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elfbrewery
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 12-25-2006
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I haven't paced it off, but we have mixed types of housing ranging from stone to cement brick to petate, and the distance from the modem out to the
users is, let's say, 500 feet. The network will be used by 8 to 12 users, but hopefully restricted to that. There was a functioning network in use,
that's where the modem, router and antennas came from, but the newer router and antenna were removed (the owner/administrator walked off with them).
We're trying to piece a system back together with little intelligence as how to do it.
The Hughes modem is a 7000 series, the Linksys router is a WRT54G and the antennas are whatever were used before. We have a pro service from Hughes
and are watching our usage to learn what makes us hit the FAP.
Is there a quick fix to get the antenna boosted? Does it make more sense to buy a new router? Do all the users have to have additional hardware to
receive/transmit at this distance?
Thanks for whatever help you can pass our way.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Antennas
They were connected via TNC connectors up until version 8 at which time they were hardwired to save costs. Although I haven't bought a WRT54GL, from
reading tech reviews, it appears that the "L" model still uses the TNC connectors.
I have purchased numerous antennas and cabling from the following noted website. Good pricing and excellent service. Note their recommendations on
cable usage (LMR 195 versus LMR 400) when deciding on antenna placement. http://www.wlanparts.com.
With an external outdoor omni-directional antenna at the Host location, decent reception with internal or 3db stub antennas on the client side can be
at least a few hundred feet depending on terrain and materials between the two. In any case, the various directional "pad" antennas offered are
available at a reasonable price.
Ideally, it is most economical to set up the host and then experiment with a laptop for reception. If you get marginal or better reception without
any additional antenna, then a relatively low-gain antenna addition will work fine. In many cases, if you can receive a useable signal with the
Laptop internal antenna, an adapter with a fixed 3db antenna will work fine. I've bought Linksys 802.11b USB adapters with fixed antennas for under
20 bucks that made the difference. Remember, every 3db in gain represents a doubling of power. In any case, if you need an antenna at the client
location, you'll need an 802.11 adapter that has a screw-on antenna (usually RP SMA connector). Hawking makes a good USB adapter for laptops or
desktops. There are many PCI adapter cards available for Desktops also for as low as $9.95 from any computer supplier. I buy extensively from: http://www.tigerdirect.com. Again, excellent pricing and good service.
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BCSTech
Senior Nomad
Posts: 584
Registered: 4-16-2006
Location: Todos Santos, BCS / Placerville, CA.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Carpe Manana
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This is all fine and good but doesn't fix the main problem with this system. 10 to 12 users on the HughesNet Pro service level is probably about 10 to
11 users too many.
Regardless of what kind of wireless gear you throw at this, you'll hit your daily FAP at 375 Mb. May sound like a lot but is anyone in your group
downloading music or videos? Sending or receiving pictures of their grand kids? Anyone set their PCs to auto download OS, application or virus program
patches or updates in the background? All you need is one power user among all of you to bring that system to a crawl.
If this system is running 24/7 and all of the users are connected 24/7, I'd be surprised if you didn't hit the FAP every day just from the automatic
background downloads and updates.
If you're all sharing a 0.74 meter dish, the highest service level you can upgrade to is ProPlus. That may get you a little more down speed and add 50
Mb to the FAP limit. But what you really need for that many users is a larger dish, probably a 1.2 meter, and a much higher service level.
Buena Suerte!
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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WiFi USB Antenna
I know there are a lot of personal favorites for USB antennas out there and here is mine. http://www.airlink101.com/products/awll3055.html
I have a Hughesnet system I share with neighbors. All have switched over to the airlink 101. With a 10db directional antenna an friend about 2 miles
away with a clear line of sight to my antenna he can just get a good enough signal to get on line. Others much closer have some difficulty until they
get their antenna in a mostly clear location like their roof line or patio but with the airlink they can get access now. You can purchase a USB
extension cable to put the antenna in the best spot. Works for us. For $45 it's a deal but at times Fry's has them on sale for $25.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Running afoul of FAP
The question regarding Plan levels and FAP is different from the mechanics of setting up a wireless network to utilize Hughes Net Broadband.
Given the usage habits of most people, In all likelihood, that many users will be subjected to FAP. Your first alternative would be to simply try it
and find out to what extent the FAP affects your service level. If said effects are unacceptable, simply buy a business class system. With that many
users, the individual cost would be relatively small.
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