August 27, 2007 A new world record distance for a 5 GHz Wi-Fi link has been achieved by the Italian Center for Radio Activities (C.I.S.A.R), and Ubiquiti Networks, a leading innovator in outdoor wireless broadband solutions. The distance of 304km (188.89 miles) was established from Sardinia Island to Central Italy achieving data-rates of about 5Mbps, using Ubiquiti’s XtremeRange5 (XR5) High-Power Carrier Class mini-PCI radio module and 35dBi 5 GHz parabolic dish antennas.
Wi-Fi transmissions of greater distances have been reported by Gizmag previously, however, this latest endeavor by C.I.S.A.R. has achieved a connection on a 5GHz radio band at transfer rates of 5MBps. “The alignment of two 35dBi antennas at 304km (188.89 miles) spanning sea and land is a very difficult and complicated technical endeavor, but with the Ubiquiti Networks XR5 this was made simple without the need for additional devices. This saved us a lot of time, expense, and resources”, said Mr. Mirco Paesante of the C.I.S.A.R.
The alignment was made by providing a beacon through a semi-directional antenna (short-backfire 17dBi) on the Sardinia Island and one of the two 35dBi antennas on Monte Amiata, which is about 5,220 feet (1,740m) above sea level. It allows operators on Sardinia Island to stay in touch with their community on the Italian Peninsula, and is sure to have a range of applications in the future of Wi-Fi technologies, by incorporating super-high frequencies at far greater distances than ever before.
The C.I.S.A.R. is a non-profit association founded by a group of Italian radio amateur operators in 1981. Its main activities are in VHF and upper band experimentation, interconnecting FM and digital repeaters, providing support for the radio communication community. They have teamed up with “Ubiquiti Networks”, who designs, develops and markets wireless broadband equipment to achieve the new world record distance. After successfully inter-connecting the whole Italian country with analog FM repeaters, C.I.S.A.R. has envisaged a new wide-band digital network, connecting all Italian radio users to each other. “This link was particularly important, because in the event of an emergency, it will provide communications with authorities for help.”
