Is there any way to pick up a WIFI connection that's 500-1000 feet away?

Question

I'm in France on exchange for a year. Unfortunately, there's no internet connections in the rooms. But there are spots on campus for wifi. Me, and the American students, have bitched about the internet situation and have tried to find solutions. We have other adjustments to make, among other things. But this is our main concern. The wifi connection isn't terribly far from me. I would say between 500-1000 feet from my dorm room. Is there any way that I could pick up this connection from this range? Maybe a usb wireless card or just a regular wireless card for my laptop? I don't want to buy one unless there's a possibility it will work. Any answers would be greatly appreciated! :-)

Answer 1

YES, there are devices designed just for this. I use them daily, and have connections at 5-7km away so I know they do work. There is ONE caveat with these, they are "Line of sight!" that means if there is a building or other obstructions between you and the router it won't work. However, if you are within 500-600 feet that may not bother you that bad unless it is a steel building! (And dense trees do count. *you can aim under them!) Once received you can add your own router to "redistribute" within your location! (If your campus has ANY outdoor routers/APs then these will work better! If they don't, offer to install one for them or ask them to install one for everyones use!)

Visit any of these and look under CPE (customer premise equipment) These are Radio/Antenna combination devices that run power over ethernet, they remote mount the radio and antenna together for the purpose of covering distant connections. The first two are resellers the last one is a manf.
http://defactowireless.com
(or more directly to the product)
http://shop.defactowireless.com/s.nl/it.A/id.380/.f?sc=2&category=227
http://echotechwireless.com
http://www.echotechwireless.com/Tranzeo_2_4GHz_CPE_with_QOS_p/tr-cpq-19f.htm
http://tranzeo.com (a manufacturers site)

These are probably also available in France from somewhere. I did find you a Tranzeo Dist. in England
http://www.zcomax.co.uk/testing/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

Now, these are around US$200 per unit so they aren't inexpensive but they do work LONG RANGE! Like I said I use them daily and have used them at 10miles!
There are also those who use wifi at really long distances
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/08/wireless_interc.html
http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/31/unamplified-wifi-distance-record-set-at-125-miles/
http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/08/22/ubiquiti-breaks-distance-record/
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3695986
AND the WORLD RECORD 237 miles!!
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/venezuelans-set-new-wifi-distance-record-237-miles/

I really like this quote from schneiers blog
"Whenever you hear a manufacturer talk about a distance limitation for any wireless technology -- wireless LANs, RFID, Bluetooth, anything -- assume he's wrong. If he's not wrong today, he will be in a couple of years. Assume that someone who spends some money and effort building more sensitive technology can do much better, and that it will take less money and effort over the years. Technology always gets better; it never gets worse. If something is difficult and expensive now, it will get easier and cheaper in the future."

Good Luck.. and feel free to email me for help.

Answer 2

Check out the site below. Use a PCMCIA card with an external antenna. Even better use a Linksys WRT54G with the DD-WRT firmware installed with an external antenna (i prefer the cantenna) this will allow you set up a router for you and your friends, and the Cantenna picks up signals from a half mile away. I used one while I did a clerkship in Kansas, because the only high speed internet was from the Super8 Motel. Almost a half mile away. I am not a seller, but a real happy customer. please no trolls.

Answer 3

slim to none. Range is about 300 feet for a weak signal. You can try a high gain antenna, but no guarantee that will work. Basically you would need a repeater in the middle to bounce the signal to you. You are in whats called a dead spot.