With the new tri-band router installed and a new 200/20 service via a $10 upgrade, I set out to try and get some wireless action to the barn. I took out my Netgear extender that I used to have installed in the house to try and signal out there. I tried this before with the old router and the signal wasn’t strong enough to reach the extender.
Our router is located in the living room which is at the front of the house, which is at the front of our property. The barn is located at the back of our property. Considering we own just a little under 1/2 an acre, that’s quite a distance. Plugging the extender into an outlet right next to the entrance to my workshop — the barn is divided into a workshop area and an equipment storage area — I pulled out my phone and started the setup process. Much to my surprise, I was getting a strong signal from the house. I setup the extender with a separate SSID from the main house so none of the devices in the house accidentally jumped to the extender and receive lower speeds. Once that was complete, it was time to try connecting the MacMini that I have in the barn to see if I got any usable bandwidth. Again to my surprise, I was getting an amazing 40/4 on the Mac. While this may not sound like good speeds, considering I’ve had 0/0 since we moved in 6 months ago, I’d say that’s one hell of an improvement.
So while I’m laying here in bed on the MacBook — well past my bedtime because I was editing a video for Jess that she needs for class tomorrow….er….today — I decided to try something for shits and giggles. Our bedroom is also in front of the house, right above the living room to be exact. I fired up VNC and tried to connect to the MacMini out in the barn.
Viola! Since I can now connect to the barn without issues, that means that our entire lot now has full coverage wifi. My wireless infrastructure is now complete! Now I just have to wait until I’m done with the cemetery for the season so I’ll have some free time to start my wired network infrastructure.
