"david fraleigh" <david_fraleigh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1337cb7e-ed48-46e9-bfe2-5d745a528bd6@f63g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>I have a workshop that is 300 feet from my house.. I want to set up a
> computer in it and access the same wireless signal that is currently
> in my house.. Currently I have a wireless G router and I am wondering
> whether I should switch to the newer wireless N system or whether I
> should stick with wireless G and try to make directional antennas out
> of cans (as described on the internet).. (I haven't read about
> anybody making "homemade" directional antennas that work with the
> Wireless N system so I assume that the complexity (of 3 antennas)
> involved is too great).. My question is whether the wireless N signal
> can extend to 300 feet.. there is a clear "line of sight" between the
> two buildings ... My other question is whether I might be better off
> trying to run a cable between the two buildings.. I have plenty of
> two wire electrical cable (which I presume is not the right stuff) and
> also have 6 wire telephone cable. (I don't like the thought of
> leaving it lying on the ground so might want to bury it 6" or so)..
> Does anyone have any thoughts as to how I can best approach this
> situation..

You'd likely have to bury it more than 6" deep, check with local building
codes.

Do you have clear line-of-sight between the buildings? As in, no trees or
other vegetation that will leaf out later in the season? If so then you're
a good candidate for using a pair of routers with directional antennae.
It's better to use two routers separate from anything else you have
providing wireless in the current structure. The directional antenna to go
point-to-point isn't going to offer decent coverage in the existing
structure. The link can be 802.11g (or even B) instead of 802.11(draft)n.
A pair of 802.11g routers can be had for the price of one draft N unit.
Then it's just a matter of setting up the gear. Your most important point
to consider is keeping the RF cabling VERY, VERY short, using good quality
cabling. The longer the cable, the less signal strength (in layman's terms)
you're going to get between the devices. So plan on putting the router very
close to the antenna.

Then once you've got the point-to-point set up you can use the wired jacks
on the distant end to connect computers. If you want more wireless out in
that building too then you'd hang an access point off the wired ports.

-Bill Kearney