I'm having problems setting up a wifi hotspot

[notinmybackyard]

I'm still in the learning/testing phase for what I'm hoping to eventually do and I think I'm getting jerked around by salesmen for the hardware I need to buy.


I want to setup a kind of wifi hotspot with a range of 1km or better. In basic layman's terms what do I need to buy?

[Bladewire]

[Bladewire]

[Bladewire]

[AzteK]

From what I've read you're going to need an access point every 200 feet. You will probably not be able to achieve this if you have to come here and ask.

[rowan]

As I stated in another of your wifi question threads, setting up a (single) general long range access point is going to be difficult. The power levels involved are too low for reliable long distance operation. At minimum you would need a special directional antenna for each client.

[notinmybackyard]

Originally Posted by rowan

As I stated in another of your wifi question threads, setting up a (single) general long range access point is going to be difficult. The power levels involved are too low for reliable long distance operation. At minimum you would need a special directional antenna for each client.

I understand that about the power level. But this is where I'm running into problems because I'm willing to take a bare knuckle approach of increasing the power level.

Obviously, this is where I'm getting jerked around by salespeople.

((( Sorry if I"m having problems explaining myself - And thanks for your patience ))

[rowan]

You can buy power amplifiers for wifi bands, but the level of output power is likely to be illegal. They're also often poor quality, not type approved, again because... illegal.

A directional antenna at the client will concentrate both the transmit and receive energy. Same sort of thing as cupping your hands to your mouth or ear to communicate with someone at a distance.

[notinmybackyard]

Originally Posted by rowan

You can buy power amplifiers for wifi bands, but the level of output power is likely to be illegal. They're also often poor quality, not type approved, again because... illegal.

A directional antenna at the client will concentrate both the transmit and receive energy. Same sort of thing as cupping your hands to your mouth or ear to communicate with someone at a distance.

A directional antenna just won't be practical or even feasible because I would have to know who is going to be using it.

As for illegal,
Can something be modified to carry the required strength or can I order something from China?

Honestly I very much doubt that there are any black vans monitoring the airwaves in my city because they're just not that competent here. (In fact, both the government and workers tend to be absolute idiots)

Originally Posted by AzteK

From what I've read you're going to need an access point every 200 feet. You will probably not be able to achieve this if you have to come here and ask.

Everything starts by asking questions.
Plus I've posted this on multiple sites and I'll see what happens.

[rowan]

Originally Posted by notinmybackyard

A directional antenna just won't be practical or even feasible because I would have to know who is going to be using it.

As for illegal,
Can something be modified to carry the required strength or can I order something from China?

Honestly I very much doubt that there are any black vans monitoring the airwaves in my city because they're just not that competent here. (In fact, both the government and workers tend to be absolute idiots)

The black vans aren't going to be routinely patrolling for "illegal signals", but if your poor quality Chinese amplifier stomps all over the signals from your neighbour's wifi or DECT phones, and someone with half a clue reports the problem to an authority, you may end up with a black van visiting your area. These would be technical radio guys, not bored local city workers.

So yeah, not suggesting don't do it just because it's illegal, it's more that anything you shoehorn onto an AP to increase the range may end up impacting surrounding properties.

It may be possible to use multiple APs with slightly directional antennae to improve the range (say, four access points, with one of each antenna pointing N, E, W, S) but I don't think you'll be able to achieve anywhere near 1km range when the client end is limited to using standard wifi equipment. You would need repeaters located at several points.

[notinmybackyard]

Originally Posted by rowan

The black vans aren't going to be routinely patrolling for "illegal signals", but if your poor quality Chinese amplifier stomps all over the signals from your neighbour's wifi or DECT phones, and someone with half a clue reports the problem to an authority, you may end up with a black van visiting your area. These would be technical radio guys, not bored local city workers.

So yeah, not suggesting don't do it just because it's illegal, it's more that anything you shoehorn onto an AP to increase the range may end up impacting surrounding properties.

It may be possible to use multiple APs with slightly directional antennae to improve the range (say, four access points, with one of each antenna pointing N, E, W, S) but I don't think you'll be able to achieve anywhere near 1km range when the client end is limited to using standard wifi equipment. You would need repeaters located at several points.

You have no idea how absolutely fucking incompetent and how little anyone actually cares about anything in my city/province are. But this is a rant for a blog and irrelevant to the conversation.

Multiple APs and 4 access portals... hmm..

What about my idea to make this mobile? Could I put it in my black van and drive around?

That way it's to hell with worrying about disrupting other WIFI signals.

See I'm not really intersted in running it 24-7. I thinking more along the lines of "We interupt this WIFI for this xxxx."

[rowan]

Originally Posted by notinmybackyard

See I'm not really intersted in running it 24-7. I thinking more along the lines of "We interupt this WIFI for this xxxx."

You're wanting to take over other people's wifi, like replace data rather than just killing the session? It could work if their devices just latch onto the first open access AP they find - you are now their connection to the internet - but you won't be able to take over encrypted wifi, unless you know the password.

[brassmonkey]

hey man go on youtube and hunt.

[rowan]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

hey man go on youtube and hunt.

Highly directional antennae at both ends.

OP wants something which doesn't require special hardware at the client end.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by rowan

Highly directional antennae at both ends.

OP wants something which doesn't require special hardware at the client end.

i could swear he said what do i need to buy at the end...

[notinmybackyard]

Originally Posted by rowan

Highly directional antennae at both ends.

OP wants something which doesn't require special hardware at the client end.

That's 1 of the problems I'm running into because I won't know who the client is.

As I see it I've got 2 options.

1. Cause a powerful enough broadcast so that I can cover a large area.

Or...

2. Install the setup in my van and go mobile.

The 2nd solution is going to require a substantial amount of time invested in it. I'm hoping there's something I can order from China.

Hmmm.. Just had an idea.
Are there battery or solar powered repeaters? I might conceivably be able to hide them around the neighborhoods I want to broadcast in.