During the summer I am a northern Wisconsin camp administrator, and we are, for the first time, getting satellite broadband for our main office and staff use. (We are in the middle of nowhere, so for us to be able to post photos to the web and allow our international staff "zippy" access to their email, this is the route we've chosen. Cabled methods are unavailable in the area, due to its remoteness.)
I don't remember the provider we are going with, but our plan is to have the satellite set up and connected to a wireless router (a linksys) which will then connect to the main office and the staff offices wirelessly. The computers (all PCs, except for mine) will have Linksys WUSB11 Wireless Network Adapters on them.
As I plan ahead for how to access the connection from my home (at the camp), I am concerned about range/signal strength. I have a Powerbook G4 (Ti/1ghz), and the lovely built-in Airport antenna that comes with it. <sarcasm off> The wireless router has a range of approximately 300 feet, and these 300 feet are mostly trees and open air, not much metal to interfere with signal. However, I am highly doubtful that I will be able to access the router from where I live, about 60 yards or so away.
So, my question is, what can I do to improve range?
Is there a way I can take my ABS with me and use it to boost the router's signal?
What if I put the ABS in a building 1/2 between the router and my house to act as a relay... would that make a difference?
Or, is there a piece of hardware I can buy which I can install at the wireless router, my computer, or inbetween the two to use the internet connection?
Thanks so much for any ideas you may have.
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