# Outdoor Long(ish) Range WiFi: How To?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 9, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676 "2015-07-09T18:20:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/1 "2015-07-09T18:20:00Z")
I’m wanting to extend a Wi-Fi signal from my residence across a measured two hundred feet of open space to target a remote patio about 50’ square. Other than a couple trees & bushes there’s nothing between where I can site my transmitter and where I want to consume the signal. There is no way to string wire to the patio area nor to install anything there; the signal needs to be wireless from the residence end. From the transmit location POV the target area is about 20 degrees across. So a semi-directional antenna would work, but not one designed for a point-to-point spot-beam application.
My current home setup is the typical one for internet via cable TV: [coax] -\> [cable modem] -\> Ethernet 1000BaseT -\> [combined router/firewall/Wi-Fi unit] -\> client devices (wired & also over the air).
I have 110VAC and protection from the elements at the location where I could put my long range Wi-Fi transmitter. I \*could \*string wired 1000BaseT from the current router to there, but I’d prefer the device to connect to my existing Wi-Fi if that’s reasonably doable and reasonably reliable.
The existing combo unit is a NetGear WNDR4300 if that matters. It’s presently transmitting both 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n and 5.0 GHz 802.11 a/n.
I want solid signal strength at the patio. Speed is secondary. I’ll be doing stuff like web surfing & light Youtubing over this link; not hard core gaming. Probably some RDC as well.
I’m 100% comfortable with manual device config, setting up & managing multiple subnets, etc.; it doesn’t have to be ignorant consumer self-configging gear. I just don’t know the current state of what’s available versus my needs. Don’t want to buy a $500 Cisco pro WiFi base station when a cheapo NetGear XYZ-123 will do. Nor do I want to go through buying three consumer wifi repeaters that don’t \*quite \*have the oomph to do what I need.
So: what device(s) am I looking for?
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/2 "2015-07-09T18:25:19Z")
[Do you like Pringles](http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-make-a-wifi-antenna-out-of-a-pringles-can-nb/)?
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/3 "2015-07-09T21:41:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> I’m wanting to extend a Wi-Fi signal from my residence across a measured two hundred feet of open space to target a remote patio about 50’ square. Other than a couple trees & bushes there’s nothing between where I can site my transmitter and where I want to consume the signal. There is no way to string wire to the patio area nor to install anything there; the signal needs to be wireless from the residence end. From the transmit location POV the target area is about 20 degrees across. So a semi-directional antenna would work, but not one designed for a point-to-point spot-beam application.
>
> My current home setup is the typical one for internet via cable TV: [coax] -\> [cable modem] -\> Ethernet 1000BaseT -\> [combined router/firewall/Wi-Fi unit] -\> client devices (wired & also over the air).
>
> I have 110VAC and protection from the elements at the location where I could put my long range Wi-Fi transmitter. I \*could \*string wired 1000BaseT from the current router to there, but I’d prefer the device to connect to my existing Wi-Fi if that’s reasonably doable and reasonably reliable.
>
> The existing combo unit is a NetGear WNDR4300 if that matters. It’s presently transmitting both 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n and 5.0 GHz 802.11 a/n.
>
> I want solid signal strength at the patio. Speed is secondary. I’ll be doing stuff like web surfing & light Youtubing over this link; not hard core gaming. Probably some RDC as well.
>
> I’m 100% comfortable with manual device config, setting up & managing multiple subnets, etc.; it doesn’t have to be ignorant consumer self-configging gear. I just don’t know the current state of what’s available versus my needs. Don’t want to buy a $500 Cisco pro WiFi base station when a cheapo NetGear XYZ-123 will do. Nor do I want to go through buying three consumer wifi repeaters that don’t \*quite \*have the oomph to do what I need.
>
> So: what device(s) am I looking for?
Is there AC wiring to the patio?
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### Author:  [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/4 "2015-07-09T22:34:50Z")
You’re gonna need string, a pencil and this guy [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](http://imgur.com/bMbdG2X)
[WokFi - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WokFi)
By trying objects of different shapes and sizes relative to either the 2.4 or 5Ghz freq, you might get a good mix of range and beam shape.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/5 "2015-07-09T23:24:29Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> Is there AC wiring to the patio?
I don’t control the patio. I can’t install anything there. So powerline networking (which I assume you were leading towards) is right out.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/6 "2015-07-10T00:12:48Z")
One of the best and most powerful wireless home routers is the [Linksys WRT1900AC](http://www.cnet.com/products/linksys-wrt1900ac-wireless-router/). The test results I have seen show that they can cover a 300 foot radius on their own but I wouldn’t trust that to be completely reliable. [You can also it as a bundle with a range extender](http://www.linksys.com/ca/p/P-LNK1029-CA/) to boost the coverage even more. It is pricey for a home router but is still under $350 all inclusive even with the range extender which still a real bargain for a router of that power and quality. If that still doesn’t meet your needs well enough, you are going to need to add a direction antenna.
200 feet isn’t very ambitious in general and you should be able to achieve it fairly easily. It is the people that want 1000+ feet ranges that are looking at some real money and/or experimentation and hardware hacks.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/7 "2015-07-10T01:30:21Z")
Does the destination patio have power? Or do you have a portable solar array or some such? You could blast power from home to the patio, but your laptop has to be able to transmit back too.
This long-range bridge got pretty good reviews, even with just one unit and a normal WiFi client on the other side:
> **[Amazon.com: EnGenius 11n 2.4GHz Wireless Ethernet Bridge/Access Point (ENH202) :...](https://www.amazon.com/EnGenius-2-4GHz-Wireless-Ethernet-ENH202/dp/B006M1PKWY)**
>
> Amazon.com: EnGenius 11n 2.4GHz Wireless Ethernet Bridge/Access Point (ENH202) : Electronics
But if you can hook up two, one on each side, it’ll be even better. Maybe power it with a small DC solar setup.
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### Author:  [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/8 "2015-07-10T04:57:43Z")
NM
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/9 "2015-07-10T13:44:21Z")
> [@Reply](#):
>
> Does the destination patio have power? Or do you have a portable solar array or some such? You could blast power from home to the patio, but your laptop has to be able to transmit back too.
>
> This long-range bridge got pretty good reviews, even with just one unit and a normal WiFi client on the other side:
> [http://www.amazon.com/EnGenius-Technologies-2-4GHz-Wireless-ENH202/dp/B006M1PKWY](http://www.amazon.com/EnGenius-Technologies-2-4GHz-Wireless-ENH202/dp/B006M1PKWY)
>
> But if you can hook up two, one on each side, it’ll be even better. Maybe power it with a small DC solar setup.
Good catch on the need for back-haul; I’d stupidly ignored that factor. So at the residence end I probably need a directional antenna more than I need raw radiated power.
Just to clarify for one and all: the patio is public space. I can put absolutely nothing there except what I’m willing to carry with me each time I go there. Which doesn’t include solar arrays, external cantennas, or anything else. My butt, my tablet, and that’s it, period, amen. If it needs more equipment than that, I’ll just bring my smartphone and tether my tablet off that. The whole goal of this exercise is to avoid dragging the phone along too.
Thanks to all for the suggestions so far.
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### Author:  [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/10 "2015-07-10T13:50:50Z")
Is it a condominium type of place where you individually own your residence but the patio is the private property of the co-owners?
If so, perhaps you’re not the only one who wishes for WiFi there and you could bring it up at the next meeting or to the people who have the discretion to make those decisions.
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### Author:  [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/11 "2015-07-10T14:00:05Z")
ETA: I know you said the patio was public but that could either mean “available to all co-owners” or “available to anyone at all” which matters for installing WiFi.
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### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/12 "2015-07-10T14:03:43Z")
It seems like all you need is a directional antenna, something like[this](http://www.cablesandkits.com/cisco-compatible-aironet-24ghz-hemispherical-patch-antenna-p-5338.html?zmam=89793365&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=5338&gclid=Cj0KEQjw2v2sBRCazKGu3tSFz64BEiQAKIE1hqkx8iBo9Yx4ZfPnIXFcAi1QfO7M5usPb3V9joV2TgIaAiFZ8P8HAQ)
Even though it is directional you may be close enough to the base station that you can get away with one antenna for near and far access.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/13 "2015-07-10T15:06:05Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#):
>
> Is it a condominium type of place where you individually own your residence but the patio is the private property of the co-owners?
>
> If so, perhaps you’re not the only one who wishes for WiFi there and you could bring it up at the next meeting or to the people who have the discretion to make those decisions.
> [@MichaelEmouse](#):
>
> ETA: I know you said the patio was public but that could either mean “available to all co-owners” or “available to anyone at all” which matters for installing WiFi.
I should have been more explicit at the beginning. Sorry.
Yeah, it’s a condo and the patio is shared property of the members. The general public isn’t welcome, but somebody from off the street wanders in from time to time; we’re not highly secured. Getting the association to install Wi-Fi in the shared areas is a great idea, but is the work of ages. Our wheels of progress turn with the speed and power of 75 yo women.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [July 10, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/14 "2015-07-10T15:09:10Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> It seems like all you need is a directional antenna, something like[this](http://www.cablesandkits.com/cisco-compatible-aironet-24ghz-hemispherical-patch-antenna-p-5338.html?zmam=89793365&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=5338&gclid=Cj0KEQjw2v2sBRCazKGu3tSFz64BEiQAKIE1hqkx8iBo9Yx4ZfPnIXFcAi1QfO7M5usPb3V9joV2TgIaAiFZ8P8HAQ)
>
> Even though it is directional you may be close enough to the base station that you can get away with one antenna for near and far access.
That antenna looks pretty successful. Now all I need are the device it attaches to and a way to feed that device from my upstream Wi-Fi.
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### Author:  [@TallTrees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TallTrees)
#### Post date: [July 11, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-long-ish-range-wifi-how-to/724676/15 "2015-07-11T00:21:19Z")
With the linked item on Amazon or many similar others, for $75 or less you’ll get an antenna that should easily provide a usable signal. Your in-home password will still be needed for access, though I would probably disconnect the antenna when not in use.
Search for Hi Gain wifi antenna to find your choices.
The WokFi approach works too for less money. For a long time, I did something similar in my house by cutting a corner segment out of a cardboard box and covering it with aluminum foil. Think of the front and back cover of an opened book at a 90 degree angle with no pages in the middle. An L shaped piece, 6 inches high, six inches on each side of the corner makes a 90 degree piece that works well as a reflector. Put the router in front of the 90 deg angle and what happens is like cupping your hands to your mouth (for speaking) and cupping your hand to your ear (for listening).
I finally ditched that for a range extender - less unattractive and better signal spread in my house.