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Seth11
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# Posted: 25 Jul 2025 10:30pm
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Greetings to all the prepared
I'm looking for help finding a good affordable (under $200) battery powered outdoor long range access point for a off-grid LAN security camera setup. I have some experience with this setup, as I have assembled this LAN system on my job site with a indoor AC powered router. I have 5 PoE cameras in and around my factory that are accessible locally only (NO INTERNET ACCESS). This prevents someone from hacking into my system over the Internet.
When I am off my land I will have one or two cameras accessible over a separate cellular network to keep an eye on my place. But when I'm on my land I don't need my cameras accessible over the Internet
I would prefer not to use solar panels because they are extremely visible and, to some degree reveal my camera placement. Ideally I'd like the outdoor access-point /router to contain a replaceable rechargeable battery that I can easily swap out. But ultimately that is not necessary, I can use a separate lifepo4 battery pack if needed
I have done some minimal research on Ubiquiti, TP-Link etc.., but don't want to make that plunge before I get advice from the experts.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2025 07:51am
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So you essentially want a NVR system that dosnt have internet acess? Idk if you will find them for under $200. You can use solar cellular PTZ setups for under $200 with a year subscription.
I'm not sure the benefit of someone hacking your camera when theres billions of other cameras and other devices on the internet.
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Seth11
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2025 05:21pm
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No, i record to the SD card and never had any problems with that system in 5 years. Although I might add a NVR as a backup
I'm looking to setup the same system I have at my factory, which is basically a normal 5 camera home security system that is not accessible over the Internet. But I want to do that over a much wider area, on my off-grid land where I plan to build a cabin or put a trailer, or both
I've read too many stories on how easy it is to hack a online home security system, which allows the unauthorized to view virtually everything you are doing in your home. And also allows them to know when your are not home
And, I've read many cameras made in China are known to connect to a server in China, which gives that server the ability to spy on everything you do in your home without you knowing it.. That's a bit creepy if nothing else. If your Chinese made cameras require you to be on the Internet for your cameras to function properly you are probably being "monitored" by the Chinese spy pervs. I have Amcrest cameras which function perfectly offline with no problem
The fact is, everything connected to the Internet can be hacked, and the only way to 100% prevent that is to get that system off the Internet.
As I said, when I'm on my property I have absolutely no reason to make my cameras available over the Internet. It's a totally unnecessary risk without any benefit.
I do want a separate small system available over the Internet for when I am not on the property. That will be a 4G LTE cellular system, and will probably include a RC car/vehicle with a cellular camera attached so I can drive around and view my entire property from virtually any place in the world. A mobile camera (via RC car or drone) is a huge benefit
But that cellular LTE system will be shut down when I enter my property, and my offline security system, which will be LOCAL ONLY (i.e. 100% unhackable over the Internet) will take over when I'm on my property
Therefore, to increase the local range on my property to many hundreds of yards, I need a long distance outdoor access-point to connect all my cameras to. Or...as I was recently thinking, maybe a outdoor LAN mesh network which would require multiple access points that create a mesh network over my property, which would give me several square miles of local access range. These long distance LAN networks also function for local phone calls with your smartphone within the parameters of your networks range, much easier and more private than using CBs or walkie talkies
Many different brands now offer routers/access points with mesh network capabilities, but most of them are not outdoor systems. I'm a noob looking for those experienced with these systems so I can avoid potential unseen problems
Considering how volatile the world is getting, it's a good idea to start working on the SHTF plan. Better too early than too late
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jsahara24
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# Posted: 28 Jul 2025 08:22am
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I'm not sure about square miles of coverage, but I recently got an outdoor rated access point to send internet to my barn and guest house. Wavlink is the brand I got, but I think there are other options too.
I mounted it on the side of my house, it is powered by power over ethernet so I just ran a cat6 cable to it. I did a test by driving up into my field until I lost reception and it was around 200 yards. I think if I can get it higher up on my house it may work better, but it meets my current needs so I am happy with it.
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Seth11
Member
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# Posted: 28 Jul 2025 01:48pm - Edited by: Seth11
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Wavlink is one I was looking at. But I'm trying to avoid the need for AC power. I can use a inverter if necessary, but that just wastes excessive DC power during conversion to AC. I like the idea of everything running on DC power. People who do the "Van Life" (live in their van) usually have everything running off of DC, including the refrigerator and air conditioner. That's my ultimate goal
My land is off-grid, therefore, initially, everything will be powered by Lifpo4 batteries and/or a "wood gas" powered electric generator, with some solar and wind power. You can power a large house off of a wood gas electric generator, and even convert a gasoline engine to run off of wood gas.
I suspect when WW3 starts, gas & oil prices will shoot through the roof. I'm planning on getting a older model pickup truck to run off of wood gas
https://www.lelandwest.com/blog/listing.asp?2020/11/firewood-powered-vehicles-the-ori ginal-alternative-fuel
I will start small and work my way up. This is a slow journey, and technology will probably change as I proceed
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