Re: Setting up free wifi for 500-1000 meter range.

On Jan 15, 2008, at 8:49 AM, Caleb Phillips wrote:

> Russell Senior wrote:
>>>>>>> "Wes" == Wes Phibbs <[email protected]> writes:
>>
>> Wes> Setting up free wifi for 500-1000 meter range.  Theres a  
>> farmacia
>> Wes> here in the Dominican Republic (Samana) that wants to setup free
>> Wes> wifi for 500-1000 meters range. The town is made from
>> Wes> moslty cement buildings 1 - 2 stories high. *His is 2 stories*
>
>> Wes> The problem i see is that it seems hard
>> Wes> to find directional antenas that have a wide degree spread, i
>> Wes> guess i would need 90deg on each at least.
>
> 9 dBi 120-degree sector:
> http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=2659&cat=263&page=1
>
> 9.5 dBi 90-degree sector:
> http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?productid=2657&cat=263&page=1
>
> Both are around $55.
>
> Looking around, there are lots of sector antennas in the $100+ range.
> Personally, I've never paid more than $60 for an antenna and I'm
> unconvinced those $160 sectors are worth it. Maybe someone else will
> disagree though...

Actually, a $1000 90deg andrews sector will far outperform any $50  
90deg sector.
It's the VSWR matching (tuning), front to back ratio, cross  
polarization rejection, etc numbers
that make all the difference. When you're dealing with antennas (just  
like everything else in the
world) you get what you pay for.

>> Outdoors without too many obstructions, an access point is going to  
>> be
>> able to provide service for ordinary laptops in the space within a  
>> few
>> hundred feet, maybe 100 meters.  To cover an area the size you are
>> talking about is going to need numerous devices.
>
> I tend to agree with Russell. However, don't be overwhelmed -- you can
> start by deploying gear on the one rooftop and then walk around with a
> laptop and see how far away it is usable. Then, pick another rooftop  
> to
> extend the network in the direction of interest. If at some point the
> cost outweighs the benefit, you can stop deploying.
>
> Those cement buildings are going to pose a problem. We've found that
> indoor repeaters ($50-100) can be helpful in this case.
>
> When you start deployment, take pictures!

This is a case where merakis would probably be a great solution. Start  
with 4 outdoor units on the roof, then
hand out some indoor or outdoor meraki repeaters to neighbors with the  
incentive of free internet access.
Meraki has built in captive portal advertising support.

>
> --
> Caleb Phillips
>
> -- 
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