My New Tower

[dremd]

Originally Posted by dcb

That sucks, nice pic though.

Seriously, a half mile and that setup couldn't see it? You were pointing down 1.3 degrees?

This guy was connected at 1.2 miles with just a cantenna on one end (though I am quite certain I am not telling you anything you don't know already)
Super Cantenna Review -- Extend Your Wi-Fi Network Range (pics)

I'd guess I was pointing down about 1.3 degrees. I basically aimed it by getting an assistant to stand in my victims yard with my iphone and WiFi Fo Fum while I peaked the dish for highest strength. I could only get it down to about -91 db, but was able to connect the iphone to the tower. unfortunately the AP didn't show the remote A/P in the site survey; but I could see (-99db) my own access point while placed in their yard. That neighbor was not willing to add any gear to their setup (regardless of compensation).

[dremd]

I'm having DSL connected to an abandoned house (which I have permission to use) on Wednesday!

The Upsides
1) .25 mile DIRECT line of sight
2) Power is available
3) I have very easy access to the property to repair any problems which may arise.
4) I don't have to pay for my 8 watts of electricity !
5) I don't have to pay Wild Blue $89 a month for crappy internet anymore!
6) My internet service will be !!!!!!!SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!

The Downsides
1) I have to pay for phone service (no DSL direct) for which I have no use for. ($18 a month) I can live with this.
2) I have to pay for the entire internet + phone bill $51 per month. (WAY BETTER THAN $89!)
3) Only 3 meg service is available with 512 up.
4) I had to grease some wheels at the phone company to get a connection at all.

I'm loading up an ammo box with a salvaged (free) UPS that had a dead battery which I hacked up for size , a 17.5 amp hour 12 volt SLA battery (should give nearly a full day of backup power), a DSL modem, a WRT54GL, and a 14 dbi patch panel antenna 2.4 GHz 14 dBi Flat Panel Antenna - 12in RP-TNC Plug Connector - HG2414P-RTP. Should be a killer WiFi link with my conditions.

I'm pretty excited!

oh; and btw I figure this is green; my satellite modem is a HUGE power hog. I'm estimating that overall I will have a 40 watt reduction in base power consumption. (that makes it about a 1,000,000 year pay back in power alone ;-)

[dremd]

Phone service is up!
DSL carrier signal is up!
WiFi link is up! (needs some tweaking, poor signal still, something just seems "wrong")
DSL modem is stuck in UPS (4 days for 2 day service!!!!!!)

[dremd]

signal issue located; top mast is floppy; the grid is swaying in the wind.

[dremd]

Second page loaded over new DSL!
First was http://www.speedtest.net/result/550077031.png

[JasonG]

HAHA I saw this and thought new tow-er as in truck.
Ive gotten nearly 2 miles of of reused dish network/direct tv dishes.
What are you using for feed line? RG-6 is preferable. check that the antenna is the correct length. Also make sure you're not using 75 ohm camera cable instead of 50 ohm antenna cable.

[dremd]

Originally Posted by JasonG

HAHA I saw this and thought new tow-er as in truck.

Your not the firts person to think that. lol

Originally Posted by JasonG

Ive gotten nearly 2 miles of of reused dish network/direct tv dishes.

My last WiFi link was 3.4 miles; but we were using factory built antennas (24 db) We considered the Dish re-use setup; but decided on factory built parts for reliability.

Originally Posted by JasonG

What are you using for feed line? RG-6 is preferable. check that the antenna is the correct length. Also make sure you're not using 75 ohm camera cable instead of 50 ohm antenna cable.

I'm just using the cables included with the antennas; less loss. My radios are within 12 inches of the antennas (less loss).

Posting over the WiFi Link!

[dremd]

Looks like I have a bad ethernet cable :-( only able to connect to tower radio at 1/2 duplex. which is an issue because I can't connect it to my indoor WiFi gear (can't switch LAN ports to 1/2 duplex) going to get that sorted out soon.. . . . . .

[dremd]

Cable issue was just a bad end (I suck at crimping cat 5 while hanging from towers).

Ended up cutting 2 small trees to maintain service during rain storms.

My DSL (at the modem) is more like 2.7 down and .3 up; oh well, beats the hell out of satellite.

Our area will be upgraded to Uverse "soon" and I'll have 10 meg available then.

I always forget how huge of a performance hit WEP takes on a marginal link (almost 50%)

My You Tube addiction is easing.

I really really want a PTZ cam for my tower, but can't justify $500.

Total power draw (both ends) is about 5 to 6 watts (about 75 for satellite); maybe this makes up for the 2 trees that had to loose their lives, but not so much.

Still amazes me when I sit down on the couch and the internet doesn't suck; many many less trips "out" to use the internet.

All and All the best project I've ever done.

[McTimson]

How much did it cost to put up? Is there enough wind there to make a windmill out of it?