Internet by Radio
 

Is it possible to transmit/receive the internet from a source five miles away using radio and what are the problems? licence etc.

The reason I wish to do this is net is to slow be usefull as my daughter has 65Mbps infinity at her house. The ping is 24msec at this address

Thank for any help

Yes, 2.4GHz would probably be the easiest and in the US ( if not check your local regulatory organization) the legal limit is 1 watt without a license and by using a high gain directional gain antenna you should be able to get 5 miles+. However, terrain and obstacles in the path with affect performance. The antennas needs to be line of sight. With the right equipment you should be able to get decent speeds.

http://www.afar.net/tutorials/fcc-rules/

Interesting idea. You could get a something like a 24dBi Parabolic Wireless directional Antenna and setup a pair of them pointing between your house and hers. I *think* that would be allowed in the UK, I'm not sure. They are really directional, about 7 degrees, so you need to get it spot on to get a signal. Would it go five miles... thats a long way, do you have line of sight? If you don't, forget it, I doubt it would go through 5 miles of suburbia. :)

I think it might be too far though. Too far for a laser too, they also cost a fortune.

What is your mobile network like? If you have a good 3G signal you might get a better speed from a cellular link that you do from BB.

I hate to disagree, but five miles is VERY doable, and very affordable. The DEFCON Wifi shootout from a few years back got full 802.11b (it WAS a few years back), at 125 miles:
http://boingboing.net/2005/07/31/def...-shootout.html

...using a homebuilt antenna, with parts from Home Depot, and an off-the-shelf router. There are other specialized solutions, too:
http://www.5milewifi.com

If direct line of sight is possible, then yeah I totally agree, it will most likely work. I was expressing doubt of it going through 5 miles of suburban housing stock. :) I just didn't want to give false hope as transmitting through loads of buildings, trees, bumps etc would be something of an experiment.

Ahh...quite true. I didn't take that into account, and assumed (dangerous). :)

Of course, if you get a few other folks along the way involved, they can all chip in and pay for the hardware/connection, and you can put repeaters in their houses, too. :)

Build a massive tower halfway between the houses. :P

Wasn't 'paranet' ( I think that's the correct term ) originally designed for the ham radio system? ( This was before Al Gore invented the internet. )

Are you referring to packet radio? Using wireless devices would actually be easier.

Ping isn't a very good indication of potential download and upload speeds.

I'd buy a known quality set of antennas and you have to watch your cable's for any defects. You have to know safety. You need to know local laws. Your signal may also interfere with others in the line and they might sue you. Be careful to understand that blocking fire alarms and patient monitor devices could kill someone.

Well a lot info to think about and thank you all.
I am a retired Radio & Television engineer so this may help on the technical side.

My duaghter house is about 100mtr above sea level and We are 310 mtr above sea level.

I can't see her house from were I am nor can she see my house.These sitting were done from the top of the roofs. But radio signal do bend a little so I need to find the right kit.

G3 available but not very strong, so could I use an aerial on the roof?

Richard

It will not work without antennas on the roof. Height above sea level is not important. By line of sight we mean there are no tall trees or buildings etc between your houses.

You will get the best signal by using two directional antennas but alignment might be difficult.

You could give Google(think it was them) a call and ask for a wifi blimp to float over the houses...

More seriously, that difference in height between your house and your daughters, 210m over 5 miles (~8km) is a pretty shallow angle (about 1.5 degrees ish?). Chances are there is going to be something in the way. In short, you might need a rather long pole sticking off the roof.

Also see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11#...0211ns_37ghzA2
Now, 5000m isn't 5 miles, but it's close.