[MLB-WIRELESS] Re: Solar powered Wireless repeater?

[Clae]

>  > >and let an access point do the
>>  >repeating or do I need two antennas? (and therefore two wireless
>>  cards)>The distances are about 7 or 8km each "leg".

OK.  From what I hear on list, an omni in the middle with 
directionals at each end for more gain *might* do for a couple of 8k 
links.  Comments anyone?

>The location I
>was thinking of is prettymuch in the straight line between the end-
>points.

In that case - and I am no radio engineer here - a panel antenna 
would be a waste of time.

>As for using it in "rural areas" - that's exactly where I am! I'm in
>the bush (literally) 12 km South of Bendigo and wish to connect to a
>colleague and friend in Bendigo (and he to me... I'm the one with the
>fast two-way satellite connection :)

For a link of that length, I think you are going to need some kind of 
active repeater - ie two directional antennas, connected to either a 
straight radio-frequency amplifier, or to an AP.  There are hardware 
APs available with two antenna sockets.  If you can get hold of one 
with a half-watt or so of power consumption, you can start to work 
out a budget for batteries, panels etc.

>Unfortunately, there are no other nodes within geographic LOS proximity
>to me (see node database....).

Whose land is the ridge on?  Maybe they would like high speed 
internet access too :)
If you can find even one other person within LOS of the ridge, you 
could share costs, and put up an omni or panel for the downstream (to 
users), and a directional for the upstream (to the uplink)

>  > >  are the only options... a wind turbine would be great as
>>  >it is on top of a ridge, but I bet I wouldn't get a planning
>  > permit....>

You shouldn't need a permit if the tower is under a certain height, 
check with your council.  Just tell em it's for a wind tower or a 
radio mast or something, no need to confuse them :)

>  > >I'm quite stuck though as to the issues of repeating a 2.4GHz
>>  signal. Is it
>>  >possible to use a single Omni antenna

Yes, it is, if you can get a clear enough signal to each end.
Is it possible to drive up to the top of this ridge?  I'm in the 
process of setting up my truck with an omni on top.  Maybe we could 
arrange a test.

>  > >To get to the bottom of the network issues themselves, someone
>>  might fill me
>>  >in in some of the more obvious things: is a repeater a router, a
>>  bridge, or
>>  >what? Does an access point do either or both internally? What are
>>  the issues
>>  >for using a single card or two?
>>  >Can two directional  antennas be connected to the same
>>  transceiver to get a
>>  >"bidirectional" coverage?
>>  >Too many questions?  :)
>>  >
>>  >Cheers,
>>  >Joe
>>
>>  --
>>  David Clae Gason, Secretary, Melbourne Wireless


-- 
David Clae Gason, Secretary, Melbourne Wireless
mailto:secretary at wireless.org.au  http://melbourne.wireless.org.au

"God picks up the reed-flute world and blows.  Each note is a need coming
through one of us, a passion, a longing-pain. Remember the lips where
the wind-breath originated, and let your note be clear. Don't try to end it.
BE YOUR NOTE."	-Rumi, The Mathnawi


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