I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just
the normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the
internet.

I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?

TIA

-Ben

On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700 (PDT)
Wagg  wrote:

> I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
> needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
> good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just
> the normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the
> internet.
> 
> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
> is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
> 
I don't know what kit you have to hand, or how creative you feel, but
you could try the old Pringles can directional antennae trick (or
variations thereon).

On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700, Wagg wrote:

> I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
> needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
> good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just the
> normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the internet.
> 
> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and is
> it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
> 
> TIA
> 
> -Ben

Do you have a mains power supply to the garage?

http://www.powerlinenetwork.co.uk/

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

Rob Morley was thinking very hard :
> On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700 (PDT)
> Wagg  wrote:
>
>> I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
>> needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
>> good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just
>> the normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the
>> internet.
>> 
>> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
>> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
>> is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>> 
> I don't know what kit you have to hand, or how creative you feel, but
> you could try the old Pringles can directional antennae trick (or
> variations thereon).

Links for "cantenna" :-

  http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/antennacantenna.htm

  http://flakey.info/antenna/waveguide/

  http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448

  http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2calc.php

On May 28, 7:47 am, Chris Whelan 
wrote:
> On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700, Wagg wrote:
> > I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
> > needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
> > good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just the
> > normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the internet> > I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
> > anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and is
> > it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>
> > TIA
>
> > -Ben
>
> Do you have a mains power supply to the garage?
>
> http://www.powerlinenetwork.co.uk/
>
> Chris
>
> --
> Remove prejudice to reply.

Hi Chris,

I have power, but its on a completely different circuit or something.
Tried those as a friend uses them, but its like there is nothing
there.

-Ben

On May 28, 7:55 am, Alan P  wrote:
> Rob Morley was thinking very hard :
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700 (PDT)
> > Wagg  wrote:
>
> >> I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
> >> needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
> >> good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just
> >> the normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the
> >> internet.
>
> >> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
> >> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
> >> is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>
> > I don't know what kit you have to hand, or how creative you feel, but
> > you could try the old Pringles can directional antennae trick (or
> > variations thereon).
>
> Links for "cantenna" :-
>
>  http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/antennacantenna.htm
>
>  http://flakey.info/antenna/waveguide/
>
>  http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448
>
>  http://www.saunalahti.fi/elepal/antenna2calc.php- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Ehrm, rather than making something, is there anything I can buy? I've
already tried one of those N routers (just now in fact) and it extends
downstairs by about 20 feet, so still 30 feet to go! I dont think I
have the patience to make something like that!

-Ben

On Thu, 28 May 2009 03:11:11 -0700, Wagg wrote:

> On May 28, 7:47 am, Chris Whelan  wrote:
>> On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700, Wagg wrote:
>> > I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I
>> > originally needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage,
>> > only its a good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough
>> > signal (just the normal router I have had for years) to work well
>> > enough on the internet.
>>
>> > I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
>> > anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
>> > is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>>
>> > TIA
>>
>> > -Ben
>>
>> Do you have a mains power supply to the garage?
>>
>> http://www.powerlinenetwork.co.uk/
>>
>> Chris
>>
>> --
>> Remove prejudice to reply.
> 
> Hi Chris,
> 
> I have power, but its on a completely different circuit or something.
> Tried those as a friend uses them, but its like there is nothing there.
> 
> -Ben

Power line networking would still be your best option.

If you don't understand why you are unable to use that method in your 
current situation, do you know an electrician who could advise you? It 
might be that a small change to your wiring could make them usable.

Chris


-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

Chris Whelan wrote:
> On Thu, 28 May 2009 03:11:11 -0700, Wagg wrote:
> 
>> On May 28, 7:47 am, Chris Whelan  wrote:
>>> On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700, Wagg wrote:
>>>> I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I
>>>> originally needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage,
>>>> only its a good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough
>>>> signal (just the normal router I have had for years) to work well
>>>> enough on the internet.
>>>> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
>>>> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
>>>> is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>>>> TIA
>>>> -Ben
>>> Do you have a mains power supply to the garage?
>>>
>>> http://www.powerlinenetwork.co.uk/
>>>
>>> Chris
>>>
>>> --
>>> Remove prejudice to reply.
>> Hi Chris,
>>
>> I have power, but its on a completely different circuit or something.
>> Tried those as a friend uses them, but its like there is nothing there.
>>
>> -Ben
> 
> Power line networking would still be your best option.
> 
> If you don't understand why you are unable to use that method in your 
> current situation, do you know an electrician who could advise you? It 
> might be that a small change to your wiring could make them usable.
> 
> Chris
> 
> 
If Homeplugs dont work I would look at relocating your wireless router 
location to overlook the garage .
(Mine goes through two 3 foot stone walls, slate roof  and 30m of air !)
You can use a homeplug with an wireless access point to extend the 
network range if you cant move the actual router to a better location.

"robert" <robert@invalid.invalid> wrote in message 
news:787v1tF1k0k2bU1@mid.individual.net...
> Chris Whelan wrote:
>> On Thu, 28 May 2009 03:11:11 -0700, Wagg wrote:
>>
>>> On May 28, 7:47 am, Chris Whelan  wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 27 May 2009 17:39:47 -0700, Wagg wrote:
>>>>> I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I
>>>>> originally needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage,
>>>>> only its a good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough
>>>>> signal (just the normal router I have had for years) to work well
>>>>> enough on the internet.
>>>>> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
>>>>> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
>>>>> is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>>>>> TIA
>>>>> -Ben
>>>> Do you have a mains power supply to the garage?
>>>>
>>>> http://www.powerlinenetwork.co.uk/
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Remove prejudice to reply.
>>> Hi Chris,
>>>
>>> I have power, but its on a completely different circuit or something.
>>> Tried those as a friend uses them, but its like there is nothing there.
>>>
>>> -Ben
>>
>> Power line networking would still be your best option.
>>
>> If you don't understand why you are unable to use that method in your 
>> current situation, do you know an electrician who could advise you? It 
>> might be that a small change to your wiring could make them usable.
>>
>> Chris
>>
>>
> If Homeplugs dont work I would look at relocating your wireless router 
> location to overlook the garage .
> (Mine goes through two 3 foot stone walls, slate roof  and 30m of air !)
> You can use a homeplug with an wireless access point to extend the network 
> range if you cant move the actual router to a better location.

If it's difficult to get an Ethernet cable or Homeplug link to a remote 
access point, you could get a wireless access point that it capable of 
acting in repeater mode. Place it in between the router and the garage where 
it's still getting usable fringe reception and it will rebroadcast to cover 
an area which (hopefully) will include the garage.

You'll need to set it to have a different SSID (network name) and a 
non-conflicting wireless channel (eg different by at least 5 channels) to 
the channel of the router. Make sure you get an AP that can handle WPA 
encryption: a lot of the earlier Belkin ones could only repeat an 
unencrypted network or one that is encrypted with WEP (which is almost the 
same thing!).

"Wagg"  wrote in message news:d0e87eab-a031-410b-ab41-4eea7a5ec7b7@l12g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...>I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
> needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
> good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just
> the normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the
> internet.
> 
> I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
> anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
> is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
> 

How far from the side of the house nearest the garage is your router?
You could have an extra access point at that side of the house to give you extra coverage , or if you have mains in the garage then some homeplugs might be an option.
Failing that it's not too far to run a long network cable to the garage....

-- 
Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away"

On May 28, 6:02 pm, "Dr Zoidberg" <AlexNOOOO!!!!!...@drzoidberg.co.uk>
wrote:
> "Wagg"  wrote in messagenews:d0e87eab-a031-410b-ab41-4eea7a5ec7b7@l12g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
> >I have a mini home network, stretches far enough for what I originally
> > needed, now want to get some connection down in my garage, only its a
> > good 50 feet away from where the laptop picks up enough signal (just
> > the normal router I have had for years) to work well enough on the
> > internet.
>
> > I cant run a wire, it isnt possible, but I wondered if there was
> > anything I could do to extend my couverage. Is there such a thing and
> > is it simple (and not hugely expensive!)?
>
> How far from the side of the house nearest the garage is your router?
> You could have an extra access point at that side of the house to give you extra coverage , or if you have mains in the garage then some homeplugs might be an option.
> Failing that it's not too far to run a long network cable to the garage..> Alex
>
> "I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away"

Hi all,

right, had someone look at it. The power is three phase, so there is
its own set of switches and bits, the power comes from the other side
of the building. There is a main road between me and the building and
the last wire that was put up got cut through by a lorry or something
(that was a phone extension). There are no poles nearby without some
serious re-routing of the wire, so I cant run it that way. Between the
router (its as far away from the main socket as I can make it to work)
are two 3 foot cob/stone wals, a small lean to add-on and then there
is a single road (two lanes either way).

Would the power being on the other (completely different mains) be the
reason it wont work? I am going to have to assume so as I know
nothing, and the electrician doesn't think that the power would trip
over for the connection, but he's old and has never seen the boxes I
was referring to!

Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
go back.

-Ben

On Fri, 29 May 2009 10:40:48 -0700, Wagg wrote:

[...]
> 
> Would the power being on the other (completely different mains) be the
> reason it wont work? I am going to have to assume so as I know nothing,
> and the electrician doesn't think that the power would trip over for the
> connection, but he's old and has never seen the boxes I was referring
> to!
> 
> Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
> maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it doesnt
> seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to go back.
> 
> -Ben

AFAIK, power line networking only works if the sockets are on the same 
phase; also the signal won't pass through an electricity meter, at least 
not without a massive signal loss.

TBH, it looks like you are stuffed!

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

In article <AYVTl.101395$Dx7.50046@newsfe20.ams2>, Chris Whelan
 wrote:
> On Fri, 29 May 2009 10:40:48 -0700, Wagg wrote:

> [...]
> > 
> > Would the power being on the other (completely different mains) be the
> > reason it wont work? I am going to have to assume so as I know
> > nothing, and the electrician doesn't think that the power would trip
> > over for the connection, but he's old and has never seen the boxes I
> > was referring to!
3 phase into property is probaby split to different phases -> different
areas (or you might have all phases to one part to run eg agricultural or
industrial machinery)

If just split up say one for downstairs, different one for upstairs,
another one for outside then hard luck.  But if the outside supply is an
extension of one of the house circuits, then that might just work

> > 
> > Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
> > maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
> > doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
> > go back.
> > 
> > -Ben

> AFAIK, power line networking only works if the sockets are on the same
> phase; also the signal won't pass through an electricity meter, at least
> not without a massive signal loss.

> TBH, it looks like you are stuffed!

> Chris

-- 
 John Mulrooney
NOTE Email address IS correct but might not be checked for a while.

Where did that tag line go?

On May 29, 9:26 pm, JTM  wrote:
> In article <AYVTl.101395$Dx7.50...@newsfe20.ams2>, Chris Whelan
>
>  wrote:
> > On Fri, 29 May 2009 10:40:48 -0700, Wagg wrote:
> > [...]
>
> > > Would the power being on the other (completely different mains) be the
> > > reason it wont work? I am going to have to assume so as I know
> > > nothing, and the electrician doesn't think that the power would trip
> > > over for the connection, but he's old and has never seen the boxes I
> > > was referring to!
>
> 3 phase into property is probaby split to different phases -> different
> areas (or you might have all phases to one part to run eg agricultural or
> industrial machinery)
>
> If just split up say one for downstairs, different one for upstairs,
> another one for outside then hard luck.  But if the outside supply is an
> extension of one of the house circuits, then that might just work
>
>
>
> > > Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet> > > maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
> > > doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
> > > go back.
>
> > > -Ben
> > AFAIK, power line networking only works if the sockets are on the same
> > phase; also the signal won't pass through an electricity meter, at least
> > not without a massive signal loss.
> > TBH, it looks like you are stuffed!
> > Chris

Hi there,

I pay a seperate bill for the building. It houses some industrial
equipment which is used several times a week, but the building is big
enough to swing a cat or two without too much of an issue. No upstairs
tho, all power from the main breaker into the switch panel then off to
the different devices.

Am I right in thinking that an access point has to be wired into a
network to work? Or can I put one downstairs (from the router) and
then one actually in the building itself to increase the distance?

-Ben

Wagg wrote:
> On May 29, 9:26 pm, JTM  wrote:
>> In article <AYVTl.101395$Dx7.50...@newsfe20.ams2>, Chris Whelan
>>
>>  wrote:
>>> On Fri, 29 May 2009 10:40:48 -0700, Wagg wrote:
>>> [...]
>>>> Would the power being on the other (completely different mains) be the
>>>> reason it wont work? I am going to have to assume so as I know
>>>> nothing, and the electrician doesn't think that the power would trip
>>>> over for the connection, but he's old and has never seen the boxes I
>>>> was referring to!
>> 3 phase into property is probaby split to different phases -> different
>> areas (or you might have all phases to one part to run eg agricultural or
>> industrial machinery)
>>
>> If just split up say one for downstairs, different one for upstairs,
>> another one for outside then hard luck.  But if the outside supply is an
>> extension of one of the house circuits, then that might just work
>>
>>
>>
>>>> Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
>>>> maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
>>>> doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
>>>> go back.
>>>> -Ben
>>> AFAIK, power line networking only works if the sockets are on the same
>>> phase; also the signal won't pass through an electricity meter, at least
>>> not without a massive signal loss.
>>> TBH, it looks like you are stuffed!
>>> Chris
> 
> Hi there,
> 
> I pay a seperate bill for the building. It houses some industrial
> equipment which is used several times a week, but the building is big
> enough to swing a cat or two without too much of an issue. No upstairs
> tho, all power from the main breaker into the switch panel then off to
> the different devices.
> 
> Am I right in thinking that an access point has to be wired into a
> network to work? Or can I put one downstairs (from the router) and
> then one actually in the building itself to increase the distance?
> 
> -Ben

You may be able to get something working with APs configured as 
repeaters, as mentioned before - they don't have to be wired into your 
network.

Phil, London

> 
> Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
> maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
> doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
> go back.
> 
> -Ben

I am rather surprised that you cant access the router over this sort of 
distance.
What sort of walls etc are in between ?
Can you use an external aerial on the pc/laptop in the garage ?
Can you move the router so it can "see" the garage through a window ?

Quick and easy:
Buy a branded USB stick type WIFI dongle... maybe £20 or less.
Buy a USB extension lead (how long depends on you !)
Scrounge an old satellite dish... you probably wont need anything larger
than a "sky mini dish"
Waterproof and mount the dongle where the LNB would sit on the dish mount,
now point at the router !!!!  The dish will seem to be at a really "odd"
angle, pointing at the ground it looks like - but I have had
great success with this simple setup... and over a MILE to an access point.




There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary...and 
those who don't !

On Thu, 28 May 2009 10:40:03 GMT
Chris Whelan  wrote:

> 
> Power line networking would still be your best option.
> 
The other building is on a different site, with a different grid
connection - if you can get Homeplug to run over the distribution grid
you should start your own ISP.  :-)

On Sun, 31 May 2009 14:24:04 +0100, Rob Morley wrote:

> On Thu, 28 May 2009 10:40:03 GMT
> Chris Whelan  wrote:
> 
> 
>> Power line networking would still be your best option.
>> 
> The other building is on a different site, with a different grid
> connection - if you can get Homeplug to run over the distribution grid
> you should start your own ISP.  :-)

Indeed. Shame the OP didn't point this out originally...

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

On May 31, 9:28 am, robert <rob...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> > Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
> > maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
> > doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
> > go back.
>
> > -Ben
>
> I am rather surprised that you cant access the router over this sort of
> distance.
> What sort of walls etc are in between ?
> Can you use an external aerial on the pc/laptop in the garage ?
> Can you move the router so it can "see" the garage through a window ?

One wall is about 3-4 feet thick, made of cob and real stone, the
other end wall is a little thinner, same kind of material tho.

Need to have the laptop mobile inside the garage, working on the USB
dongle idea, but putting an access point or something on the end of it
so that I can move freely around the workshop.

To make the router directly see they router I'd have to put it
somewhere outside, possibly about 6 feet out to get round the edge of
the building, there arent any windows anywhere near the other side in
line of sight with the building. I've ordered some home plug things to
see if I can get the router further over that side of the building,
but I am not holding out much hope!

-Ben

On Thu, 28 May 2009 03:13:54 -0700 (PDT)
Wagg  wrote:

> Ehrm, rather than making something, is there anything I can buy? I've
> already tried one of those N routers (just now in fact) and it extends
> downstairs by about 20 feet, so still 30 feet to go! I dont think I
> have the patience to make something like that!
> 
Here's a neat one which might be enough for your needs if you run a
pair of them, one at each end.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200338345328

If your router doesn't have a suitable connector for the cable you'd
need to swap it for one that does, or use a PC with a suitable wifi
card as a bridge.

Here's a commercial version of the cantenna

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260261356583

which would be more hassle to set up but is suitable for permanent
outdoor fixing.

Wagg wrote:
> On May 31, 9:28 am, robert <rob...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>> Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet,
>>> maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
>>> doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
>>> go back.
>>> -Ben
>> I am rather surprised that you cant access the router over this sort of
>> distance.
>> What sort of walls etc are in between ?
>> Can you use an external aerial on the pc/laptop in the garage ?
>> Can you move the router so it can "see" the garage through a window ?
> 
> One wall is about 3-4 feet thick, made of cob and real stone, the
> other end wall is a little thinner, same kind of material tho.
> 
> Need to have the laptop mobile inside the garage, working on the USB
> dongle idea, but putting an access point or something on the end of it
> so that I can move freely around the workshop.
>
Okay I accept you have a big problems with the wall ( I have 2/3 foot 
stone rubble walls).
Putting the USB dongle (in a plastic bag) on a long extension lead 
outside the garage or at least in the roof space may well help.
I would revisit the option of running a network cable tho' - it can be 
upto 100m - as it is likely to be cheapest option !

On May 31, 5:32 pm, robert <rob...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> Wagg wrote:
> > On May 31, 9:28 am, robert <rob...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >>> Between the router and the edge of the garage is around 50 or so feet> >>> maybe a little bit more. I've tried one of these N routers and it
> >>> doesnt seem to extend beyond what the other one did, so its waiting to
> >>> go back.
> >>> -Ben
> >> I am rather surprised that you cant access the router over this sort of
> >> distance.
> >> What sort of walls etc are in between ?
> >> Can you use an external aerial on the pc/laptop in the garage ?
> >> Can you move the router so it can "see" the garage through a window ?
>
> > One wall is about 3-4 feet thick, made of cob and real stone, the
> > other end wall is a little thinner, same kind of material tho.
>
> > Need to have the laptop mobile inside the garage, working on the USB
> > dongle idea, but putting an access point or something on the end of it
> > so that I can move freely around the workshop.
>
> Okay I accept you have a big problems with the wall ( I have 2/3 foot
> stone rubble walls).
> Putting the USB dongle (in a plastic bag) on a long extension lead
> outside the garage or at least in the roof space may well help.
> I would revisit the option of running a network cable tho' - it can be
> upto 100m - as it is likely to be cheapest option !- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi there,

Looked at that, put up a sky dish as mentioned by someone else, with a
dongle, which kind of works, until something big drives past then it
all goes to low signal, and then up again. Looking at putting in a
couple of poles, as I cant go under the road, so over would be the
best option I agree, but I'll have to find out how tall the tallest
wagon is, and work to that I guess after I've put some poles in!

-Ben

from Wagg 

> Looked at that, put up a sky dish as mentioned by someone else, with a
> dongle, which kind of works, until something big drives past then it
> all goes to low signal, and then up again. Looking at putting in a
> couple of poles, as I cant go under the road, so over would be the
> best option I agree, but I'll have to find out how tall the tallest
> wagon is, and work to that I guess after I've put some poles in!

You will need to apply for planning permission and if the authorities
approve (not a foregone conclusion) they will have the necessary data
about the minimum clearance you must provide.

If you do get permission then you will also need to attach a catenary
wire to the pole tops and attach the Cat 5e/6 ethernet cable to that.
(Telephone cable now has a catenary wire built in.)

JG

On Jun 1, 7:12 am, JG  wrote:
> from Wagg
>
> > Looked at that, put up a sky dish as mentioned by someone else, with a
> > dongle, which kind of works, until something big drives past then it
> > all goes to low signal, and then up again. Looking at putting in a
> > couple of poles, as I cant go under the road, so over would be the
> > best option I agree, but I'll have to find out how tall the tallest
> > wagon is, and work to that I guess after I've put some poles in!
>
> You will need to apply for planning permission and if the authorities
> approve (not a foregone conclusion) they will have the necessary data
> about the minimum clearance you must provide.
>
> If you do get permission then you will also need to attach a catenary
> wire to the pole tops and attach the Cat 5e/6 ethernet cable to that.
> (Telephone cable now has a catenary wire built in.)
>
> JG

Yup, thought as much, spoke to the county planning officer this
morning, needs to be at least 6 meters high, poles have to be of a
certain type (one pole is out of my price range, so cant go down that
route). If it wasnt a main road they said I could string it up fine.
Will have to come up with something else!

-Ben

"Wagg"  wrote in message 
news:ab017f27-5fde-4269-b9b2-359c814a446c@t10g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 1, 7:12 am, JG  wrote:
> from Wagg
>
> > Looked at that, put up a sky dish as mentioned by someone else, with a
> > dongle, which kind of works, until something big drives past then it
> > all goes to low signal, and then up again. Looking at putting in a
> > couple of poles, as I cant go under the road, so over would be the
> > best option I agree, but I'll have to find out how tall the tallest
> > wagon is, and work to that I guess after I've put some poles in!
>
> You will need to apply for planning permission and if the authorities
> approve (not a foregone conclusion) they will have the necessary data
> about the minimum clearance you must provide.
>
> If you do get permission then you will also need to attach a catenary
> wire to the pole tops and attach the Cat 5e/6 ethernet cable to that.
> (Telephone cable now has a catenary wire built in.)
>
> JG

Yup, thought as much, spoke to the county planning officer this
morning, needs to be at least 6 meters high, poles have to be of a
certain type (one pole is out of my price range, so cant go down that
route). If it wasnt a main road they said I could string it up fine.
Will have to come up with something else!

====


OK. Ethernet is possible but prohibitively expensive. Homeplug is not 
possible because the house and garage are on separate mains phases. So that 
just leaves wireless.

Because of the layout of the house and garage, I think you may need to look 
at directional aerials, possible mounted on the outside of the two buildings 
so each is facing towards the other. You may need special wireless adaptors 
and access points to allow external aerials to be attached, which will 
increase the cost a bit.

Can you draw us a sketch of  the two buildings, showing any windows, because 
you may be able to put the aerials inside rather than mounting them on the 
outside wall - but beware that some heat-reflective glass seems to 
attentuate wireless signals: I have found that an open window sometimes 
gives a significantly stronger signal than a closed one, with the aerials 
still in the same position.

Try first of all with the existing router in front of an open window in the 
house, on the side facing the garage. Put the computer's wireless adaptor 
aerial facing the house in an open window/doorway if possible - that's to 
get an idea of the signal strength in reasonably good conditions with normal 
omni-directional aerials. You needn't connect the router to the phone line, 
though if you can get a phone point to it temporarily it gives a more 
reaslisitic test. If not, you'll need to connect a computer to the router 
and try to access it shares from the garage PC, rather than being able to 
test web browsing.

If you get usable reception in this ideal situation, you need to make it 
permanent - eg by getting an access point which has an aerial mounted 
outside the house, linked to the router (in its normal place) by Homeplug or 
Ethernet within the house, and by connecting the garage PC's wireless 
adaptor to a corresponding aerial on the outside of the house. If you can 
mount the aerials on the first floor rather the ground floor, you may avoid 
things like cars which can cause weak or fluctuating signals, but watch out 
then for trees which can attenuate the signal.

If you don't get usable reception even in this ideal situation then you'll 
need directional aerials (a "cantenna" or a parabolic dish).

What equipment (make/model) of router and wireless adaptor do you have at 
present?

On Mon, 1 Jun 2009 04:16:06 -0700 (PDT)
Wagg  wrote:

> Yup, thought as much, spoke to the county planning officer this
> morning, needs to be at least 6 meters high, poles have to be of a
> certain type (one pole is out of my price range, so cant go down that
> route). If it wasnt a main road they said I could string it up fine.
> Will have to come up with something else!
> 
Are we mixing up wired and wireless considerations here?  Do they
really care if you put a couple of Yagis on 20 foot poles, or are they
only bothered if you want to string cable across the road from big
pylons?  Does it really matter if the connection flickers occasionally?

On Jun 1, 3:47 pm, Rob Morley  wrote:
> On Mon, 1 Jun 2009 04:16:06 -0700 (PDT)
>
> Wagg  wrote:
> > Yup, thought as much, spoke to the county planning officer this
> > morning, needs to be at least 6 meters high, poles have to be of a
> > certain type (one pole is out of my price range, so cant go down that
> > route). If it wasnt a main road they said I could string it up fine.
> > Will have to come up with something else!
>
> Are we mixing up wired and wireless considerations here?  Do they
> really care if you put a couple of Yagis on 20 foot poles, or are they
> only bothered if you want to string cable across the road from big
> pylons?  Does it really matter if the connection flickers occasionally?

I am advised that if I erect a pole that can be seen from the road
(cant remember the footage) and it is at least 6 metres high, then I
will need planning permission, regardless of if there are going to be
wires across the top. If there are going to be wires I need to plan
for that seperatly.

Not too bothered if it comes and goes really, there is not alot of
traffic on the road when I need to do what has to be done (at least at
the moment anyway!). Also, as I have already asked about it, no doubt
they will notice if I put some poles up!

-Ben

> OK. Ethernet is possible but prohibitively expensive. Homeplug is not
> possible because the house and garage are on separate mains phases. So that
> just leaves wireless.
>
> Because of the layout of the house and garage, I think you may need to look
> at directional aerials, possible mounted on the outside of the two buildings
> so each is facing towards the other. You may need special wireless adaptors
> and access points to allow external aerials to be attached, which will
> increase the cost a bit.

I've ordered two of the pringle like things, and the connection cable
to go one the end of them, till they arrive I don't know how well they
will work out. I have had some success with the satellite dish idea as
suggested by someone else, but its a bit fiddly, and it has to point
at a wall that is several feet thick as there are no windows anywhere
near that side of the building.
>
> Can you draw us a sketch of  the two buildings, showing any windows, because
> you may be able to put the aerials inside rather than mounting them on the
> outside wall - but beware that some heat-reflective glass seems to
> attentuate wireless signals: I have found that an open window sometimes
> gives a significantly stronger signal than a closed one, with the aerials
> still in the same position.

I'll work on this, but the wall from the end of the house to the
actual garage has windows (downstairs), but the wall upstairs has no
windows in it.
>
> Try first of all with the existing router in front of an open window in the
> house, on the side facing the garage. Put the computer's wireless adaptor
> aerial facing the house in an open window/doorway if possible - that's to
> get an idea of the signal strength in reasonably good conditions with normal
> omni-directional aerials. You needn't connect the router to the phone line,
> though if you can get a phone point to it temporarily it gives a more
> reaslisitic test. If not, you'll need to connect a computer to the router
> and try to access it shares from the garage PC, rather than being able to
> test web browsing.

If I put the router by the window it picks up a wireless signal fine,
but my telephone lead is nowhere near this. I've tried a 50m extension
cord, but that isnt long enough to go through all the hallways and so
forth in the house to get to the window, and due to H&S I cant run
much downstairs (by leaving it on the floor or something), as the
bottom part of the house is a pub!
>
> If you get usable reception in this ideal situation, you need to make it
> permanent - eg by getting an access point which has an aerial mounted
> outside the house, linked to the router (in its normal place) by Homeplug or
> Ethernet within the house, and by connecting the garage PC's wireless
> adaptor to a corresponding aerial on the outside of the house. If you can
> mount the aerials on the first floor rather the ground floor, you may avoid
> things like cars which can cause weak or fluctuating signals, but watch out
> then for trees which can attenuate the signal.

I'm looking at about 4 access points at the moment, but will see if
this pringle can idea thing will work, as I can fix that to the
chimney, and hopefully one on the side of the building, as thats
probably going to be the most direct route into each building. No
trees between me and it that I need to worry about (none any higher
than a car anyway!)
>
> If you don't get usable reception even in this ideal situation then you'll
> need directional aerials (a "cantenna" or a parabolic dish).
>
> What equipment (make/model) of router and wireless adaptor do you have at
> present

Its all Cisco, I cant remember the exact models at the moment, but the
router is an 850 or something similar (wireless), and the cards in all
the computers are cisco (only stuff that really interfaces with the
machines in the garage!)

-Ben

"Wagg"  wrote in message 
news:b6780916-c146-4ebf-ab2a-729f4bc6424a@g19g2000vbi.googlegroups.com...
> Try first of all with the existing router in front of an open window in 
> the
> house, on the side facing the garage. Put the computer's wireless adaptor
> aerial facing the house in an open window/doorway if possible - that's to
> get an idea of the signal strength in reasonably good conditions with 
> normal
> omni-directional aerials. You needn't connect the router to the phone 
> line,
> though if you can get a phone point to it temporarily it gives a more
> reaslisitic test. If not, you'll need to connect a computer to the router
> and try to access it shares from the garage PC, rather than being able to
> test web browsing.

If I put the router by the window it picks up a wireless signal fine,
but my telephone lead is nowhere near this. I've tried a 50m extension
cord, but that isnt long enough to go through all the hallways and so
forth in the house to get to the window, and due to H&S I cant run
much downstairs (by leaving it on the floor or something), as the
bottom part of the house is a pub!

===


OK. So even with the existing router and wireless adaptors in the garage PC, 
you get usable wireless communication?

How about getting a wireless access point and putting it where you've tried 
the router near the window, and then using two Homeplug devices to provide 
an Ethernet connection between the access point and the router in its normal 
position where it has a phone connection? I'm assuming that mains sockets 
near the window and where the router normally lives are on the same mains 
phase.

On Jun 1, 7:01 pm, "Mortimer"  wrote:
> "Wagg"  wrote in message
>
> news:b6780916-c146-4ebf-ab2a-729f4bc6424a@g19g2000vbi.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Try first of all with the existing router in front of an open window in
> > the
> > house, on the side facing the garage. Put the computer's wireless adaptor
> > aerial facing the house in an open window/doorway if possible - that's to
> > get an idea of the signal strength in reasonably good conditions with
> > normal
> > omni-directional aerials. You needn't connect the router to the phone
> > line,
> > though if you can get a phone point to it temporarily it gives a more
> > reaslisitic test. If not, you'll need to connect a computer to the router
> > and try to access it shares from the garage PC, rather than being able to
> > test web browsing.
>
> If I put the router by the window it picks up a wireless signal fine,
> but my telephone lead is nowhere near this. I've tried a 50m extension
> cord, but that isnt long enough to go through all the hallways and so
> forth in the house to get to the window, and due to H&S I cant run
> much downstairs (by leaving it on the floor or something), as the
> bottom part of the house is a pub!
>
> ===
>
> OK. So even with the existing router and wireless adaptors in the garage PC,
> you get usable wireless communication?
>
> How about getting a wireless access point and putting it where you've tried
> the router near the window, and then using two Homeplug devices to provide
> an Ethernet connection between the access point and the router in its normal
> position where it has a phone connection? I'm assuming that mains sockets
> near the window and where the router normally lives are on the same mains
> phase.

Not tried the home plug, will do if this can thing doesnt work. Access
point cant see to the router upstairs when it is plugged in. Only way
I can see with this is to put one in the middle, and then one out on
the other side. If I put the router downstairs at the very edge of the
coverage area the AP sees it, but where it lives normally it wont.

-Ben