Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Wireless Router, min 300 ft outdoors

Aug 9, 2016 7:54PM PDT

Looking for a decent wireless router that can reach a minimum of 300' outdoors, go through 3" of ply plus thin sheets of steel and/or aluminum (1/4" max). It will be on a closed network (not looking for any sort of internet connection to boost or spread). Also, not too pricey, given that I have this stolen from me too often.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
You should not find such a thing.
Aug 10, 2016 8:36AM PDT

Radio waves do not penetrate steel or aluminum so you are battling physics. It's not as if folk haven't tried.

So while the 300 feet is at the edge of off the shelf gear, the shielding really kills it.

Has anyone gone over wireless basics with you? I can't here at length but can give quick yes or no's.

- Collapse -
Consumer level knowledge
Aug 10, 2016 10:43AM PDT

My knowledge is consumer level when it comes to wireless.

So we eliminate the barriers and price, and focus on distance. 300ft minimum, mostly in a field with some other networks (nothing strong enough to squash).

- Collapse -
Remember no one will give any assurance.
Aug 10, 2016 10:53AM PDT

300ft is at the limit of current off the shelf gear. You will have to give it a try and hope it works.

To really nail this you would move to 1 mile solutions. But that's on the web and usually setup by the engineer assigned to the task.

Why not try the 20 buck router on amazon next?

- Collapse -
I see they are now 25 dollars.
Aug 10, 2016 10:56AM PDT
- Collapse -
Making sure I wasn't missing something.
Aug 10, 2016 10:59AM PDT

Appreciate the help. Last question. Will any different antennas make a difference, or does the strength only come from the router itself?

- Collapse -
Remember this has priors.
Aug 10, 2016 11:07AM PDT

So while an antenna may help, it can also cause issues. If you had an engineer on the team they might use a simple reflector if the spot you need to get to is in one direction. But that's for you and your engineer to discuss.

- Collapse -
Thanks for your time!
Aug 10, 2016 11:08AM PDT

Much appreciated! I'm sure they were dumb questions.

- Collapse -
Not at all.
Aug 10, 2016 3:24PM PDT

It's a common question (long range WiFi) but the shield killed it in your first post. Later we are still at the edge of off the shelf WiFi. To the point you are left with trial and error. This is where you need an engineer on the team to see what solutions fit.

In parting I was in on a design for 1+ Mile connections. We did not use WiFi but some 900MHz link at 9600 baud. More than enough for the applications it targetted.