"Floyd L. Davidson" <floyd@apaflo.com> wrote in message
news:87pssrtovv.fld@barrow.com...
> "William" <william@planet.nl> wrote:
>>My neighbor has a laptop which uses the internet thru a cable modem
>>coupled
>>to a wireless router.
>>What hardware/software do I need to use the same router. The distance
>>between the 2 computers is about 25 meters.
>
> Assuming your neighbor has given you permission to use his router,
> there is also a minor technicality that the ISP may not allow the
> neighbor to share it with you.
>
> Otherwise, just about any wireless client card for your computer
> (PCMCIA or PCI, for a laptop or desktop respectively) will do it
> *if* you can get a strong enough signal.
>
> The signal depends on what there is over that 25 meter distance
> that might interfere with a 2400Mhz radio signal. The
> wavelength is very short, so anything from about 2 inches or
> larger is significant! Trees with leaves, for example.
> Buildings (especially if made of metal or if there is foil or
> wire mesh in the walls) and odd things like cars and trucks can
> all be a problem. On the other hand, the signal will also
> *reflect* off of anything metal that is maybe larger than about
> 4 inches! That will cause radio connection paths that you
> wouldn't think exist! (It might bounce off the house next to
> you, to get around the house between you.)
>
> But lets say the neighbor has his Access Point in a window on
> the second floor facing your house, and there is nothing
> between, except for wood framed walls in your house. It might
> work just anywhere! It might work only at a window facing the
> neighbor's house too...
>
> Also, if this is a desktop computer you can buy "high gain" antennas
> that will improve the signal strength.
>
> If it doesn't work just anywhere you can get a "repeater" that
> will help. That is an Access Point that supports what is called
> WDS, and it will almost certainly have to be the same brand as
> whatever AP that your neighbor has. But what you do is put your
> AP in a location where it can connect to the neighbor's AP, yet
> in a good position to make a connection between it and your
> computer.
>
> Each of a client card, a high gain antenna and an AP with WDS
> generally costs between $50 and $200. You could carefully shop
> and do it all for $150 (or less if you don't need all three), or
> you could just as easily plonk down $600 too.
>
> --
> Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
> Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) floyd@apaflo.com

Thx for good info.
William