Wireless network problem?

[GbinaryR]

Guys i live in a very small city, almost a village and i want to make a wireless network with my friends. Our houses aren't further than 2.5 km each other. The only problem is that i can't see my any house of my friends there are other houses on the way. Another friend of mine told me that with a multi-directional antenna we could connect, but i don't believe. I thought that the antennas should see each other. Am i right? Can i connect in some way with my friends?? Always wireless.

[Networker]

Well, in theorie 802.11b spectrum range is about 4 km (that's what CISCO says, but I have a doubt), anyway in a village buildings in between the Access point and a terminal will for sure perturbe the signal.

WIFI comes omnidirectionnal antennas (every direction simulatenously) because it behaves like a broadcast domain, if you paly with a kind of parabolic antenna you'll gains that'll gives you a greater range with a geater signal quality (that's real basic radio...). I'm sure you heard about the hacking technic of using a chipster box to grab info from a great distance...

If you do so you'll have some problems:
1- you'll need a high mast to get rid of building in the middle perturbation
2- all your friend must be in the same antenna "cone". I mean if one friend is on your right and the other on your left physically you cannot do nothing else that using a omnidirectionnel antenna.

In 2 or 3 years, I'm sure that the 802.16 will be commercialised and that would make it more easy: you'll have several WAP routing together not requiring like today wire in between.

Hope this help.

[nihil]

Not sure how relevant it is but there is a company looking a setting up a wireless network in my home town. I seem to recall that they were looking at installations about every 200 metres.

Cheers

[GbinaryR]

Nice info networker thanks.