I have a barn about 200 yards from my house, but there’s no way to get WiFi out there. Is there a way to run a cable or use something like a WiFi extender to connect it? I’m not familiar with how this works. Or is my only option to use a camera that runs on cellular data?
Do you have a clear line of sight and electricity at both ends? If so, you could consider using a point-to-point bridge. Something like Cambium’s Bridge-in-a-Box might work for your setup.
BrianCopland said:
Do you have a clear line of sight and electricity at both ends? If so, you could consider using a point-to-point bridge. Something like Cambium’s Bridge-in-a-Box might work for your setup.
Check out Ubiquiti Nano Loco. You can get a set for around $100, and it works well for these kinds of distances.
You could run fiber optic cable with a media converter on both ends. This would give you a reliable connection.
Brantley said:
You could run fiber optic cable with a media converter on both ends. This would give you a reliable connection.
Fiber is a great option and also provides electrical isolation, which is safer. Running copper cables between the house and barn might not be allowed under local codes anyway.
Ethernet has a maximum cable length of about 330 feet, so it likely won’t work for your distance. An air bridge might be a better option; some can handle a quarter mile or more.
FundingFinderFelix said:
Ethernet has a maximum cable length of about 330 feet, so it likely won’t work for your distance. An air bridge might be a better option; some can handle a quarter mile or more.
Ethernet cables can still work at longer distances if you reduce the speed to something like 10 Mbps, though it’s not ideal.
We had a similar issue with a workshop about 100 yards from our house. A WiFi extender didn’t work for us, but a powerline adapter did, though it wasn’t the best signal. Eventually, we ran Ethernet all the way, and it was the most reliable solution. For your distance, you might try combining options, like using Ethernet to a closer point and then WiFi from there.
@Kent
I’ve used an outdoor WiFi extender with stubby antennas before, and it worked over a distance of 200–300 feet. It wasn’t perfect, but it got the job done. You could try something similar if running cables isn’t an option.
Point-to-point bridges can handle distances like this easily. Depending on the brand, you can set up a connection for under $200.
The point-to-point bridge seems like the best solution. Can I connect the barn side to a WiFi extender, or will I need a separate router in the barn?
Glen said:
The point-to-point bridge seems like the best solution. Can I connect the barn side to a WiFi extender, or will I need a separate router in the barn?
You can treat the bridge like a long Ethernet cable. On the barn side, you can plug it into a WiFi extender or directly into the camera if it’s wired. It depends on what setup you want.
@Sammy
You could also set up an access point in the barn for a stronger WiFi signal there.
Powerline Ethernet adapters can work over distances up to around 300 meters, but the performance might degrade depending on the wiring and distance. It’s worth looking into as a budget-friendly option.
@Kobe
Just make sure the adapters are on the same circuit or breaker for the best results.
If you have an old access point with removable antennas, you can attach directional high-gain antennas. This could work if there’s a clear line of sight to the barn.
Consider upgrading to a system like Ubiquiti. They offer long-range WiFi access points and other solutions for extending coverage.
Another option is running coax cable and using a MoCA adapter for WiFi and Ethernet in the barn.
I’m sure we can figure out a way to get WiFi out there. Where are you located?
PixelPioneer said:
I’m sure we can figure out a way to get WiFi out there. Where are you located?
Northwestern Illinois. I think the point-to-point bridge will work best for my setup.