Wifi "farm" extenders/MESH

[William1]

I pulled fiber (8 strand mulimode) between my house and the outbuilding (Williams Shop of Horrors) No worry about lightning, 10gb speed (100X what I'll ever need). No worries about interference of any sort. Build it once. In the shop, I have a 24 port managed POE switch and an WiFi AP on the ceiling. Nothing on the outside of the house or shop.

 

[trikepilot]

Thanks InTheWoods. That has me redirected a bit. That schematic you posted will work fine for the camera at the gate. For the dock, the goal is to get wifi down there - preferably without another router with another name and another password.

Check my naivete for me... the fiber comes into the house and into the Nokia ONT supplied by the provider. This connects with cat5/6 to whatever I want internet to. In my case, I want a wireless router in the cabin and then I want to send wireless internet to three remote spots - dock (500ft), guest house (100ft), and camera at gate (probably 500-600) feet.

Getting the cabin's wifi up and running will be easy. It's the other three that I am wrapping my head around. I'll take my time, research alot online, and find a workable solution. Thanks for getting me started in some semblance of a right direction

Hey GasPasser... I found these to be good reads

https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/raskg2

Point-to-point Wi-Fi bridging between buildings—the cheap and easy way

It cost us ~$100 to wirelessly connect two buildings across a small wooded area.

arstechnica.com

 

[Old Machinist]

Have you taken one of the Arlo cameras to the location you want to see if it will connect on your current system? You might be surprised.

 

[Gaspasser]

Have you taken one of the Arlo cameras to the location you want to see if it will connect on your current system? You might be surprised.

I have not Old but think that would be stretching it. Good thought tho. Will try it tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Old Machinist]

I went out and measured the distance from the window my little travel router is in to my furthest camera at the gate. It wasn't as far as I thought it was. It is 387 ft with no trees in between but the signal has to pass through the front wall of the house.

It has a 57% connection and records to the sd card and the cloud. Camera is a iegeek ZS-GX3S outdoor battery camera. Pretty sure if I used some extension cables and mounted the router antennas outside on the eve the range would be much improved.

Here is a cloud image from this afternoon.

 

[biketopia]

Subscribing to this as I've been curious about getting WiFi down to my shed.

 

[InTheWoods]

**Special Note - This post is written by me, a real human - not an AI Chatbot**

Again, for anyone wanting to extend Wi-Fi, it's best done emperically, that is, it will take some tinkering and some experiments.

I'd start with a single CPE-210. You'll learn how to set it up, and what 'range' it can provide on your site.

The system would look like this:

The basic procedure is this:

• Connect the CPE210 to a laptop and use that to configure the CPE210 to 'AP Mode' and with the settings you want. (This is where you give the CPE210 a SSID and your network password, as well as select a channel for it to use)
• Disconnect the CPE210 from the laptop
• Install the CPE210 on a high spot, pointed in the direction you care most about.
• Connect the CPE210 up to your existing router with ethernet cable
• Pull out your phone and walk around to test the range.

The CPE210 access point (AP) can have the same SSID and password as your existing router's Wi-Fi. When you get out of range of the router, your phone should automatically re-connect to the CPE210, with no effort on your part. This action isn't flawless though, as your phone tends to 'hang on' to the diminishing signal a long time before re-connecting sometimes. As far as I know there's no easy fix for this. (There is a fix, but it requires more complex 'managed' Wi'Fi access points, like are used in commercial environments that employ real IT guys.)

You can also give the CPE210 a different SSID and password. This might be good for some installations, and it's handy for range testing, because you can control which AP (the new CPE210 or your existing router) your phone connects to.

A couple of things to keep in mind about wireless signals...

• 'Range' isn't an absolute black and white assessment. The proper way to think about it is at what distance do I get enough speed and reliability. Wi-Fi changes speeds automatically as the signal weakens. This is because weak signals can still work, but only at low data rates.
• So the 'range' depends on what you want to do. Video conference calls take up more bandwidth than internet browsing.
• Signal strength varies as a function of a lot of things. So, what works now, might not work later if your signal strength is 'on the edge'

There are tons of complications, details and options, but again, if you really want to delve into this, start with something like this and learn as you go. CPE210's are about $50, so it's not an expensive experiment to run...

Sure, fiber is the 'best' solution by some standards, but it's not by other standards. It really depends on your particular use case and what you want to spend to solve the problem.

This thread is timely for me, and I'm in the process of extending my Wi-Fi (again) to an outbuilding where I park my car, and I want Wi-Fi out there. It is a wooded area and I'll post up some real-world measurements on range soon.

 

[InTheWoods]

** Special Note - And this post has been created by xAI's Grok3 after I fed it the above text and asked it to edit it for the audience here. Curious how it lands on you all**


Get Started with a $50 Experiment

The TP-Link CPE210 is a small, budget-friendly device (about $50) that boosts your Wi-Fi signal to cover more of your property. Picture it as a spotlight that beams your internet signal farther out. You’ll need to tinker a bit to find the perfect setup, but this device is an easy way to start. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Connect the CPE210 to Your Laptop
   Plug the CPE210 into your laptop using the included cable. Use the laptop to set it to “Access Point (AP) Mode”—this makes the CPE210 act like a Wi-Fi booster. You’ll choose a name for your Wi-Fi network (like “EstateWiFi”) and set a password. Pick a “channel” (like tuning a radio) to avoid interference from nearby networks.
2. Mount It High
   Unplug the CPE210 from your laptop and mount it somewhere elevated, like on a rooftop, pole, or balcony, pointing toward the area you want to cover (e.g., your garden or driveway). Higher spots help the signal travel farther.
3. Connect It to Your Router
   Run an Ethernet cable from the CPE210 to your existing internet router. This links the CPE210 to your home Wi-Fi.
4. Test the Range
   Walk around your property with your phone to see how far the signal reaches. Try loading a website or streaming a video near your gazebo or guest house. If the signal weakens, adjust the CPE210’s position.

Tips for Success

• Match Your Existing Wi-Fi: You can give the CPE210 the same network name and password as your home Wi-Fi. Your phone or tablet should switch to the stronger signal automatically. Note: Your device might “hold on” to the weaker home signal for a bit before switching, like a car lingering in low gear. This is normal and usually not a big issue.
• Try a Different Name: For testing, give the CPE210 a unique name (e.g., “GardenWiFi”). This lets you choose which signal to connect to, making it easier to check the CPE210’s range.
• Understand “Range”: Wi-Fi range isn’t a fixed distance—it depends on what you’re doing. Browsing the web needs less signal strength than streaming movies to your outdoor theater. Trees, walls, or even rainy weather can weaken the signal, so test on different days to find the best setup.
• Experiment Like a Pro: Just like you’d test a new gadget for your home, play around with the CPE210’s placement. If it doesn’t reach your farthest corner, you might need another unit or a different spot.

Why Not Fiber?
Laying fiber cables gives you ultra-fast internet, but it’s costly and often unnecessary for covering a large property. The CPE210 is an affordable way to test what works for your space. If you want a high-end solution later, you can explore systems used by luxury hotels or offices, but this is a great first step.

My Experience
I’m currently extending Wi-Fi to an outbuilding where I park my car, surrounded by trees. I’m using a CPE210 and testing how far the signal reaches. I’ll share real-world results soon, but for now, know that this approach works well for large properties like yours. For $50, it’s a low-risk way to enhance your connected lifestyle.

Next Steps
Start with one CPE210 to see how it performs on your property. If you need more coverage (say, for a distant patio or garage), you can add another unit later. Pick up a CPE210 from a site like Amazon or a local tech store, and you’ll be enjoying seamless Wi-Fi across your estate in no time!

 

[Bmyers]

** Special Note - And this post has been created by Grok after I fed it the above text and asked it to edit it for the audience here. Curious how it lands on you all**


Get Started with a $50 Experiment

The TP-Link CPE210 is a small, budget-friendly device (about $50) that boosts your Wi-Fi signal to cover more of your property. Picture it as a spotlight that beams your internet signal farther out. You’ll need to tinker a bit to find the perfect setup, but this device is an easy way to start. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Connect the CPE210 to Your Laptop
   Plug the CPE210 into your laptop using the included cable. Use the laptop to set it to “Access Point (AP) Mode”—this makes the CPE210 act like a Wi-Fi booster. You’ll choose a name for your Wi-Fi network (like “EstateWiFi”) and set a password. Pick a “channel” (like tuning a radio) to avoid interference from nearby networks.
2. Mount It High
   Unplug the CPE210 from your laptop and mount it somewhere elevated, like on a rooftop, pole, or balcony, pointing toward the area you want to cover (e.g., your garden or driveway). Higher spots help the signal travel farther.
3. Connect It to Your Router
   Run an Ethernet cable from the CPE210 to your existing internet router. This links the CPE210 to your home Wi-Fi.
4. Test the Range
   Walk around your property with your phone to see how far the signal reaches. Try loading a website or streaming a video near your gazebo or guest house. If the signal weakens, adjust the CPE210’s position.

Tips for Success

• Match Your Existing Wi-Fi: You can give the CPE210 the same network name and password as your home Wi-Fi. Your phone or tablet should switch to the stronger signal automatically. Note: Your device might “hold on” to the weaker home signal for a bit before switching, like a car lingering in low gear. This is normal and usually not a big issue.
• Try a Different Name: For testing, give the CPE210 a unique name (e.g., “GardenWiFi”). This lets you choose which signal to connect to, making it easier to check the CPE210’s range.
• Understand “Range”: Wi-Fi range isn’t a fixed distance—it depends on what you’re doing. Browsing the web needs less signal strength than streaming movies to your outdoor theater. Trees, walls, or even rainy weather can weaken the signal, so test on different days to find the best setup.
• Experiment Like a Pro: Just like you’d test a new gadget for your home, play around with the CPE210’s placement. If it doesn’t reach your farthest corner, you might need another unit or a different spot.

Why Not Fiber?
Laying fiber cables gives you ultra-fast internet, but it’s costly and often unnecessary for covering a large property. The CPE210 is an affordable way to test what works for your space. If you want a high-end solution later, you can explore systems used by luxury hotels or offices, but this is a great first step.

My Experience
I’m currently extending Wi-Fi to an outbuilding where I park my car, surrounded by trees. I’m using a CPE210 and testing how far the signal reaches. I’ll share real-world results soon, but for now, know that this approach works well for large properties like yours. For $50, it’s a low-risk way to enhance your connected lifestyle.

Next Steps
Start with one CPE210 to see how it performs on your property. If you need more coverage (say, for a distant patio or garage), you can add another unit later. Pick up a CPE210 from a site like Amazon or a local tech store, and you’ll be enjoying seamless Wi-Fi across your estate in no time!

I don't know he was a network specialist

 

[trikepilot]

The system would look like this:
View attachment 158385

InTheWoods.. again many thanks for you insights. I got alot of online research done last night. I have a bunch of the parts I will need ready to go in an Amazon order for later today to take advantage of the PrimeDay deals. Your schematic above seems to indicate that you plan to use the CPE210 as the end wifi in the chain.

However, in the ArsTechnica link above, the author says:

"Although TP-Link's bridges support connecting client devices—e.g., laptops, phones, and tablets—to them directly, I don't recommend doing so. Configuring multiple devices to use the same Wi-Fi band and channel as the bridge APs do will have a severe impact on the point-to-point link quality.

If you're wondering how to get "whole barn Wi-Fi," it's simple—connect a Wi-Fi Access Point like TP-Link's EAP-225 to the output of the bridge. If you configure it to have the same SSID (network name) and password you'd use to connect at your house, your devices will even automatically roam to either side of the link.

If you're using Wi-Fi mesh such as Eero in your main house, you may not want to use the standalone access point approach outlined above. Instead, bring one of your mesh kit's nodes out to the barn or guest house and plug its Ethernet interface into the CPE210/CPE510. The Eero node will consider itself connected directly to its mesh siblings by wire, and everything will "just work" as though the barn Eero was still a house Eero."

What about using just the CPE210? My plan as it exists at the moment is to buy two CPE210s and the Google Nest Wifi Mesh with one primary router and two nodes. The primary router and one node will go in the main house. The CPE210s will "bridge" the internet to the guest house and shop where the second mesh node will be. I am gonna work on tweaking that system to work well before I tackle extending the signal to the dock and eventually up to the gate.

 

[InTheWoods]

...The primary router and one node will go in the main house. The CPE210s will "bridge" the internet to the guest house and shop where the second mesh node will be.

Yeah - I don't know about 'mesh'. Mesh has complications I'd rather not deal with.

I have a simpler setup to my nearby shop. I set up a CPE510 that points toward our house. The house just has our main fiber gateway with internal 2.4/5GHz router. The CPE510 connect nicely over 5GHz to the house, and it's wired (via ethernet) to a Ubiquiti switch/AP (equivalent to your EAP-225) in the shop. It gets me 30 Mbps out here, which is fine for me.