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Old September 3rd 06, 02:57 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Bob Bob Bob Bob is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 32
Default Convert DISH TV antenna for WIFI use. USB or RF FEED?

Hi Kaz

My first thought is to go the USB route, 60-70 ft of coax on any WiFi
band is a substantial loss that has to be (RF path) budgeted for. If you
are trying to save $ by using the "ex" dish, the coax and connector
costs can really blow the savings.

Have you actually modelled the link you are wanting to setup? There are
a number of GPL s/w packages that will help you out here. You'll then
know what your margins are in determining what mode to use.

Note that I dont know how effective the extender amplifiers are. Have a
look at their specs and incorporate them into the model too.

I dont know the max distance for USB but I guess an extender cable would
do it. I asume that is also a freq/distance/loss thing like the old
RS232 standard was. The simple answer is to lower the cable data rate
till it works.

I am sure you can also get WiFi repeaters if that is an option. I know
Cisco WAPs have that option as well.

Sorry, my knowledge isnt so complete on this subject.

Cheers Bob VK2YQA

Kaz wrote:


I am looking for an easy way to convert a standard DISH TV offset feed
dish for WIFI use. I desire to mount this thing on the rooftop for a
long distance rural link. I need to understand if it would be easier to
go the USB device route or what the ramifications are to going the
traditional rf and coax route? I think my install will require around
60 to 75 ft of feed line. Could I use a wifi "extender" amplifier at
midpoint to get past feedline losses? If I go the coax route, what
would be an easy way to feed the dish? Could I use a tiny off-the-shelf
external wifi antenna inside of a can or do I need to homebrew something
more extravagant?

If I go the usb device route to feed the dish, how can I extend that far?

I do need to connect this to a pc as a NIC or client, therefore remote
mounting a router wont do the job for me.


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