Grim’s Place

*** Update ***

I’m no longer using this link.  I’ve created a much faster one and will be updating this page in the next few weeks.

*** *** *** *** ***

Here’s the setup I’m using to achieve a 2.4Ghz Point-to-Point link. As of right now, I have a 6.1 Mbps connection @1.8 miles.

Currently, I have service, the DSL donor has service, and the single-room school house (K-8 with 18 kids) across the street from my home has service. My son goes to this school. I want him to have the same resources available to him as big city schools. Just because we decided to live in the sticks doesn’t mean we can’t have Internet.

Here’s pics of various views from atop the tower.
Pics of my WRT54G router in an external box with DIY Power over Ethernet (PoE) and the general direction of the school across the street.

A view looking North towards my house. The school is across the street on the left. A look from the DSL end towards my tower which is North East. A picture of the DSL donor’s house.

Visio Graphical Representation

2.4Ghz Equipment

Radios: Linksys WRT54G Routers
Firmware: DD-WRT v23
Antennas: 15dbi 2.4Ghz Omni (My Tower)
24dbi 2.4Ghz Direction Grid (DSL End)

Tower: (total height - 58 feet)

3 - 10 foot sections of Rohn 25G
2 - 10 foot sections of Rohn 20G
1 - Rohn 20G top section

DSL Router/Modem (Westell 6100)

I have this configured to give out DNS, DHCP, and forward some key ports to servers. Everybody on the network gets these services from this lone router.

Linksys WRT54G Router - DSL End AP

DD-WRT firmware in WDS mode and using WPA security. The folks that live there connect to this access point directly with their laptops.

Linksys WRT54G Router - Tower AP

DD-WRT firmware in WDS mode and using WPA security. The school AP connects directly to this access point along with my laptop when I fire it up.

Linksys WRT54G Router - School

DD-WRT firmware in client mode using WPA security. Mounted inside the school. No external antenna.

Buffalo WHR-G125 Router - Teacher’s House

DD-WRT firmware in client mode using WPA security. Mounted inside the teacher’s house next to a window with no external antenna.

The Bottom Line

Total investment to date minus time: $450.

If you have any questions on setting up your own DSL Hijack wireless link, fire me a message. griminal@(mydomain).com Replace mydomain with grimsplace. Spammers!!! You gotta love ‘em.

Hey… I have broadband now damit! I had to work for it… but I got it.

Special thanks to tychl for giving me a few tips and tricks on subnets and routing. It’s been a real payoff to me! I’m gaming online again for the first time in 7 years!

Updated February 1, 2008