Nanostation

How to extend WiFi coverage using an Ubiquiti NanoStation

In this guide we'll take you through extending your WiFi range and covering a separate building using an Ubiquiti NanoStation.

The Problem

With no data-hungry teenagers left in the house, my dad's 200GB Telstra Cable plan has lately gone unused, himself only using about 10% of the data allowance each month. His neighbours are a young family who have been making do with a cheap Vodafone 3G USB connection, pulling about 2-3Mbps download on a good day, when "the wind blows in the right direction" as his neighbour often says. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it made sense to share his solid 30Mbps connection between the two houses.
So after fiddling about with a Netgear router set in WDS mode (a form of wireless bridging) for a few days with constant dropouts and slow connection speed, it was time to set up something more substantial. Normally extending WiFi with another access point set in WDS mode works reasonably well, but both houses being double-brick construction blocks most of the signal reaching the second access point.

The Solution

We decided to install a directional outdoor WiFi access point on the side of my dad's house facing his neighbour's house. When it comes to this type of equipment there's only one name you need to know - Ubiquiti. The Ubiquiti NanoStation was chosen as it has a 60 degree transmission angle, an inbuilt 600mW amplifier, and ~15km range this unit certainly packed the punch required to penetrate the walls. Of course set to it's maximum output the unit would have covered half the suburb, so the unit was turned down to a more appropriate strength.

Equipment Required

To complete this type of installation you will need:

• NanoStation M2 or M2 LOCO
• 2 sets of Ethernet cable
• Mounting pole or bracket
• Basic tools (drill, pliers, etc)