Directional wireless broadband antenna

[Flyboy]

I have a Clear wireless broadband box at the place I'm renting a room at, but I'm at the outer edge of the tower's range. I want to boost the signal strength using a directional antenna.

There are a number of old DISH and DirecTV satellite receivers floating about, and I can get one for free. Is it possible to convert it to being a transmitter/receiver unit? I know I'll need to remove the old satellite receiver unit at the end of the arm; I just need to know what to replace it with, and if I'd need an amplifier for the outbound signal.

I'm about 2/3 to 3/4 of a mile away from the antenna, and there are trees and houses in the direct path of the signal.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.


Patrick

 

[berkeman]

×

I have a Clear wireless broadband box at the place I'm renting a room at, but I'm at the outer edge of the tower's range. I want to boost the signal strength using a directional antenna.

There are a number of old DISH and DirecTV satellite receivers floating about, and I can get one for free. Is it possible to convert it to being a transmitter/receiver unit? I know I'll need to remove the old satellite receiver unit at the end of the arm; I just need to know what to replace it with, and if I'd need an amplifier for the outbound signal.

I'm about 2/3 to 3/4 of a mile away from the antenna, and there are trees and houses in the direct path of the signal.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.


Patrick

What are the frequencies involved? Use Google or some other means to figure that out. I think you'll find that they are different.

So then look at Yagi antennas for the WiFi directional antenna that you would like to use. Actually, your wireless provider should have some directional router options available if you ask about them...

 

[yerkovector]

if it is wifi it is probably in the 2.4ghz band.
here are some antennas http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=11_45_48

 

[vk6kro]

This sounds like Wireless Broadband where there is no connection made to the telephone line and a direct radio link is made to an external ISP via radio.

In my country, this is done on about 900 MHz and about 1900 MHz.

This is not the same as WiFi which is lower powered and limited to 100 ft or so.

There are antennas on eBay that do this
Eg 141039807319
But you should enquire locally as standards for frequencies and even plug types vary for different regions.

 

[Flyboy]

Thanks for the info. Now, the question is, could I use an old satellite TV receiver dish with a modified antenna to improve the range of the signal?

 

[davenn]

Thanks for the info. Now, the question is, could I use an old satellite TV receiver dish with a modified antenna to improve the range of the signal?

you could but at the distance from the tower that you stated, it would be a impractical
plus for the usual size of a house mounted satellite dish ( the oval ones 0.6 x 0.9 metre) its not going to have much gain at 1900 MHz a yagi of ~ 10 elements will be more efficient and smaller meaning it will be less of an eyesore ( less than 0.5 metre long)

Dave

 

[NascentOxygen]

There are a number of old DISH and DirecTV satellite receivers floating about, and I can get one for free. Is it possible to convert it to being a transmitter/receiver unit? I know I'll need to remove the old satellite receiver unit at the end of the arm; I just need to know what to replace it with, and if I'd need an amplifier for the outbound signal.

Patrick, you might like to spend a few hours perusing a very long thread here: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2082278

Of especial interest would be the right hand link on the line that reads:
Relevant Wiki Entries: /wiki/homemade_yagi | /wiki/nextg_3g_satellite_dish_antenna

The article shows how to build a small antenna and place it at the focus of the old dish.

Beyond this, I can't help.

Good luck with your project.