You're saying $160 and we're ready to go.. really? That's all I need? Nothing else?
I admit I'm rather ignorant on setting up a point to point network, but all I see there is a antenna on sale...
Yeah, those are just the antennas.
And a lot of the bridges that are available have built-in antennas. Mind you, that external one probably gives you better range, but do you really need it?
I'm experimenting with Engenius gear, commonly available and relatively inexpensive. I'm awaiting delivery of several 7550 dual radio access points/bridges that are going to form the backbone of my hotspot (each around $150-175). Even they might be overkill for a transmitter synchronization application - I think I would first look at the Engenius 1650 ($60 to $75). Start smaller and simpler and work your way up if you have to - you can always resell what doesn't work for you or you can't use. Plus if you don't have a lot of knowledge and experience in putting together networks, you stand a better chance of getting those things to work together than anything else. And for minimal cost.
that link i posted is a mimo nano bridge. it is radios built into antenna runninf on 5.8ghz
You're right, my apologies. I read the listing too quickly. Actually looks pretty promising for the discussed application.
And a lot of the bridges that are available have built-in antennas. Mind you, that external one probably gives you better range, but do you really need it?
Artisan, What I need is about 2 miles. I looked up the Engenius unit you mentioned, but I think it said it had a range of 300 feet. But even if it did have the range I need it's unclear to me how to go about utilizing it. That's why I was leaning towards the SimpleWifi company I referred to in my link, it spells it all out clearly.
I've set up a few networks before, but they were all in-house directly connections via Ethernet cables and just involved some setting in windows XP, but never with antennas to a location a couple miles away.
that link i posted is a mimo nano bridge. it is radios built into antenna runninf on 5.8ghz
kc8gpd, I don't understand (I say that a lot around here don't I?).. Are you indicating it has every component needed built in?
What all would have to be done with two of those antennas to get audio the studio to the remote transmitter?
Surely it would take additional accessories - right?
Coincidentally a link was provided in a post at hobbybroadcaster where a guy is in the process of using a pair of "Ubiquiti Nanobridge M5 IP radio" which look just like the units kc8gpd mentions, for a 1.5 mile stretch.
It's very detailed with diagrams, but it looked so elaborate it scared me away.
http://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/2012/11/ubiquiti-nanobridge-m5-ip-radio/
"The link below shows the resulting radiation pattern in the horizontal plane when syncing two transmitters on exactly the same carrier frequency with exactly the same radiated power from locations separated by two kilometers."
This explains why even perfectly synchronized oscillators in transmitters the signals sound "bouncy" at each transmitter's fringe points where the two signals would slightly meet or overlap. A slight tilt of a typical AM radio with an internal ferrite rod antenna can detect this "bouncing" very easily at the two signals cross over point.
This is almost similar to the effect FM has with multi-path, the signal bounces in and out.
RFB
Rich, you wouldn't need anything other than CAT5 ethernet cable and a power source with the M5.
I've done some more reading on those, and it appears they use proprietary technology - the manufacturer says that they achieve 802.11/n speeds, but they do not use that standard. So you're locked in.
Whereas other products such as the Engenius boxes use 802.11a/n/b/g, so they're more open. You could connect a computer directly to them wirelessly via one of those standards and it would work; with the M5, you would have to add an access point at the back end of one of the M5's. But they appear to be a good, specialized solution for point to point, if that's all you want to do.
I'm not sure of the Engenius ranges (that's why I'm starting out by experimenting). I know that the 7550 boxes can certainly achieve multiple miles if you add directional, external antennas. The 1650 boxes I was going to use for short range connectivity for computers, smartphones and the like, and they would be linked into the 7550's.
However, I suggested to start off with the 1650's as they are relatively simple to use and setup, at least to get the basic idea of what you're trying to do. And because they use the open standards, you can always reuse them, or easily get rid of them - however, they likely wouldn't be your final solution.
Up to you which way to go. And I'm sure there are many other approaches (I've looked at Trango, as an example, but again, they use proprietary technology, and they're pretty expensive).
Last time I tried to extend the station range with multiple transmitters, I had issues with getting people to agree to have equipment installed at their location, even with compensation of space lease, power usage compensation etc.
Then the other major issue I ran into was getting that cabling from point A to point B, which you can't just put the cabling down on the ground for it to be damaged or vandalized. The utility company, as well as the city were not very cooperative, even when offering compensation to both.
The wireless way would solve the problem of running cabling, however putting up wi-fi antenna systems along with the 219 system on someone's property or business location still may present issues.
It wouldn't be so much so if the other locations can be placed at locations of folks you know, ie friends or relatives. But the odds of those locations being in the right place for effective even coverage is 99 percent impossible.
So...what to do with all of the above issues when extending range with multiple setups requiring synchronization either via a CAT-5 cable or wireless link?
The Part 15 world, though tiny, has very large problems to overcome in many areas, more so that Part 15 requires just as much planning and overcoming issues as it's counterpart Part 73.
And it sounds like the expense would also be considerable, though not as much as Part 73, nonetheless, there will be some considerable expenses to face with multiple setups.
RFB
You might want to test the transmitters
individually before you link
them all up.
If you use two different frequencies
and stagger the transmitter locations,
you can give a dual ID, if you want.
That way, nothing will be interfering
with each other as you figure things out.
I just thought of this because of a
local AM station here that says it's:
"1420 WLIS, 1150 WMRD." They don't even
use the word "and" in the middle.
This link and sync approach is very very
interesting and I will be watching from
here in the bleachers.
Bruce, W 60 HZ, 1020 kHz Carrier Current
X-13, 13.560 MHz Experimental
I would use the Barix equipment
and place another transmitter
at my brother's condo.
He is not in the same town, but
there would be a chance to get
some more listeners.
Also, my property is very long
and narrow. The lot is 75 feet
wide, but about 150 feet deep
or more. I had planned to put
a solar powered repeater at
the very very back of my property
to put an FM signal on the street
in the back of mine.
In my recent testing with a small
solar cell array, I can see that
this could be done without a problem.
But since we are moving, the project
is scrapped, probably for quite a while.
Bruce, W 60 HZ, X-13
As we reminisce about the older equipment, think back even farther to the days of two cans and a string.
WHAT IF a string and can arrangement were installed from one end of the block to the other, and inside one can would be a mighty miniature loudspeaker mounted in such a way that it transformed the audio through the can and down the string, and at the other end a microphone capsule to convert to an audio feed for a transmitter.
Aside from the fact that you might also hear airplanes, birds, lawnmowers and family arguments, it might be a cheap way to make the short haul.
That's a real good point, RFB.
Because on each site you're going to need that wireless bridge, a computer on one side to generate the radio station stream, either a computer or programmable Internet radio to receive the stream on the other side, and transmitters. Quite a lot of equipment, and at least some of it is going to be up high. Never mind the space, hydro, etc. but what about the insurance and liability issues?
Unless, of course, you have a good relationship with your family and CAN put it at your brother-in-law's (or other family member).
I don't know much about the Barix equipment (Instreamer, Exstreamer) but how does it solve the transmitter synch problems? I did a bit of reading and it looks like it's another solution to encode and then decode MP3 streams (replacing those computers, internet radios, etc.) but I didn't see anything about transmitter synch issues.
I know nothing about this stuff.
But I'm sure the Barix units
can't/don't deal with sync issues.
Very Best Wishes,
Bruce, W 60 HZ/X-13