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Ferimex IT - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here is a list of the most common questions from our customers. If your question is not answered here, please send email to us and we will be glad to help you.

All text Copyright 2001-2010 by Ferimex IT. No copying without written permission.
FAQ written by Eric Peterson, PhD.

Topics:
Ordering, Paying, Shipping
The Basics of Wireless Networks
Our Range of WiFi/WLAN products
Ferimex Antennas
Ferimex Devices
Cables and Accessories
Building Access Points
Connecting Customers and Users to Your Network
Problems such as Bad Signal, Interference, Line-of-Sight
Other Questions about Connections and Networks
Designing your Network

Ordering, Paying, Shipping

How do I order from Ferimex?

Ordering is easy!

  1. Send an email with the items you want, your company name, complete shipping address, phone number, VAT (tax) number if you are in the EU, and type of shipping.
  2. We send you a proforma invoice by email showing the total cost.
  3. You transfer money to our bank, or pay by Western Union or PayPal.
  4. We ship your order when we receive the money.

How can I pay for my order?

You can pay by bank transfer, Western Union, or PayPal. Click here for account details. Sorry, we do not take credit cards or checks. We have distributors in some countries. See our Distributor Page.

Do you have a minimum order amount?

No. We are happy to sell to small customers. We especially help people in developing countries who are setting up a wireless ISP. If your order is for 1000 Euros or more, you qualify for the Discount Prices on our pricelist.

Can you ship directly to me in my country?

Yes, Ferimex can ship anywhere in the world, by first-class post, Express Mail Service, Cargo Partner air freight, UPS, or by other methods. See our Shipping Page. We have shipped to customers in more than 90 countries:

Aden, Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroun, Canary Islands, China, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guadalupe, Guyana, Hungary, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxemborg, Madagascar, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauretania, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Quatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zambia.

Do I have to pay tax on my order?

Only if you are in the European Union and you do not have a valid company VAT tax number. Then Ferimex must add 19% VAT tax to your order. Everybody else pays no tax to Ferimex.

If you are outside the EU, you will probably have to pay some import tax or customs duties to the government in your country. Ferimex does not have information about this. Many customers ask Ferimex to prepare an invoice with lower prices than the true price, to save money on the customs fees. Sorry, Ferimex cannot do this because it is not legal.

How do I get your Price List?

Fill out the form on the Price List Page and we will send it to you by email.

Your pricelist is in Euros. What are the prices in US dollars? Can I pay in US dollars?

You can easily figure out the prices in US dollars using the current conversion rate from Euros to USD. You can pay for your order in USD. When you order, please ask, and we will convert the total cost of your order from Euros to USD. Then use our USD bank account number for your bank transfer. If you use Western Union, you pay in your local currency.

Can I get a discount from your regular prices?

Our pricelist shows a Regular Price and a Discount Price for each item. You get the Discount Prices for all items in your order if your order total is at least 1000 Euros before the shipping cost is added.

The Basics of Wireless Networks

What are the very basic ideas I need to know to make a wireless connection or a wireless network?

Here are some of the basic ideas you need to know. This list is not complete and experts might point out exceptions to some of the simple statements made here. But if you understand all these things, you are ready to get started and order some equipment from Ferimex!

  • Every wireless connection has two endpoints. At each endpoint you must have an antenna and a device and electrical power and usually a computer.
  • The device translates the signal received by the antenna into information that can be used by a computer.
  • The outdoor antenna is usually connected to the device by a cable or a pigtail. In some cases the antenna and the device are integrated together into a single unit.
  • Cables or pigtails should be as short as possible. Longer cables have more signal loss. Thicker cables are better than thin cables. They have less loss.
  • The device is usually connected to a computer by ethernet cable, or is installed in the computer in the case of wireless PCI cards or PCMCIA cards.
  • There is equipment for use outdoors for long distance connections. There is equipment for use indoors, for networks inside buildings. Outdoor equipment can be used indoors. Indoor equipment cannot be used outdoors, because it is not waterproof. Ferimex has indoor and outdoor equipment.
  • It is very difficult to connect laptops or computers with only a wireless card to an access point or hotspot outdoors. Maximum range will be about 200 meters or less. Customers need an external antenna mounted outdoors to make longer connections.
  • An antenna does not have a "distance". A device does not have a distance. Only a connection has a distance!
  • The distance of a connection depends on many factors. Most important are the gain of the antennas and the devices used at both ends of the connection, the length of cables connecting the antennas to the devices, and the interference from other sources.
  • A Point-to-Point connection is used to connect two points, usually with two directional antennas and a device connected to each antenna. Connections can be up to 15 km long for 2.4 GHz and up to 30 km for 5 GHz.
  • The speed of an outdoor connection often decreases as the distance of the connection increases, or as the interference from other sources increases.
  • To make a connection outdoors, you usually need to have clear line-of-sight (LOS) between the two points. Indoors, you can often connect successfully through one or two walls.
  • The IEEE standard 802.11b refers to equipment using the 2.4 GHz frequency and maximum speed of 11 Mbps (megabits per second). 802.11g refers to 2.4 GHz frequency and maximum speed of 54 Mbps. 802.11a refers to the 5 GHz bandwidth.
  • Antennas will usually work with any devices, as long as they are both for the same frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Devices from different companies using the same frequency may in some cases not be compatible with each other.
  • An Access Point or Hotspot (sometimes called Multi-Point) is a location with one or more antennas and devices, to which many different customers or clients can connect with their own antennas and devices (or laptops with wireless cards, which are basically an antenna and device integrated together).
  • It is usually difficult to use indoor equipment to connect to a distant outdoor access point. The client should have an external (outdoor) antenna.
  • An indoor local network of computers can be connected to an outdoor network with a single antenna and device. You don't need antennas and devices for every computer inside your building, to connect to the outdoor network.
  • Outdoor access points can be connected to each other using directional antennas ("backbone") to form a network. It is often a good idea to use 5 GHz connections for the backbone of your network, and 2.4 GHz equipment to connect your customers to the access point.
  • To set up an access point or hotspot or ISP, you need a source of internet. This could be from ADSL, satellite, or some other source. Then you use the wireless equipment from Ferimex (antennas and devices) to distribute the internet to your customers. Ferimex does not provide the source of internet, and you cannot get internet free from the air just by having an antenna and a device!
  • An outdoor access point cannot serve customers more than about 3 km from the access point. If you have customers farther away, you need to build an access point closer to them. Or you have to make a dedicated point-to-point connection for each customer. The customers need outdoor antennas, not just wireless cards on their computers.
  • Amplifiers are usually illegal, and will greatly increase the interference for other people and for your own network! Amplifiers increase the signal AND the noise. To get a better signal, use better antennas and better devices, or make shorter connections.
  • Designing and installing a network takes a lot of planning and experience. Don't expect it to be easy. But don't expect it to be too hard. You can do it if you educate yourself first. Start by reading everything in this FAQ. Ferimex helps you more than any other company!
  • You can learn a lot more by attending a personalized two-day training school at Ferimex.

Our Range of WiFi/WLAN Products

What products does Ferimex sell?

Ferimex sells everything you need to set up fixed wireless connections, WLANs, and networks in the 5 Ghz and 2,4 GHz range. This includes antennas, access point devices, client devices, traffic managers, cables, connectors, pigtails, mounts, etc. We have equipment for outdoor networks with ranges of many kilometers. We also have equipment for setting up wireless communication between computers inside buildings, such as hotels, offices, conference halls, airports, etc.

Do you have 5 GHz products?

Yes, we have excellent 5 GHz directional grid antennas which work for the whole frequency range from 5.1 GHz to 6.0 GHz. Using these, our customers have made connnections of 22 km! We also have a 60-degree sector antenna and a 30-degree flat antenna. These can be used as access point antennas or client antennas. We have the Outdoor Unit for 5 GHz which uses Power-Over-Ethernet and is mounted outside next to the antenna. These products conform to 802.11a standards.

We plan to produce sector antennas and omni-directional antennas for 5 GHz also.

What products does Ferimex NOT sell?

Ferimex does not sell VoIP phones or VoIP software, WiFi phones, signal amplifiers, equipment for receiving satellite or TV signals, billing or accounting software for ISPs or internet cafes, or items not related to making wireless connections.

Ferimex Antennas

What is the distance of each antenna you sell?

The distance depends on many factors, most importantly the type of antenna at the other end of the connection. The distance also depends on how much interference you have from other sources, the power of the devices you use at each end of the connection, how much loss you have on cables connecting the antennas to the devices, etc. We have a Table of Typical Distances that you can view. In perfect conditions, without amplifiers, you can get a connection of 15 kilometers with our ISM 26 HP antennas!

Does Ferimex produce the antennas?

Yes, most of the antennas you see on our web page and pricelist were designed by Ferimex and are produced by Ferimex in our own factory. Ferimex produces the Flat 9, Flat 18, Sector V12, Sector V16, ISM 15, ISM 19, ISM 24, ISM 16 HP, ISM 22 HP, ISM 24 HP, and ISM 26 HP, antennas for 2.4 GHz, and the FX 5G-24, and FX 5G-27, antennas for 5 GHz.

Ferimex antennas are very high quality. You might pay a little more than for other brands, but you won't have the problems you get with cheaper brands, which may not function well in rain or snow, or may corrode over time. It's worth spending a little extra to not have problems.

Ferimex antennas come with a mounting assembly to mount onto a pole or console.

What does HP mean?

HP means High Performance. These antennas are closer to a true paraboloid shape than the other antennas, and have more steel in the grid too. This results in a sharper focus, higher signal/noise ratio, and better resistance to interference.

Can I see information about each antenna?

Yes, on our antenna page you can click on the picture of each antenna to see parameters, photos, and diagrams for that antenna. You can click on the radiation pattern to get a large image.

I assembled the ISM antenna, but it doesn't work!

Make sure you follow the ISM antenna assembly instructions carefully. The most common mistake is to orient the plastic-cased emitter at 90 degrees from the correct orientation. It should be parallel to the lines of the metal grid. If not, the antenna will not work! Also, you can mount the whole antenna in horizontal or vertically polarization, by rotating it 90 degrees. The polarization must match the polarization of the antenna at the other end of your connection!

Which antennas should I use for an access point?

Please see our section "Building an Access Point" for discussion.

Ferimex Devices

How can I learn about all of the devices you offer?

The best way is to read the web page for each device. Choose "Client Adapters" or "Access Points" on our homepage and then click on the picture of the device you want to learn about. Also, you can download manuals for most of our devices from our Documents Page, and read about all the features.

What is the best device to connect a customer or user to the network?

The easiest and best way is to use the Ferimex Client Antenna + PoE or the Ferimex AP/Client Antenna 11g + PoE These have everything the customer needs: Our Flat 18 antenna and radio device are integrated into one waterproof product for outdoor use in all types of weather. It will work for customers up to about 2 km from an access point.

Why is the Ferimex AP/Client Antenna easy to install?

The AP/Client Antenna 11g + PoE is a completely integrated product which needs only an ethernet cable to go inside the building. The power to the device and antenna is supplied by Power-Over-Ethernet using a regular ethernet cable. If you used a regular antenna and a device, you would need thick cable from the antenna to the device inside the building, possibly requiring large holes to be drilled. You also would need a pigtail from the cable to the device, and ethernet cable from the device to the computer. Or you would have to install power outside the building.

Any other advantages of the AP/Client Antenna besides easy installation?

Yes, it also has the advantage that there is no loss on the ethernet cable going from the AP/Client Antenna into the building. The cable can be as long as 50 meters! With a regular antenna and regular cable, you have loss on the cable, and you cannot use more than 10 or 15 meters. And regular cable is ugly on your home or office building.

The AP/Client Antenna (and the Ferimex Outdoor AP/Client) also has the advantage that they are compatible with a large variety of access point devices. If you decide later to change your access point device, you won't have to change the devices of all of your customers! They will still work.

Another advantage is that you can connect several computers in the same building to the AP/Client Antenna or the Outdoor AP/Client using a switch.

The AP/Client Antenna 11g works up to 2km. I need longer distance.

You can use the Ferimex Outdoor AP/Client 11g + PoE with one of our strong ISM grid antennas, such as the ISM 26 HP antenna The Outdoor AP/Client attaches directly to the antenna, and has all the advantages listed above for the AP/Client Antenna. It is basically the same as the AP/Client Antenna, without the integrated Flat 18 antenna. It has Power-Over-Ethernet, and you only need an ethernet cable (up to 50 meters long) to go to the computer inside the building.

Can I use the AP/Client Antenna or Outdoor AP/Client at an access point?

Yes, both of these devices work great for a client site or as an access point. You just choose the operating mode by configuring the device with your web browser. Please see our section "Building an Access Point" for more information on setting up an access point.

What about the other devices I see on your web page and pricelist?

Please see the section "Connecting Customers and Users to Your Network" for discussion of many other devices.

Cables and Accessories

I need a 7-meter cable with N/M connectors at both ends. Can you make it?

Yes! On our pricelist you will see RG 213 and CFD 400 cables with N/F and N/M connectors in lengths of 5m, 10m, and 15m. These are standard. But we can make custom cables of any length and with any of the connectors we stock. Just ask.

Why should I use the thick RG 213 cable, when you offer thinner and cheaper cables, such as RG 174 and RG 58?

Thicker cable has much less signal loss. For example, if you use a 10-meter cable, the thick RG 213 has 2,3 db loss. Even better is the CFD 400 low-loss cable. The thinner RG 58 cable has 5,8 db loss.

How long can the cable be between the antenna and the device inside the building?

We don't recommend more than 15 meters of RG 213 cable. The longer the cable, the more loss of signal you get. If you need more than 15 meters, you should use our Outdoor AP/Client 11g + PoE, or AP/Client Antenna 11g + PoE, which use ethernet cable to go into the building. Ethernet cable has negligible loss, and can be up to 50 meters long.

Building Access Points

What equipment do I need for a basic access point?

You need an omni-directional antenna that sends the signal 360 degrees. You can use our OMNI V antenna or our OMNI H antenna. Then you need an access point device, the SparkLAN WAPR-141. The antenna is mounted outside, and the device is placed inside. You need a cable with connectors and one pigtail to connect the antenna to the device, or a just a pigtail up to 5 meters.

Which antenna should I choose for the access point?

The OMNI V has vertical polarization, and the OMNI H has horizontal polarization. The Omni V has slightly greater gain, and is cheaper, so we recommend it unless you must have horizontal polarization. In some cases you may have interference that is stronger in one polarization than the other. Then you should choose the antenna with the opposite polarization. If you do not need 360-degree coverage, you can also choose our Sector H90, (90 degrees), Sector H180, (180 degrees), Sector V16 (60 degrees), or Flat 18 (30 degrees).

Which device should I use?

The SparkLAN WAPR-141 is a very nice access point device using the 802.11g standard (54 Mbps). It is cheap and flexible. You can read all the details on the web page for that device. For easier installation, you should use our Ferimex Outdoor AP/Client 11g + PoE, which is installed outside next to the antenna, and receives power and signal through ethernet cable using Power-Over-Ethernet. The advantage of this is that you have no signal loss on regular cable, and no installation problems with thick cable, as you would using one of the devices mentioned above. Also, the ethernet cable can be up to 50 meters, while regular cable should not be more than 15 meters due to signal loss.

These access point devices can handle up to about 30 customers.

What if I have more than 30 customers for one access point?

You could use the Sector H 2x180 antenna, which has two independent 180-degree sectors built in, and two connectors, so you attach an access point device to each of the connectors. Then you could handle 60 customers with one access point. There is also the Sector H 4x90 antenna with 4 independent 90-degree sectors, and 4 connectors, to handle up to 120 customers. Or for the strongest possible access point, with the most possible customers, use 6 pieces of our Sector V16 antenna connected to 6 devices, to handle 180 customers and to get about 50% more distance than the OMNI V antenna.

With these devices alone, can I control the speed of each customer and count the data sent from/to each customer?

No. Using only the devices above, your customers will be competing with each other for the bandwidth, and you have no control over the bandwidth of individual customers. If you use our Traffic Manager 2.0 to the access point, you can do all kinds of customer control of speed, data volume, customer groupings, etc. It is ideal for an ISP to manage customers. It can manage all the customers on your network, not only the ones that connect to this access point. Each Traffic Manager can do traffic shaping for about 70 customers.

How far away can the users be from this basic access point?

Users (customers or clients) can be up to 3 kilometers away if they use our best antenna, the ISM 26 HP. There must be line-of-sight from the access point to the customer, and there must not be bad interference in your area. Clients should not connect to the access point using only a wireless card in their PC or laptop. They need an external outdoor antenna.

What if I have customers that are more than 3km away?

1) You can build another access point close to the customers. 2) Or you can add a directional antenna such as our ISM 26 HP at the access point, and serve the customer with this strong antenna instead of with the omni-directional (weaker) antenna. But the ISM antennas have only a 9-degree horizontal range, so the distant customers must all be within 9 degrees. 3) You can use an amplifier, but this is illegal in many countries, and causes a lot of interference for other people and for you! Ferimex does not sell amplifiers or give any advice about using them.

How do I add another access point in another location, to my network?

You build the access point in the same way as the first one. Then you connect the access points together using two dedicated directional antennas, such as the ISM 26 HP. You should not make connections between access points using sector or omni-directional antennas. This can result in an unstable network and weak signal to your access point, which in turn gives a weak signal to all the customers of that access point.

Do I need a computer at every access point?

No. You only need to have electrical power at every access point. For example, let us say you have a remote access point with an OMNI V antenna and an Outdoor AP/Client 11g + PoE, to provide customers with connections, and an ISM 26 HP antenna and Outdoor AP/Client 11g to make the connection to your headquarters or the next access point. You can connect the power supplies of the two Outdoor APs together with a crossover ethernet cable, with no computer. Power is supplied to the two Outdoor APs by ethernet cable going into the building where you have the Power-Over-Ethernet power supplies connected to electricity and to each other.

Connecting Customers and Users to Your Network

Which antenna should I use for a customer?

This depends on many factors, mainly the distance from the customer to the access point, and the type of antenna at the access point. Please look at our Table of Typical Distances to see the distance you can achieve between any pair of Ferimex antennas. In general, if the access point has an omni-directional or sector antenna, then customers very close (less than 500 meters) can use our Flat 9, or Sector V12, antennas. Customers far from the access point (up to 3 km) should use our ISM 26 HP directional antenna. Customers between these distances can use antennas with gains of 19 to 24 dB.

We do not recommend that customers connect to an outdoor access point or hotspot using only a wireless card in their PC or laptop. This can work only if the customer is very close to the hotspot, less than 200 meters. Customers need an outdoor antenna connected by cable or pigtail to their computer.

Does a customer only need an antenna to connect to the network?

No, the customer also needs a wireless device (radio) connected between the antenna and his computer. He needs a cable (and possibly a pigtail too, see details below) to connect the antenna to the device. Then the device is connected to the computer using normal ethernet cable.

What are the choices of devices for customers?

This depends on what is most important for you, as the manager of the network or ISP:

1) Do you want the lowest possible cost, which means you will have more work doing the installation and more work solving connection problems of your customers? And you will have less flexibility to change your access points later.

2) Or do you want to pay a little more for the equipment for each customer, and have very easy installation and very few problems later, and more flexibility to modify your network later, without changing the customer's equipment?

The choice is yours, but you need to decide before connecting customers.

Ok, I want to spend a little more money, but have much less work and fewer problems later. What devices do I use for the customer?

You should use the Ferimex AP/Client Antenna 11g + PoE, wherever possible. This is for customers less than 2 km from the access point. See our section on Ferimex Devices for many reasons why the AP/Client Antenna is the best solution.

For customers more than 2 km from the access point, you should use the Ferimex Outdoor AP/Client 11g + PoE, and the ISM 26 HP antenna. Again, see the section Ferimex Devices for many reasons why this is the best solution.

I want to have a cheaper solution for my customers. What are the choices?

For the cheaper solutions, the customer's outdoor antenna cannot be more than 15 meters from the indoor devices listed below, and it is better if they are only 10 meters or less. This is because of signal loss on cables. If you need more than 15 meters of cable, you must use one of the Outdoor Devices with Power-over-Ethernet.

1) SparkLAN WAPR-141 This device is connected to the antenna by RG213 cable with connectors and an SMA reverse polarity pigtail, or by just a pigtail, if you only need 5 meters or less. It can be used to connect several computers to the antenna (using a switch).

2) SparkLAN WL-660 PCI card: This is the cheapest solution, but it has the most disadvantages and the most problems for the managers of the ISP! The antenna connects directly to the card by RG 213 cable with connectors and a pigtail. It only works for PCs, not for notebooks or switches. Solution 1 will work for PCs and notebooks and switches. When your customer has a connection problem, there is no way for the ISP to find out where the problem is! It could be in the antenna, in the cable, in the card, or in the computer (drivers, card slot, etc). It can be a big headache for the ISP to help customers who are connected by this method, so beware!

Can customers who are close to the access point use only a wireless card in their computer, without any external antenna outside the building?

We do not recommend connections from outdoor access points to customers who do not have an external antenna outside! It might be possible, but it depends on the specific situation. In some cases if the computer is near the window, and the access point is clearly visible less than 200 meters away, it might be possible to use only a card. But he will have a better connection with a small antenna, such as our Flat 9, or Sector V12. This could be placed inside the building right at the window (although some window glass has metal in it, and it won't work).

Problems such as Bad Signal, Interference, Line-of-Sight

What can I do if I don't have Line-of-Sight for my connection?

Wireless connections need to have line-of-sight between the two antennas, unless the antennas are very close to each other. This means there cannot be buildings, hills, or large trees directly between the antennas. The solution is to position the antennas so they can see each other, or to make another access point or relay point between the two endpoints, in a location which can "see" both of the antennas directly. It might also be possible to place the antennas on a different part of the building to get line-of-sight.

What can I do if I have a bad signal on my connection?

Bad connections are the most common problems for ISPs. There are many possible causes.

  1. Check all the cables and connectors for corrosion from weather or for loose connections. Be sure to wrap all connectors with weather-proof tape when you install!
  2. Check the polarization of the two antennas at each end of the connection. They must be the same, either horizontal or vertical. For example, with an OMNI V antenna at the access point, all customers must have antennas in vertical polarization.
  3. If you are using an ISM antenna, make sure it is assembled correctly, with the white plastic-cased emmitter oriented parallel to the metal grids, as shown on our ISM antenna assembly instructions.
  4. Check that there is line-of-sight with no obstacles between.
  5. Check that the antennas are pointing in exactly the right direction. Try moving the antenna slightly to see if you get a better signal.
  6. Check that devices at both ends are functioning properly.
  7. If you still have problems, it is possible you have bad 2,4 GHz interference from other sources. See the next question.

What can I do if there is too much interference?

First, check all of the possible problems listed in the previous question, because you may have one of those problems, and not bad interference. Some devices, such as the SparkLAN WAPR-141. can run a "site survey" to do signal diagnostics to tell you if you have interference. Solutions are, from the cheapest to the most expensive:

  1. For a 2,4 GHz connection you have the choice of horizontal or vertical polarization. Try the other polarization. (You must change both ends of the connection). The interference might not be as bad.
  2. Use a stronger antenna at the customer. Use our "HP" High Performance ISM antennas for better resistance to interference.
  3. Use a stronger antenna at the access point. Or change from a Sector/Omni antenna serving many customers, to a dedicated directional ISM antenna for that one customer who has a problem.
  4. Use an amplifier. But this is not legal in most countries! Ferimex does not sell amplifiers.
  5. Build an access point closer to the customer who is having the problem, to make a shorter-distance connection.
  6. For the backbone of your network (connections between access points), never use point-to-multipoint connections. Always use dedicated directional antennas at both ends.

Other Questions about Connections and Networks

I want to make a 30 kilometer connection between two points, but I don't have line-of-sight. What can I do?

Please see our description of relay points.

Designing your Network

I want to set up a wireless ISP in my city with 10 km range. Please send me the complete list of all the equipment I need, and the total price.

We get this request several times per week! This question shows that you don't know much about wireless networks. Please go read the "Basics" section again! We can't just make a list of equipment and give you a total price, without a detailed analysis of your situation. Each situation has specific geometries, equipment needs, and problems. And you have to understand all the equipment and and how you will use it, before you buy it. You should read carefully all of the information on this FAQ page, including how to build access points, and how to connect customers. Then you will know how to choose antennas and devices for your network, and you can estimate the total cost using our pricelist.

If you have some specific questions after reading everything in this FAQ, then send them to us. And if you want Ferimex to design your network for you (for a fee of course), read the answers below.

I want to set up a wireless network or ISP. Is it difficult?

If you don't have any experience with wireless networks, it is a lot of work to design and install a network. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as network topology, number and location of access points, interference, obstacles to line-of-sight, types of devices, antennas, cables, and accessories to use for access points and customers, etc. A lot of practical problems always occur, too. You really need to have someone with experience at your site to help you.

Can Ferimex help me design and setup my network?

Ferimex has many years of experience designing and installing wireless networks. This is our business! We can answer simple and short questions by email, free of charge. But if you need more than an hour of advice, we need to charge you for our engineers' time, because they have a lot of projects to work on. The rate is 30 Euros per hour.

Can you send a Ferimex engineer to my country to help set up my network?

Yes, we can send one or two of our engineers to help with your project. They can teach you in detail how to use all the products that you have purchased from us. They can configure the devices, install and align antennas, check for interference, and even design your whole network for you, on site. The rate is 30 Euros per hour (240 Euros per day) for each engineer, plus travel and lodging expenses. This is really the best solution if you need help, because it is difficult for Ferimex to correctly design your network without being at the site.

Can I come to Ferimex in Slovakia to learn about wireless networks?

Yes. We will show you all of our products and explain them to you for an hour or two, free of charge. If you would like detailed explanations, training, and tours of our installed networks, you can come to our training school for two days. The cost is 240 Euros per day plus VAT tax. You can send two or three people to the school at no extra charge, and we schedule the school on a date convenient for you.

FAQ written by Eric Peterson., PhD.



Read the important FAQ with answers to our customers' questions.

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