Large Harbor Area Wireless service

[jackmann]

I'm looking for a good solution for wireless service for a boat harbor. It is a T-shaped harbor consisting of two areas of water, approximately 350'x 1000' and 50'x 350' with docks built with metal walls and roofs. Although there are about 500 boats docked, there are very few people sitting in the boats while in the harbor. I am told it is a very low-traffic area. I am guessing traffic could be anywhere from 1 to 20 people at once using the internet or using a broadfband telephone at the same time, although they might have considerable space and metal walls between them.

One thought was to use a HF RF transmitter with a booster for the signal. The broadband size would only be one DSL for the entire harbor. I am not optomistic about this solution no matter how much power or high frequency is used, due to traffic exceding DSL limitations and the metal walls reflecting/blocking the signal I believe the metal walls would reflect the radio waves whether the metal is steel or an alloy.

What I am considering is to use a DSL inside each dock with metal walls and for each line -of-sight open area. This would total 6 DSL "cells". AC power is abundant as is cabling from the MPOE. As for telephones, I was thinking about trying the Magic Jack, or just plain headset through the PC. This is the lowest cost, bet solution. 6 DSL's is only about half the cost of one T1 monthly and DSL hardware is inexpensive.

I am wondering if one can link these DSL's somehow to make 6 cells work together. Also,I am wondering if the DSL's overlapping would be any problem. I am open for suggestions.Thanks.

 

[dberg35]

I recently just created a hotspot for a camp ground using Access Points and DSL with the capacity of about 30 users. Now while this is out side it all seems to work fine. If cost is a concern look at Trendnet TEW 455APBO, I have a series of 6 of theses and they are impressive. They are directional so an external antenna will be needed. As for multiple DSL lines you can purchase a router the will handle 2 lines with load balancing.

 

[jackmann]

I will look into the Trenchet devices, thank you. Of course cost is a concern, but not overly so. My biggest concern is the metal walls on the docks. I believe any wireless device, regardless of frequency operates on radio waves, and would be reflected or blocked by the metal walls. My thought was to put a device inside each wall.

 

[dberg35]

First you could try one AP and take a laptop around to check signal strengh. If you see that it broadcast beyond the walls then you can piggyback 3 more of these AP's off the main one.

 

[jackmann]

That's the plan right now. I am hoping to look for a testing instrument if such is attainable with a reasonable cost,