Observatory Network

[timelord]

Gooday, I am currently in the pre planning stage of building an observatory and was wondering if any one uses wireless networking systems between laptop in the observatory and main pc in house.
Are they suitable for astronomy type software ie using gudedog for remote control etc. or should I stick to the conventional cable type network with the extra work of running cables conduit etc. Distance between computers is approx. 20-25 metres.
Alex.

[Shawn]

I went cable, that distance it not a problem. I just put a 5 port hub in the house cost $40.00 and bought a 50M cable, cost $35.00 , Job done, no configuration issues or additional gear, and reliable.... Later I put another hub in the Obs and a shorter cable for the extra PC...

The kids PC,s all hang off the hub in the house...

S

[LX200]

G'day
Go the hard-wire route like Shawn :thumbsup:
I've just installed 2 runs of cat 5E to the Obs'
first to the shed (50mts)and a 8 port hub and a coupla' cpu's
then from there back to the house, (distance to house is 20mt.)
Lappy and wireless setup inside.
I didn't want interference with the wireless weather station which is mounted on the Obs'

http://www.grampianstars.com.au/astro_index.htm

[hookedonsaturn]

If your close enough go with the cable.I went wireless and my signal goes from good to poor over a course of 20 minutes.It sucks.If i could do it over it would be hard wired.

[rogerg]

Signal strength is your problem. At our place I would get signal if the observatory door was open and no one was talking on the phone.

Our portable phones use the same 2.4ghz frequency as wireless. And the observatory is colourbond tin. All in all, it was better to use a cable.

HOWEVER, since then my network cable has enduced a current from a lightning strike and killed the router at one end and hub at the other end. In that situation, I wish I had wirless, and just used a larger antenna and upgraded the phones to a 5.4ghz model.

I still like the wired aproach overall, especially as I upgrade my network to gigabit, which is hugely beneficial for large astronomy images and remote desktop usage.

There's pro's and con's to both methods.

[timelord]

Thanx guys I think I'll go cable as thats what I use in the house between computers at the moment and as you say its reliable and almost bullet proof--just means crawling under the house and digging a trench for the conduit.
Alex.

[DeanoNZL]

Hi All,
Wired is the best way to go it possible, as stated earlier.
With signal strength issues, have you tried changing the router wireless port to a higher or lower channel from what the default is?
I have a Uniden 2.4g wireless phone, and have gone to channel 10 or higher.
Signal has gone up 10dB.
Also, the wireless network card should have a setting to "run at full speed"
This is sometimes disabled to conserve power when mobile.
Hope this helps