Wireless connectivity between house and two barns

[joncrane]

I want to add cameras and wifi in two outbuilings. Flat land, some trees, and distance from house to barns is 250'. Hardwire or extender? what is recommended and simple to install? All kinds of Michigan weather...hot in summer cold in winter some lightning.

Jon Crane
Rochester Mich

 

[ScaldedDog]

Wired is always better, IMHO, but there are PTMP (Point To Multi Point, so your house is the "base", and communicates with the two outbuildings) solutions that will work well. Google "Ubiquiti PTMP" for examples.

BTW, though I prefer wired, I'm using a Ubiquiti wireless bridge to connect my single barn, and it works well.

Mark


Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[nafterclifen]

I have a router in my house (Netgear R7000) and an extender in my garage (Netgear EX7000). The R7000 router has (4) Gigabit network ports and the EX7000 extender has (5) Gigabit network ports. All of them are enabled and available for use.The R7000 and EX7000 both provide WiFi (either same or different SSIDs) and they seamlessly communicate with each other via WiFi. But they're only about 100' apart.

That is the simplest way to do it and it might work for you but I stress the MIGHT because of the 250' distance. It'll likely work but speeds might not be great. Only way to know is test it. Keep in mind, not all equipment or antennas are created equal.

CAT6 would 100% work for that distance. But that means conduit if you don't already have it. Or you could utilize shielded outdoor aerial cable if possible.

If the router and extender option doesn't work then I would look at a directional outdoor wireless bridge. I'm not a fan of outdoor equipment but they have come a long way.

 

[Don1357]

As Mark said, what you want us a point to point WiFi. Do a search for that on Amazon.

 

[Bad Habit]

Similar situation, albeit shorter distance, and only 1 outbuilding. I use an Orbi system from Netgear, the satellite in the garage gives me an ethernet port so I can connect a PoE switch to run my cameras. Also provides the wireless for the garage and surrounding area.

If you have a pathway, running a hardline connection is always going to be better. If copper you should put protectors on each end, fiber wouldn't have that requirement.

 

[matt_i]

I'm going to recommend hardwire.

Cat 5e direct burial wire is $110

https://www.truecable.com/products/...nV65xvKFS_lZ6k_Np1ZGm5TBKPcfx7FBoCwtYQAvD_BwE

Gel filled is $140
https://www.cablewholesale.com/spec...kapSHHTQ3FlB35Uj4lJysNfl2LP-CQahoCOSEQAvD_BwE

I didn't research shipping, which is going to push it higher.

But can you get the network hardware for that? The Cat 5 cable is going to be going strong 30 years from now. I can't say I could put that kind of reliability on network equipment...

Being low voltage you can put it under the sod with a drain spade. but why not?

Sure that's not as forevermore as trenching it 18" down inside of conduit but a lot less invasive too. Don't have to regrow the grass even. Just protect the entry and exit which you could do with short pieces of PVC conduit and fill the open end with silicone caulk.

 

[Ron_J]

I'm using an extender (cheap $30 from Amazon) and it works great. But I only needed to go about 80'. If your phone can reach the house wifi from your barns, then the extender will also.

 

[bigbrand0105]

Jon I am right around the block from you in Washington Township. My barn sits about 350' from my home. I tried a few things but ultimately ended up going with this from radio labs. Took me a hour or two to set up and get running ( i am not a tech guy at all). Have great wifi in the barn and no problems yet to speak of.

https://www.radiolabs.com/wireless/wireless-bridge-kits/extend-wifi-garage-shop-barn-access-point/

 

[yatg]

At 250', plus up/down/over from the ground to actual equipment, you could get close to the 100m/330' limit of cat cable.

 

[dcg9381]

Wired is better. For point to point - several people have used umbiquiti has point to point solutions exactly for this..

 

[ScaldedDog]

Remember, the OP's situation is point to multi point, and we don't know anything about the layout, or the construction materials. (e.g. A metal pole barn is a different thing to pass radio signals through than a stick build.) Given the distances involved, some options , like extenders, may be off the table.

Mark

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[johnnyradiant]

I'm going to recommend hardwire.

Cat 5e direct burial wire is $110

At 250', plus up/down/over from the ground to actual equipment, you could get close to the 100m/330' limit of cat cable.

At 250' the bennefit of speed that 5E offers will be lost according to spec but actual milage may vary.

Based on my blatant disregard for Cat specs on a couple non critical jobs I can assure you that 330' may be the limit on paper and using indoor only rated cable outside, in climate conditions well exceeding temp ratings let alone wet and UV for 18 years without a connection hiccup should easily get you a functioning single run at 250' plus bends of an additional 100'. Back in the Cat4 days I even tried successfully using one cable for 2 as you only needed 2 of the 4 pair for a signal. It wasn't mission critical stuff and it was until some proper gear could be added but it worked.

 

[glend123]

this is exactly what I did. works great but you have to run an ethernet cable to the barn.

 

[kjruofl]

I'm using a dlink unit for the garage. I've had it for maybe 4 years and it works like a charm.
Since this is my first post it wont let me add linky thingy.

Google dlink powerline extender

 

[BruceMc]

I've had excellent results using this simple, point-to-point wireless. It's rated for 5 km, and I'm currently supporting two 4K PoE cameras (at full resolution and frame rate) and an access point approx 600' away through a few trees.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P4JKQGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Showkey]

This has been hashed and rehashed 100 times.

Extenders cut speed and bandwidth........do not the best option.

Wired is going to cost $$$ plus time and effort. Then the multiple access point issues or multiple routers.

A mesh router system witha base and several satellites might just cover the building, grounds and home for $300-$500 all in and be setup and running in 15 minutes. The only wild card is the distance between the buildings and building materials. I run a mesh at 100’ with No issue ....full speed, full bandwidth With Orbi system with separate back haul channel.

The let the argument ( discussion) begin........or look at the 20 other prior threads.

 

[boatshoes]

That's too far for standard wifi, even a mesh setup. People have mentioned wire and you could probably keep it within the 100m spec. I have seen ethernet work over longer distances but it's not a sure thing.

I've had excellent results using this simple, point-to-point wireless. It's rated for 5 km, and I'm currently supporting two 4K PoE cameras (at full resolution and frame rate) and an access point approx 600' away through a few trees.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P4JKQGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For the money, I would give this a try. Note that you have to buy it as either a 2.4 or 5ghz model. Free returns if it doesn't work for you. Also note that the ethernet port on it is only 100mbit, so manage your speed expectations.

Product page https://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/outdoor-radio/cpe210/\ states that it is capable of point to multipoint (beam width is 45 degrees).


I don't own this, but FWIW I have been impressed with every piece of TP-Link hardware I have ever purchased (5+ routers, a couple repeaters, and some USB dongles), especially for the price point.

 

[50pascals]

I have always done this with wifi access points set to bridge mode. Then buy a directional antenna off Ebay.

The key is the antenna - Put a directional antenna on each end and aim them at each other. I have done this at 200' to 300' several times.

I recently bought a commercial shop down the road from my house. About to do this over 1200'.

 

[Denwood]

You should post a pic. No one has asked the important question yet regarding line of sight.

1. 250' with trees is a PITA to trench, but ya, direct burial CAT 6 will be lower cost, but more work.

2. Assuming you have line of sight, then it's hard to beat two Nanobeam 5AC units at $180 for a pair. I use these commercially and they are rock solid. They will get you to about 400Mbps (about 40% of gigabit ethernet), and you won't be bumping up against any ethernet limitations (300ft).

Ya, and there are many current threads with the same question:

https://www.google.ca/search?ei=c-h...+www.garagejournal.com+wifi+between+buildings

Now: