http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/ Engadget Comments for Build an all-weather outdoor WiFi access point for $50 http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
I donno about you guys, but running 120/240 up a pole and just plugging it in like that sounds like a *very bad* idea. That connector and cabling is just not type accepted for outdoor use and a great way to electrocute yourself/someone else. I dont care how much duct tape you waterproofed it with.

Id highly suggest ditching the PC power supply, the amp, and running -48VDC POE up the pole and weatherproofing it all. Use a higher gain antenna and you wont need that amp at all.

If you *must* run the amp, at least run some dedicated outdoor electrical cable up the pole. It could be low amperage and DC -- much easier to deal with.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
However, regardless of the actual text of the article, it's not as water-tight as he'd like to think. maokh was right, running 110/220 up a roof like that is a bad idea, especially since his power supply's plug is exposed to the elements (his friend was right, and his assumptions of the water resistance of the accompanying plug is suspect). The hole he drilled in the underside is going to get water in it (water will follow around to the underside of the case).

I wouldn't suggest this for anyone who doesn't want to test whether the fire coverage under their homeowner's insurance really covers everything.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/110_vac_weatherproof_enclosures.php

Or is it just as dangerous?]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/copyrighted_images/nema_airespace_500.jpg

The moron who wrote the "tip" is going to burn his house down, and when the insurance co. finds out what he did, he will not be covered.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
http://www.pacwireless.com/products/RT24-14.shtml

Can't beat $47.95 for those, but you'll have to pony up for some PoE adapters (~$25).

Use for neighborhood WDS? ... Gaming, shared-Internet, MythTV, DVR's, etc. Even under heavy load, each "client" has about 8-10 Mbps of bandwidth to work with.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
Thanks! I was pretty sure the enclosure I linked to was built to a different set of standards - reason is, I'm using one of these in a project, and am a bit, uh, concerned about the enclosure's safety. This posting scared me a bit, as there isn't too much different from the NEMA enclosure I just ordered, and the case the dude hacked together. It's a bit costly, but cheap enough for peace of mind.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
http://www.maxstream.net/products/xpress/rf-modem-outdoor-ethernet-bridge.php]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
http://www.maxstream.net/products/xpress/rf-modem-outdoor-ethernet-bridge.php]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
And I don't even want to think about how many wiring regulations this thing ignores.

If he put this in a plasic enclosure, he could probably get away without needing any external antenna's at all.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/build-an-all-weather-outdoor-wifi-access-point-for-50/
The ATX psu is elevated at least 7-10 inches high from bottom side where the "vent" is and the rest of the cables/wires, i guess that is to prevent the water.

I also noticed the enclosure itself has a rubber seal and a water rails to prevent the water dripping inside, which is about 2-3 inches high, i'm just guessing i noticed the front door sidings.

at the back of the back plate where everything are mounted, there is some kind of insulator or something.

there's some kind of rubber support at the underside where all the connectors arelocated, i reckon that is to prevent water to get in.

the enclosure seems to be o.k. and how he mounted everything, though i am skeptic about the 110/220 volts, just like he said, i looked at my own power leads to see if what he say is true, and yes he is right!, the power lead contact point is buried deep and if you install the socket the way he did (upright position), it's impossible for the water to get-in as the "male-female" contact point is buried, one thing though, he did not show what kind of power cable he use.

and as what he claims, if the enclosure is a fire/heat resistant that is a real treat!.

i guess he only need to refine his enclosure for a better safety.


overall, i]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM