Hey there.
I’m working on a project that involves an Arduino and some sensors sitting in the middle of a field sending data back to a web server. I was trying to figure out a way to do this, and I was thinking of using an esp8266 to send the data.
Any ideas on something better to use?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Good idea! It looks very much the same as project posted yesterday.
Hey, thanks! Any idea where I can find this project, and any suggestions?
There’s a lot more that goes into my idea, just didn’t want to share too much! 
Does the web server have a database that you can use?
You can do the HTTP GET and POST thing.
It does, but the problem is that it won’t be connected to wifi or anything since it’s outside.
Would it still work out there without wifi?
What's "out there" mean?
It would be in my backyard somewhere. Not connected to wifi but there’s still service.
but i’m also going to try and expand the distance.
if you want the full project idea, you can DM me.
Another idea: Get 2 esp’s and create an access point with one, and use the other to connect to that ap and upload the data to the web.
Do you think that would work?
I have 12 ESP32's throughout the property that do various functions. The ESP32's send their data to a RPi (Raspberry Pi) using MQTT. The RPi does several server thingies, like run the MQTT Broker, server. On the RPi I have a Python program running as a go between the ESP32's, and the database on my website.
From my web site I can view the various data available to me and adjust the HVAC settings or cause the house plants to receive fertilizer with their next automated watering.
Yes, a ESP32 can serve as an access point.
Sounds cool! I think I’m gonna use the 2 esp’s, one serving as an access point and the other connecting to it and uploading.
Thanks for all the help, and good luck in your future projects!
What does that mean?
Why would he? On these fora, you discuss the project in full if you want to get anywhere. If you want private, paid help there is a "Gigs and Collaborations" forum for such. I don't know whether idahowalker is offering that. 
Once you involve WiFi, you swap to the ESP - 8266 or 32 as it suits. You can then forget using Arduinos as such, the ESP is just fine for reading sensors and the like.
But how is the "access point" going to connect to the Internet?
It means it’s in a yard where there’s cell service but no wifi.
You don’t need to know exactly what sensors I’m using here. If I wanted help with the other elements I would have asked. I’m not asking for any private help or anything, I was just letting him know that if he was interested in the project he could talk to me.
That’s where I need your help.
Assuming you already have an access point set up somewhere on the property, you could experiment with a directional antenna to extend WiFi range in a specific direction. If you do it on both ends, you can extend WiFi range considerably, so you don't need that intermediate relay. I remember back when WiFi first appeared people very quickly started experimented with Pringles cans as directional antennas; worked very well indeed.
A bit confusing.....
You have no wifi available....
But want to connect to wifi?
Did you mean to say your attempts to connect to your wifi were unsuccessful?
It would seem the question might be how to have a device in the back yard that is 93 meters away from the wifi router? Doing the homework of measuring.
My first question would be if you loaded a sniffer sketch and used an external antenna and measured the wifi signal at the desired distance. With the ESP high enough to be line of sight?
My second thought would be to put one ESP under the eve of the house out of the rain, with antenna? As high as possibe and in line of sight of the other sensor.
YouTube has some videos showing what others have done regarding distance with ESPs. Some pretty great distances.
Search for arduino mesh network
I'd offer that LoRa could do longer distances, but you have selected the device you are using, so that would not be considered.
Alright, I’ll try that.
I’m working on expanding the distance though, so I might need to just create a chain of antennas to direct the range.
Nah, that's not going to work. They'd have to be repeaters.
You could stop guessing.
What distance?
How much data?
Frequently of transmission?
Bidirectional?
Or are you just sending, 'now'
Google X/Y PROBLEM
And see if your choice of boards was the optimum
I figured it out. I’m going to use a GSM module to send the data.
Sounds silly. I'd just go for something like LoRa then. Unless your device travels through the country there's no clearly added benefit to using GSM for this. Several drawbacks though.