A Non-Profit Seeks Extended Wireless Network for Wireless Video Security Cams

[CountryLiving]

Hello -

To be clear, we do not have Arlo products yet.  The sticky problem is we need outdoor camera coverage to a distance of about one mile.  Am not a networking guru, though do have a DD-WRT router running vid cams at my own house, so can tinker around a bit.  Little bit of knowledge a dangerous thing, yada yada.  

It seems that repeaters could *in theory* work to give that sort of range, but that in general each one only adds about 60' of distance while halving the throughput.  So would need 80+ repeaters and basically be working with 1/2**80 for throughput.  Not good.  

Other option appears to be Netgear's Power Line Adapter.  Only problem is that it appears 3-conductor 3/0 romex would be required for that distance, and it alone runs $7.45 a foot.  Not good.  

So here we are at Arlo.  Any sort of options available with the Arlo product line that could accomplisht this?  Any other approaches that could economically and reliably work to provide broadband throughput (for 12+ vid cams)?  What say you?  

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Richard

[TomMac]

To be honest... a mile is pretty far.  Not going to prob work with the wireless cameras.  You would need directional antennas and micro wave transmitters for that type of range. ( not that impossible, just costly )... have done single cameras for a mile with parabolic hi gain antenna to a receiver

You may have to look at cable... typical CCTV video RG 59 is good for about 750 ft... but throw in a booster and you can hit 3000 ft... still shy of your mile.

You can go to other cables like rg6 or rg11 and get more distance, but this sounds like a pro install when you start adding multi cameras

[TomMac]

Looking back and thinking.... I was wondering if you had the available monies to go celluar... I have installed a few pro cameras with celluar modems but at that time cost wasn't an issue

Netgear has the GO Pro cameras which are celluar, but then remember you would have a data plan for each camera and would have to make sure you have good cell reception in the area...

Also these ( the Arlo cameras except the Q ) are not 24/7 record ...they are "motion activated record" only.

I guess it come dow to really your needs and what you what to view vs costs

[CountryLiving]

Thanks for your thoughtful response, TomMac.  Am confident I can get cams to work on top of a broadband network, so the vid part (apart from this being an Arlo forum) is not the limiting factor, clearly.  

Have been looking at 27db directional antenna by AirGrid and 100mw booster (max FCC allows for 27db antenna).  Plus a bridge. There are three separate "hops" to make along the 1-mile path.  So possibly a pair of antennas and boosters could make each hop?  What say you?  For simplicity, assume are 1/3 mile each for the hops.

Now, that 3000 feet you mention with booster would easily do the trick for each hop.   Since dealing with digital, should then be able to boost that signal again and go another 3000 feet, right?  So, that might be an option, depending on the cost of this cable.  Guessing the cable needs to go in conduit to survive underground.  

Yes, is definitely a pro install but we don't have pro install money, so here we are.  😄  Yes, there would be a blessed 16 cams on the line, so that might entail maybe running *two* cables to break up the load?

[CountryLiving]

Yes would for sure go with cell but alas there is no coverage at this site.  Would like to be able to remotely view the cams but that is another can of worms.  If can at least get vid working for local recording and monitoring, that will be a huge step.  

[TomMac]

Good luck...  but it may not be easy.  Not that it can't be done.  Anything can be done if you throw enought money at it.

BTW, there are direct burial cables so conduit may not be needed... .