[ale] Outdoor Wifi - quick summary

[Alex Carver]

Just to add fun to the festivities I have a couple of these NanoStations
that work very well as PTP bridges:

https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-airmax-and-ltu/products/nanostation-loco5ac

The radiation pattern is more directional than the UFO-style AP's like
the UAP AC so it tends to work better for that purpose.  They're also
able to work in a multi-drop configuration so you can have multiple
endpoints instead of cable.  When they're in PTP mode they're not
directly accessible with normal WiFi products, the protocol is different
so it's harder to have someone "tap" into your connection from a sidelobe.

They're also inexpensive at $50 each and rated for outdoor use.

These should work at the range you're wanting but you can always go up a
bit and get something like this if range really is an issue:

https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-airmax-and-ltu/products/litebeam-5ac-long-range

Built-in dish makes a tighter beam and a lot of range (like several
miles in unobstructed LOS).

Many options in Ubiquiti's airMAX and airFiber device groups.


On 2021-06-26 09:12, Neal Rhodes via Ale wrote:
> 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
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