Hill Top Antenna Linked via Wifi [Archive]

GroundUrMast

30-Jan-2011, 3:39 AM

This is just a wild pipe dream...

But for someone with a serious OTA reception habit who happens to be blocked by terrain but has access to a hill top and a few bucks to spare...

The idea is to place a network attached tuner at a remote antenna that can then be accessed by a PC at the desired viewing location. A clear line of site needs to be available for the WIFI link.

GroundUrMast

27-Apr-2011, 3:14 AM

Thats Awesome! My only concern would be the bandwidth to keep up with 2 HD shows being recorded. I guess you could drop some cat5 down the hill but you would could only get 300' :D

You're right, the Wifi link would need to be rock solid. To record one HD show while viewing a second HD show live could require an error free 48 MB/s WIFI link, something that would require a true line of site and a substantial fade margin. 100 Mb/s Wifi bridges are available... http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/networking/802.11N-wireless-bridge.php Depending on circumstances, 802.11a, g or n may be the best choice. There are unlicensed 900 MHz radio options possible as well.

Or, if you really have access to the needed right of way, there are long haul options for twisted pair such as http://www.patton.com/products/pe_products.asp?category=416&tab=sp Capable of a 45 Mbit/s link out to 0.9 KM or more. Also, Ethernet over RG-6 and RG-11 devises are on the market. EnConn (http://www.enconn.com/products.htm) is one of several vendors I have seen, but none have been in hand.

Of course, there are all sorts of other variations on this concept. If power is available, a PC at the remote site can be the PVR/DVR. This would reduce the load on the WIFI link provided you would be satisfied to download recordings when live programing is not filling the link.

A similar system could be run from a remote location with power and internet access. Products like Slingbox come to mind.