Wireless Link Calculator
Enter the distance and mount heights. We check every kit we sell against the path: signal margin, Fresnel-zone clearance and range. Then we show the ones that will work.
Every kit we checked
| Kit | Verdict | Speed | Margin | Why |
|---|
These are estimates. The ground between the buildings is taken as a straight slope with the one hill, tree line or roof you entered; rolling terrain or several obstacles can change the answer. Speeds are real-world estimates (about 60% of the radio's link rate). When in doubt, ask us before you buy.
How the calculator decides
For every kit we sell, it works out three things for your link:
- Signal margin. How much stronger the received signal is than the weakest signal the radio can still use. We call a link solid at 20 dB or more, because rain, leaves and interference take some of it away on a bad day.
- Fresnel-zone clearance. A radio signal travels in a football-shaped zone around the straight line between the antennas, not along a thin beam. At least 60% of that zone has to be clear of trees, roofs and the ground for the link to work at all, and we only call a link solid at 80%, because trees grow and sway and anything inside the zone costs signal on a bad day. On long links the curve of the earth counts too, and so does a hill or a building that sits higher than the other.
- Range. We hold each kit to 60% of the manufacturer's rated distance. Datasheet ranges assume perfect conditions; ours assume a real yard.
Frequently asked questions
How far can a wireless bridge reach?
It depends on the radios and on what's between them. Small 2.4 GHz kits are happiest under about half a mile. 5 GHz dish and sector kits reach several miles with a clear view. 60 GHz kits carry gigabit speeds but only over short distances, because oxygen and rain absorb the signal.
Do I need a clear line of sight?
Yes. Each radio has to be able to "see" the other one, with the Fresnel zone mostly clear. A single tree in the middle of the path can cut a link that works in winter but fails when the leaves come in. If the calculator says the zone is blocked, raising the mounts is usually cheaper than a bigger radio.
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 60 GHz?
2.4 GHz goes through a few leaves better but is crowded and slower. 5 GHz is the best all-round choice for most homes, farms and shops. 60 GHz is for short, clear links where you need fibre-like speed.
What does "point-to-multipoint" mean?
One radio at the main building serves several remote buildings, each with its own small radio. Choose it if you're connecting more than one outbuilding. A point-to-point kit links exactly two buildings.
Is the result a guarantee?
No, it's an engineering estimate. It treats the ground between the buildings as a straight slope with one hill, tree line or roof on it, so rolling terrain, metal roofs and local interference can change the real result. If you're unsure, ask us. We can look at your site with you before you buy.