, you'll need to have some sort of bridge setup in addition to the AP for the house. The only other solution is to go to one antenna such as an omni. and make the second house a client on the main AP. That may be more trouble than it's worth though. In addition, a directional used for a PtP is slightly more secure than an omni, owning to point B above.

03-05-2003	#1 (permalink)
BraveSpear Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 103	Linksys BEFW11S4 with grid antenna I have a question. I am somewhat of a newbie to wireless. I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router and am trying to connect a remote home appx 350' away using a parabolic grid antenna, but also want to be able to use the wireless in my own home as well. Do I need to make any changes to the antenna spread pattern? I'm not sure I know exactly what the spread patterns are used for. If I understand correctly, diversity spread alternates between the antennas for signal strength, but if I have on antenna as a directional to another house and leave the other antenna with the default omni, will that cause any problems? I have looked through a number of the forums for any info regarding this, but couldn't find any specific info. Thanks! Last edited by BraveSpear : 03-05-2003 at 06:58 PM.

03-05-2003	#4 (permalink)
agentgrn KB1JQO - Packin' Heat Join Date: May 2002 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 517	In this case, I'd suggest using the grid antenna at your remote location, keeping the onmis at your base. You won't be able to do much surfing around your place if you've got a uni running there. __________________ -A.G.-

03-05-2003	#5 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,359	Bravespear, The diversity will lock on to whatever antenna is receiving the stronger signal. You cannot set up the AP to use one antenna for PtP and the other for just the house. It will just lock on the PtP link. Use a wireless bridge for the PtP. A grid overkill for only 350'. A grid designed is PtP links of miles. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

03-05-2003	#6 (permalink)
BraveSpear Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 103	I know it's definitely overkill, but I got them for $29 each and thought I would need both for this to work. I suppose I could set up another house and point it my way now. Hmm... any idea's on a good, cheap omni antenna then? Or should I just make one? Or is there another setting that will allow me to use both antennas? Last edited by BraveSpear : 03-05-2003 at 06:59 PM.

03-06-2003	#7 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,359	Grids will work, but you may cause interference problems for other WiFi users in the beam area, and you're sending your signal much further than it needs to go. RF system design should not exceed what is needed in order to: A) reduce interference for other legitimate users in the area, and B) prevent your signal from being picked up by people who's motive might be less than pure. You can't crack what you can't receive. For most antenna needs, I like SuperPass Signull also has an excellent product lineup, and comatose is a member here. Last, but not least, is of course Fab-corp. Don't forget their generous 'Stumbler discount. For 350' I would think that a low dB directional (patch or yagi) would be more than sufficent. Do the math and you'll know exactly what you need. The only setting which will allow both antennae to be used is the diversity setting, but that isn't want you want. If you want both a PtP for between the houses and a PtMP for the house, you'll need to have some sort of bridge setup in addition to the AP for the house. The only other solution is to go to one antenna such as an omni. and make the second house a client on the main AP. That may be more trouble than it's worth though. In addition, a directional used for a PtP is slightly more secure than an omni, owning to point B above. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

03-05-2003	#2 (permalink)
chemman14 CadillacStumbler Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 250	this is a totally un educated guess but i thought diversity spread meant that it shares the signal between the two antennas

03-05-2003	#3 (permalink)
BraveSpear Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 103	It may be like you say. Like I said, I am a newbie to wireless and have tried to absorb a lot in just a few weeks as time permits. Is there a post or FAQ that explains what these are? I checked the FAQ's here to no avail, and the Linksys web site is a font of non-useful information.

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