OK Johnny Mac that is exactly what I was looking for to help understand this.
Did all kinds of Rural stuff working to get people internet access back when I had my computer service business. There were certain areas that turned out to be dead holes where the different internet service providers could not quite reach.
Does your Dad get good cell phone service at his house? Probably not. Wifi hotspots are available off our cell phones if you have a good signal. Telephone DSL service needs to be at least 3 miles from the switch box in the area, otherwise the signal over the wire drops off.
Wi-Max can push the signal 7 miles if you can get up over the trees.
See there are trees around there, 30' tall trees are hard to send the Wi-Max signal around. About the only idea is if your source signal is 100' up off the ground or higher like a Cell Tower, then you put the reciever dish up on the roof of your Dads house and grab the signal direct as high as you can get it.. As long as you can get line of sight over the trees. Trees are even worse when the leaves all fill out even blocking the signal more.
Not always easy getting service to homes in the Rural areas, If you have a good strong signal there at your home that is a good start. Maybe you can send your Dad a Wifi signal from your home router and and external wifi antenna if you can get it out past the tree line.
