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Author Topic: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network  (Read 12987 times)

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two-dogs

    Topic Starter


    Intermediate

    extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
    « on: July 19, 2008, 08:13:45 PM »
    I hope some one can help me here, I have a friend that is fighting cancer and gave him my laptop to play with.  I want to hook him up to my network and he is about a 1/4 mile away.  I have a clear shot from my house to his as we live in the country.  I built a parabolic antenna it is called a wiffy extreme google it you will see what I mean.  I tried to get that to work but all I get can't connect to  network, I get bars and I see my network but no go.  I also downloaded a program called easy wifi radar, but when I try and use it says that I need to hook up my wifi hardware.  My laptop is wifi ready do I still need an adapter?  When I go on a trip I take it and just use the wifi out of camp sites with no problem.  My computer is a Toshiba model is a Satellite A215..............anybody what to help me in my quest.............thanks.........two-dogs   

    drmsucks



      Specialist

      Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
      « Reply #1 on: July 19, 2008, 10:28:05 PM »
      First part of this thread here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=59720.0

      Can you connect to your router from your home with the laptop?
      If you don't have time to do it right
                      ...when will you have time to do it over?

      Carbon Dudeoxide

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      Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
      « Reply #2 on: July 19, 2008, 10:37:08 PM »
      I guess my first suggestion would be to try and see if his laptop works when it's in your house.
      Oh yeah, make sure you encrypt your wireless network otherwise your whole town can use your Internet  ;)

      drmsucks



        Specialist

        Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
        « Reply #3 on: July 19, 2008, 10:44:56 PM »
        I guess my first suggestion would be to try and see if his laptop works when it's in your house.

        First part of this thread here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=59720.0

        Can you connect to your router from your home with the laptop?
        If you don't have time to do it right
                        ...when will you have time to do it over?

        Carbon Dudeoxide

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        Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
        « Reply #4 on: July 19, 2008, 10:48:36 PM »
        I guess my first suggestion would be to try and see if his laptop works when it's in your house.

        First part of this thread here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=59720.0

        Can you connect to your router from your home with the laptop?
        make sure you encrypt your wireless network otherwise your whole town can use your Internet  ;)
        I did make a good and valid point.  :P

        drmsucks



          Specialist

          Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
          « Reply #5 on: July 19, 2008, 10:49:57 PM »
          Especially the point that agreed with mine! :)
          If you don't have time to do it right
                          ...when will you have time to do it over?

          hiloed



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            Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
            « Reply #6 on: July 20, 2008, 12:00:07 AM »
            It's possible but it will take antennas for the frequency  your wireless network uses and some work. Google wireless networking antennas and do some research. Also look around you neighborhood for some Ameteur Radio operators (HAMS) or CBers.for assistance, they are usually helpful and a nice bunch of men and women. It's worth it  and bless you for trying to help someone in need.

            Good Luck and Alohas

            Ed

            Dias de verano

            • Guest
            Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
            « Reply #7 on: July 20, 2008, 02:47:46 AM »
            Just don't tell the FCC.

            two-dogs

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              Intermediate

              Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
              « Reply #8 on: July 20, 2008, 06:11:40 AM »
              Hey guys in answer to your ? yes it works fine at home and it connects just fine no problem.  Now this is going to sound silly to you guys but I am a novice.  Is wifi the same as network that is if my computer is set up for wifi do I need an wifi adaptor to pick up free wifi.  I as this because after the wiffy extreme didn't work I tried to unsecure my network so I could pick it up with the easy wifi radar program but when I try and use it, it says No wifi hardware found please install adapter.  I thought that I have an a adapter since I can pick up wifi esle were.  Help clue me in on this if you can............thanks..........two-dogs     

              drmsucks



                Specialist

                Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                « Reply #9 on: July 20, 2008, 10:24:32 AM »
                If it works okay at your home:
                Hey guys in answer to your ? yes it works fine at home and it connects just fine no problem.

                It ought to work fine at his home given that the laptop receives a good enough signal:
                   I get bars and I see my network but no go. 

                I assume that the "bars" are signal strength bars.

                If you've got signal and can see your network, you ought to be able to connect, just like at home.
                If you don't have time to do it right
                                ...when will you have time to do it over?

                Carbon Dudeoxide

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                Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                « Reply #10 on: July 20, 2008, 11:38:31 AM »
                This is getting awfully confusing....

                If his laptop works in your home, it should work at his home, unless the signal is too low.
                I bet the ping is over a few seconds...

                two-dogs

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                  Intermediate

                  Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                  « Reply #11 on: July 21, 2008, 05:54:33 AM »
                  That is the problem the signal strength is to low, now I have to boost the signal on my end.  With the wiffy antenna I get other networks, but I am not looking to hack into other networks just my own.  So how do I increase the signal on my end............thanks for your time guys...........two-dogs   

                  Carbon Dudeoxide

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                  Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                  « Reply #12 on: July 23, 2008, 12:20:21 PM »
                  Glad you got it working.
                  I hope you set up some sort of password to the network, otherwise everyone within a 1/4 mile radius can use your internet.  :)

                  two-dogs

                    Topic Starter


                    Intermediate

                    Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                    « Reply #13 on: July 23, 2008, 12:23:49 PM »
                    Just an update, my buddy is hooked up.  I built a wiffy antenna and just hooked it to the usb port on the laptop aimed it and wam we have a connection.  I had to use vistumbler because the netstumbler doesn't work with the vista operating system.............I want to thank everybody that helped me on this and if I can be of any help drop me a pm.............thanks again ........you guys are great.........two-dogs

                    two-dogs

                      Topic Starter


                      Intermediate

                      Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                      « Reply #14 on: July 23, 2008, 12:30:25 PM »
                      If they use this setup it will reach for 5 miles I am picking up wifi from the next town over and it is about 5 miles from where I live.  I will try and password it and see if I can connect, I think I can because I see my network computers on the lat top............again thanks to all................two-dogs 

                      Carbon Dudeoxide

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                      Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                      « Reply #15 on: July 23, 2008, 12:38:01 PM »
                      Woah, 5 miles!

                      This can pose a very bad security risk, not to mention hefty internet bills.  :o

                      drmsucks



                        Specialist

                        Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                        « Reply #16 on: July 23, 2008, 01:18:15 PM »
                        Woah, 5 miles!

                        This can pose a very bad security risk, not to mention hefty internet bills.  :o

                        Antenna is on the receiving side - not the transmit side.
                        If you don't have time to do it right
                                        ...when will you have time to do it over?

                        Carbon Dudeoxide

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                        Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                        « Reply #17 on: July 23, 2008, 01:20:42 PM »
                        Oh....right.

                        two-dogs

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                          Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                          « Reply #18 on: July 23, 2008, 01:26:36 PM »
                          Yes it is on the receiving side away from the router and it is every bit of a 1/4 mile works great....two-dogs

                          drboose



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                            Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                            « Reply #19 on: July 27, 2008, 08:51:46 PM »
                            hey two-dogs,

                            Being the maker of Wiffy Extreme, sometimes I google the phrase to see if anyone is talking about it.   This brings me here - If you have any questions please ask.

                            [email removed]

                            Cheers.
                            « Last Edit: July 27, 2008, 08:56:03 PM by Carbon Dudeoxide »

                            Carbon Dudeoxide

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                            Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                            « Reply #20 on: July 27, 2008, 08:55:36 PM »
                            How do we know you made Wiffy Extreme?

                            drboose



                              Greenhorn

                              Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                              « Reply #21 on: July 27, 2008, 08:57:53 PM »
                              good question.  i could post a message on my youtube for verification.

                              two-dogs

                                Topic Starter


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                                Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                                « Reply #22 on: July 27, 2008, 09:00:38 PM »
                                That is a strange ? If you think I am lying oh well all I can say is my buddy has internet now and it works great.........two-dogs

                                drboose



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                                  Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                                  « Reply #23 on: July 27, 2008, 09:04:20 PM »
                                  I wanted to know if you wanted any help with it, to make it better.  Alot of people get confused with one thing or another with the building or pointing of the dish.  If you have any question, I'd like to answer it.

                                  two-dogs

                                    Topic Starter


                                    Intermediate

                                    Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                                    « Reply #24 on: July 27, 2008, 09:14:14 PM »
                                    drboose I didn't mean you, sorry for the confusion.  It seems to work and the signal strength is around 30 % , but if I need any help later I will get back but for now he is just browsing away...................two-dogs 

                                    drboose



                                      Greenhorn

                                      Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                                      « Reply #25 on: July 27, 2008, 09:17:58 PM »
                                      if you look at the description on my youtube page, you'll see a URL to my w3bguru site.  on that page are the instructions and usage suggestions.  glad it works well for you - it does for me!

                                      two-dogs

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                                        Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                                        « Reply #26 on: July 27, 2008, 09:21:17 PM »
                                        Send me a link to your page I would love to check it out................two-dogs

                                        drboose



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                                          hiloed



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                                            Re: extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network
                                            « Reply #28 on: July 28, 2008, 10:01:38 AM »
                                            If you can't find a commercial dish you  can make a wifi antenna using a pasta strainer. look here. http://www.instructables.com/id/Wifi-Signal-Strainer-WokFi/