# Long range WiFi **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376 "2013-12-03T15:36:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qwertol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376/1 "2013-12-03T15:36:18Z")
Are there devices you can plug to your notebook that will allow you to create WiFi hotspot of about 500 m omnidirectional range or is it rather impossible? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376/2 "2013-12-03T16:48:31Z")
Apx 1500 ft, I don’t believe it will be that easy, but it may be technically possible. You may need a series of unidirectional hi-gain antennas broadcasting in different directions on different channels. It could be hardwired into the network port or USB port, or could be wireless from the laptop, but you will need something like a switch (router) and multiple wireless transmitters plugged into that. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376/3 "2013-12-03T17:13:00Z")
> [@Qwertol](#): > > Are there devices you can plug to your notebook that will allow you to create WiFi hotspot of about 500 m omnidirectional range or is it rather impossible? Not offered off-the-shelf today as far as I know. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376/4 "2013-12-03T18:13:01Z")
You are looking for something like [this](http://www.faculty-x.net/NET-WL-ROCKET_BG)? or [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Gain-Long-Rang-Alfa-9dBi-Mount/dp/B0038Q4AIG/ref=pd_sim_computers_17) or [this](http://www.pdqconnect.com/rocket-usb-wi-fi-signal-booster-with-5-mile-range-for-boats/) Stong antenna 9dB+ and booster, get you there, if there is nothing in line of sight. Directional would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376/5 "2013-12-03T18:53:54Z")
> [@Doughbag](#): > > You are looking for something like [this](http://www.faculty-x.net/NET-WL-ROCKET_BG)? > or [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Gain-Long-Rang-Alfa-9dBi-Mount/dp/B0038Q4AIG/ref=pd_sim_computers_17) > or [this](http://www.pdqconnect.com/rocket-usb-wi-fi-signal-booster-with-5-mile-range-for-boats/) > > Stong antenna 9dB+ and booster, get you there, if there is nothing in line of sight. > Directional would be better. I wonder if you can get that range in hotspot mode or only when receiving… ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-range-wifi/675376/6 "2013-12-04T14:10:14Z")
> [@Qwertol](#): > > I wonder if you can get that range in hotspot mode or only when receiving… Not 100% sure, if it makes a difference as a hotspot vs just receiving, since I usually use a router and attach an aerial to it. From what I understand from your post, you want to use something like 3G/4G connection and generate a mobile hotspot or use your laptop as a router. However, if you just want to generate a network to connect several devices; use a router, which will be able to power the aerial, it’s much easier to configure and powerful units are wider available. Some routers with WAN connectors will also let your laptop be the gateway via it’s RJ45 connector. Wireless is not as straight forward as cable. It depends on all sort of things like weather (rain/wind), buildings, insulation in buildings, cars and general everything else. When a manufacturer says reach up to 500m, this means 500m straight line of sight without any interference. For long distances a directional aerial is more advisable, something like [this](http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?categoryid=216&model=TL-WA7210N). Several of these devices will also get you an “omnidirectional” coverage…… it’s a basically a question on how much do you want to spend.