For the outdoor antennas I suggest:
* Hawking HAO14SDP Hi-Gain 14dBi Outdoor Directional Antenna Kit
-or-
* Hawking HAO14SD Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit

Any decent wireless access point (or router configured as an access
point) and wireless client bridge with external antenna connectors can
be used, but I'd personally stick with one vendor if you're buying new;
e.g., Hawking HWBA54G Wireless-G Multi-Function AP/Bridge (which
supports both modes).

On 12 Aug 2006 23:43:52 -0700, "frankdowling1@yahoo.com"
<frankdowling1@yahoo.com> wrote in
<1155451432.108998.293420@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>:

>John ,
>
> what would you recommend for "with relatively inexpensive consumer
>grade
>gear: "
> winter weather might be a factor ( or perhaps dew points) if the
>gear is outside for better reception and transmission.
>
>
>John Navas wrote:
>> On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "frankdowling1@yahoo.com"
>> <frankdowling1@yahoo.com> wrote in
>> <1155434909.733928.179820@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups .com>:
>>
>> >A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
>> >rural area.
>> >Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
>> >Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
>> >sort.
>> >Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
>> >Of what to do and not to do .
>> >Resources.
>> >The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
>>
>> Mesh network overview:
>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>
>>
>> The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
>> backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
>> gear:
>> ^
>> |
>> +-------+-------+
>> |+-------------+|
>> ||Internet Pipe||
>> |+------+------+|
>> | | |
>> |+------+------+|
>> ||Access Point ||
>> |+-+--------+--+|
>> +--+--------+---+
>> | |
>> +------------+--+ +-+-------------+
>> |+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
>> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> | | | | | |
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
>> |+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
>> +--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
>> | | |
>> | +------------+--+ +--+------------+
>> |+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
>> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> | | | | | |
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
>> |+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
>> +--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
>> | | | |
>>
>> Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.
>>
>> Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
>> minimize self-interference.
>>
>> External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
>> and client bridges, depending on distance.
>>
>> Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
>> clients in more than one direction.
>>
>> Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
>> backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)
>>
>> You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
>> marked with clear line-of-sight paths.
>>
>> --
>> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
>> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
>> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
>> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>