Boost WiFi Signal?

Question

I need to boost a WiFi signal. Not with the cheesy little wifi extenders.....but with a unit powerful enough to cover a whole neighborhood.

My client is a real estate developer that wants to place a wifi router in a model home and be able to use his notebook anywhere in the subdivision.

They own every lot in the subdivision and are beginning to build homes on these lots. So, there should be no problem as far as their signal stepping on anyone else.

Has anyone seen plans for such a booster online that I could modify for their use?

Floyd L. Davidson · Accepted Answer

I was tempted to write a sarcastic proposal that you simply build a 200 foot tower in the center of the sub division... the whole thing need not cost more than a few hundred thousand.

I won't bore you with the fun details (which would perhaps tickle my imagination a lot more than yours??).

How big is this subdividsion. What kind of homes (one story or two?), what kind of trees, hills, and basic topography? Any predominate high points for good antenna locations (or obvious low points that will be hard to reach)?

Absent a handy 200 foot tower, would a cell phone be a better idea?

Peter Pan · Answer

Plans no, but if you want to look at a website for a business that does all sorts of large WiFI setups, check out

Jim Hubbard · Answer

I need to boost a WiFi signal. Not with the cheesy little wifi extenders.....but with a unit powerful enough to cover a whole neighborhood.

My client is a real estate developer that wants to place a wifi router in a model home and be able to use his notebook anywhere in the subdivision.

They own every lot in the subdivision and are beginning to build homes on these lots. So, there should be no problem as far as their signal stepping on anyone else.

Has anyone seen plans for such a booster online that I could modify for their use?

RÃ´gÃªr · Answer

You're taking customers for your service and you don't know enough to ask the right questions?

Put an outside access point and antenna high above the roof of the model home, run cat5 inside to a POE injector. That's one possible solution. I'm sure there's many more. The size of the subdivision, the size, number and placement of trees, lots of things will affect the design of a wireless network.

Robert Jacobs · Answer

has plenty of products you can use, not cheaply though...

Ed Williams · Answer

he not use these. They go a 1/2 mile pretty easy. If  his access point is in the center could he not plug three more into the same computer'USB' point them 4 different ways and bridge the connection.

AR15 · Answer

Your client should find a System Integrated/VAR/Consultant that really knowsWiFi...: I need to boost a WiFi signal.  Not with the cheesy little wifi: extenders.....but with a unit powerful enough to cover a wholeneighborhood.:: My client is a real estate developer that wants to place a wifi router ina: model home and be able to use his notebook anywhere in the subdivision.:: They own every lot in the subdivision and are beginning to build homes on: these lots.  So, there should be no problem as far as their signalstepping: on anyone else.:: Has anyone seen plans for such a booster online that I could modify for: their use?:::

George · Answer

neighborhood.Why not have him go with one of the commercial offerings to do that on hisnotebook?

George · Answer

The OP provided zero information about the actual size of the"neighborhood". There is no way to suggest anything based on the total lackof information.

no.one · Answer

Three WRT54GS WAPs. Set first to Channel 1, second to Channel 6 and thirdto Channel 11.  Each has a directional antenna, with perhaps 150 degreefield of coverage.  Put on high point, as high as local code will permit.Use the SveaSoft replacement firmware to adjust the power output, relativeto the gain of the antenna, so as toavoid violating FCC regulations.Have him get an Proxim Orinoco Gold, Compex, Buffalo or other card whichsupports external antennas, so if he needs one, he doesn't have to changethe WNIC in his notebook PC.?c=Wireless%20Products&d=&page=2Many plans in WIRELESS HACKS and other books on 802.11b/g for cheap andeffective external antennas.

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