Long Distance WiFi for about 4 Km

Sl1ver

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Dec 18, 2009
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Hi i would like to know what equipment i would need to setup a wifi network of about 4 km, rooftop to rooftop, relatively few trees and mainly densely populated

I would like to know the equipment need with an estimated price.

This will link internet from my work to my computer at my flat. The company has a internet network setup already all ill probably need is an antenna and a AP from the works side?

Thanks in advance guys
 

Digilus

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Mar 19, 2007
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I would think the first thing you will need a license? Surely if you are :
a) crossing property boundaries
&
b) providing internet over the said connection

you'll need a wireless license to start with?
 

DenSweep

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Oct 16, 2008
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All depends on what you doing with it. Normal wi-fi, ie. 2.4 ghz licence not needed, as long as no internet is shared. Speak to the guys who do the WUG thing. Lots help there.

Go to www.wug.za.net
 

Saajid

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I would think the first thing you will need a license? Surely if you are :
a) crossing property boundaries
&
b) providing internet over the said connection

you'll need a wireless license to start with?

Yip. I think you're right.

@Sl1ver: Sounds like you're trying to extract maximum value from the uncapped broadband connection you have at work?? :D If this is true, then you can still do it, without all the hassle. Just use a regular internet connection (ADSL, 3G, iBurst, etc) to Remote Desktop into your work PC, or a server, and setup downloads/torrents from there, so the downloads will be local. Then the next day you go to work, copy it to your PC or a USB stick/drive, and take it home.
 

Sl1ver

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My boss is very aware of the fact that i might want to set up a wireless connection between my flat and work. And i generally would just like internet at home.

What is this license you guys are talking about and what does it cost? and how much will equipment cost on either end and what equipment do i need exactly? of a 4 km distance can the signal still be 2.4Ghz or would it need to be 5.8Ghz?
 

ColinR

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This has been discussed ad'nauseum, a quick search will get you the info you need.
Cost is roughly R1.8k per side. Get Mikrotik or Ubiquiti with Grid antenna's. Done.

Licences, for what? You planning on selling internet access?
 

Sl1ver

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Dec 18, 2009
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whats it basically a AP and antenna for each side?, Sum guy mentioned a license for the network, this is just going to be a private internet network between me and the company i work for
 

Kloon

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As long as you don't offer a service someone has to pay for over the network you don't need any licence. You can get a mikrotik kit on each side, one of these on each side should do the trick.
 

Sl1ver

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Dec 18, 2009
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Thanx for the tips guys, So with what you recommended i just basically erect the antennas at both ends connect the one at my work to the switch and buy like a 8 port switch for me at my home, and then ill be up and running?
 

Sl1ver

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Kloon, the equipment you recommended, will it be able to cover at least 4km with some interference?
 

j@w

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Who ever said license... is uninformed. You don't need one.

Secondly you said there is trees in the way.

Thus, sadly there is no connectivity options. No LOS, no connection, unless you're satisfy with a few kbps.

SL1ver, 4 KM is not "long distance". 120 KM is "long distance". You can easily cover 4 KM with 2 pringle boxes on both sides :p.

Equipment required:
1x RB-411AR (Office) www.routerboard.com
1x RB-411R (Home)
2x 2.4Ghz 15dBi Integrated Enclosure
(o) 2x 2.4ghz 24dBi Grids recommended
2x PoE Splitters
2x 24V PSU
2x SMA - U.FL Pigtail (connects onboard radio to integrated flatpanel antenna) - (N Type M - U.FL pigtail if you take the Grid antennas)
(o) UT4 outdoor enclosure for Routerboards when taking Grid option
(o) 2x 1M 400LMR Cable when taking the Grid option
- mounting bracket & pole
- network cable

then there is the 5.8ghz route also if interference is to bad
 
Last edited:

Prof.Merlin

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Who ever said license... is uninformed. You don't need one.

Secondly you said there is trees in the way.

Thus, sadly there is no connectivity options. No LOS, no connection, unless you're satisfy with a few kbps.

AFAIK, you dont need a license in the 2.4 - 5.8 range IF you do not provide internet. The moment you provide internet wirelessly over those freq, then you need to get a license.

Secondly, 2.4 can go through trees to a certain extent. :p I have lots of trees in my way and i get about 600KB/s when downloading a linux iso.
 

Drunkard #1

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AFAIK, you dont need a license in the 2.4 - 5.8 range IF you do not provide internet. The moment you provide internet wirelessly over those freq, then you need to get a license.

Secondly, 2.4 can go through trees to a certain extent. :p I have lots of trees in my way and i get about 600KB/s when downloading a linux iso.

The WUGs have given people this misconception with their (Size 10) "WE DON'T DO INTERNET" (/Size) motto. They don't move internet traffic because of the volumes, not because of licensing issues. The key point regarding licensing is whether the network is operated "commercially", not it's content. To my knowledge, a private network (for fun or for business) can send anything they want over their link without any licence at all. The definition of commercial is a bit vague though.
 

Elvis007

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The WUGs have given people this misconception with their (Size 10) "WE DON'T DO INTERNET" (/Size) motto. They don't move internet traffic because of the volumes, not because of licensing issues. The key point regarding licensing is whether the network is operated "commercially", not it's content. To my knowledge, a private network (for fun or for business) can send anything they want over their link without any licence at all. The definition of commercial is a bit vague though.

UUUmmm, it is because of licensing issues and not because of volume.... and a few other things as well, but defiantly not because of volume....


As soon as WUG's provide Inet without the correct licenses it's illegal...

And use 2.4 if you have trees in the way, the equipment that Kloon pointed to will be 100%
 

Drunkard #1

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UUUmmm, it is because of licensing issues and not because of volume.... and a few other things as well, but defiantly not because of volume....


As soon as WUG's provide Inet without the correct licenses it's illegal...

And use 2.4 if you have trees in the way, the equipment that Kloon pointed to will be 100%

I need to be pedantic about this. I said "move" as in: if a user has Internet at site A and wants to use a private network to access that connection from site B, he legally can use whatever method he likes without a licence. Legally, he could use the WUG network, but the WUGs don't allow this because of volume.

You said "provide" as in: get your internet here, cheap wireless internet, only R29.95 a gig, come one come all. Selling access to any network (whether it provides Internet or not) is illegal without a licence. Honestly, anyone that says different needs to reread the regulations (and quote them here), if I'm wrong, I'll eat my words, but I doubt it.
 
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