how do I get wifi from a mile away on my desktop

[kbrock]

I have a Lenovo desktop with built in wifi. There are several free wifi spots from 1.2 mi to 1.5 miles away. Lots of trees between me and them. How can I tap into that signal ? Thanks for any info.

 

[kanewolf]

You probably can't.

You could try getting an outdoor wireless bridge like that and pointing it to the WIFI source. You would then run an ethernet cable into the building and have an indoor access point provide WIFI.
It will cost a $100 and there is no way to know if it will work.

The other less elegant (but no more guaranteed) method would be a USB WIFI adapter with an external antenna. A little cheaper for testing but not very convenient since you have to have a coax directly connected from outside to your laptop.

 

[ernyg123]

You probably can't.

You could try getting an outdoor wireless bridge like that and pointing it to the WIFI source. You would then run an ethernet cable into the building and have an indoor access point provide WIFI.
It will cost a $100 and there is no way to know if it will work.

The other less elegant (but no more guaranteed) method would be a USB WIFI adapter with an external antenna. A little cheaper for testing but not very convenient since you have to have a coax directly connected from outside to your laptop.

Are the Rosewill adapter and TP LINK antenna compatible? I have the same issue but i have direct line of sight.

 

[kanewolf]

You probably can't.

You could try getting an outdoor wireless bridge like that and pointing it to the WIFI source. You would then run an ethernet cable into the building and have an indoor access point provide WIFI.
It will cost a $100 and there is no way to know if it will work.

The other less elegant (but no more guaranteed) method would be a USB WIFI adapter with an external antenna. A little cheaper for testing but not very convenient since you have to have a coax directly connected from outside to your laptop.

Are the Rosewill adapter and TP LINK antenna compatible? I have the same issue but i have direct line of sight.

I have no idea. There could be different types of coax adapters etc that would be required. The concept should work but I have no direct knowledge.

 

[bill001g]

Cost wise it likely is not a good option anymore. Good quality microwave cable that does not absorb all the gain you get from a antenna is costly.

Technology has now gotten to the point you are better off buying a outdoor bridge. These are pretty much the same antennas but with the electronics built into them. Price wise you almost buy the antenna and get the electronics for free.

You have a much better chance to get a outdoor bridge to work than hacking together something yourself. Engenious and ubiquiti have many models. Just be aware that many times you need a better antenna/bridge on both ends. I would say if you go outside your house and you get no signal at all with your current equipment your chances are going to be poor to run a antenna/bridge on only 1 end of the connection.