Kart club, sending times and ranking over to a small laptop at padock. What to use?

marc512 · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:44

Hi there, the kart club im in (ESKC) is doing a lot of changes to the track at the moment. They are thinking of placing a small cabin at the paddock area so people dont have to goto the control tower to find out what place they start the grid on.
But they have hit a problem with that idea. They dont know how to connect the main laptop up to the laptop which is about 80-100M away.
What would be the best solution to connect them? Bluetooth, Infared, very long wire of some sort?

Thanks,

Confused · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:58

The best way would be a network cable.

Second-best might be a wireless network - but that might be a bit flaky.

marc512 · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:03

could you point me i the right direction in what network cables to use? i see lots of different kinds.I see, usb, optical fiber, Ethernet. I think ethernet might be best but i dunno.

daz · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:08

Line of sight directional antenna for wi-fi.

marc512 · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:10

daz said:
Line of sight directional antenna for wi-fi.

We dont have internet at the track. Or is this something different?

Duke · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:24

Assuming you currently have just one standalone PC, you'll need a 10/100 network switch, a short ethernet cable for the original PC and a long length for the laptop (you can only go max 100m before needing a boost). Wireless would be easier than running a cable which could get damaged. You would need to buy an access point (maybe with directional antenna), which plugs into the switch via ethernet. The laptop then picks up the wireless, as if it was a normal home wireless router.

You then need to set a static IP on each system and join the same workgroup so they can 'see' each other on the network - best to look up basic networking though for a guide

You could use a router as it will do the networking side for you though, just won't make use of the Internet side if its not going on the web.

marc512 · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:32

Duke, There are 3 laptops. I realised i said "Pc" instead of laptop. Sorry for the confusion. But the wireless thing will still work right? Also we want it cost effecting. We dont want to be spending a lot because there are much more things to be done.

The cable will be running along with with other wires ( for lights and stuff ) We dont need anything seriously fast, it will only be transfering letters and numbers. Averaged results file is 100kb. So i guess live feed would probly be abit less.

El_Watcher · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:35

Do you have the software that will allow the data to be transferred from PC to laptop? This may also determine what transfer cables are supported.

marc512 · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:39

Its laptop to laptop el watcher. Yes we have software, they transfer from the 2 laptops in the control tower via bluetooth. Just we need something to transfer live feed from control tower to the pits

VeNT · 27 Nov 2009 at 11:06

cantena!

marc512 · 27 Nov 2009 at 11:31

cantena sounds good

all i need is a pringles can

Duke · 27 Nov 2009 at 13:26

marc512 said:
Duke, There are 3 laptops. I realised i said "Pc" instead of laptop. Sorry for the confusion. But the wireless thing will still work right? Also we want it cost effecting. We dont want to be spending a lot because there are much more things to be done.

The cable will be running along with with other wires ( for lights and stuff ) We dont need anything seriously fast, it will only be transfering letters and numbers. Averaged results file is 100kb. So i guess live feed would probly be abit less.

Yeah will be fine. The smallest switches have 5 ports so will be plenty whether you do wireless or not

Tui · 27 Nov 2009 at 18:56

If you're already using bluetooth and don't want to worry about cables or loss of power, you might want to check out:
http://www.merlinsystemscorp.co.uk/msc/shop.html?limit=all

and get a Parani UD100 Bluetooth USB dongle. Using just the stub antenna that comes with it will probably be on the limit of your range but fitting a 3db dipole antenna will double this or, if the line of sight is parallel to the ground, the 9db omni antenna should let you go several hundred metres.

startrek2 · 27 Nov 2009 at 20:40

or if the electric is on same ring main you ccould use a powerline connector kit or as suggested lay a cat 5 cable along the lines already there

Rroff · 27 Nov 2009 at 20:46

Even fairly generic wireless network equipement can manage 100m outdoors with a half decent line of sight... a simple dish/directional system would manage that if not... some of the fairly old wireless 11Mbit stuff can manage 1-2Mbit still outdoors at 1000feet with line of sight.