> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Burgess [mailto:apt dot get at gmail dot com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:05 AM
> To: Monowall User List
> Subject: [m0n0wall] OT: wireless PTP
> 
> Definitely off topic here, and I know it's been discussed on 
> the list in the past, but darn it, I know some of the 
> smartest wi-fi folks in the world hang out here, and my 
> internet searches keep coming up dry
> :)
> 
> I need to set up a point-to-point wireless link, and just 
> wondering the best way to go. Labour is not an issue, but 
> price of parts should be <USD500. I need to tie a remote 
> location to an existing internet connection. This will be a 
> low traffic link, but should be able to sustain speeds of 
> 3mbps for short bursts, and reliability is a must.
> 
> Straight line distance from client to AP is 1.58 km (0.98 
> miles), line of sight or near LOS (I can see client's roof 
> among tree tops from tower at AP). Outdoor ambient temps will 
> never exceed -45 C to 40 C.
> 
> Some options I've considered:
> 
> 1. Indoor Cisco/Linksys WRT54GL with Tomato firmware and an 
> external directional antenna at both ends. Tomato supports 
> client mode, allows setting the Tx power up to 251 mW, 
> (although I'm not sure if I'd only be getting half that on a 
> single antenna), and allows setting ack timing up to 99999 m, 
> so this scenario is a theorical possibility from what I can 
> tell. http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato/
> 
> 2. Dedicated outdoor equipment, such as a pair of these from ubiquity:
> http://www.aerial.net/shop/product_info.php?cPath=76_96&produc
ts_id=463
> More expensive than the tomato option, would something like 
> this be more reliable? This one is rated -40 to 85 C, good 
> enough for my purposes.
> 
> 3. Any other suggestions? I looked at Motorola's PTP 200. I 
> have great faith in their Canopy equipment, but at $4000 for 
> a pair, it's a little outside my budget for this project.
> 
> Thanks for your thoughts.
> 
> db
> 


David,

I have used all three and you should have no problem with either.  I've
had some WRT54GL's running in an outdoor environment for over three
years without problems.  I removed the circuit boards from the case and
installed the circuit board in the back of a Pacific Wireless panel
antenna with POE splitter.  Works great.  However, at this time, I have
found that the Ubiquiti NanoStations are hard to beat for price and
performance.  You can get a pair of these for less than the WRT54GL's,
POE's and antenna's.

Mitch