Overcoming Rural Internet Challenges
Living or traveling in rural areas offers many advantages, such as serene landscapes and a slower pace of life. However, one significant drawback is often the lack of reliable internet connectivity. This challenge was creatively addressed by one of our innovative users, Terry Owen, who found a way to amplify WiFi signals in a remote cabin on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. We are delighted to share his ingenious solution on our blog.
The Rural Retreat
Every summer, Terry reunites with his elementary school friends at a secluded cabin for a week. This cabin, accessible only by boat, lacks mobile service, electrical power, and a communication grid. The only available communication is AM radio at night, with no FM radio signals. A few years ago, a commercial campground across the lake installed a paid WiFi system that required a login page. Terry aimed to connect to this WiFi system from the cabin using the simplest and most cost-effective technology possible.
Crafting the Parabolic Antenna
To achieve this, Terry constructed a parabolic antenna using aluminum foil and plywood, combined with our ZBT router. The green curved surface behind the router is a parabolic reflector, designed to collect and focus WiFi signals onto the router's antenna. This DIY setup was sufficient to support a Google Voice phone call and achieve two bars of signal strength, translating to about -65 to -70 dBm as measured by a WiFi analyzer app. Speed tests showed approximately 1Mbps, which is quite impressive considering the remote location and the 2.4GHz frequency band used.
Simple Setup and Aesthetic Considerations
Terry wanted a system that was easy to set up and use, given that the cabin is in a scenic location. Painting the antenna green helped it blend into the surroundings. The low-profile design ensured it did not detract from the natural beauty. Additionally, using a router to create a local area network (LAN) with a simple connection made sense, especially since the campground’s WiFi system only allowed one device per account. The router effectively circumvented this limitation.
Strategic Placement of the Antenna
The antenna could not be placed at the cabin itself due to obstructive trees. Instead, it was positioned about 200 feet away, at the lake's edge, to maintain a clear line of sight to the campground. Terry designed and assembled this DIY antenna in under an hour using aluminum foil and a wooden frame. The focal length of the reflector is 6 inches, with the large reflector measuring 9 inches high and 24 inches wide. He also incorporated a small reflector made from a soup can, boosting the WiFi signals as demonstrated in a YouTube video.
Terry's Background and Expertise
Terry's background in electronics and engineering played a crucial role in this project. He earned his amateur radio license in high school, teaching himself electronics and building his own radio equipment. With BA and MS degrees in physics and an MS in electrical engineering, Terry worked as an experimental physicist and later taught electronics, electrical engineering, and physics at a community college. His experience also includes broadcast engineering and working with major companies like Intel and Tektronix.
Choosing the Right Device
To connect to the WiFi system, Terry needed a device with an external antenna, battery power capability, compact size, and low cost. The ZBT travel router met these criteria, offering an external antenna and open-source firmware. This router’s ability to clone the MAC address of a connected device was particularly beneficial for navigating the campground’s login page.
Advantages of ZBT Router
The ZBT router is a versatile and travel-friendly device, weighing just 39g (1.41oz). It offers four ways to access the internet: via cable, as a repeater, with a USB modem, and through tethering. The open-source firmware, OpenWrt, allows for extensive customization and optimization, making it ideal for tech enthusiasts like Terry. The router supports over 30 OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN services, ensuring secure and safe data transmission. Additionally, collaboration with Cloudflare provides encrypted DNS over TLS for enhanced security and privacy.
Conclusion
Terry’s innovative use of a home-made parabolic antenna and the ZBT router highlights the potential for improving rural internet connectivity with minimal resources. His experience and creativity turned a challenging situation into an opportunity to enhance communication in a remote location. The ZBT router proved to be a reliable and adaptable solution, demonstrating the power of technology and ingenuity in overcoming connectivity barriers.
For more information on our products and how they can enhance your internet experience, visit our website. Whether you’re in a remote cabin or on a bustling city street, ZBT has the right solution for your networking needs.