Dick Eastman's RV

Follow-up: How to Build a Long-Range Wi-Fi System: Configuring the Outdoor Access Point

I recently published a series of articles entitled How to Build a Long-Range Wi-Fi System that attracted quite a bit of interest. The series starts at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/01/how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-part-1.html.

I used a 2.4 GHz High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE Model TH-WA5210G manufactured by TP-Link mounted on a flagpole that attaches to the ladder on my motor home. It connects to any wi-fi "hot spot" within a quarter mile or so and often to hot spots much further away.

I know from comments posted here that several people purchased an identical 2.4 GHz High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE Model TH-WA5210G or TL-WA5210G but had difficulty configuring it and asked me questions about it. To be honest, I did all this about a year ago and encountered little difficulty. I did not experiment with all the available options. It installed within a minute or two and today I couldn't remember enough of the details to answer many questions. I decided to take new screen shots of each significant step in the set-up process and post them here for others to see. Perhaps that will answer most of the questions.

Flag Pole Buddy for Long Range Wi-Fi Now Available at Camping World

I wrote a three-part series of articles entitled "How to Build a Long-Range Wi-Fi System" that is still available with Part #1 starting at http://goo.gl/VpO8F. In that article, I described how I installed an external antenna on the back of my motor home that allows me to connect to wi-fi networks a quarter-mile away and sometimes even further.

In Part #3 of the article (available at http://goo.gl/IgkvI), I described the masts that I used. My first experiment was with a military surplus set of ten four-foot long fiberglass poles. That didn't work very well. The poles were big, heavy, awkward to install, and looked ugly. It got stares in the campground. I later discovered a telescoping aluminum flagpole mount made for recreational vehicles. Although it is described as a flag pole, this mast is perfect for use with a small to medium sized antenna on top! I use it for both my wi-fi antenna and for a television antenna that works a lot better than the one installed at the factory on the motor home's roof.

Another Free Wi-Fi Source

Free wi-fi is available wherever you find it. This is from Whitson Gordon's FaceBook page:

BestBuy has a hidden WiFi network named "BestBuy" they use for their display devices. You can connect to it just fine by typing in the SSID (it won't show up in the list of WiFi connections) and there's no password or wireless security.

I assume that it is sensitive to upper and lower case, as are most all SSIDs. Enter exactly: BestBuy

Sometimes a Long-Range Wi-Fi System Pays Off

I moved yesterday and checked into a different RV park. I was told that wi-fi is available throughout the park for an additional fee. A second option is to carry your laptop to the park's country store and use a different, but short-range, wi-fi network free of charge.  Walking to the store and sitting on the front porch, exposed to the weather, isn't always the most convenient access possible.

After getting the motor home set up, I took a walk to the store and checked the wi-fi coverage with my iPhone. The person who gave me the information at check-in was correct: I couldn't access the free wi-fi network once I walked 50 feet away from the store's front porch. However...

How to Build a Long-Range Wi-Fi System - Part #3

NOTE #1: This is a the last installment of a lengthy article that is being published in three installments over several days.

NOTE #2: This article contains a number of pictures. You can view larger images by double-clicking on any picture.

NOTE #3: Part #1 of this article is available at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/01/how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-part-1.html

NOTE #4: Part #2 of this article is available at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/01/how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-part-2.html

NOTE #5: If you did obtain a TP-Link 2.4 GHz High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE Model TH-WA5210G as described in this article, you may be interested in my follow-up article, Configuring the Outdoor Access Point at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/11/follow-up-how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-configuring-the-outdoor-access-point.html

I think the telescoping mast that I use is one of the greatest "finds" of this entire project. I first tried to find masts or towers designed to go on motor homes. I searched for a long time but couldn't find anything I wanted. On my first attempt, I purchased a military surplus fiberglass mast kit. It consisted of ten four-foot long fiberglass poles, each designed to connect end-to-end with another such pole, a lot of nylon rope to be used as guy ropes, ground screw-in devices used as anchors for the guy ropes, and a canvas bag for holding everything. (A picture of my  first attempt is shown to the right.)  It is big, bulky, and heavy. It is painted olive drab green, the same as most other military surplus gear. Even worse, I'd consider those guy ropes to be a safety hazard to pedestrians in any campground. It is easy to trip over the ropes and ground anchors, especially in the dark. That is probably acceptable in Afghanistan but not in the typical campground in the U.S. I used it once.

In short, it ws a kludge, completely unacceptable.

How to Build a Long-Range Wi-Fi System - Part #2

NOTE #1: This is a lengthy article that will be published in three installments over the next few days.

NOTE #2: This article contains a number of pictures. You can view larger images by double-clicking on any picture.

NOTE #3: Part #1 of this article is available at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/01/how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-part-1.html

NOTE #4: If you did obtain a TP-Link 2.4 GHz High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE Model TH-WA5210G as described in this article, you may be interested in my follow-up article, Configuring the Outdoor Access Point at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/11/follow-up-how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-configuring-the-outdoor-access-point.html

I purchased a commercially-built router that includes the router and antenna, all built into a weatherproof box. It even sends power to the router through the same ethernet cable that sends computer signals. The router picks up wi-fi signals and sends them through the ethernet cable. This router is a 2.4 GHz High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE Model TH-WA5210G manufactured by TP-Link. ("CPE" stands for "customer premises equipment." This unit is designed for installation in a customer's home for use on city-wide wi-fi networks.)

Similar units are made by a number of other manufacturers. I would suggest using a high-powered device of 500 milliwatts or more. Some hobbyists have obtained great results by placing Linksys or other routers designed for indoor use inside Tupperware or similar containers to protect them from weather. The box will need holes for antennas and signal wires. Once the connections are made, the holes can be sealed with any weatherproof sealant made for the job. Linksys WRT54G-series routers are especially popular amongst hobbyists who wish to install long-range wi-fi systems. This $60 router is easily modified in many ways, especially if DD-WRT software is used. Perform a Google search on "Linksys WRT54G" or "DD-WRT" for details.

How to Build a Long-Range Wi-Fi System - Part #1

NOTE #1: This is a lengthy article that will be published in three installments over the next few days.

NOTE #2: This article contains a number of pictures. You can view larger images by double-clicking on any picture.

NOTE #3: If you did obtain a TP-Link 2.4 GHz High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE Model TH-WA5210G as described in this article, you may be interested in my follow-up article, Configuring the Outdoor Access Point at http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/11/follow-up-how-to-build-a-long-range-wi-fi-system-configuring-the-outdoor-access-point.html

This project grew out of necessity. I now live in a Winnebago motor home, and I move it to new campgrounds frequently. I also feel that I need frequent Internet connectivity. At a minimum, I want to be online at least once a day. I'd really prefer to be connected 24 hours a day, if possible. I now can accomplish that goal most of the time although I had to experiment a bit to find the best combination of devices and techniques.

I will describe usage in a recreational vehicle, or "RV." However, the same techniques should work anyplace you want to establish a wi-fi connection over longer than normal distances.