Range of wireless network--- all input helpful

[LonewolfDJ]

Hey everybody. I'm buying a jornada 720 and plan on setting up a wireless network in my house. Heres my question: I go to school (college) directly across the street from my house. Most of my classes will probably be less than 2000 feet away, more than likely about half of that distance. Is there any wireless hardware that can accomodate that range which i'd like to get or is there any way to modify the wireless transmitter to get that distance? i saw that someone had switched the antenna on his linksys to give better range. My bedroom faces the college so i could set the box next to the window and have no problems with that..... LonewolfDJ@aol.com

[WyattEarp]

Most WLANs will go until the signal completely degrades. so it might be possible it is a matter of how strong your recieving antenna is. I heard some have made antennas for increased signal strength.
Try http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448

Hope this helps.

[LonewolfDJ]

thanks, that does help....

[mperetz]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that your requirements extend far beyond the limits of any current WLAN equipment, based on a single user setup with a single access point. There are all sorts of more complex setups for extending ranges of wireless networks but they are not suited to the single-user paradigm (at least as far as I know). Usually you are limited to about 300 feet with 802.11b, and that is assuming almost perfect conditions. In real life there are obstacles and other issues that usually cut into that. If you require more assistance let me know and I will help you contact one of our experts in this area.

[DScott]

Greetings;

I agree with mperetz about the distance limitations , there are also problems with the structure your in. I use a LAN card at work and there are some "dead" areas due the the steel structure. I also have a friend who has a LAN network at his home and can walk across the street and use his iPAQ at his friends house.
As for the recieving antenna build that WyattEarp posted I have looked at it last month and for a "gizmo" it's cool but it looks impractilcal due to the bulk.

Scott

[jasen]

If your classes are pretty much within line-of-sight you could spend money on a directional antennae to attach to your WAP and aim out the window. They're designed to extend wireless networks between buildings. Go for about $200-300
In general, they say about 320 ft range indoors and 920 ft range outdoors for a single WAP cell, barring obstructions and interference.
Also remember you'll be "sharing" your connection to anybody else who happens to wander by with a wireless card, so take security precautions.

That pringles can antennae is hilarious! I could picture a guy sitting in class with a pringles can on a tripod sitting on his desk surfing the net. :)