Long Range Wireless Router

My mother lives on a farm and just built a new metal round-top shed and wants to put in an office with internet access. I'm not sure how far the shed is from her house which already has a wireless router but the distance is too far for that particular router.

Maybe someone can provide some info:

1. What is the typical distance the best wireless routers can do?

2. Since it is a metal building what are the chances of a wireless router working at all?

3. Are there other options besides having the ISP come and running service to the shed which would incur an additional monthly charge? Thanks!

 

The easiest and the cheapest solution would be to run an Ethernet cable to the office. If you end up going for a router with good wireless range you'll have to spend some $100.

It's hard to be more specific since we don't know the distance nor the current router model which would be a reference point.

 

I would go with the outside direct burial eithernet cable. Home Depot used to carry this cable. This cable is made for the outside elements and will hold up. You can run a 1000' on a std eithernet cable. Once you get it inside you can use another router setup as a AP and hub if you need wireless to expand your current system.

 

Yeah you're not going to get a wireless router that will go that far for anything cheap, and then it won't be that reliable or fast.

You could always have a weekend project making a cable and running it through some PVC pipe, although I didn't think they made outdoor resistant Ethernet cables either

 

People...

Amazon.com: TP-Link NT TL-ANT2409A 2.4GHz 9dBi: Electronics

With...

Amazon.com: ASUS WL-520GU Wireless Router: Electronics

If all you'll be doing is browsing and such, with no big file transfers, having decent long-range wireless is easily doable. Running an underground ethernet cable is a major hassle.

 

I've set up a few of these to do what your asking RT-N12. It also depends on what else might get in the way of the signal. I actually have setup three homes with wireless next door to my own home and I can see all the networks there are two RT-N12, an e2000, my e3000 and a n3700.

I'd say the farthest is the n3700 which is a good 800ft away but has clearest line of sight.

The RT-N12 have the most cover and interference but still work well.

Also the RT-N12 can be configured as repeater, access point or router just with the switch on the back, very easy for those who don't want to mess with a bunch of internal settings.

 

Sorry I've not got back to my thread but the distance is roughly 350-400ft from her house to the new shed and the router she's currently using is a D-Link DIR 615.

My brother said burying a Ethernet cable that distance is not an option. My mom has another metal shed between her house and the new shed (off to side maybe 100-150ft from house) and my brother says they can get WI-FI on their phones from there. This older shed does have phone service pigtailed off of her house phone.

So what specific router is recommended then for that distance and what are the chances of getting a steady signal inside the new metal shed?

 

Well, if there is another place in between where you can get a signal, maybe you could set up a wireless repeater to get better reception in the new shed.

 

Ray4jc which of these routers would you recommend for our particular situation 350-400ft from house and keeping in mind we can get WI-FI at our old shed which is maybe halfway to new shed?

I could use specific directions on how to set this all up if you don't mind and I don't think spending $100 plus for a router will be a problem it just needs to work.

My brother has a office in this new shed and his main use of the internet will be looking up farm equipment parts, etc.

 

this could work

for $100 you could almost get two routers depending on which one you go with put one half way and one at the destination to ensure coverage.

but a simple explanation for using the model i mentioned above you simply put the switch in repeater mode then if memory serves me correctly you connect to the router with a laptop tell it which SSID to rebroadcast save the settings and then your good to go

its hard to be too specific as each router is different in its setup.

if you have the option to purchase one router and 'try' it i would go that route then if necessary purchase another. try and get one from somewhere with a generous return policy that way you can take it back if it doesn't meet your needs.