[ale] Outdoor Wifi - quick summary

[neal at mnopltd.com]

Thanks to all that replied.   My goal was to figure out the options, and 
focus some other people's attention in a productive direction.   I do 
NOT want to be the expert on this, as on the day, I'm busy doing sound 
or playing music on stage.

I will quickly summarize the high points I've passed on.  Not to 
preclude further comments from the ALE group, which I value.   But I'm 
gonna let this simmer and see if some other folks pick up the ball.


WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT? You can look at Google Maps for 1826 Killian 
Hill road, Lilburn
 From back window to the far tree line at back of field: 450ft (137 
meters)
 From back window to the scout building: 170ft (52 meters)
 From scout building to back of field: 304ft (92meters)
A straight line of Cat6e wire from back door, across the driveway on the 
choir room side, to the trees, then along the side of the property, back 
to the cross near the fire-pit: 500 ft ( 152 meters)

So from Back wall of building to where the Beer is sold is 480ft.

OPTIONS:
A) Run a 500 foot Cat6e cable from the switch in the sanctuary, out the 
choir room fire escape, out the Choir fire escape door, across the 
driveway in a 1/2” PVC pipe,  with pieces of 2x4 slant cut on either 
side to make a ramp to drive over, along the tree line, to the cross 
near the fire pit, and place an access point there.  We would already 
have power there for audio speaker.

B) Implement a Mesh network, using existing Virtual Studio Raspberry PI 
processors, from the back window, to the scout building, to a unit at 
the tent.   While possible, this leaves one more essential component of 
Oktoberfest that Only Neal Understands.

C) Place a purpose built long range Access point outside, perhaps on the 
classroom fire-escape wall, where it will be in the shade of the steps.  
   This could be a permanent installation.   Some of these can be powered 
by the CAT6 cable connection.  (POE)   Neal is not an expert.  I am 
reading that some units claim coverage of up to 600 ft.  This would 
include coverage of the rear parking lot.


Possible products: This is by no means exhaustive; consider 
https://www.mbreviews.com/best-outdoor-wifi-range-extender/ for more 
details/ideas.

A) Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-LR-US 802.11ac Long Range Access Point  $109 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1189144-REG/ubiquiti_networks_uap_ac_lr_us_802_11ac_long_range.html 
   There are indoor, and indoor/outdoor flavors of these.  Some powered 
by POE.

B) TP-LINK CPE210 N300 Outdoor Access Point $39 
https://www.microcenter.com/product/482831/tp-link-cpe210-n300-outdoor-access-point 
This unit appears to be designed to mount on an outside wall, and has 
directional antenna which focus the signal in one direction only.

C) CPE510 5GHz 300Mbps 13dBi Outdoor $49 
CPEhttps://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/outdoor-radio/cpe510/  
Unclear what you get for the additional $10.

Now that I'm writing this, I'm wondering if the TP-Link units really 
only work talking to each other, and not to a tablet out in the grass.

regards,

Neal