I need outdoor wifi signal repeated to inside metal building - eviltoast

I have the typical home internet with router inside my house that works great. The router is set up near a glass sliding door, so the signal actually works pretty well outdoors. I have a detached metal building workshop that I need a way to get wifi inside. The building is only about 30-40ft from the back door that has the router next to it, so I actually get a decent signal from the front of the building, and even when I have the roll up doors open. The problem I’m having is getting any signal through the metal. I need some sort of repeater (I think) that captures the signal outside, and has a separate wired repeater (or router?) that I can place inside the building to get signal inside. I found something on Amazon that I believe would work, but it’s definitely on the more expensive side, and seems a bit overkill for what I need. I just want to be able to use the internet and stream music so nothing too demanding. Maybe a YouTube video on my phone when I need to look up some how to videos. There are a lot of devices out there and I’m hoping someone with more knowledge can recommend a more budget friendly alternative. Thanks

Here’s a pic of the thing that I believe will work:

  • ThatNazzo@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Don’t waste your money on repeaters, can you run a coaxial or Ethernet so you can install an Access Point ?

  • segfalt31337@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Maybe pick up a router compatible with ddwrt, one that has external antennas, and for one of the antennas, solder some leads to your metal building…

  • ichfrissdich@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Maybe it would be possible to cut a hole and make a small plastic “window” in the wall, and mount an ordinary repeater on there.

  • deefop@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Run a wire or go with line of sight microwave or whatever the standard is for that nowadays. I think ubiquiti makes a bunch of good stuff for it

  • sound6317@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Depending on how the 2 buildings are wired electrically, you may be able to use powerline ethernet extenders with a router in AP mode or just an inexpensive AP. I’ve had decent luck with them in the past.

  • SP3NGL3R@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    You get good signal outside the shop, or with the doors open. If you’ve got an old WiFi router sitting around I would use that as your “repeater” … Kinda.

    Personally. I’d hack together something fun, partially for fun, partially for cost savings. Mostly for the fun though.

    Old router outside the shop, in a plastic junction box with a hole drilled into the shop where you connect a low cost access point. Place the old router into “media bridge” mode so it basically just receives WiFi and outputs wired to that access point inside that is then your new WiFi.

    Parts needed: wireless router (AC is probably plenty and you probably know someone with a spare for free), plastic junction box to hold it, wireless access point (WAP).

  • will4111@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Install conduit, run fiber with media converters. Fiber is so easy u can trim it out with a pair of scissors and slap on a mechanical end and would still be 100x better than the money ur wasting on a “repeater”.

      • kellyholden@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        With only two of them, no. They can be set up stand alone. Controller certainly makes set up easier, but the controller doesn’t have to stay online.

  • kyrsjo@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Mesh stuff *could* work, but there is a good chance it will be janky. If cable isn’t an option, then point-2-point wireless is the second best option. It’s basically similar to mesh, but with (1) separate communication channel for “backhaul”, i.e. from the shed to the house, and between the access point and the clients, i.e. inside the shed. Further, (2) you can have separate, directional antennas for the backhaul. I’m pretty sure you will be happy with that.

    However if what you want is just to use YouTube and some music on your phone, why not just use mobile data? 4G / 5G is pretty good!

  • patgeo@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I have an Asus AX56U (shed) in a mesh with an AX88U (house). The shed is 65 ft away and I just have the AX56U inside on a shelf, no external antenna outside the shed.

    I haven’t had any issues.