[MLB-WIRELESS] LinkSYS WRT54G Over Long Distance

[Dan Flett]

Hi all,

This discussion on the Sveasoft forums deals with optimal settings on
the WRT54G for long links:

http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2095

Should be relevant to whatever firmware you're using.

Keep in mind that any kind of wireless link over water is going to be
fraught with problems due to reflections, refraction, the tide, etc.
Setting up diversity antennas at both ends may help - water can 'bend'
directional signals and your 'beam' may overshoot or undershoot the
antenna at the other end.  Telstra deal with this issue by using antenna
diversity - putting one antenna halfway up a tower and one at the top.

Cheers,

Dan

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-melbwireless at wireless.org.au [mailto:owner-
> melbwireless at wireless.org.au] On Behalf Of Nick Grundy
> Sent: Wednesday, 18 August 2004 22:27
> To: Phil Mawson
> Cc: melbwireless at wireless.org.au
> Subject: Re: [MLB-WIRELESS] LinkSYS WRT54G Over Long Distance
> 
> 
> I've yet to do any great distance testing with my wrt54G running
OpenWRT
> and 15dBm
> (30mW)  From 30mW 180degree 18db waveguide to 25db conifer we run a
2mbit
> link over
> just over 15km.  Our problem down here in Hobart isn't signel strength
> it's timing.
> We've got a link that runs 18.1km but what ever AP we run on them
(either
> Linksys WET11
> to WAP11 or Dlink 900 to 810 or Minitar to 810) we hit dup packets due
to
> the timing
> issues with the 802.11b protocol.
> 
> As for numbers (this is iwconfig stats from a cabletron roamabout ~2m
of
> 213)
> Link Quality:16/92  Signal level:-80 dBm  Noise level:-96 dBm
> 
> link is just under 10km in length accross the derwent river.
> 
> If it helps we work on a 'safe' distance of 10km, and a 'it get's
average'
> distance of
> about 14.5k after 15k it's just getting dicy due to protocol issues.
> 
> I'd be interested in seeing methods of boosting the power on the
WRT54G's
> especially
> under OpenWRT.
> 
> In other things i'm quite impresssed with OpenWRT i've currently got
it
> running my
> nodes AP here, with 5 sepperate routed ethernet ports. One is
connected to
> my uplink
> via a dlink 810 and the other is connected to my local lan. throw in
> quagga's bgp
> dropbear ssh for management and it's an awsome investment!
> 
> > Hi Guys,
> >
> > I have got myself a Linksys WRT54G and have loaded on the Sveasoft
> > Firmware (Satoria-4.0 v2.07 1.7sv)on it and works like a treat :-)
> >
> > I also have a 8dB Omni antenna connected to it, and changed the
setting
> > in the firmware to use 50mw not 28mw. (It can go up to 80mw but I
have
> > been told that having it that high can fry it).
> >
> > With these settings how far away would link last?
> >
> > Using another WRT54G the other end a good option too? I know it will
> > probably drop down to B speeds anyway.
> >
> > I will also be opening this link to users in my area, I'm node HFD.
I
> > have noticed there is not one very close to me, but can always start
:)
> > Services will be file, irc, gaming and much more :)
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Phil
> > NODE: HFD
> >
> > To unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo at wireless.org.au
> > with "unsubscribe melbwireless" in the body of the message
> >
> 
> ~Nick
> -----
> Every cloud has a silver lining (except for the mushroom shaped ones,
> which have a lining of Iridium & Strontium 90)
> 
> To unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo at wireless.org.au
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