Q. What’s My Best Option for Getting Internet Access to a Barn?

Depending on the distance, a hardwired cable may be the best option for getting Internet access to an outside structure.

Q. Can you recommend the best router for providing Internet access to a barn some 300-feet from my house? There are several trees that could interfere with the signal. - Nancy, Indiana

A. This is a common question. The technology you choose is more important than the router brand. Make sure you are using a 802.11g. There are faster, longer range technologies on the horizon but currently this is the best for a reasonable price. But just because you are using a “G” network router does not necessarily mean you are taking advantage of all its bandwidth. Since a G network is backwards compatible, it will work with older (shorter range) network cards in older computers, i.e. 802.11 a, b. So make sure all computers have G network cards to ensure maximum connectivity.

Now for the bad news, 300 feet is a bit of a stretch. The official range is 38 meters (124 feet). Under ideal situations, I have seen it go further but more often it is less.

My best recommendation is to pass on wireless. A hardwired cable between the two buildings is the best way to go. A cat5e cable can easily make it 300 feet and will be faster and more reliable. You can get a spool of cat5 from a local electrical supply house for a reasonable price. Whether you plan on burying it or hanging it from poles, get direct burial cable to insure there will be no corrosion.

Running a cable may seem like more work but it will be far less aggravating and much faster.