Antenna gain will probably help more. Amplification will help, but, you have to remember that when you amplify the signal (for receive), you also amplify noise. An antenna with better gain will do a better job at pulling in the signal.

I would first try your setup with good antennas (maybe 14dBi 2.4GHz yagis as they’re “cheaper”). See if that works. Then try the amplifier route since they can be pricey compared to antennas.

Tony

Will wattage help with tree penetration or it no help for near LOS or no LOS situations?

I’m in the same situation with a boat at a marina that I’d like to push wifi to from the house. Distance no problem, less than 3/4 mile, but trees are in the fresnel.

Thanks,

Eric

The best (and most cost effective) thing to probably do is a combination
of bridges, access points, and OpenVPN. A network of bridges (repeaters)
could extend your WiFi network to your vehicle. Then, an access point
connected via an Ethernet cable to the bridge could provide the “roaming
hotspot” in your vehicle.

So, it might look like this:

“Home Base” Ethernet Network – Repeater Bridge – Vehicle w/ Repeater
Bridge – Ethernet Cable – Access Point – Laptop with WiFi card

On the cheap, a Linksys WRT54g could do the trick with DD-WRT firmware.
The DD-WRT (free) firmware allows the WRT54g router to act as either an
access point or repeater bridge. If you don’t want to use DD-WRT, Linksys
also sells a repeater bridge unit. Use Google to research both products.

All the encryption should be done with VPN software so that way you have
an “encryption blanket” from your home base Ethernet network to the PC
clients in the field. OpenVPN, a free VPN software, can do the trick with
enough know-how.

Best of luck!

Tony

I have a question. Is there anyway to take a secure 802.11 signal out of the air and then rebroadcast it without the need to authenticate with the device originating the signal. I have a wireless network that covers a gas/oil field and we have laptops in the trucks. We currently connect the LT’s to our network with a hyperlink installed in each vehicle that has to physically connect to a USB or PCM/CIA network adapter. I want to take the incoming signal and amplify it wirelessly so the internal laptops WNIC can just pull it out of the air, basically turning the truck into a mobile hot spot. I have seen devices that can do this for cell phones but have been unable to find one for 802.11.

Thanks,

bw