Extending coverage to my shop 500ft. from my home.

[Rob B.]

I'm trying to find the best solution to provide WIFI at my shop. I have an ethernet adaptor and an additional starlink mesh node. I also have Google wifi pods, but they dont seem to work well with Starlink. Can I run a 500ft ethernet connection to my shop and then directly hardwire the starlink mesh node, or does the starlink mesh node have to be within the wifi range in order to function? Is there another solution that I am not thinking of to bridge this distance problem?  

[RicochetStarlink]

@Rob B.,

1. Ethernet cables are limited to 100m (~300ft) in length or less (see https://www.howtogeek.com/813419/how-long-can-an-ethernet-cable-be/). The longer the cable gets, the more likely you are to have some type of signal interference from other sources. Now, if you run a 100m cable to an Ethernet switch, you can plug in another 100m cable giving 200m (~600ft).  However, that means you need a standard power outlet for the switch. This all becomes problematic in a hurry.
2. The Starlink Mesh Routers cannot be connected using an Ethernet cable. They connected wirelessly over the WiFi signal. However, it's unlikely that you could get two mesh routers to connect if they are 500ft apart.

Another alternative would be to use a device like the Unify U6 Long-Range Access Point -- which can send a signal up to 2,000 ft and retails for $179 -- to send a wireless signal from your home to the shop. This would be connected by an Ethernet cable to the Starlink Ethernet Adapter on your primary router. It is powered by POE (Power Over Ethernet) and uses a power injector that plugs into the cable between your Starlink Router and the U6. You'll need two standard Ethernet cables -- one from the Starlink to the injector and another from the injector to the U6. The injector will need to be within a few feet of a standard power outlet.

Ubiquity Networks has other more powerful options including matching point-to-point wireless antennas such as their Building Bridge that could be used. However, you will need two devices (i.e., one at each end of the 500ft run), they cost more ($499/ea retail), each devices needs a standard power outlet and you'll also need an Access Point at the shop. This kind of solution gets pretty pricey (e.g., approaching $1,500) and is likely far more power than you will need.

There are other vendors out there than can provide similar equipment. However, I have had good luck with Ubiquiti's devices and they tend to be more affordable.

Hope this helps.