working on the extended wifi-range in SBC: how to get there?
good evening dear friends,
hello everyone. good evening dear linux-experts and
good day dear demanding-truth!!:)
currently I?m working on a little project with a Raspberry Pi that I?d like to run outdoors, roughly 65 meters away from my house, and ideally connect to it over WiFi.
hmm - i hope that this question (and topic) was not raised in earlier threads. Note: its a long long term thing and as we are right in October - i think that its the time for such SBC-projects.
to beginn with the beginning: I?ve tried using the Pi?s built-in WiFi alone, but unfortunately it doesn?t reach that far. The router has a relatively clear line of sight to the Pi, so obstacles shouldn?t be the main issue. Still, the connection just won?t establish.
That got me wondering:
Has anyone here successfully extended WiFi range with a USB WiFi adapter/antenna on a Pi?
Are there particular models that are strong enough for ~65m, or would I need something more specialized (e.g., directional antennas)?
Do other SBCs (like the ASUS Tinker Board, or similar boards) offer more flexibility than the Raspberry Pi when it comes to external antenna connections?
One big big frustration for me is that most Pi models don?t provide a straightforward way to hook up an external antenna. Some of my friends have been thinking about using Pis in field projects (weather-hardened enclosures, remote monitoring, etc.), but without reliable WiFi range, it feels like a real limitation. It makes me think that an external antenna should almost be a standard option for SBCs intended for field use.
I?ve been reading up on the technical side, especially regarding transmit power and range calculations:
btw: i digged deeper into all that and have read some of the sources below - and considered the dB of the receiving antenna:
a. WiFi Transmit Power Calculations Made Simples
https://www.digitalairwireless.com/a...s-made-simples
b. Understanding Wireless Range Calculations:
Quote:
One of the key calculations in any wireless design is range, the maximum distance between transmitter and receiver for normal operation. This article identifies the factors involved in calculating range and shows how to estimate range to ensure a reliable communications link.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/tec...e-calculations
These articles - they really helped me understand the theory a bit better, but I?d really like to hear practical experiences, recommendations, or even creative workarounds from the community.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
