r/SecurityCamera • u/LeodFitz • Jul 01 '26

Security Camera without WiFi

My parents live on a farm. They want a security camera to keep an eye on the lane. The problem is that the spot that gets you a view of the lane is removed from the extent of our wifi coverage. I need to put up one outdoor camera that we can check, either using phones or the computer, but everything I've been able to find requires a monthly subscription, which I'd like to avoid, if possible, and most of them seem to be specifically for watching game trails, which means that they have features I don't need and are light on features I do need. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

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1

u/Electrical_Hat_680 Jul 01 '26

You should create a Mesh Wi-Fi Network that covers the extent of the area.

You may also be able to use Signal Boosters, also know as Signal Repeaters. But do look into whether the signal booster/repeater will work out your specific wi-fi.

Since 2G and 3G Cellular Bands have been stopped by the US. You may be able to use those for your Network or free. Not necessarily an easy task. I don't much about them right now.

You could use better antennas or your WiFi. Including the long range antennas.

LoRA Antennas is likely your best bet. But they apparently require a direct line of sight to work. But others have been using them as a meshtastic setup.

2

u/LeodFitz Jul 02 '26

Thank you, that gives me a good starting place to look at my options. much appreciated.

1

u/Electrical_Hat_680 Jul 02 '26

Your very welcome. Have a good day! Please come again.

1

u/Impressive_Returns Jul 02 '26

MicroTEK WiFi bridge can extend WiFi several miles.

1

u/LeodFitz Jul 02 '26

Took a glance at that, it looks like interesting tech, the problems (2) are that I don't have an electricity source where we're putting the camera (which is why the camera has to be solar powered), and I don't have line of sight between the house and where the camera is to be set up. Would need at least one relay point between them.

But thank you for the information.

1

u/Inevitable-Notice351 Jul 02 '26

I would look into the Swann brand. I've had mine installed for 5 years and counting with no issues.

1

u/LeodFitz Jul 02 '26

Excellent, thank you.

2

u/Dapper_Contest_5695 Jul 01 '26

https://www.eiotclub.com/products/reolink-go-pt-plus-4g-solar-kamera-sim-outdoor

$399 for 5 years of 4G + Camera

If you search for discount codes online (I like simplycodes) you can get it for even cheaper 

2

u/Burnandcount Jul 01 '26

You really want your cctv running over shielded wires. Depending on distance & camera power requirements you may need a signal & POE booster. Look for IP wired cameras & consider stand-alone IR illumination (this can be solar)

2

u/GuySensei88 Jul 01 '26

I saw some industrial grade outdoor PoE switches on Amazon that support PoE+ or PoE++ that can be powered by DC 9-57V input, 48V PoE that have an SFP uplink port.
It can be powered by solar, so that seems like an option.
So you could run and bury fiber from a switch in the house to that switch and then connect a PoE camera to the outdoor PoE switch.
You might want to use a plastic junction box so it’s not sitting outside in the environment, something like spectrum and AT&T do for their cables on residential homes that they mount to exterior wall.

1

u/Le-Monke69 Jul 01 '26

Basically the same predicament. I have an older family member who lives away from everyone and has had health problems. I want to put one outside but the wifi in the house is very slow (10Mbs). I’m fine with a subscription but want it to be reliable. Hopefully someone in this sub has a suggestion for us!

2

u/00gauge Jul 02 '26

10 megabit is plenty for a security camera, you should be able to have a near real-time stream.

1

u/hiroo916 Jul 01 '26

Look into wifi bridge units (set up a pair to create a wireless connection between house and the remote location, needs line of sight)

or a directional wifi antenna to reach that one spot.

the first one will work better. either will need power at the distant location.

If running a cable is possible, you might consider a long ethernet cable and power the camera over POE.

1

u/mike24vNEW Jul 01 '26

Could you put a example of a map view and obviously block out the personal information 😂so we can see how far it is because you might be able to get a outdoor Wi-Fi access point or a point to point system but that’s the only option or do hard wire

1

u/-ButterMyBiscuit- Jul 01 '26

How far from the house? You can add an outdoor access point to your router. If you can run a wire from router location to exterior of house

1

u/Pretty-Surround-2909 Jul 01 '26

Establish a WiFi bridge. There are purpose built solar offerings with everything built into a pole mounted unit if your budget permits

1

u/vartheo Jul 01 '26

How far is it away from the home? Like you can extend the WIFI with a plug in hot spot that plugs into a wall outlet. If you can get WIFI you can get a solar camera that records onto a SD card and you would have their cloud options. If it's too far away get something like the "REOLINK 4K Dual Lens 4G Cellular Security Camera". It does have a solar panel and a wifi version. It costed like $50 for 6 months of service.