Directional Wifi? Looking to get 30-40 meters of distance w/ good connection. (Page 1/2)
82-T/A [At Work] JUN 14, 12:49 PM
Hey guys, I got my daughter an Oculus Quest 2 a few weeks ago. It's been pretty cool, and she uses it in the downstairs bedroom which basically just has a couch and some arcade machines, so there is a large open area. But there are a lot of games that require her to be able to move around, and several others that actually allow long distance freedom of movement.

My house is kind of faux city-like. It's a new neighborhood that was designed to look like an old neighborhood of the 1930s and 1940s. All the homes are craftsman, arts & crafts, tudors, New Orleans style, etc. The homes all have front porches and sit right up on sidewalk with the garages opening to an alley in the back, or a long driveway down one side of the house. There is a large park / central square in the middle of the various neighborhood blocks that not a lot of people use. I'd like to project my internet into the large open grassy area, and then let my daughter go crazy with her VR headset.

In the past, I've used a Yagi antennae to intercept communications, but I don't have any formal understanding of the signals and how they are received and projected via the electromagnetic spectrum. I don't really understand phase shift or how signals seem to repeat across various frequencies, or any of that other stuff. Finally, I don't even really understand the difference between omni-directional and direction antennaes and how their applications are specific to certain signals.

If I wanted to project my B/G/N 5Ghz internet across the street into the park, (which at it's shortest point is 30 meters and longest point about 100 meters), what would I do? I assume I can't just hook a parabolic dish up to my router... I mean... any thoughts? In parking lots where I see internet being served, it's usually a flat panel...

appreciate any ideas / thoughts... thanks!
Jake_Dragon JUN 14, 01:22 PM
What I would do:
Run a network cable from the main router to a second router/wifi device to that side of the house just inside of the yard. Then find an external antenna that your second device will support.
Mounting the external antenna should cover the yard you are talking about and you can MAC lock it to only support devices you own.
The reason you want a second router is to isolate it from the internal network. Then if you have a breach you can shut it down quickly and minimize exposure by filtering devices that can connect.

Here is an example, but you will want to find one that your device supports.
Omni-directional antennas receive and transmit signals in all directions.

It will replace one of the antennas your new router comes with.
TheDigitalAlchemist JUN 14, 02:22 PM
I used to use a Cantenna to get a strong signal down long NY apartments back in the day...


Maybe something like that?
theogre JUN 14, 09:07 PM
Directional Wifi can work for some but most times not. Worse and Harder now w/ WiFi AC/5 or AX/6 using MIMO and other trix to service more people at higher speeds.

1. What is the Current Router/Gateway used?
Many w/ built-in "Hidden" antennas have "problems" because how installed but more... Like Small antennas and pointed "wrong way" too to see some areas.

1a. Where is it? Many people put then in closest and worse and get crap signal and no or hot air making them Hot. Routers can Thermal Throttle before they crash.

2. 5GHz and newest 6GHz bands Hate going thru Walls, Floors and more. Worse, many places 5GHz channels are restricted because interferes w/ Doppler Radar etc. So in many places only a few channels even show up so many people use a small number.

3. Comcast Turns On Xfinity Hot spots for all rental users causing more problems. Turn off by login to comcast my account devices.

4. In RF world like Optics Polarization Often Matters to get any signal to best of signal. One antenna up and one sideways then signal often have problems.

5. Omni-directional antenna is circular doughnut pattern. Not a Sphere. If on another floor then router can have a hard time seeing you if antenna(s) are pointing up. Pointed sideways might see on another floor but not all of that and people on same floor as router may now have problems depending where.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

ls3mach JUN 14, 09:40 PM
I used to have a powered directional gain antennae. It looked kind of what the curved displays resemble. MUCH smaller.

Something I don't know and maybe someone can tell me.
If you had a powered or non-powered can you hook it to anything and it work? Are all radio waves able to pass through all? I understand not all things can decode or send, but is an antennae just like a megaphone and anything you hook it get amplified?

EDIT. Got sidetracked.

If the answer to my question is YES or BASICALLY I will look and find what we were using. I was shooting it to a back shop for a friend. I cannot recall specifics for crap though.

[This message has been edited by ls3mach (edited 06-14-2022).]

IMSA GT JUN 15, 01:11 AM
So something like this is what you want and you don't need to buy this exact one but just to give you an idea:
https://www.amazon.com/Weat...ctronics&sr=1-4&th=1

It acts as a repeater and sends the wifi signal up to 1600 feet. With omnidirectional, it broadcasts 360 degrees so you will get your wifi outside, in your garage, even sitting in your car on the street.

Now, one of the bad parts of repeaters. You have to set up an SSID with the unit. When you are outside, you have to connect to THAT network wifi and when you come back in the house you need to connect to your home network. It will not be a seamless handoff between the antenna and your home network.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 06-15-2022).]

82-T/A [At Work] JUN 15, 07:02 AM
Thanks guys! I appreciate the responses!

Jake, I ended up buying the one you linked. It was only $16 bucks so I was like what the hell. I already have an ASUS router sitting around that I can use with it also.

I'll try it out as soon as I can get it installed and set up. Thanks!!!
TheDigitalAlchemist JUN 15, 09:10 AM
Please let us know how it all turns out.

PLEASE!!!!!!


GOOD LUCK
82-T/A [At Work] JUN 15, 09:25 AM

quote
Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist:

Please let us know how it all turns out.

PLEASE!!!!!!


GOOD LUCK




I'll take a video too! Hahah... which will probably be hilarious.
82-T/A [At Work] JUN 15, 01:41 PM
Guys, just got the antennae. Quick question... I know the antenna needs to be mounted vertically, but does it matter if it's upside down or rightside up? Does this change the phase of the signal?