sharing internet connections

[roadslugs]

Hi.
I'm hoping everyone or anyone can help me sort out my problem.
I am in a mobile home park in Florida. Last winter i purchased a new wireless Belkin N router for my adelphia broadband connection. It is great inside and I was able to get several other friends to share my connection. They are ususally in RV and are only there for a month or two. It's expensive for them to get broadband for such a sort time and DSL or dialup are a joke in our area.
The problem we have is I can't reach everyone. I would like to set up an outside antenna or increase my range so they can share my internet connection. My questions are.
1) Belkin N router says I can't add an antenna. Is there an N router that does?
2) do the other friends need a N card in their PC's and do they need a card that can have an antenna attached to "catch" my signal.
They are in all directions and I can close the network so that only the people I want to use the network will be on it.

I can spend some money as I'm there every winter since purchasing the house and my friends come every year to the park so they can purchase new cards etc if needed. It will still be cheaper they installing cable every year for a few months for them and I don't mind sharing.

also I want to add vonage to my system. I understand Belkin has a problem with that. Is that true? Can someone suggest a good N router for VoIP.

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Roadslugs

[YeOldeStonecat]

Linksys makes "High Gain Antennas"...they thread onto their products, replacing the stock ones. I've setup quite a few of their wrt54gx4 (SRX400) units...absolutely fantastic range with those. Standard antennas are omn-directional..the hi gain ones allow you to focus towards one direction. If you park near the edge the lot...you could focus the signals inwards towards the crowd more.

I've setup a couple of the Belkin Pre-N units...and I can't even remember what their antenna connections are like...I can't say if the Linksys ones would thread onto it.

Linksys also makes a wireless repeater unit...and an outdoor AP. Could stick one in a trailer that's 1/2 way.

I'm guessing you've tried moving your current Pre-N unit around your mobile home? Higher location, etc.

Might want to give BufalloTech a call..they sell some outdoor hi gain omni-directional antennas.
http://www.buffalotech.com/products/wireless.php

Clients can still use G and even old B adapters...and will still realize the gain in distance from a Pre-N/N/MIMO AP. They just don't get the higher speeds..that's all.

And lastly...for the client side...you can fiddle with different adapters for them. If they can get an external adapter for their PC..so that they can locate their receiving antenna up high..perhaps near a window. Hawking makes a dish receiver....
http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=60&ProdID=280

I don't know about Vonage and Belkin adapters.

This is just some "try and see" suggestions..nothing is cast in stone with wireless. Wireless is odd...a lot of times, what works great for one setup, doesn't do a thing for another setup. And visa versa. So many different environmental differences.

Also try some of my tips here...specifically since you have a Belkin unit..make sure your model doesn't have turbo mode running..have updated firmware, perhaps try a different channel..
http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?t=203247

[roadslugs]

Thank you for the information. The belken unit has 3 antenna's on it. Non are removable. I have found sites where they build antenna hookups but it would void any waranty. Does linksys make an n router? Should I get an n router.
I purchased one because it would increase speed(the belken did) and distance(and it did).
You said to set up a unit-repeater- in another home along the way.
How would I set that up. Would it also be wireless? What unit should I use.

I won't be back to Florida for a few months but I would like to get my plans and supplies together so Im ready to go.

thank you again for all your help. It looks like this is a project that we can do.

roadslugs

[YeOldeStonecat]

Does linksys make an n router? Should I get an n router.
I purchased one because it would increase speed(the belken did) and distance(and it did).
You said to set up a unit-repeater- in another home along the way.
How would I set that up. Would it also be wireless? What unit should I use.



Yeah all the major brands make "Draft-N" units now. Draft-N however..is only a few months old...they're still ironing the kinks out of the firmware...growing pains. By end of summer...they may be in better shape. Right now the average consensus is that they are running "almost" as good as the "Pre-N" units..which have had over a year to mature.

We're right on the fence here. In another month or two I'll probably switch from deploying the Pre-N/MIMO units...to Draft-N.

Official N will is probably around a year or more away.

Both are backwards compatible with G and B.

I have had good experiences with the Belkin Pre-N units...they do pretty much share system boards with the Linksys units. If you're looking at replacing it anyways..hey..may be worth a couple of bucks and some time to try to adapter some potent antennas on it.

The wireless range expanders...
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1130267578138&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

You just plug them into power...I haven't set one of these up...but I imagine it has some setup software you run on your PC..picks up the MAC of the unit..and you go from there. You place these towards the end of your range..it picks it up..and amps it..resends it out. Picture in your mind...2x circles overlapping a little bit.

What you seek is certainly do-able...may take an attempt or two to get it to where you want it. Certainly a fun project.

I'll mention the subject of the TOS you have with your ISP though...

[roadslugs]

Ok I think I'll give it a try and attached an antenna.
I have a setup in the new house with power and cable so I can put the antenna right out the door.
Then I'll set up another antenna outside the friends RV . All the rv's are very close so hopefully they can pick up the signal from the second antenna.

If I need new equipment I'll definately check out this website for info on the draft N and see if it's ready to go.

I appreciate your help.

roadslugs