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Super Wi-Fi is Still Just Wi-Fi
1-2Mbps at a range of two kilometers....
PC World (via Techdirt) explores a new long-range Wi-Fi technology named "Max-Fi." According to the project developers, their Max-Fi AirEZ 4000 rugged access point can offer 1-2Mbps at distances of 1.2 miles. It looks like the developers failed to sell their product overseas, so they've apparently re-branded it in an effort to piggyback on WiMax hype world wide. Lack of sales suggests their marketing may be outpacing their delivery (in other words, thanks but no thanks).
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Smith6612
MVM
join:2008-02-01
North Tonawanda, NY
·Charter
Ubee EU2251
Ubiquiti UAP-IW-HD
Ubiquiti UniFi AP-AC-HD

Smith6612

MVM

Not bad....

There's always a Cantenna or a Satellite dish antenna for distance though :P. But if they are able to make a router this strong, they have to make sure that it can break through lots of buildings AND it can provide some pretty quick speeds. That'd make it a nice money making opportunity, but given that all of those Wi-Fi projects out there seem to fail, wouldn't count on it anyways.

knightmb
Everybody Lies
join:2003-12-01
Franklin, TN

knightmb

Member

range can be done already using stock

1 to 2 Mbps at 1.2 miles? Am I reading this right? I had setup some DD-WRT Linksys WRT54G routers that did 1.2 miles at nearly 11 mbps using the stock antenna? And they wonder why sales are lacking?

Bender_2k
join:2003-01-12

Bender_2k

Member

Re: range can be done already using stock

You got 1.2 miles with the stock antenna on a WRT54G? Wow

Really big open field or a lot of power to that antenna?

knightmb
Everybody Lies
join:2003-12-01
Franklin, TN

1 edit

knightmb

Member

Re: range can be done already using stock


Ropers Knob Range Test
Actually, from the top of one hill side down to the bottom of another (had to tilt them), but yes, using 96 mW in DD-WRT in WDS mode. I could have easily gotten more since the SNR was so good, but I was using B mode for better range (11 Mbps max in B mode)

1.2 miles isn't really that far away, this was done in the middle of the city where I know plenty of other wi-fi devices would cause interference along the way.

2 dBi antenna to boot, could have been even better had I bought some cheap 7 dBi antenna on e-bay. The 1.2 mile range has to be a typo of some kind right?

[Edit: Added image to illustrate, this is probably closer to 6,000 feet, so it's only 1.1 miles, but I think everyone gets my point. In all fairness, the weather was excellent and it was clear line of sight all the way.]
Done_Posting
Shoot to kill
Premium Member
join:2003-08-22
Toledo, OH

Done_Posting

Premium Member

Re: range can be done already using stock

I'm curious -- what was the actual, usable throughput of your setup?

- Tate

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

wifi4milez

Member

If it walks like a duck....

Just more of the same here folks, nothing to see. Wifi never is/was/will be meant for long distances. Its a great technology for small deployments in homes/business or campus locations, but thats where it ends. Talk about beating a dead horse!
verboten
join:2006-12-18
Normal, IL

verboten

Member

Re: If it walks like a duck....

"Wifi never is/was/will be meant for long distances"

Not true! Our company has three locations spread out in our town 4.5 miles is the furthest. We got some Motorola PTP600 radios and are doing 300Mbps

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

wifi4milez

Member

Re: If it walks like a duck....

said by verboten:

"Wifi never is/was/will be meant for long distances"

Not true! Our company has three locations spread out in our town 4.5 miles is the furthest. We got some Motorola PTP600 radios and are doing 300Mbps
Again, I said it was never meant for long distances. In small applications, with limited users, wifi can be used however thats not what it was intended for. The technology just doesnt scale well enough to be used for a substantial roll out, and thats why all the municipal wifi operations have failed miserably.
expert007
join:2006-01-10
Buffalo, NY

expert007

Member

Can Anyone Do Coverage.....

Using an omni to blanket an area at this distance?

It seems as if everyone is talking about PtP links...am I correct?

thx

tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Gulfport, MS

tc1uscg

Member

WiMax Hype?

Give me a break. WiMax is here. It's deployed and in use. Just because PC world can't get their little paws on it RIGHT NOW doesn't mean they need to make up smack. I'm just wondering why they didn't toss in some "Oh LTE is so cool, it's the best thing to come out of the minds..."..Oops.. missed a page.. must have torn it out to wipe my ass.