Is it possible to build a network that goes far away using just regular Wi-Fi?
Is it possible to build a network that goes far away using just regular Wi-Fi?
Putting an antenna on a router probably won't solve everything. Most routers only have radios designed for a certain amount of signal, so if you try to go higher, you also add more noise. Often that extra noise is too much for the radio to handle. It might not break anything, but it will flood the device with junk signals and make your desired signal disappear instead. On top of that, the computer at the other end will have trouble finding the main router's signal. A 100-meter setup could work close by, but if you go much farther away, you'll need directional antennas on both sides. It isn't usually worth spending money just buying an antenna for a piece of hardware. You can buy a unit that comes with both the antenna and the wifi chip built-in.
Plugging an antenna into a router probably won't help much because those internal radios have a limit on how much signal they can handle. If you add more signal, you also add too much noise. The device might not break, but it becomes full of junk and stops finding the good signal. Also, the thing on the other end can't see your main router's signal well enough. A 100-meter wire is okay for a short distance, but further away, you need antennas at both ends. It isn't worth just buying an antenna separately anymore since it costs more than having one built in the right place. You can buy a full kit that has the antenna and radio chips already included for about the same price. What you really need is a point-to-point bridge for outside use. I used to suggest Ubiquiti, but they have had trouble with their cheaper models lately. Their website is helpful though. Many brands like TP-Link also sell these bridges. You just need a clear line of sight between them. So none of the three spots on your bottom diagram can see either of the two top ones? I'm not sure how to fix that. A 30-foot tower isn't super expensive, but it costs mainly for digging holes and filling them with concrete.
Thanks mate, appreciate the reply honestly. Cheers for the information. This is what I was thinking but you explained it much better than I could. The UBIQUITI devices are actually exactly what I was looking for or theorizing in my head but I could not search the correct terms to find a product. I would ideally like to connect my mobile as well (there is no cell reception) which won't be possible without being able to upgrade the antenna, but appears possible with those devices. Yeah the top cluster has no line of site to the bottom three cluster, but each site has LOS within the cluster. So I think my plan of attack will be to purchase those antenna, bring some gear to erect a large tower/pole and try to bridge between the two clusters (then bridge each site individually). If they cannot reach, I will separate the clusters and just use two gateways and treat each cluster separately in regards to remote access. Champion!
If you can get a clear view of where the tower sits, you might be able to travel very far on land. There are many free-standing towers everywhere, but maybe just a few tall trees or even a ladder will work for installing some equipment. Cell gear is different because they often sell outdoor units that can actually go directly onto your existing tower and point at it. These do offer line of site service too. This might not be as important as the normal way things are done, so you could ask if your ISP offers this. It's mostly a thing for businesses, so maybe their website isn't showing it right now. You can get an antenna to hook up to the cell equipment, but first there needs to be an antenna connector. Many of these things have different parts that need taking apart just to connect. The reason is strictly legal: changing the antenna on cell gear without permission breaks the rules. Technically you could do it with the company's say-so, but even then they wouldn't give you the papers needed for the job. In any case, the right antennas are called log-periodic since cell companies use different frequencies and figuring out which one matches is too hard to guess.