Peter,
Your station linking can be done fairly inexpensively and simple with a
pair of Linksys WRT54GS routers available at most computer stores. These
units are 300Mhz computers with 32Meg of RAM and will run inexpensive 3rd
party operating system upgrades that will allow secure wireless, VPN
(virtual private networking), or hard wired VPN links with any combination
of routing you would would care to need. The units will also run at up to
250mw and links can be done up to several kilometres with the proper
antennas. The distance you need to go can be done with a pair of soup
can 10db gain wave guide antennas. For longer distances you can modify
old 3' satelite dishes to get 20db gain plus. You need line of sight but
feedline losses are not an issue as you can move the Linksys routers up
the side of a suitable mast and feed them with network cable and 12V to
run them, or setup one (with two antennas pointing to each of your QTHs)
or a pair as repeaters and use pure wireless. If you're in a residential
area the key is reducing interference from other wireless devices and a
directional antenna is a must.
By the way, channels 1 through 6 of the 802.11 wireless range are in our
ham bands and we are the primary users.
See http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/1008901
I use the firmware software from http://www.sveasoft.com/ for my Linksys
routers. There are plenty of chatter on the news groups on how to build
distance links on this site. Many hams have since discovered the
capabilities of these modified Linksys routers and are using them for
repeater control, club wireless networks, etc. The firmware is Linux
operating system based and is open source.
Dale VE7GL
dalej@reboot.bc.ca
http://ve7gl.reboot.bc.ca
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