Wi-Fi

[JLJ]

I have a typical 30x40 pole barn about 75' from my house. Range extender on outside of house nearest pole barn [Netgear 5 ext]. Signal inside is barely adequate in summer with garage doors open. Much worse in winter with doors closed. What is best way to get a good signal inside?

 

[Buckaroo5]

I would run an ethernet cable out there and install a wireless router in the pole barn

 

[JLJ]

I would run an ethernet cable out there and install a wireless router in the pole barn

Can't go overhead, rather not trench-most of the distance is driveway and parking. Prefer to use wireless for ease of install.

 

[Skellyii]

I have a typical 30x40 pole barn about 75' from my house. Range extender on outside of house nearest pole barn [Netgear 5 ext]. Signal inside is barely adequate in summer with garage doors open. Much worse in winter with doors closed. What is best way to get a good signal inside?

Put a bridge in the barn, specifically one that allows you to have an external antenna. Put the antenna on the outside of the barn, pointing to your range extender.

 

[WildBill]

We used something like this to get out to a barn about 250ft from the house at a friends place, Works great. Not suggesting this brand at all, just giving an example to help search.

Amazon.com

 

[dscheidt]

Point to point wireless. One radio at house, one at the barn. I have had good luck with ubiquiti stuff. You can get a pair preconfigured as a bridge for about $200.

 

[JLJ]

Sounds like what I need. Would the radio at the house end replace my existing range extender which is connected by ethernet cable? Does the radio at the garage end have wi-fi output or would I need a wireless router at that end? How are they powered?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like what I need. Would the radio at the house end replace my existing range extender which is connected by ethernet cable? Does the radio at the garage end have wi-fi output or would I need a wireless router at that end? How are they powered?

Yes the PtP radios would replace the range extender

Theyre POE powered and connected to main gateway/router in house

Need line of sight between radios

In the barn you dont need another router, just an AP.

 

[JLJ]

My router in house is not POE. Where do I go from there? What kind of AP do I need in garage? I'm more than a little uneducated in this technology.

 

[dscheidt]

Sounds like what I need. Would the radio at the house end replace my existing range extender which is connected by ethernet cable? Does the radio at the garage end have wi-fi output or would I need a wireless router at that end? How are they powered?

Get something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Ubi...nostation/dp/B0CCLMVSMT/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It’s preconfigured, comes with poe power injectors. You can probably use your existing extender in the garage.

 

[JLJ]

Thanks for the info. I will look into this. Sounds like it should work for me.

 

[JOE.G]

JlJ I have the older version of what dscheidt linked to. Mine are the 2.4 version and I have been running them since 2014, one is inside my home in a window behind a curtain so I don't see it and near my router. the other is under the soffit of my Shop with a distance of about 100 Ft. Like you without them I could get a slight signal using a Asus mesh system with doors open.
I get very good signal with the 2.4 ( I want to got to the 5 GHZ but honestly thy are a little hard to configure and no sure i want to mess with something that works. I do get a 5 G connection from shop router but it is limited in speed. I had it set up for years a regular router in shop but it made getting my NVR and what not set up hard and it would have a different name and password and I had to reconnect going between buildings. A friend set it up I believe in AP or bridge mode and it now kinda mirrors main router and switches from one to other flawlessly. The Nano stations have quite a few different models and they are different so pay attention when purchasing.

 

[JLJ]

I get what you say about configuring. The one I am looking at says pre-configured or I would not want to use it. I don't have IT skills.

 

[JOE.G]

Yes back when i did it Pre Config wasn't a option. I don't know for sure but I would assume some things would need to be adjusted. There are power levels and what not and over powering is just as bad as under from my understanding. Price on them also have seem to have come down. Like I said above mine have been rock solid for 12 years now. in all kinds of weather, the one outside really doesn't see rain,snow or direct sun but is outside in all temps. I power mine with the power supply shown but some places don't offer them with the unit and may need to source separate. They say the 2.4 go further and though obstacles better if that is an issue for you.

 

[BurtEggley]

ethernet is your best solution unless you are looking for basic low Internet speeds. To get to the higher speeds at 75' you will need $. Ethernet is good to 330'

 

[aggie113]

Could go with a protected (metal incased) fiber run from the house to the garage. Would require network equipment that can take that connection at either end but you can buy the run in set distances so don't worry about terminating. Would be lightning-proof and you can run it along a fence line or anything else out there between the two sites to keep it from being a tripping hazard.

 

[JOE.G]

With the 2.4 at 100 FT I am getting 60 to 90 MBPS depending where in my shop which is plenty for most task, I am sure the 5G version would be faster. My internet service is 500 MBPS in my home. Back when I built my shop WiFi wasn't as popular as it is now, If I would have thought of it I would have ran Ethernet when i ran the Elec and Water under ground. At this time the time and digging driveway and lawn up isn't worth it.

 

[cgrutt]

I didn’t read through all this but recently added a bunch of wireless access points at a friend's properties. Believe we were using Unifi U6, U7 and U7 Pros. They worked amazingly and can be configured for different purposes for example point to point bridge or wireless access point. The U7 pro was incredible. We mounted one on outside of one of his barns and were getting much better coverage than expected. (The barn already was wired for ethernet but we were then able to connect a remote shed to barn with another WAP.) Not sure of your budget or how critical coverage needs to be but suspect you may find one U7 pro mounted on side of house may provide enough coverage for your needs. If you require better coverage move the U7 pro to barn and pair it with a point to point bridge for main connectivity between the buildings. You'll need a poe injector at each location if your router doesn't provide it. I can ask my buddy for more specifics if you need more details. Good luck with project.

 

[JLJ]

Not interested in running wire or fiber-trenching across driveway-no fence to run along. Has to be wireless. Also don't really care about high speed, just need reliable internet connection.

 

[JLJ]

Reasonable budget. Less than $150 but cheaper is better. Is there a cheap wi-fi antennae that meets my needs? 75' penetrating a metal wall.

 

[cgrutt]

Reasonable budget. Less than $150 but cheaper is better. Is there a cheap wi-fi antennae that meets my needs? 75' penetrating a metal wall.

Unfortunately believe you're not going to have much luck within metal sided building with wifi probably best to bring wireless access point inside structure. You'll also need a bridge for best connectivity between buildings without a physical cable or fiber. So pair of devices for bridge and a third device for wireless access inside structure. Not sure thats possible with decent results under $150. There are less expensive options but metal siding is an obstacle for any wifi signal.

 

[Skellyii]

Reasonable budget. Less than $150 but cheaper is better. Is there a cheap wi-fi antennae that meets my needs? 75' penetrating a metal wall.

Someone suggested the Ubiquiti stuff, they are great, I've install at least a couple of thousand of them both indoors and out, but they're probably not in your budget.

If you have a router with an external antenna, you can buy a different antenna with cable and put it on the outside fo your building.
OR
This device looks promising, I personally haven't tried it.

Amazon.com

 

[cgrutt]

Someone suggested the Ubiquiti stuff, they are great, I've install at least a couple of thousand of them both indoors and out, but they're probably not in your budget.

If you have a router with an external antenna, you can buy a different antenna with cable and put it on the outside fo your building.
OR
This device looks promising, I personally haven't tried it.

Amazon.com

No experience with the linked product either but it actually works OP would probably need three of them (and be within budget!). Use two configured as a bridge between buildings and use a third configured as an access point within metal barn. Good price just don't know how reliable it will be.

 

[BurtEggley]

Not interested in running wire or fiber-trenching across driveway-no fence to run along. Has to be wireless. Also don't really care about high speed, just need reliable internet connection.

I would say that since speed is not an issue to you then use your phone then and just share the Internet it provides. If that is too slow then it is about speed. Go to Google and put in "point to point wireless bridge". Many options will come up. Sort by Avg Customer Review on Amazon and pick one. Your ISP may have an option if you want to rent equipment. There are maybe 100 threads on this forum where others have asked the same question. Those threads may be of more value.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Reasonable budget. Less than $150 but cheaper is better. Is there a cheap wi-fi antennae that meets my needs? 75' penetrating a metal wall.

budget is low. and you wont find anything to penetrate a metal wall @ 75'. metal attenuates wireless signals. no way around that.

get a set of PtP radios and an AP. POE switches are preferred but if you cant spring for those just use the injectors that come with the radios. youll need a power strip. dont forget patch cables.

 

[jblnut]

As suggested already a pair of NanoStations would be great for you. Get a cheap router and set it to “AP Mode” and away you go. I’ve installed the cheapest TP Link router on Amazon for dozens of people and no complaints so far.

I personally have a pair of those Nano Loco AC’s running a 2 mile link between my place and my bin site and they’ve been rocking it with no issues for close to 6yrs.

 

[JLJ]

All this is good info and is educational for me. I think I can find something suitable for me for a reasonable price. I'll let you know what I buy and the results. Again thanks.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

All this is good info and is educational for me. I think I can find something suitable for me for a reasonable price. I'll let you know what I buy and the results. Again thanks.

youd be hard pressed to find something cheaper than a pair of ubiquiti PtP radios and an AP

 

[PCustoms]

Reasonable budget. Less than $150 but cheaper is better. Is there a cheap wi-fi antennae that meets my needs? 75' penetrating a metal wall.

 

[WildBill]

I got one of those setup on my moms farm. Has worked nonstop for about 10 years.

 

[PCustoms]

I got one of those setup on my moms farm. Has worked nonstop for about 10 years.

I just stumbled into a wifi adapter stuffed in my desk drawer, might rig one up to the woodshed.

Bonus snack too

 

[BurtEggley]

the above in true GJ fashion I am tempted to say a Starbucks cup works too if the USB jack hole is cut right, but I shall refrain from such a silly statement ...

 

[gte718p]

Someone suggested the Ubiquiti stuff, they are great, I've install at least a couple of thousand of them both indoors and out, but they're probably not in your budget.

If you have a router with an external antenna, you can buy a different antenna with cable and put it on the outside fo your building.
OR
This device looks promising, I personally haven't tried it.

Amazon.com

Some generation old Ubiquiti can be sources for ~$170. It is still the gold standard for pro-sumer gear.

Amazon.com: Wireless Bridge NSM5 Pre-Configured Bundle of 2, M5 Point to Point Wi-Fi Bridge Outdoor, Plug and Play 150+ Mbps, 5 GHz, 15+ km Link Range : Electronics

Amazon.com: Wireless Bridge NSM5 Pre-Configured Bundle of 2, M5 Point to Point Wi-Fi Bridge Outdoor, Plug and Play 150+ Mbps, 5 GHz, 15+ km Link Range : Electronics

www.amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-LocoM2-2-PACK-Nanostation-Outdoor/dp/B0161G653W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JOE.G]

The Loco M2 2.4 linked in the post above for $119 is what I have I paid way more than that back in 2014 but like I said they have been rock solid, Distance and speed are good as well. If on a budget I would not hesitate to grab these.

 

[Codyboy]

budget is low. and you wont find anything to penetrate a metal wall @ 75'. metal attenuates wireless signals. no way around that.

get a set of PtP radios and an AP. POE switches are preferred but if you cant spring for those just use the injectors that come with the radios. youll need a power strip. dont forget patch cables.

Yeah its weird some type of signals will some won't.
I can't get cell phone service (Verizon) at all in my shop which is all steel.

However I can receive 2M and 70cm ham repeaters no problem and those repeaters are up to 25 miles away.
Never tried transmitting from inside as I only have a hand held radio. ( baofeng)
I could try and pull my truck inside and try it as it has a 50 watt mobile in it. Just out of curiosity.

 

[Bay79Matco4S]

Wi-Fi hates:

• Metal buildings
• Distance
• Cold weather
• Your optimism

Range extenders work great if your goal is to get almost internet.

Best real-world options:

• Run a buried Ethernet line and never think about it again
• Point-to-point wireless bridge if trenching isn’t an option

Everything else is just chasing bars on your phone while standing on one foot near the door.

Ask me how I know.

 

[cgrutt]

Wi-Fi hates:

• Metal buildings
• Distance
• Cold weather
• Your optimism

Range extenders work great if your goal is to get almost internet.

Best real-world options:

• Run a buried Ethernet line and never think about it again
• Point-to-point wireless bridge if trenching isn’t an option

Everything else is just chasing bars on your phone while standing on one foot near the door.

Ask me how I know.

Still need to bring signal into the structure with a bridge, so bridge plus access point would be best (without running a cable/fiber).

 

[Bay79Matco4S]

Still need to bring signal into the structure with a bridge, so bridge plus access point would be best (without running a cable/fiber).

@cgrutt 100% agreed, couldn't agree more. A bridge feeding a proper access point inside the building is really the clean solution if you’re not trenching.

Range extenders just amplify a weak signal, then people wonder why it worked great in July but fell apart in January when the doors are closed. Metal buildings are basically Wi-Fi kryptonite, effectively acting like a Faraday cage. Been there.

A point-to-point bridge or buried Ethernet are the only two setups I’ve personally installed where you set it once and forget about it, without seasonal tinkering. Everything else is just watching signal bars lie to you.

 

[Skooterj]

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-EAP211-Bridge-KIT-Wireless-Integrated/dp/B0CX85WC61/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Skooterj]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGT3WTTM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This set even comes with antenna mounts.