Wireless Internet option for barn

[Husky79]

So there is DSL access at the house with wifi modem. Twe want to get access at the barn which I would say is about 400 feet. Would this work well?

I will post link and image on next post because it said I need one more post to be able to do this..

 

[Husky79]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076KRTXQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_y6NDEbC6Y8EDT

In attached image, red line is transmission line to where the main router is at the home to the back of barn with antenna on a 1 or 2 ft tall post on top of SW roof, then blue line is line to 2nd wifi router. Yellow is coverage area.

 

[NotOrganized]

I am a fan of ubiquiti stuff. Here is one that seems to get good speed and distance.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GT2Y5GN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[u2slow]

Yagi style antennas will go the distance. As a 90's technophile and cheapskate... probably dink around and build something like this...

https://www.ab9il.net/wlan-projects/wifi7.html

Do you have power at the barn?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076KRTXQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_y6NDEbC6Y8EDT

In attached image, red line is transmission line to where the main router is at the home to the back of barn with antenna on a 1 or 2 ft tall post on top of SW roof, then blue line is line to 2nd wifi router. Yellow is coverage area.

I wouldn't bother with an off brand.

Get a pair of ubiquiti nano station ac 5 or a pair of the radios linked above (more directional signal so it will be stronger).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFJBJQ7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You will also need a wireless access point for the barn.

The second ethernet port on the POE injector plugs into the access point poe injector

 

[jdm5]

+1 Ubiquiti - enterprise (ish) grade stuff at affordable price and works great.

 

[NotOrganized]

I run mainly ubiquiti unifi stuff. Nice having a central managed solution.

 

[aardquark]

+1 on ubiquity. I have had a ubiquiti link up between my house and barn for three years now (about 120 feet), and it has been rock solid. I have never had to mess with it since installation. Can't say the same about various wifi links I tried, including a "cantenna".

 

[MagKarl]

This winter I bought a set of powerline adapters to get wifi into my metal building. I was skeptical, but it works really well. I am not a tech guy at all, so my terminology might not be exactly right.

One unit gets wired to the modem and plugged into a nearby AC receptacle in the house. The other unit plugs into an AC receptacle in the barn. The barn unit broadcasts a wifi signal that works great for internet, youtube, etc.

Super easy and ~ $100 from Best Buy, was cheaper than that on Amazon, but like I said, I was skeptical if it would work so wanted to be able to return or exchange local.

 

[Husky79]

Yagi style antennas will go the distance. As a 90's technophile and cheapskate... probably dink around and build something like this...

https://www.ab9il.net/wlan-projects/wifi7.html

Do you have power at the barn?

Yes I do have power

 

[ard]

+1000 on the Ubiquiti.

I know that amazon item seems like a good option if you don’t really understand...but as others have said it is a weird off brand and likely will become a PITA at some point.

Spend some time on their website (BEFORE you shop on amazon), come back here if you have questions....

 

[kbeefy]

I spent half a day trying to get a pair of Ubiquiti LocoM2 to pair and was unsuccessful.

Does anyone know of a good walkthrough for setting them up?
I think I have the transmitter correct, but not the receiver. Or they won't pair, I don't recall.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I spent half a day trying to get a pair of Ubiquiti LocoM2 to pair and was unsuccessful.

Does anyone know of a good walkthrough for setting them up?
I think I have the transmitter correct, but not the receiver. Or they won't pair, I don't recall.

Did you set the radio that will be the AP into AP mode? (what youre calling the transmitter; they both transmit and receive)

Did you set the radio that will be the station to "station"? (what youre calling the receiver)

Did you set an SSID on the AP and a password?

When you log into the station, did you do an AP scan and find the AP you set up?

How far apart are they?

 

[jeepxj]

+1 Ubiquiti - enterprise (ish) grade stuff at affordable price and works great.

+2 ubiquiti is great

 

[Greeny]

I have a TP Link CPE210 covering a bit less distance than your setup. My shop is a metal building about 150' from the house. Clear line of sight. I get no wifi signal inside the shop with the door closed. Internet is cable to the house with a basic wireless router. I set up the CPE210, in a back room of the house, pointed at the shop through a window. There's enough signal in the shop now to stream music and video. My phone shows full strength on the wifi. At this moment, I have my phone streaming music, my work computer on and connected to the VPN with e-mail flying, and my personal laptop surfing GJ and Amazon. Very pleased with this solution. The CPE210 was about $40 on Amazon. There's another unit you can buy to set up a transmitter/receiver arrangement that is supposed to be good over a couple miles. I originally planned to go that route because I thought I would have to set up another wifi in the shop, but this works out great for me.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have a TP Link CPE210 covering a bit less distance than your setup. My shop is a metal building about 150' from the house. Clear line of sight. I get no wifi signal inside the shop with the door closed. Internet is cable to the house with a basic wireless router. I set up the CPE210, in a back room of the house, pointed at the shop through a window. There's enough signal in the shop now to stream music and video. My phone shows full strength on the wifi. At this moment, I have my phone streaming music, my work computer on and connected to the VPN with e-mail flying, and my personal laptop surfing GJ and Amazon. Very pleased with this solution. The CPE210 was about $40 on Amazon. There's another unit you can buy to set up a transmitter/receiver arrangement that is supposed to be good over a couple miles. I originally planned to go that route because I thought I would have to set up another wifi in the shop, but this works out great for me.

This is because metal attenuates the signal.

you need to setup an AP INSIDE the shop

 

[Denwood]

Did you set the radio that will be the AP into AP mode? (what youre calling the transmitter; they both transmit and receive)

Did you set the radio that will be the station to "station"? (what youre calling the receiver)

Did you set an SSID on the AP and a password?

When you log into the station, did you do an AP scan and find the AP you set up?

How far apart are they?

Also make sure the lock to MAC address option is off, and nothing is entered in that field...you can do this after you pair.

 

[Denwood]

Did you set the radio that will be the AP into AP mode? (what youre calling the transmitter; they both transmit and receive)

Did you set the radio that will be the station to "station"? (what youre calling the receiver)

Did you set an SSID on the AP and a password?

When you log into the station, did you do an AP scan and find the AP you set up?

How far apart are they?

Also make sure the lock to MAC address option is off, and nothing is entered in that field...you can do this after you pair.

SSID and password must match exactly on both!

Latest Bios is a bit different so one will have AP mode on, the other will not. You should also have the frequency scanning option on the “remote” unit toggled on.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Also make sure the lock to MAC address option is off, and nothing is entered in that field...you can do this after you pair.

Its not on by default factory settings

 

[Denwood]

...got caught on the MAC thing replacing a failed AP...it was locked to the old unit. Just checking

 

[Husky79]

Hello everyone, sorry for the late response.

Last week I was researching for a wireless option for my sister's farm so she would be able to have internet access out there for her digital sessions with the horses and her clients due to the stay home order was coming up at that time. So I posted here to get some ideas and options.

I decided to recommend her the ubiquiti, while I waited for her response, Amazon shipping was to arrive on Tuesday and that was a few hours after I made this thread. Got no response, then when i was about to go to bed Saturday night, it changed to thursday. Woke up in the morning, it changed to April 21st. Lol so I went to bestbuy online to check what options they had. I saw this eero Pro Mesh

They had it in stock and I researched it and there were some excellent reviews. I bought the kit of 3, took it to the farm. This thing works!! I was truly amazed how well it worked. I can go all way across the pasture to the fence and still have 3 bars and watching netflix no problems at HD quality. It was all about the placement of the pucks. It works in the barn, garage, and greatly boosted wifi in the house. The Arena it does not work there. But on the windowstill I get full 5 bars, so my sister is getting a 4th puck to put on there so she has internet in the arena.

Thank you all for the information you shared!

 

[Denwood]

Great that it works for you. The only downside of most mesh systems (and this includes the eero) is that as you add "hops" away from your router, you lose bandwidth..up to half or more per hop.

Based on what you're saying with a fourth puck (and recent reviews of the eero with tests), you're likely looking at 50 Mbps tops on that link. Facetime suggests 150Mbps for one connection. Just something to consider depending on what you want to do in the Arena.

This is why you see the folks in the industry recommend a wireless bridge like Ubiquity. The Nanobeam AC5s will give you 300-400 Mbps over 1500 feet or more...and provide an ethernet port at the remote end for a conventional WIFI access point. So...if you're looking for better performance, you can likely combine the eero system with a wireless bridge for your "backhaul" down the line. A bridge like the Ubiquity is transparent to other devices. Make sense?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Great that it works for you. The only downside of most mesh systems (and this includes the eero) is that as you add "hops" away from your router, you lose bandwidth..up to half or more per hop.

Based on what you're saying with a fourth puck (and recent reviews of the eero with tests), you're likely looking at 50 Mbps tops on that link. Facetime suggests 150Mbps for one connection. Just something to consider depending on what you want to do in the Arena.

This is why you see the folks in the industry recommend a wireless bridge like Ubiquity. The Nanobeam AC5s will give you 300-400 Mbps over 1500 feet or more...and provide an ethernet port at the remote end for a conventional WIFI access point. So...if you're looking for better performance, you can likely combine the eero system with a wireless bridge for your "backhaul" down the line. A bridge like the Ubiquity is transparent to other devices. Make sense?

This is sound advice!

 

[SkeeterZX200]

I recommend the TP link Powerline Adapter. This is what I use from my house to the shop and then I have a second router in my shop. It sends the signal over your exist electrical circuits.

What I have found is that barn metal blocks most of the wifi signal.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/powerline/tl-pa4010-kit/

They can be found on Amazon for under $40.

 

[Denwood]

I did do testing with a few versions of powerline, and again, results will vary with your wiring. It is worth a try. I found too many issues with inconsistency as electrical noise was introduced with random mixes of electrical devices on our system. If you're just running Spotify and/or have low bandwidth needs, Powerline will likely work perfectly.

For the OP, wireless bridge antennas would go on the outside of his house to the outside of his barn...so the metal sheathing is not an issue. You'd need to drill a hole for a POE LAN cable to the antenna. Devices like Ubiquiti's Nanobeam 5AC (GEN2) will have two LAN connections. One is for POE, but the other is for a wired WIFI access point. So you run a 2nd LAN wire into your barn/shop and plug in a WIFI access point central to the service area.

It's useful to grab a cheap 5 or 8 port Gigabit switch and plug that into your remote antenna. Then you can run a few POE cameras, WIFI access points etc. into that switch.

Almost any WIFI "booster" these days can be set up as a wired access point, so I just run a TPlink RE450 (switched to access point mode) in my shop for WIFI access. It connects to the house using a LAN cable run underground.

 

[yeldogt]

Can someone explain this Nano -- I guess you buy two of them and they use a radio frequency to bridge the internet signal?

 

[aardquark]

These are the instructions I used: https://papermovementblog.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/how-to-setting-upconfigure-the-ubiquiti-nanostation-m2-m5-to-share-an-internet-connection/

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Great that it works for you. The only downside of most mesh systems (and this includes the eero) is that as you add "hops" away from your router, you lose bandwidth..up to half or more per hop.

Based on what you're saying with a fourth puck (and recent reviews of the eero with tests), you're likely looking at 50 Mbps tops on that link. Facetime suggests 150Mbps for one connection. Just something to consider depending on what you want to do in the Arena.

This is why you see the folks in the industry recommend a wireless bridge like Ubiquity. The Nanobeam AC5s will give you 300-400 Mbps over 1500 feet or more...and provide an ethernet port at the remote end for a conventional WIFI access point. So...if you're looking for better performance, you can likely combine the eero system with a wireless bridge for your "backhaul" down the line. A bridge like the Ubiquity is transparent to other devices. Make sense?

No its not 150Mbps for one connection. That would be impossible. You missed a decimel point. The actual figure is .150Mbps meaning 150Kbps

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Can someone explain this Nano -- I guess you buy two of them and they use a radio frequency to bridge the internet signal?

Yes thats exactly what they do.

 

[Husky79]

Great that it works for you. The only downside of most mesh systems (and this includes the eero) is that as you add "hops" away from your router, you lose bandwidth..up to half or more per hop.

Based on what you're saying with a fourth puck (and recent reviews of the eero with tests), you're likely looking at 50 Mbps tops on that link. Facetime suggests 150Mbps for one connection. Just something to consider depending on what you want to do in the Arena.

This is why you see the folks in the industry recommend a wireless bridge like Ubiquity. The Nanobeam AC5s will give you 300-400 Mbps over 1500 feet or more...and provide an ethernet port at the remote end for a conventional WIFI access point. So...if you're looking for better performance, you can likely combine the eero system with a wireless bridge for your "backhaul" down the line. A bridge like the Ubiquity is transparent to other devices. Make sense?

She tested facetime, and live streaming and it worked just fine, however when I jump on to her live streaming on my phone when I am standing next to her, it will be about 30 to 60 seconds delay. But that is not a issue for her as it will be used only by her.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The delay is normal. Its a buffer in case there is a feed issue

 

[Denwood]

She tested facetime, and live streaming and it worked just fine, however when I jump on to her live streaming on my phone when I am standing next to her, it will be about 30 to 60 seconds delay. But that is not a issue for her as it will be used only by her.

Testing for your needs is the key . If she needs more bandwidth later you can always add the bridge. I’m all about the KISS rule based on need. That’s why I think powerline is a cheap option for some as well.

It’s ultimately about figuring out what bandwidth you need and designing a solution around that. Most of us in the profession will shy away from range extenders and mesh, however the technology is getting better all the time. Ubiquiti has a mesh option for their Wi-Fi devices, but again most of us will turn that off in favor of a CAT5/6 back haul where possible.

 

[Dodge]

Yes thats exactly what they do.

I need to send internet between 2 buildings about 500 feet apart. Both are metal buildings. Can I use the (2) Ubiquity Nanostation M2 and a Ubiquity Unifi AP-AC long range access point at the receiving end?

 

[jeepxj]

I need to send internet between 2 buildings about 500 feet apart. Both are metal buildings. Can I use the (2) Ubiquity Nanostation M2 and a Ubiquity Unifi AP-AC long range access point at the receiving end?

yes. just make sure the AP-AC is inside the metal barn and the M2's are on the outside.

 

[Dodge]

yes. just make sure the AP-AC is inside the metal barn and the M2's are on the outside.

I did know that much!! Thanks, I wanted to make sure that would work before I ordered the stuff. Ordering it right now from Amazon. Thanks again

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I need to send internet between 2 buildings about 500 feet apart. Both are metal buildings. Can I use the (2) Ubiquity Nanostation M2 and a Ubiquity Unifi AP-AC long range access point at the receiving end?

I wouldn't use M2 nanostations.

Go with M5 AC nano stations.

Unless your bandwidth requirement is less than 100Mbps

With the unifi AP you will need a controller- either a dongle or a computer to run the software version on.

 

[Dodge]

I wouldn't use M2 nanostations.

Go with M5 AC nano stations.

Unless your bandwidth requirement is less than 100Mbps

With the unifi AP you will need a controller- either a dongle or a computer to run the software version on.

Thanks for your reply. All the internet will be used for in the receiving building is TV and of course to surf the internet. No gaming or large downloads. So, will the M2's work okay? Also, you mentioned a computer to run software (AP), don't they all need that to set them up? Or, is a computer needed for something all the time? I have set one of these up before, about 10 years ago, with some now old style antennas. I am not an expert at it. I just am able to figure things out. I appreciate your input.

 

[JOE.G]

I have 2 M2 Nano stations that a guy set up for me, They are about 100 Ft apart and I have both of them in a window as I have not mounted them out side yet. I have both plugged into routers with out any special configuration I just plugged them in. I get a 2G and 5 G signal at my shop with these. A speed test gives me on 5 G about 25MB and 2 G about 12 in my home I get over 400MB on my 5G.It is enough for what I need out there but more is always better. I can not get into the settings as the guy who set them up does not remember the password and it is not factory. I am happy with them and may try moving them outside and maybe that would up the signal but I am not sure.

 

[ard]

.... I get full 5 bars,...

its all about the bars....

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thanks for your reply. All the internet will be used for in the receiving building is TV and of course to surf the internet. No gaming or large downloads. So, will the M2's work okay? Also, you mentioned a computer to run software (AP), don't they all need that to set them up? Or, is a computer needed for something all the time? I have set one of these up before, about 10 years ago, with some now old style antennas. I am not an expert at it. I just am able to figure things out. I appreciate your input.

How are you receiving the TV signal? From the carrier? If so, you wont be able to distribute their signal without utilizing their equipment. Also, video eats up lots of bandwidth. AT&T uverse distributes their TV wirelessly with 5G APS.

You will want the nano M5 ACs if you are distributing video signals. They have far more bandwidth than the older M2s.

As to setup, you only need a device with a web browser to setup the nanostations.

The Unifi equipment needs either a controller dongle or controller software setup on a computer. This is for initial setup and for any changes or logging you want.

Sure you could set them up one time with the software controller and then not run the controller anymore but then you wont be able to make changes or troubleshoot without having the controller software running. The dongles are great for this. They also give you remote access via the ubiquiti portal or app on the phone. You could setup remote access to the software controller but it can be finicky especially on a machine used for other stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017T2QB22/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have 2 M2 Nano stations that a guy set up for me, They are about 100 Ft apart and I have both of them in a window as I have not mounted them outside yet. I have both plugged into routers without any special configuration I just plugged them in.

yes the nanostations can be programmed with any network connected device. But the Unifi equipment is different and requires a hardware or software controller. 2 different animals. One cannot program Unifi equipment WITHOUT the controller. The conversation is mixing up different technologies from the same company.

I get a 2G and 5 G signal at my shop with these. A speed test gives me on 5 G about 25MB and 2 G about 12 in my home I get over 400MB on my 5G. It is enough for what I need out there but more is always better. I can not get into the settings as the guy who set them up does not remember the password and it is not factory. I am happy with them and may try moving them outside and maybe that would up the signal but I am not sure.

If you switch those nanostation M2s to nanostation M5 ACs you will get close to 400Mbps in your shop. The M2s are limited to 100Mbps because of the 100Mbps NIC interface on them. The M5 AC radios have 1Gbps NICs. Also, you should be getting more than 25Mbps. Sounds like they're not aimed very well. Keep in mind, glass will attenuate the microwave signal. These radios are designed for line of sight with no obstructions

In regards to getting into the settings, you would need to factory reset them. There's a small pinhole inside the door where you can stick a paperclip and reset the radios to default. Then just need to reprogram them.