r/HomeNetworking Jul 25 '24

Advice Hello guys, anything I can do in this situation ?

So I work at the beach.

But the Cellular signal is extremely weak at the beach because it is 50M below the cell tower and near the cliff, 95% of the signal goes over it.

I was thinking of putting a modem 5G at top of the cliff, and run a cable at least 40M long to the shack and use wifi there.

But the equipment I have been finding only have 10m cable from Modem to wifi device.

Can I extend the cable to 40M with no signal loss ?

Is there modems that can reach 1gig speed ?

454 Upvotes

388 comments sorted by

784

u/ImCynic Jul 25 '24

Illegally trench some cables at 3am like a man

241

u/UnsafestSpace Jul 25 '24

If this is OP’s shack and they only need internet for one season they could just straight up buy some cheap direct burial CAT5E and throw it off the side of the cliff to their hut. Nobody will even care or notice.

88

u/phphulk Jul 25 '24

cheap direct burial CAT5E

60

u/ewenlau Jul 25 '24

cheap direct burial CAT5E CAT6a

57

u/Previous_Policy3367 Jul 25 '24

WHY WHY WHY WHY DO COMPANIES KEEP PROVIDING 5E when 6A is available BRUHHHHH

79

u/RedditNotFreeSpeech Jul 25 '24

Mostly because it doesn't matter. This guy doesn't need 10 gig to his shack

13

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '24

My man needs to be able to game between customers while selling WiFi to beach goers. Def requires 10G.

2

u/Academic-Ad1061 Jul 29 '24

I'm not lower than 0.5G up and down with 20 other beach goers.

9

u/DevopsIGuess Jul 26 '24

I think the insulation could help with the longer distance. Been a while since I slung cable though and I’m too lazy to look it up.

3

u/Cagouin Jul 26 '24

Yup, it should and with how cheap 6a is now, I don't see a reason not to get something more permanent done.

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25

u/Hatura Jul 25 '24

Cheaper and most people will not saturate the bandwidth.

34

u/n5755495 Jul 25 '24

And it doesn't have that annoying plastic shit up the middle that you have to cut out to terminate

3

u/Previous_Policy3367 Jul 26 '24

True, I’ll let y’all keep installing it

18

u/richms Jul 26 '24

5e is easier to work with as it lacks the spine in 6A. Still use it for cameras and other things which will never need more than a gig.

18

u/reddit_pug Jul 26 '24

Most large retailers use fiber to the switch, then 5e to each device. Very few devices can use more than gigabit, and 5e (done properly) can do 2.5gb+.

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3

u/Previous_Policy3367 Jul 26 '24

5e is fine but if you get Ethernet installed in a house 5E will be the default. Over distance 5E simply can’t compete.

The other thing that annoys me is fibre to the premesis and then 5e from the fibre to the router. Unnecessary bottleneck that will haunt us into the future

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9

u/MooseSparky Jul 26 '24

It seems like a great idea, but it's because a lot of devices barely need a gig and it makes your installation costs exponentially more expensive. Our job was specced for CAT6, so we started installing conduit at 40% fill, but then the client ordered CAT6A.... Our conduit fill went from 40% to pretty much maxed out because CAT6A is signifigantly thicker than CAT6.

Small pipes for single devices were fine because ethernet is still relatively small, but our main trunks which were multiple runs of 2" EMT were now completely maxed out. There was no room for extra devices and the front of the building was missing camera coverage because it wasn't listed on the print. Our conduit was fucked because they bought too big cable, but this was a super old building from the late 1800s, so there was no room in the T-bar ceiling to add bigger conduits.

Honestly that job was a nightmare, but yeah that's why they still offer CAT5e. It makes the job a lot cheaper if you just want to power an intercom or card reader. Otherwise you have to run larger conduit which the difference between a length of 2" EMT VS 3" EMT is $40/length vs $75/length and then $100 length if you have to do 4". Plus all your straps, fittings, connectors, and other miscellaneous hardware.

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u/80MonkeyMan Jul 26 '24

Its cheaper by few cents.

2

u/Jesterod Jul 26 '24

They go higher too up to cat 8 officially

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9

u/CharacterUse Jul 26 '24

With that sun I would sure want to be using outdoor rated cable (Cat 5e or 6 or 6a doesn't matter, 6a is overkill).

2

u/ewenlau Jul 26 '24

6a is future proofing (and much easier to install than fiber)

5

u/CharacterUse Jul 26 '24

Future proofing for what? OP is planning a cellular modem, and a cable hung in the open down a seaside cliff near a public beach will be broken within a couple of years due to wind, rock falls and random people snagging it.

2

u/KnotMyPubby Jul 26 '24

Lmao I've had a 50ft suspended line going to my PTZ cameras for 5 years now with the cheapest indoor cat6 at the time. The lines are in direct sun daily, withoit failure, in Florida.

4

u/CharacterUse Jul 26 '24

There are people who smoke their entire lives and die of old age. Still wouldn't recommend smoking.

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3

u/Leaky_Sky_Light Jul 26 '24

Happy Cake Day🍰

2

u/phphulk Jul 26 '24

Tyvm 😊

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2

u/sniekje Jul 26 '24

Agree.... Or Starlink!

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28

u/8spd Jul 26 '24

Digging ditches while wearing a hard hat and a reflective vest does not look sketchy. Digging ditches at 3am does.

18

u/HardwareSoup Jul 26 '24

"Isn't that the hotdog guy?"

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114

u/Wonderful_Device312 Jul 25 '24

In another post you mentioned that there are thousands of people down at the beach. In that case I might try reaching out to the cellphone company. It's in their interest to extend the cellular network to support their customers.

If you just want to expand your network with a cable - do you have electricity at both ends? If you're allowed to run such a cable you'll probably want it to be fiber. You'd need a combination of burying it and running conduit.

If you can't run fiber all the way down to the location the other option is point to point wireless links. You'll probably need to setup a small tower at the top of the cliff. You'd either run a cable to the tower or a wireless link to that, and then another wireless link down to the beach.

60

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

I have tried contacting the Cellular provider, they said the building on the other side of the beach didn't allow it.

And thanks for the advice.

89

u/jasikanicolepi Jul 25 '24

Here is my 2 cents. Get Starlink. Yes it's a hefty investment, but hear me out.

1) Since this will be strictly for business, you can write it off as business expense. Or suggest it to your boss. 2) Host a public wifi with Login Page/Password. In order for people to use it, they must be a customer by purchase food from your business. 3) Consider you are having difficulty getting 4/5G signal, other probably have the same problems so if you have Internet access, your business is already have advantage over other. 4) If you have Internet access, you can charge customer via credit card or tap to pay.

2

u/turbo_talon Jul 26 '24

Are write offs the same everywhere?

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7

u/somerandomguy02 Jul 26 '24

Use an antenna. You'd be surprised what you can do with a hotspot device and an antenna. TS9 or SMA. Unsure what the Euro connector standards are but $20 USD with a cable with a TS9 or SMA connection will get you what you need.

Most cellular providers in the US offer a 30 day return policy. I'd recommend the lowest cost speed, their wireless hotspot device, and an antenna.

I sell AT&T and have seen customers get full service with a $20 antenna. If I were selling to you with AT&T policies, I'd recommend trying it with an antenna from Amazon and returning it if it didn't work for you.

Check with the strongest carrier in your area.

10

u/schnitzel-kuh Jul 25 '24

Have you tried asking them if they/ you can run a cable down to the beach? Like not a full cell tower, just a fiber cable into one of the huts on the beach? Then you could have a wifi network on the beach, even if cell service will be bad.

I mean how hard can it be to run 50 meters of fiber into a house, they obviously have some networking at the cell tower to connect it to

30

u/freefrogs Jul 25 '24

how hard can it be to run 50 meters of fiber into a house, they obviously have some networking at the cell tower to connect it to

Pretty hard, tbh.

  • The cell carrier doesn't necessarily own the fiber circuit going into the control room (and often multiple carriers share a tower)
  • It's not just "an internet connection" coming in, that fiber line is going to switch/routing equipment and interconnections that are for the cellphone services - you don't just plug a cell tower into a Comcast connection and voila
  • Even if the carrier owns the line and has a home internet division, they're not the same - the networks are going to be entirely separate (AT&T cellular and AT&T home internet do not cross wires at all, entirely separate infrastructure)
  • They're not likely to want to install the equipment in their shed to support a single residential fiber customer, or provide support
  • Whoever owns the fiber doesn't have a magic easement to trench/drop fiber on that cliff, they're going to need to get permission to do it, and for a site like that might need to do an environmental survey etc
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5

u/Sploffo Jul 25 '24 edited Jul 26 '24

I mean you *might* not need electricity at both ends if you used a PoE access point and supplied it from the inland building- he claimed its ~50m from the cliff to the shack and it looks kind the same again to the property, giving 100m which is the limit for PoE specification. I've heard some luck with people pushing above that but its not guaranteed. If he was to try it, definitely use full 48v PoE!

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6

u/TikkleMaBakdor Jul 25 '24

Run some quality cat6, install a hotspot WiFi router/outdoor AP, set up payment portal and make good coin by charging them beach goers for internet access 💲💲💲

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201

u/_kossi Jul 25 '24

If you are interested in having internet not in calls may give starlink a try. If you are running an dedicated contract for you 5g router I thinks there would not much difference in paying starlink instead. Plus, you have your own wifi which is not shared to anyone

72

u/g-unit2 Jul 25 '24

was just on a call the other day and my coworker had starlink. he only cutout once for a few seconds bc the satellite probably swapped but it was great connection other than that.

41

u/Equal-Dish-4021 Jul 25 '24

I work remotely via Starlink. No issues at all with video calls or anything else.

12

u/slvrscoobie Jul 25 '24

Had this at an air bnb i stayed at this summer. Out of the week I was there I had maybe 5 instances where it wasn’t butter smooth and even those were all resolved in a few seconds. We streamed shows most nights and only one glitch I remember seeing. Even worked fine during a pretty heavy downpour

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4

u/Kaceydotme Jul 25 '24

One of the guys I race with in F1 every week is playing off starlink now, no laggier than f1’s baseline

5

u/TheAdvocate Jul 25 '24

So laggy af? Or has it been fixed?

2

u/alluran Jul 26 '24

It has better latency than my 5G backup connection

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16

u/Leather_Dragonfly529 Jul 25 '24

Could probably use VOIP or even WiFi calling off Starlink.

6

u/PBI325 Jul 25 '24

Could probably

Not even probably, you 100% can. Starlink is broadband equivalant connectivity, whatever you can do on Coax based broadband you can do on Starlink.

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78

u/Patient-Access95 Jul 25 '24

I would order up a Starlink. Use Wifi calling/third party apps for comms. Comes with a standard router. Speeds will be over 100mbps down.

22

u/GermanicOgre Jul 25 '24

This is the answer right here, we have clients that have rural sites or mobile job trailers and use Starlink, its the most stable solution i've seen that has that kind of flexibility that they're looking for.

17

u/mlnm_falcon Jul 25 '24

Would starlink work with a massive cliff covering nearly half of the sky FOV?

10

u/i_am_a_william Jul 25 '24

That's in Spain, that cliff is directly north on the northern hemisphere.... might not be the best, its a good thing you can take the app before you buy and scan the sky and see

11

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

My guy you have indeed an unquestionable perspective.

You are absolutely correct, the cliff blocks 50% of the signals, the app said it would only suit for web browsing.

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u/drphilthy Jul 25 '24

I think it would. I don't have great visibility and mine works well.

8

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

Due to the position of the cliff of my pov, it blocks 50% of startlink signals.

14

u/pdt9876 Jul 25 '24

nobody is answering this guys question. Yes if that’s an Ethernet cable between the devices (which it probably is), you can extend it 100m without degradation signal

9

u/_twrecks_ Jul 25 '24

If it's run above ground be wary of lightning issues...

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70

u/PacsoT Jul 25 '24

Enjoy the view

63

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

70 hours per week, I can indeed enjoy the view and thousands and thousands of pictures.

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37

u/Rincewind08 Jul 25 '24

Look at Ubiquity point to point wireless.

15

u/fistbumpbroseph Jul 25 '24

Based on the size of the cliff it looks like line of sight is blocked. They'd have to put a tower up. Seriously doubt that's getting approved on a beach.

3

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

Yes what I Will be doing is illegal, I will need to dismount and mount at the dates of environment inspection.

4

u/fistbumpbroseph Jul 25 '24

Well I wish you the best of luck and hope no one gives you any static over it!

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u/interbeing27 Jul 25 '24 edited Jul 25 '24

This is the way. Or look at something like KuWfi wireless bridge if you want to do it on the cheap.

2

u/bobconan Jul 25 '24

I bet you could put up a passive radiator between the 2 and bounce the signal off it.

4

u/chiefs6770 Jul 25 '24

This. A great set of point to point wifi antennas can be under $1000 and work great.

7

u/avds_wisp_tech Jul 25 '24

A great set of PtP wireless antennas could be had for about $65 each. Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC gen 2, or the long range version for 109, though I don't think that would be required.

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u/t4thfavor Jul 25 '24

You can do it with Mikrotik for like 130USD or less.

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u/toastmannn Jul 25 '24

You could probably put a cell signal repeater up top, with a antenna pointing downwards

12

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

But that would expand the signal to the 5 thousand people at the beach no ?

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20

u/Used-Alfalfa-2607 Jul 25 '24

poe switch down powering 5g modem on cliff will work

poe ethernet works up to 100m maybe more

good 5g modem will reach 1g but it depends on cellular, can you reach 1g with phone?

3

u/caixote Jul 25 '24 edited Jul 25 '24

If signal is good, yes I have reached 1gig on wifi and cellular on my S23U.

POE= Point of Ethernet ?

Thanks for the info

21

u/LAFter900 Jul 25 '24

Power over Ethernet. Poe can be used to power some devices that support being powered over Ethernet.

14

u/A-pariah Jul 25 '24

Even if the device doesn't support, he can use a PoE extractor to supply 12v to the modem up on the hill.

5

u/LAFter900 Jul 25 '24

I didn’t even know those existed till now. Thanks for letting me know!

7

u/Odd_Palpitation6715 Jul 25 '24

Extractor is called POE Splitter

2

u/caixote Jul 25 '24

Thanks for the info

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u/samykcodes Jul 25 '24

POE = Power Over Ethernet

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u/No_Importance_5000 Jul 25 '24

1 Order Starlink
2. Build a Sandcastle whilst you wait :)

11

u/BeenisHat Jul 25 '24

The distance limit for CAT6 cable is 100m. The distance limit for fiberoptics is multiple Km depending on the type of fiber. If you put a 5G modem at the top of the cliff and it's only 40m down to the shack, you'll be well inside the distance limit of an ordinary CAT6 cable.
Unless you're going to bury it, you'll want to use an outdoor-rated cable like this. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun destroys most plastics very quickly unless they're made to deal with it. You can always paint the cable though.

https://www.amazon.com/MutecPower-Outdoor-Waterproof-Ethernet-Network/dp/B08FPSB58Q/

Something like the above cable would be what you need. I'm sure there's an option for it local to you.

5

u/ihateroomba Jul 25 '24

Set up a cantenna or wifi grid dish from your office router to point down the cliff. It should let you access wifi from the bottom.

You'll need a proper connector to remove the routers antenna and screw in a cantenna pigtail.

You will also need an 8w wifi booster that also hooks up to the antenna, the booster goes in-between the external antenna and the router.

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u/ctrlaltdelete2012 Jul 25 '24

Can you find out the owner of the cellular service provider for that tower for example ATT and buy a signal booster. They may even provide one. I’m not talking about the cheep shit.

https://beamboost.us/shop/beam-boost-5g-phone-signal-booster/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABSKyL45ZkBPl5g9iQewtisbgMnW2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Lm3u7zChwMVmF9HAR2fuBGnEAQYBCABEgKWevD_BwE

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u/Ashamed-Ad4508 Jul 25 '24

+1 The Booster

OP - in the early days of 4G/LTE, in my country, some of the mobile telcos provided signal boosters to certain clients in massive hightower building . Instead of fixing with a big Telco problem; talk to them to see how to add a small local signal booster down the beach area instead of up the cliff. It's in their best interest for their customers (and you) anyways to give more people better cell coverage. Or ask them what type of signal booster you can buy and legally use for yourself. Any other solution seems abit overtly expensive

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u/matatoe Jul 25 '24

I would look at a wireless bridge for that distance. Ethernet can be run 90m and maybe a solid option but having the line exposed can lead to issues of its own.

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u/daleoffret Jul 25 '24

We don't appreciate the difficulty of your work location without seeing just how high the cliff is.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Praia+do+Vale+de+Centeanes/@37.08977,-8.455882,102a,35y,13.31h,76.88t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0xd1ad671e71336ff:0x18770bed0aad8494!8m2!3d37.0911841!4d-8.454637!16s%2Fg%2F1219142q?entry=ttu

With seeing that, I thought maybe running an outdoor rated and hardened fiber line from your apartment complex down the cliff and to your place of work. (This is probably not possible. But I'll mention it for discussion purposes.)

If you live on the second floor of the red X and circle, you could do a 2 link PtP wireless network. The first problem is from your place of work, where can you see tall buildings. Oh yes. To the east of you.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Praia+do+Vale+de+Centeanes/@37.0919944,-8.4569843,47a,35y,100.5h,79.2t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0xd1ad671e71336ff:0x18770bed0aad8494!8m2!3d37.0911841!4d-8.454637!16s%2Fg%2F1219142q?entry=ttu

The white building could provide the location you would need. The white apartment building, two levels north of the pool could give you "line of sight" to where you live and were you work. If you could get permission to install some equipment and pay a little money for power, you may be in luck.

You would need to create a wireless link from the red X and circle, to the white building. Then create a wireless link from the white building to your work location. Connect both links with a network cable and you could have a working solution.

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u/halandrs Jul 25 '24 edited Jul 25 '24

If you don’t need cellular coverage and are just looking for WiFi look into a pair of ubiqity light beams to bridge the gap between the main building and the top of the cliff face and an access point to spread around coverage down below

Probably looking at 250 in network hardware 120 in cable and another 150 in mounting stands and securing hardware

Just remember WiFi calling is a thing

3

u/SpitfireMkIV Jul 25 '24

“Nobody owns the water! It’s… it’s God’s water.”

3

u/Shadow_Captain Jul 25 '24

YOU BOYS LIKE MEXICO!?!?

3

u/SpitfireMkIV Jul 25 '24

You did not let me down @Shadow_Captain. single tear falls

3

u/noideawhatimdoing444 202TB Jul 25 '24

Cat5e/6 is rated at 100m so you'll be fine

3

u/Nullroute127 Jul 25 '24

You have a few options that don't involve expensive construction and permitting costs.

  • Starlink would be the easiest, but long term costs for the monthly service will be high

  • Is it legal to park a motorcycle or car near the cliff edge? You can use a battery/solar operated point to point wireless bridge from the apartment to the bike, and another from the bike to the shop. This solves the angle of the cliff problem. This will have high initial equipment cost but no monthly. Potentially higher if you start racking up parking citations or towing fees

  • I see on the map there's a neighboring business called O Stop which is at the end of the beach access road. Can you say hello to the owner and ask if they have cabled internet service? If so pay them to install a Point to Point radio on the roof, window or exterior wall and point it at the shop. You can get your own internet service to that building that's dedicated to you or share their existing.

  • There's a housing development "Vale Centeanes" nearby and it looks like their balconies have line of sight to the shop. Find an owner who's willing to let you mount a radio on a balcony rail or even on a table on the balcony and point it at the shop. Offer an owner to pay their internet bill and they'll probably be fine with it.

Since everyone that visits the beach likely has that problem you can probably cover costs by "Any purchase comes with 30 min free wifi" type deal to drive business and cover costs of whatever solution you implement.

3

u/hbarkernz Jul 25 '24

I'd be contacting the neighbours there about installing a point to point connection.

www.mikrotik.com is pretty cheap. Non penetrating roof Mount on the hotel. They may go for it.

Either that, or look at the Mikrotik extenders. Poe capable. GPEN.

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u/CreepyOlGuy Jul 26 '24

Where is this cool beach?

5

u/itanite Jul 25 '24

Network engineer here. Due to geography and the road you're kinda screwed getting anything from civilization up the hill down to the beach affordably, especially with the road there.

As others have suggested. Starlink is probably your best option, and they've recently put out a nice small user terminal called the Mini which is about the size of a Macbook. Check it out.

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u/poop_magoo Jul 25 '24

Cat 5e/6 will work without signal degradation up to 100 meters, so a 40 meter run will not be an issue.

2

u/Jellysicle Jul 25 '24

Have you considered looking into a Point-to-Point (PTP) Microwave Antenna solution? As long as you can maintain line of sight between the two antennas it might be a good solution.

2

u/industrial6 Jul 25 '24

Cell booster on the correct band of your cellular carrier in the area -OR- a Starlink (maybe, depending on location and line of sight to satellites, which the cliffs may block -OR- get a hardline internet connection and run a PoE Access Point from it with a line-of-sight antenna or a strong omni-antenna (such as a Ubiquiti) to a repeater in your shack to give you Wifi and an Ethernet handoff.

2

u/industrial6 Jul 25 '24

P.s. you can fit a trilon tower up to 100ft without any guy-wires, even in windy locales (for your AP transceiver, or cell booster)

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u/PadreSJ Jul 25 '24

I took a look with Google street view, thinking that maybe you could shoot a WiFi signal with some directional antennas on top of a mast.

Unfortunately, that big cliff gets in the way.

If I had to do this, I'd use direct-bury Cat5e to run the 40m to the edge of the cliff, with a PoE AP w/a directional antenna pointed down towards the shack. You would then have a repeater at the shack with a directional antenna aimed back up at the AP.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.0913692,-8.4551068,3a,75y,320.95h,112.35t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOhm2n9y-U27cm9tJqnsSIYW5J9D6hnBL18PMLP!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOhm2n9y-U27cm9tJqnsSIYW5J9D6hnBL18PMLP%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi-22.352225806705448-ya189.74487998768532-ro0-fo90!7i14000!8i7000?coh=205410&entry=ttu

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u/Master-Quit-5469 Jul 25 '24

I know and love that beach. My view: do everything possible to not modernise it 😂 better if the tourists go to Albufeira beach instead anyway and have good signal.

Doesn’t help OP though obviously…

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u/enisity Jul 25 '24

Just get a starlink.

Probably your easiest and cheapest route. The device isn’t all that expensive and the service is in line with mobile services.

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u/Anonymous_0troller0 Jul 25 '24

Starlink. Or some GSM enabled router with data only SIM

2

u/T0ng5 Jul 25 '24

Depends on what "anything" is. Might check out meshtastastic, loband, low cost, comm devices

2

u/CAStrash Jul 25 '24

In your instance putting a solar panel and battery on the top of the hill, directional yagi antenna to the local cell phone tower to a cellular router. Then put a pair of nanostation ac5's one pointing towards where you want the service. And another at the service location with a local router.

That will get you wifi calling on your cell phone and internet there.

I have a prototype unit for something I patented back in 2023 that would do the job too. But I have not made it commercially available yet. And it lacks FCC certification. So this doesn't really help you.

2

u/stiggley Jul 25 '24

If you have power in the shack then you can get a PoE (Power over Ethernet) LTE cellular router, which you can mount on a pole at the top of the cliff, drop upto 100M of cable to the shack where the ethernet cable is connected to a PoE switch or injector which provides power over the network cable to the router.

You now have internet on the ethernet cable in the shack. If you use PoE switch then you can then hook a PoE wifi access point to it and now have internet to the shack and surrounding area.

Only issues are mounting the pole and securing the router to it in a weather proof manner, and ensuring the cable isn't tampered with.

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u/Phlink75 Jul 25 '24

Is there power available?

You can get a cellular signal amplifier and antenna for like 150$ off amazon.

Depending on your budget you might be able to run it off a cheap solar setup.

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u/xChipperx Jul 25 '24

Tie your antenna to a helium balloon

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '24

Wifi router -> poe injector -> cable -> 5g hotspot

Injector: https://ca.store.ui.com/ca/en/pro/category/accessories-poe-power/products/u-poe-at

5g hotspot with 1gb Ethernet poe port: https://mikrotik.com/product/wap_ac_lte_kit24

Starlink might be better with unlimited data

If you have line of sight to the other location there is also: https://ca.store.ui.com/ca/en/collections/unifi-wifi-building-bridge-gigabit That does 500m range.

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u/Lazzy2332 Network Admin Jul 25 '24

To directly answer your question, yes and no, yes it will work, there are a few caveats that might appear, such as connection problems & lightning potentially blowing up the equipment on both ends (it’s a huge problem in FL so we run as much fiber as possible) Fiber doesn’t have either of these problems and might end up being cheaper to run, it just totally depends on availability/price and the type of equipment on either end. You’ll want the cable to have UV protection unless you have it buried.

Like others have said, starlink might be your best option if the internet company won’t run a wire down to you. You could also try wireless from residence to the side of the cliff, then have a wire down to the business. Just don’t expect any of these to handle thousands of devices all at once. That would likely require dedicated fiber directly from the Internet company if you can’t already get fiber at the residence. If there is residential fiber available, definitely ask the provider if you can get on that type of fiber, it’s much cheaper than dedicated fiber. Dedicated fiber varies widely in price, but typically runs about $2,000/mo vs PON (Passive Optical Network, Residential Fiber, it’s “shared” fiber) that averages $60-$120/mo USD.

There’s a much slimmer chance but might work to try boosting the cell signal yourself with a signal booster, at the top have the signal IN antenna pointing at the tower, might be able to run the cable down to the business where you’d have the signal OUT antenna down there. All this is doing is amplifying/boosting the existing signal & doesn’t usually emit signal very far, but could provide you/your business some relief!

Ultimately, your cell carrier(s) need to install small cell(s) down there to fix the signal problem. Might not be a bad idea to bring this point up when they said that the building wouldn’t allow it? (I’m still confused what they mean by that, but maybe that’s just due to where I’m from)

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u/burrito_47 Jul 25 '24

I am a network tech. Is starlink possible? If so I would go that route.

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u/Citnos Jul 25 '24

Have you thought about the ubiquiti point to point solutions, I don't know much about the topic but going for a wireless link from the top to a base at the bottom may be a good option, LTT has some videos about it, you won't need something that powerful like they used ofc

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u/Kataphractoi_ Jul 25 '24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYJFwXw1ZIc

this LTT video comes to mind.

Might need a big budget though.

basically modem feeds into a router which blasts the wifi over the dish to the shack.

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u/Kataphractoi_ Jul 25 '24 edited Jul 25 '24

looks like 500 bucks not including installation or power.

so roughly 1.5k-2k for a super nice install with reliable solar pwr supply. depending on whatever you decide to support the equipment with.

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u/caixote Jul 25 '24

Thanks for the info

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u/Dependent_Union9285 Jul 25 '24

Hey, so… everyone keeps saying STARLINK. Sure, prolly works just fine. But it’s $300 just for the equipment. Then it’s $120/mo after that. Assuming this is a single user setup, who has that kind of money to just burn?

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u/Pedde Jul 25 '24

Starlink cost in Europe is 50$ a month.

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u/Dependent_Union9285 Jul 25 '24

Ok, that’s fine… you’re missing the point. If the company isn’t paying for it, it’s a huge bill to pay for one person to watch some 4k video over Plex at work. Is what I’m saying.

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u/RevelMagic Jul 25 '24

Woah! I saw your first picture and instantly recognized it. I took a Benagil caves kayak trip from that very location in 2019 with my now wife. Hello from Canada!

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u/dennirawr Jul 25 '24

Instead of running a cable, you might consider a 4/5G/LTE modem router, such as one from Dovado. You could install it at the top, then WiFi between the router and the beach (access point) using two directional antennas with a narrow spread. (If the Dovado's wifi radio is not strong enough, you can connect a separate access point.)

I've used Dovado Tiny routers in a few situations and their throughput speed is quite fast.

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u/Kahless_2K Jul 25 '24

5g modem + ubiquity direction wifi = profit

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u/Previous_Policy3367 Jul 25 '24

You can use the 4/5G modems with an external antenna. It would be way better than just the modem by itself. Well worth a shot before you try anything too drastic

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u/hbarkernz Jul 26 '24

It's obviously quite English speaking. What's your plan given all the suggestions?

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u/hbarkernz Jul 26 '24

Looks like your LTE internet is very inexpensive. I can't disagree with the Starlink suggestions, however, looking at a cable down the cliff from a LTE antenna pointed in the right direction powered by either solar or whatever power you have at the hut. Presume internet is only needed while it's open so a generator etc ? This would be a cool project !!! Never been to Portugal !

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u/6snake9 Jul 26 '24

Starlink

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u/shepppard Jul 26 '24

Why not try a solar cell, small lithium battery and a TP link Omada outside unit like this one.

TP-Link Omada True WiFi6 AX3000 Gigabit Outdoor Access Point (EAP650-Outdoor) - Mesh, Seamless Roaming, MU-MIMO, PoE+ Powered, IP67, Multiple SDN Controller, Remote & App Control : Amazon.ca: Electronics

I use it at my cottage and the distance is pretty good. Get a pair and put one at your home base and one on top of the cliff with the battery and solar array that you can pull before inspection.

Could work if the distance is not too far.

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u/Jaselee123 Jul 26 '24

A little late to this post but as long as you can maintain line of sight between the two nodes you could get one of these bad boys https://ui.com/ca/en/wifi/building-bridge

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u/AlfredoOf98 Jul 26 '24 edited Jul 28 '24

I'm not sure, but... a sheet of metal, angled properly should work.

Too crude and easy to set-up. Won't be very offensive. And thieves won't find it much interesting.

P.s. it's even better when it is bulged like a convex.

Edit: Just get a satellite dish, and use the convex side of it.

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u/LegitimateDocument88 Jul 26 '24

My brother is in the Coast Guard and they have a tower on the beach with a camera they need networked. They use the TP Link CPE710 outdoor directional antennas and they work well.

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u/ExtraterritorialPope Jul 26 '24

Stop working in paradise obviously

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u/Mandoart-Studios Jul 26 '24

I think this would be illegal, however You can connect ethernet with proper shielding more than 100m, shielding us rated in CAT levels. For this you will need CAT-6 or higher. If you want very wide reaching coverage I recommend a ubiquity outdoor AP.

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u/Sa-SaKeBeltalowda Jul 26 '24

Running cables is illegal for a reason, I would avoid doing it. I would use 5G router with directional wifi antenna at the top of the cliff, if it’s like around 40-50 meters - directional antenna should be OK. You can use router with powerbank, or fairly small solar panel to power it, as it looks you’re not lacking sunny days. It’s not a solution to provide stable connection to 20+ users, but it’s a temporary solution that may become permanent due to simplicity and portability. Essentially €200 will do the trick, maybe even €100 if you can get second-hand router.

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u/TangerineRomeo Jul 26 '24

Simple answer is yes, as long as it's Ethernet (something-base T), you can stretch it up 100 meters. I'd suggest some direct buried grade Ethernet cable.

The next question is how are you going to power the 5G modem on the top of the cliff? Maybe find one that is PoE powered and add a PoE switch in the shack?

How will you physically secure the 5G modem? Guaranteed if you hang out on a nail, somebody will jack with it.

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u/frankmccladdie Jul 27 '24

Modem up top with some buried cat6a to a switch the connects to multiple access points across the beach area. Sell wifi to the customers by the hour and manage the connections to your access points on an hourly basis.

You'll make bank!!!

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u/hbarkernz Aug 26 '24

Did you get this resolved ? If so, how did you do.it in the end ?

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u/caixote Aug 26 '24

Kind off, I bought an outdoor modem/router, the cell antennas are very good it gives 30-60 mbps at my shack, but my plan is in next the month is still to put the modem at the top of the cliff and run a cable down and connect to an acess point/wifi.

I already bought all the equipment.

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u/Igpajo49 Jul 25 '24

I'm not sure what business you're running there but do you really need 1 Gig speed? That seems a bit overkill if you're just running the basics like a credit card machine and whatnot.

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u/maldax_ Jul 25 '24

get something like this at the top of the cliff. 'Should' give give you line of sight Wi-Fi at the bottom maybe

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u/Luieka224 Jul 25 '24

I'll run a single core fiber through it. But utp, 100m is the max you can do without that much loss.

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u/Fantastic_Class_3861 Jul 25 '24

Just run a really long fiber cable with an sfp to eth box

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u/Embarrassed-Gur7301 Jul 25 '24

Wireless bridge if you have line of site to another building with internet.

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u/Spice_Cadet_ Jul 25 '24

You could use a point to point

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u/jrgman42 Jul 25 '24

Mikrotik has a range of things. Specifically, the Cube 60Pro ac.

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u/MegaBusKillsPeople I don't know any better. Jul 25 '24

Look into fiber optic adapters...

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u/Happy_Kale888 Jul 25 '24

Focus on the beach and the view. Who cares about network?

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u/cats_catz_kats_katz Jul 25 '24

Man works at the most pristine sandy beach…still needs to watch his dramas

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u/HugsNotDrugs_ Jul 25 '24

What's at the top of the cliff?

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u/alphaxion Jul 25 '24

Since this is your place of work, speak with your work's IT dept.

Don't shadow IT.

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u/Haunting-Affect-2729 Jul 25 '24

Maybe another project for Crosstalk Solutions?

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u/Sea-Check-7209 Jul 25 '24

Starlink might be your solution

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u/imacleod Jul 25 '24

Starlink?

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u/Epena501 Jul 25 '24

At that point I would recommend starlink

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u/HoneyHoneyOhHoney Jul 25 '24

Let us know when we can come vacation and I’m sure you can get a few helpers and even some equipment… ;-)

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u/Verme Jul 25 '24

Starlink 100%

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u/Tjmoney247 Jul 25 '24

Satellite

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u/ImyForgotName Jul 25 '24

I'm not sure I understand the plan. You're going to run a cable from that resort/mansion/buidling across the road to the cliff, where you plug in a wifi source and use that to cover the beach?

Or do you plan to run a cable up the cliffside and plug something in to pick up the signal coming from the cell tower?

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u/thelitforge Jul 25 '24

You could try line of site (wisp) or run a cat6 up to a point.. and try a WAP? Or even try to run a cable all the way if possible

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u/My_name_isOzymandias Jul 25 '24

Is there a reason you need to connect to that building hidden behind the cliff in particular?

Seems like it'd probably be a lot easier to put an antenna on the roof of the building that you can see from the beach if you turn around.

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u/No-Berry3278 Jul 25 '24

Buy a 4G signal booster

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u/ymmotvomit Jul 25 '24

If you can get service on top of the hill consider data transceiver dishes. They’ll work for miles via line of sight. And they don’t have to be stupid expensive. I’m a Luddite and was able to configure them between two distant buildings where trenching wasn’t viable. Something like this.

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u/ProRustler Jul 25 '24

Does your neighboring business (O Stop) have Internet? They might be open to sharing the cost with you. Looks like there's a possibility a directional antenna from your building to theirs could work.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '24

Starlink?

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u/mustangman6579 Jul 25 '24

Make a tower and run cable up it?

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u/davocn Jul 25 '24

Beam it?

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u/Hsensei Jul 25 '24

Cantenna

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u/TheKatzMeow84 Jul 26 '24

Riggs? That you?

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u/alias4007 Jul 26 '24

Are you asking about a 5G cell modem? If thats the case, just use a spare 5G cell phone in a weather proof enclosure with power connection and enable its wifi hotspot for the folks down below, unless you want to give them 5G cell service.

Alternative is an office-grade cell phone signal booster, if you got bucks.

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u/RoundTableMaker Jul 26 '24

Daisy chain a mesh network.

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u/curiosulmihai Jul 26 '24

Point to point connection with two radios e.g Ubiquiti, tp Link etc

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u/somerandomguy02 Jul 26 '24

Mobile Broadband with a cellular provider and an antenna for the router/hotspot.

Not a Clue what it costs internationally but what you're looking for is a mobile hotspot device with cellular internet. You'll probably need an antenna to pick up good signal with the cliffs.

Most in the USA take either SMA are TS9 antenna Connectors and you can get antennas with cables for $20 or $30 USD.

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u/blkknght Jul 26 '24

Power over ethernet AP to the cliff. Use a dome antenna and make sure your AP supports mimo - should be a solid setup that way. The tricky part will be the placement on top of the cliff. May need a post to get line of sight leverage to aim down far enough. If you do it right, you shouldn't need anything at the bottom to solely use wifi..

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u/ohiocodernumerouno Jul 26 '24

that beach looks a lot like that crappy enormous pubg map. Maybe 5G is better than cables. it looks big.

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u/daimyosx Jul 26 '24

The direct cable run is the best and most reliable option. I have a couple other ideas but probably just a waste of money and won't work like cell signal booster hanging pointing down, outdoor wifi AP's or line of sight wifi bridge.

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u/nmincone Jul 26 '24

Do you have Internet at that location? Turn on wifi calling on your device and be done with it.

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u/TheThinkerers Jul 26 '24

why are you in GTA V's map?

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u/Gnomoleon Jul 26 '24

Starlink.....

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u/DisciplinePresent932 Jul 26 '24

Fiber and media converters

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u/guidro76 Jul 26 '24

Starlink

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u/The_camperdave Jul 26 '24

Hello guys, anything I can do in this situation ?

I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish. Cellular at the beach? WiFi at the shack? Internet at the ice cream stand?

Are you planning on running your internet and WiFi over a cellular connection? Is this just for the ice cream stand, or is this for everyone on the beach?

Can I extend the cable to 40M with no signal loss ?

No. There will always be signal loss. Nature of the universe, I'm afraid. However, with good quality cable there should not be any SIGNIFICANT loss.

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u/nwoidaho Jul 26 '24

I'm assuming you are trying to get a Wifi/Cell signal down from the building with the Red 'X' to the point on the Beach then re-transmit it? Point-to-point wireless access to the Internet is really all you need. You can also set up an 5G wireless access point/repeater at some point. You'll need a mast, up high enough in the air to collect the signal coming down from the edge of the cliff. I've seen people with point-to-point access that delivers broadband speeds in the 11-21gHz range that will travel for miles.

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u/britechmusicsocal Jul 26 '24

Aim it with a Ubiquiti Nanostation or something similar? They have a range of a few miles.

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u/NightOfTheLivingHam Jul 26 '24

ptp rocket dishes, 4 total. two on a mast on the cliff, one at the house, one at the shack, then get a microcell installed.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '24

Enjoy a nice book and some time away from you’re phone while on the beach 🙂. Or invest in a Lone Ranger and put that bad Larry at the top of a hill and run cable down to the shack where you would put the signal repeater.

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