Wireless with tree in the way

first of all we are about 600mtrs apart with line of site(no buildings etc) but there is a tree in the way. will the equipment below still give us a good connection. we also want to share broadband.

HOUSE 1 has the broadband connection.
1 PC based here
Router(4 port)
Access point Dlink DWL-900AP+
Low loss LMR400 cable to the 19DB directional antenna

HOUSE 2
19DB directional antenna to LMR400 cable
Access point Dlink DWL-900AP+
Network Switch
2 PC's

Cheers
Kev

 

No one can tell you this for sure!

Depends on the size and denisty of the tree and if in fact it is directy in the path.

If the antennas are very powerful (highly directional) then the beam could be so pin pointed that in fact it could be thin enough to totally be captured by the tree.

But if while still being directional have a wider path then very possible.

Good luck!

Mike

 

hi mflynn

the tree is a fir tree so not to dense and i would just beable to see the antenna through it. the antenna would be near the top of the tree
Your thoughts please

kdc

 

How big is this tree and how close to the house? Most homes are about 30+ feet wide and 60+ feet long. Top of the house or either ends of the homes hopefully will provide a clear narrow beam path. May require line amplifiers. Last resort, go to a junkyard, hardware store and pick up some suitable gauge pipe, 2 pieces taller than the tree. Attach pipe, antenna to each home.

 

Good advice Dennis.

In addition KDC you should already be orienting the antennas on each house to give maximum exposure.

My warning about the "highly directional pin pointed" signal was if, in fact it was directly behind the main body of the tree.

KDC if in fact you can actually see the antenna on the other end your chances of success just went very high. Line of sight is the key word here.

Still while you want directionality (is that a word, Smile) you want a little spread here to allow plenty to get thru the foliage.

Mike

 

You might want to look at making yourself a tin can antenna. This is a antenna made from old tin cans, typically dog food or something like that. Pringles tins also work pretty well so I am told.
What they basically do is concentrate the signal allowing it to go much further, although the width of the signal is much tighter.
However with careful positioning you might be able to avoid the tree that is in your line of sight.

The British ".net" magazine have been running a series of articles on them and have got a couple of 1000 metres out of them easily.
Their articles aren't on the Internet yet, but I did find this site that explains the same sort of technique.

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

Simon.

 

OK everyone who thinks Simon is putting you on!

This works and is working for many. If you have the knack or can follow the directions. If you like to tinker.

It is being done by many!

Check the link. It is not a joke.

Now Newt and I live about 30 miles apart, we are considering 55 gal drums for our link. I am trying to share his broadband. But Newt keeps using his drum for fish. Lol!

I jest, this is legit. If you are handy with eletronics soldering etc.


Mike

 

A couple of months ago Tech TV built and demonstrated this process... worked very well. They compared it against a commercial designed "focused" antenna and it was very comparable, for a lot less money.

Warning to mflynn...
If and when you and Newt get that 30 mile / fish barrel link put together... beware... If the cables are difficult to access, newt has been known to cut them. Then he waits to see if anyone's connection is not working... just a rumor I heard.

 

Yep.. yep that sounds like Newt.

He will use anything for hi test fishing line! Lol!

Mike

 

Dang it - I went fishing for a long weekend and came back to abuse. Some friends you two are.


LOL - good suggestions to KDC though. So I guess I can forgive you for picking on me when I was away.

Mike - I'm now thinking of using a shotgun barrel for the connection. That oughta keep you guessing.

 

Thanks to all so far. Havent decided what to do yet.
Will keep you all posted.

 

Here's another thought regarding your "tree in the way ". I participate in a wireless network in a mobil home park. The guy who set it up is probably about 150 ft from me, but there is a "tree in the way ", sort of. That is, the tree trunk is not directly in line with the wireless base and my site, but branches hang down in the way. When it rains, and the branches get wet the reception is impaired (the wireless is at ~2.4 GHz, and so are microwave ovens, and that's how microwave ovens work, water absorbs the microwaves, and the water heats up).

Anyway, when I first was participating in the wireless network, rain pretty much shut me off from the network, but the wireless "provider ", beefed up the power of his transmitter, and now I am able to stay connected when it rains.