WiFi boosters
This was buried in the Skype string. I am in the market for an amplifier to
boost my range/reception/speed of the wifi here at my base marina and en
route (I am still working 30-60 hrs weekly, and the 'puter and cellphone are my
tools). Three liveaboards here swoon over this unit
http://www.ubnt.com/products/ns2.php (http://www.ubnt.com/products/ns2.php) for $$ and performance,
but it is a tethered device and setup is waay complicated. It apparently
will boost access to several miles and has ~600 mw power. Has a 12vdc power
supply (this makes wiring into your system easier) and connector box, a
mast-mounted slab (that is partially directional), and feeds into your ethernet
port. Essentially duplicates your internal wifi card. Costs ~$90 on eBay.
Claims to be able to be used unthered as a wifi access point, but I do not know
of it's capability here. I have not yet purchased it for this reason as my
laptop usage does not have a consistent location (aft cabin, dinette, salon,
flybridge - I draw the line at the head!).
Anybody know this unit? Have another one you like better? Thanks. Jim
In a message dated 2/5/2009 12:00:54 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
trawlers-and-trawlering-request@lists.samurai.com writes:
We're installing a www.5milewifi.com booster for the boat. Remember that
with WiFi you have about a 30 foot
**************Stay up to date on the latest news - from sports scores to
stocks and so much more. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000022)
I am not familiar with these units but would add a few things I do know about
using WiFi while cruising. A directional antenna will be fine at the dock and
if that is the only place you plan to use it is actually superior. But at
anchor they are useless. Any movement of the boat and the signal is lost. Any
equipment that acts as a "bridge" is going to be complicated to set up and
use. If you have some background here you will be OK, but most novices find it
very frustrating and problematic. If you plan to stay in one spot, again, this
set up once working will do well. But if traveling, the constant need to
change connections will require a new set up each time you move. A simple Wifi
adapter such as we use is simple, quick, plug and play and inexpensive. I am
sending this over our adapter and although it is connected to the computer via
USB and limited to locations in the boat, it has not been a problem and the
antenna can be moved around as well. Chuck
To follow our adventures, go to
JHWardJr@aol.com wrote:
This was buried in the Skype string. I am in the market for an amplifier to
boost my range/reception/speed of the wifi here at my base marina and en
route (I am still working 30-60 hrs weekly, and the 'puter and cellphone are my
tools). Three liveaboards here swoon over this unit
http://www.ubnt.com/products/ns2.php (http://www.ubnt.com/products/ns2.php) for $$ and performance,
but it is a tethered device and setup is waay complicated. It apparently
will boost access to several miles and has ~600 mw power. Has a 12vdc power
supply (this makes wiring into your system easier) and connector box, a
mast-mounted slab (that is partially directional), and feeds into your ethernet
port. Essentially duplicates your internal wifi card. Costs ~$90 on eBay.
Claims to be able to be used unthered as a wifi access point, but I do not know
of it's capability here. I have not yet purchased it for this reason as my
laptop usage does not have a consistent location (aft cabin, dinette, salon,
flybridge - I draw the line at the head!).
Anybody know this unit? Have another one you like better? Thanks. Jim
Jim, I use an engenius wireless bridge, it's ECB3220, I have it
connected to a Digital antenna 10db antenna with the recommended
low-loss Digital cable. I used it at our marina when we were weekend
boaters- it worked great. Now that we're cruising, I've had experience
using the bridge from upper NY state to the Keys. I can unequivocally
say that for a cruising boat, it is a total waste, way more trouble to
connect than it's worth, that is when there's an open AP. Nowadays, the
majority of AP's are locked up, so you can't connect even if you can see
them. I can frequently see 10 or more, sometimes in metro areas I can
pick up as many as 40 AP's, but the chances of snagging a connection are
slim to none.
My frustration in making connections led me to getting a Palm Centro
after some advice from Jeff Seigel. As a long-time Palm user, I couldn't
be more pleased. I have internet access from the phone while out &
about, I can tether it to the laptop for fairly fast EVDO connection,
not as fast as a good wireless broadband hookup, but very reliable, and
my (Verizon) coverage has been excellent all up & down the coast. I also
have google maps, excellent for finding cigars in a new port! (and
groceries, etc.) ActiveCaptain is a great addition, plus Garmin MobileXT
for turn by turn directions. I also have a database on the phone with
all the boat equipment listed, serial numbers, parts, and maintenance.
I still will survey sites when we get into a new area, just in case
there might be a real good connection I can hop onto, but if it were to
disappear tomorrow, I honestly must say I would make no effort to
replace the bridge.
My take on how it works (or doesn't) for me.
steve sipe
solo 4303 "Maerin"
Boot Key Harbor, Marathon
Jim,
I agree with Steve Sipe (and by extension, Jeff Siegel). In the east coast
States, cell phone connection to the internet is best (assuming Verizon).
Even when I have free WiFi in a marina, I do not bother to switch over...the
cell is too convenient. Underway, I am constantly online (okay, there are a
couple of small dead spots from FL to Mass) and use no external antenna.
Incidentally, I no longer tether my cell to the Mac by Bluetooth...I now use
one of the USB dongles, now free plus $60/mo. This is simply more convenient
for me as the dongle gets used on various computers and I only pay one data
charge. If you already pay for and use your cell for data anyway, this may
not be your best choice.
In the Bahamas, cell usage is still very expensive and WiFi quite prevalent.
To up my reception of WiFi there, I have recently purchased an antenna and
repeater ($140), see here:
I am heading to Abaco on Sunday...I will report back on how well it works.
Bob
Robert Calhoun Smith Jr in DC
M/V MARY KATHRYN
Hatteras 58 LRC
Jib Room
Marsh Harbour, Abaco
BAHAMAS
Incidentally, I no longer tether my cell to the
Mac by Bluetooth...I now use one of the USB
dongles, now free plus $60/mo.
A couple of things...
First, Bluetooth is showing its age with 3G cellular connections.
You're right to back away from it because the Bluetooth connection was
reducing your internet connection bandwidth.
If you feel you need to get away from tethering the phone and want to
move to an aircard/USB dongle, consider something inexpensive like
CradlePoint:
http://www.cradlepoint.com/
Plug your USB dongle into the CTR350 ($150) and it creates a WiFi
hotspot on your boat using the aircard connection. This allows you to
use multiple computers on the single 3G connection at the same time.
CradlePoint has battery powered products too if you don't want to plug
it in.
In the Bahamas, cell usage is still very expensive and
WiFi quite prevalent.
The Bahamas is the rare special case where WiFi is the way to go. We're
nearly done our mobile phone article about Bahamas issues and have gone
over all of the plans and charges through the different providers and
Batelco/BTC. Basically, use your mobile phone for voice calls in an
emergency or when you need to make contact while underway (to a marina,
etc). Otherwise, pay for WiFi connectivity and use Skype for phone
calls. The Abacos has excellent WiFi support all over and has a
reasonable price. It has a monthly break-even point of about 10 days.
If you'll be in the Abacos for more than 10 days, get a monthly WiFi
account from Out Island Internet because it'll cost less for light use.
For heavy use, the WiFi plan pays for itself immediately. Also sign up
for the 2.4 cents per minute or $3/month (US calls) plan in Skype to
call landline phones from your computer. And test it all BEFORE you are
in the Bahamas! You might want a headset for your laptop.
Another way to go is to anchor out in Fisher's Bay off Great Guana and
head over to Nippers every day. They used to have free WiFi - it would
be nice to know if it's still free this season. I wish I were there
answering emails with a plate of conch fritters and a rum drink right
now!
---=
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53PH
W1ACA/WDB4350
Castine, Maine
www.activecaptain.com
Content, Communications, Community
..
Would James Klausen please contact me off list.
Arild