Hey all,
I live on a big rural property with no cell coverage. My WiFi at the gate is pretty weak, but I want to set up a camera there. Can anyone recommend a setup that might work? Thanks!
Alright, you’ve got a few choices!
If there’s no power source at the gate, a trail camera could work well. These battery-powered cameras with motion sensors wake up when something moves, capturing whatever triggers it. Hunters use them often since they blend in easily and don’t look like cameras. They store footage on an SD card, so you can check recordings later.
Some newer trail cameras even have cellular options, uploading video straight to the cloud.
Alternatively, you could try a battery-powered WiFi camera, though it’d need a strong WiFi signal. You might need an outdoor access point and a directional antenna to extend the WiFi from your house to the gate.
For long-term use, running a cable could be an option. A buried Cat6 cable would allow you to use a hardwired camera setup.
Just to clarify, are you hoping to extend your WiFi so a camera can work there, or would you consider running an Ethernet cable for a PoE camera? Also, how far is the gate from the house, and is there power nearby?
@Bennett
The gate’s about 300 feet from the house, and I hadn’t thought of running Ethernet. Might be the best option!
Jasmine said:
@Bennett
The gate’s about 300 feet from the house, and I hadn’t thought of running Ethernet. Might be the best option!
300 feet is about the max distance for power over Ethernet (PoE). If you decide to go this route, make sure to get high-quality, direct-burial Ethernet cable, and test it out before burying it.
300 feet is the max for PoE
Sometimes you can push it a little farther or use a PoE extender. There are even options like an Ultra Long Range PoE Extender Kit for distances up to 1000m. Just remember that with long distances, cable quality really matters. Low-grade cable might not go the full distance.
Jasmine said:
@Bennett
The gate’s about 300 feet from the house, and I hadn’t thought of running Ethernet. Might be the best option!
You could look into a directional outdoor WiFi access point. Reaching 100 meters isn’t too hard with the right setup.
@Bennett
Sorry for the lack of details earlier. No power at the gate. Hoping for something quick I can set up. I could try repositioning my Starlink for WiFi reach. Someone’s been messing with my gate, so I’d like to increase security there.
@Jasmine
If you’re okay without real-time video, a trail camera could work.
Otherwise, you’d need a way to boost the WiFi signal there. Some cameras come with removable antennas, so you might try switching to a more directional one to help with signal.
There’s a brand called ‘Game changer’ that offers heavier gauge Cat6 cable, which can go beyond the typical 300-foot range.