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Wireless Campground

Members of the ISP-Wireless list discuss the best way to distribute wireless Internet services across a campground setting. But do Wi-Fi technologies and pristine natural surroundings mix?

[October 15, 2002]

On the ISP-Wireless list in October, KS inquired:

"We have been asked to get together a quote for Internet access for a new campground that is going in. However, before presenting the quote to do it with wires, I was hoping someone would know of a wireless alternative I could also present. Basically, the camping area is 300 feet by 600 feet. I have a rooftop I could mount an access point (AP) on. However, I would need a wireless modem that they could just set at their desk and plug a CAT-5 cable into it. I need something without an external antenna. Any ideas?

[MS recommended] "A campground would be a great application for SmartBidges radios. Cheap and they have USB and Ethernet stand alone radios. Or you might look into some of the Zcomax 100 mw cards. You'll get fairly good range with that. If you need more range with them we have some little 3 dB flexible antennas that would attach right to the laptop."

[BJ concurred] "In addition, SmartBridges has a nifty setup that will be perfect in your application. They have special low voltage mode Airbridge units. These special units come bundled with the Power over Ethernet (PoE) device that draws power from the PS/2 port of the laptop computer. So now you have complete portability and no drivers to install either.

[SP advised] "It should be pretty simple. Use Linksys WET11's or a USB adapter for the computers and put an AP with an omni.Of course, that's without knowing what big metal or leafy objects are around the campground."

[MV recommended] "Take a look at WaveRider's product. One access point should easily piece through the trees and campers in a campground of 300 feet x 600 feet. The modem and an indoor antenna could sit inside on a desk and plug into CAT-5 cable. You only need as many modems as you expect to have subscribers on any given day."

[KS noted] "Yes, it sounds almost to perfect! However, they want about $5,000 for the base AP and 180 degree sector. That's what killed it."

[ML recommended] "I would think putting up an omni directional antenna on the roof with a little bit of gain and then using a unit such as the WET11 at the camper end would be fine, if there aren't that many trees.

[DR agreed] "That would be my recommendation as well. The trees should not be too much of an issue. The users would be below the canopy of the trees. This might be a place to use one of those 15 dbi omni antennas. Put it 10 to 12 feet off the ground and go for it. Maybe put up two APs to ensure coverage for behind a tree.

[PDT countered] "I thought recreations like camping were meant to get away from it all? Apparently, not any more."

—End