extending wifi range.

PascalG

PascalG

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i need to get better wifi reception... searching for antennas and adapter yields a bunch of unproven stuff, ranging from home made soup can contraptions to antennas with too good to be true claims...

I need an external antenna that coudl be mounted high up on the boat. Ideally i'd like to connect that to a router so that other computers or devices on the boat can use that wifi source.

not looking for 5 miles miracles, just something to extend the range since often signals are too weak to be used, even at marinas.
 
I also was looking to improve WiFI for my boat. At my marina I was getting zero connections. I looked around at some offering such as 5 mile wifi and others but they were more money then I wanted to spend. I ended up buying a Wifi antenna system with one full watt of output. It needs two usb connections. I found it at Amazon.com. It cost about $150 dollars. Anyway it arrived and I was suprised by it very good quality. The four foot antenna looks great and the converter box that mounts a few feet away is very well sealed for the marine envirnment. Anyway, loaded the software and pluged it in. WOW!!! Where I had none before I now have eight networks with two that didn't not have security enabled. Most were four bars or more signal strengh. of course I would'nt log onto one of the unsecured sites for free internet. [}:)]

Dave
 
Been there done that. We use AIR802 as a bridge router to a shakespeare 8db wifi antenna. Ethernet to a linksys downstairs with power over ethernet driving the AIR802. Engenius is also another one. Two routers, one in bridge. Make sure the big one has site survey software. Using two will keep the performance up so one does not do all the work. Alternatively a sector antenna mounted on your followme tv (once pointed at the home base) could also do quite a bit.
 
Google this number an you should be taken to the one I have.

B002WQ3V7Y

Dave
 
Don't mean to jump on Pascal's thread but I have an AT&T Air Card plugged into a fairly old IBM laptop. It works OK via VPN to control my office desktop at someplaces like Block Island, where I can see the cellphone antenna out of my back window. But most other places, it is simply too slow to allow me to to be on my boat and answer emails and download files.

What do I need to get decent connectivity? What exactly do I have to buy and install to make this work in areas where AT&T has coverage?

Advice would be appreciated.

Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by chriscraft67

Don't mean to jump on Pascal's thread but I have an AT&T Air Card plugged into a fairly old IBM laptop. It works OK via VPN to control my office desktop at someplaces like Block Island, where I can see the cellphone antenna out of my back window. But most other places, it is simply too slow to allow me to to be on my boat and answer emails and download files.

What do I need to get decent connectivity? What exactly do I have to buy and install to make this work in areas where AT&T has coverage?

Advice would be appreciated.

Bill

Click to expand...

Google Ericsson W35 (then purchase it) and then purchase a Digital Antenna company cellular marine antenna. You can use any AT&T SIM card with the Ericson so when you leave the boat use the SIM card on your AT&T cellphone. The W35 has a built in 4 port CAT5 router and a low power access point so you can connect to the W35 through the WiFi connection manager on your laptop. Trust me I have this unit and it is everything and more than advertised.
Now depending on your air card you could still buy the external marine cellular antenna and go to Wilson Electronics web page and look for the air card and then look for the proper interface external antenna cable.
Bill
 
Pascal you have 2 routes you can take that are easy. I do not recommend Engenius unless you are real into resetting and can figure out their system it is not user friendly.
I would recommend looking at the 1/4 watt system Alan Splicer sells.
My #1 choice is what I have Google GeoSatSolutions they have 5 choices I have the 1 watt EC-AP-HP costly but perfection. It comes complete with low loss LMR400, a marine grade WiFi Omni it will run with 12-32 volts direct or you can get the POE option. Ask for Richard tell him I told you to call. While they may be expensive they are NEMA4 rated mine has been in use for 3 seasons and it also has a built in Access Point that automatically takes you at least 3 channels from the Access Point on shore you use. The software is the easiest I have ever used.
5 mile is junk I have had 3 failures within 1 month on all 3 Walter V has the last failure I gave to him to try pure crap, when it works it is ok and not hard to use.
Here is a link Les take it down if you think I am violating the rules I apologize in advance.
http://www.wavewifi.com/images/EC Brochure_email.pdf
Bill
 
For the naysayers about long distance WiFi, Wave WiFi (GeoSatSolutions) did a 12 mile shot for the sinking of the large vessel for the artificial reef off Florida. The link was used for the entire operation and yes one end of the link was the unit I just recommended on the crew vessel. I get full speed from my Wave WiFi AP I installed at my marina at 6 miles and full strength on the display. I like the Wave WiFi unit because it uses MAC addresses to identify and connect with other AP's.
Syrens and Wave WiFi split about a year ago. In my opinion you can not beat Wave WiFi for customer service or the units construction and specifications. I have never seen a boat wireless router that will work with decent speeds with a received RSSI of -108dbm other than the high end Wave WiFi equipment. If you look at most of the others their receive specs are -95 or less, which means it takes more signal for you to use. Now before I start hearing the B,G&N band is noisy you can make use of this kind of sensitivity in rural areas like in North Carolina and when you are 5 or more miles offshore. Now the inexpensive unit the Comet is basically an Engenius 400mw unit with their software (which is excellent). My wife can use it and she does not like computers.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

For the naysayers about long distance WiFi, Wave WiFi (GeoSatSolutions) did a 12 mile shot for the sinking of the large vessel for the artificial reef off Florida. The link was used for the entire operation and yes one end of the link was the unit I just recommended on the crew vessel. I get full speed from my Wave WiFi AP I installed at my marina at 6 miles and full strength on the display. I like the Wave WiFi unit because it uses MAC addresses to identify and connect with other AP's.
Syrens and Wave WiFi split about a year ago. In my opinion you can not beat Wave WiFi for customer service or the units construction and specifications. I have never seen a boat wireless router that will work with decent speeds with a received RSSI of -108dbm other than the high end Wave WiFi equipment. If you look at most of the others their receive specs are -95 or less, which means it takes more signal for you to use. Now before I start hearing the B,G&N band is noisy you can make use of this kind of sensitivity in rural areas like in North Carolina and when you are 5 or more miles offshore. Now the inexpensive unit the Comet is basically an Engenius 400mw unit with their software (which is excellent my wife can use it and she does not like computers.
Bill

Click to expand...


OK, OK, so in laymans (moron) English, what makes, models #'s do you recommend for a basic set up? I've got a 28' boat so I don't need routers, multiple terminals etc. All I need is the ability to get on the internet from one lap top in one location on the boat. :)

Bob
 
At a minimum the AC-Lite Walter has the older version of the EC-ER.

I would look at the link above but I am bias because I have installed numerous Hot Spots using only their gear. The reason reliability, quality and they are US made in Florida. I highly recommend you call Richard tell him Bill Lentz (I get no kick backs) told you to call and tell him what you want to do.
My recommendation for the boats on this board the EC-HP and you can save some money if you want to purchase a small inexpensive inside router AP to connect to the CAT5 data cable coming from this unit. The ER lacks the receiver sensitivity. Look in my world I need 100% connectivity so I use a combination of Verizon Wireless with an external marine antenna, Sprint with an external antenna and AT&T (3.5G) with a W35 through an external cellular antenna. I even purchased the Skipper 150 it is 0on the new IMNARSAT high speed data network (if you call 150kbps as fast at a dollar a meg.) The Skipper also gives me a digital phone line through IMNARSAT which the costs per minute are not bad. For WiFi I use the EC-AP-HP the weatherproof NEMA box is mounted 3 feet from the external 10dbi WiFi antenna mounted on my hardtop, the router is mounted under the hardtop. From there I have 12 volts overhead to power the unit and other stuff, then I ran a CAT5 cable down to the boats router (not a wireless router). I left the low power re-broadcast router antenna under the hardtop and can access it through my computers wireless connection manager. If I choose to go Wireless to wireless then I connect the low power built in AP under the hardtop. Now if Pascal was looking for a unit for Nancy's boat I would recommend the next unit up from mine, it has the in-line amplifier so you can run smaller cable from the output of the in-line amplifier and the amplifier gets its voltage through the coaxial cable. You mount the "bullet" amplifier (weatherproof as close as possible to the external antenna.
Bill
 
I've got the Syrens system. And have used it on other boats in the past as well. That or the Wave WiFi system are really the best way to go and are well worth the money if you need to pull in signals from any real distance.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rnbenton

quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

For the naysayers about long distance WiFi, Wave WiFi (GeoSatSolutions) did a 12 mile shot for the sinking of the large vessel for the artificial reef off Florida. The link was used for the entire operation and yes one end of the link was the unit I just recommended on the crew vessel. I get full speed from my Wave WiFi AP I installed at my marina at 6 miles and full strength on the display. I like the Wave WiFi unit because it uses MAC addresses to identify and connect with other AP's.
Syrens and Wave WiFi split about a year ago. In my opinion you can not beat Wave WiFi for customer service or the units construction and specifications. I have never seen a boat wireless router that will work with decent speeds with a received RSSI of -108dbm other than the high end Wave WiFi equipment. If you look at most of the others their receive specs are -95 or less, which means it takes more signal for you to use. Now before I start hearing the B,G&N band is noisy you can make use of this kind of sensitivity in rural areas like in North Carolina and when you are 5 or more miles offshore. Now the inexpensive unit the Comet is basically an Engenius 400mw unit with their software (which is excellent my wife can use it and she does not like computers.
Bill

Click to expand...


OK, OK, so in laymans (moron) English, what makes, models #'s do you recommend for a basic set up? I've got a 28' boat so I don't need routers, multiple terminals etc. All I need is the ability to get on the internet from one lap top in one location on the boat. :)

Bob

Click to expand...
The EC Lite or Comet.
 
Bob when you go to the Bahamas you will wish you had the high power unit. That version 1 computer at one location but for the best performance the EC-HP is your unit.
I hate to sound like a commercial but I can tell anyone if you get one of these units you will not be disappointed.
I really have real world tested almost every Wireless router in the marine environment and to date nothing has come close.
The Engenious with upgraded Wave WiFi's (GeoSat) firmware comes close for medium power applications without the re-boot and programming hassles. The only problem is there are only 2 people that have ever had that done myself and the marine electronics writer Ben Ellison and that was after I told him it could be done. He thought I was full of crap but found out I was giving accurate information after he contacted Richard and he sent Ben a unit to test.
Bill
 
I will be installing a ClearWire/Sprint 3G/4G WiMAX system to the boat this year. I don't believe unless I go up the Delaware or go to Baltimore I will ever get signal.
The modulation scheme (SOFDMA) and duplexing scheme (TDD) are so different there are currently no booster amplifiers available. I think once Verizon launches LTE at 700MHz Sprint/ClearWire will close it's doors. The reason? ClearWire operates at 2.5 to 2.7GHz higher than WiFi. They should get their act together and start using it to replace T1's on their IDEN and CDMA networks this would eventually save them millions of dollars a month they now pay to mainly Verizon wire-line. I feel there is little mobile play for WiMAX after really studying the business models and propagation testing. It is a great fixed application for point to point high speed connections. Now if you are on the Delaware near Philadelphia it will be good depending on your plan. You will only get about 12 miles North then about 12 miles South before reverting to the Sprint 3G PCS CDMA network. Same deal if you boat around Baltimore and they are launching Washington DC as I speak.
I just see Verizon kicking butt because they will not launch half a*sed like ClearWire/Sprint. Clearwire also works in Atlanta and the Triangle called Raleigh, NC, Charleston and Greensboro. I tested the Greensboro system before they went to market when I had a signal I had 8mbps download and 3 mbps upload. There is rumor that AT&T is adding or entering into agreement with ClearWire for the new I-Phones to off load traffic from their current 3.5G UMTS WCDMA network. Currently the I-Phone will work on WiFi as well. I am not sure if this is just an industry rumor. Adding WiMAX would help them in large cities. I am told they will also add WiMAX to the I-Phone platform.
Bill
 
If anyone can use a marine cell antenna, I have one I'd like to get rid of. I bought it a few years ago from BoatFix in an effort to obtain a cell signal at my previous house. I tried it but no joy...ended up changing carriers which DID work.

Drop me an e-mail or respond to this thread if interested: http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=134485
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Pascal you have 2 routes you can take that are easy. I do not recommend Engenius unless you are real into resetting and can figure out their system it is not user friendly.
I would recommend looking at the 1/4 watt system Alan Splicer sells.
My #1 choice is what I have Google GeoSatSolutions they have 5 choices I have the 1 watt EC-AP-HP costly but perfection. It comes complete with low loss LMR400, a marine grade WiFi Omni it will run with 12-32 volts direct or you can get the POE option. Ask for Richard tell him I told you to call. While they may be expensive they are NEMA4 rated mine has been in use for 3 seasons and it also has a built in Access Point that automatically takes you at least 3 channels from the Access Point on shore you use. The software is the easiest I have ever used.
5 mile is junk I have had 3 failures within 1 month on all 3 Walter V has the last failure I gave to him to try pure crap, when it works it is ok and not hard to use.
Here is a link Les take it down if you think I am violating the rules I apologize in advance.
http://www.wavewifi.com/images/EC Brochure_email.pdf
Bill

Click to expand...


Oh, come on now with the Engenius. You know it only took me two years to figure it out.
 
This just in...Wimax sucks. Yeah, I'm throwin, spitting, pizzun mad tonight.

I've been testing the new Sprint 3G/4G U300 usb modem. This is basically a small (ish) usb modem that is actually two modems in one small package. A 4G Wimax modem that uses the latest 4G Clearwire service, but will also failover to the more widely available Spring 3G EVDO network. Cool idea. Too bad it doesn't work worth snot. I've wanted to get decent broadband in Everett WA but I can't get a good wifi signal under the metal roof of the covered moorage. I've known that Clearwire has had wimax in the Everett marina for a few years, and figured that their newest 4G network would have the same reception. Apparently not. Getting down to the boat this afternoon, I've got one bar of the 4G network and can't get a good enough signal to keep it for more than about 4 seconds. Good news though, the Spring EVDO network was consistently getting a good 5 bars. Bad news is that as soon as I plugged the new modem into my new Cradlepoint 900 router, it would only provide a 1-2 bars of service and would not work 95% of the time. Finally gave up. I think this whole thing is getting returned to Sprint. Read on, cause this time Craig McCaw really short changed his new network. There is supposed to be good 4G Wimax coverage between Everett where my boat is located and home, about 30 miles. I made 5 stops along the way home and got VERY consistent Wimax coverage across the entire area. First in downtown Everett where I was getting gas, up on top of the hill and not down in the marina basin. Next about 10 miles down I5 at a rest stop, then at I405 in Canyon Park, Again in the town of Bothell and a few spots around my neighborhood. It was very consistent. I got 1-2 bars and never could get a solid signal once. Bottom line, this new Seattle installation is JUNK. I admit that in Redmond Microsoft campus where I don't need a Wimax signal, I got 5 bars and 3mg speed <YAWN>. I'm guessing if I drove down to Kirkland, Carillon Point where Craig McCaw has his offices, I will find the one other place that has a good signal.

I sure hope the Wimax installations in the very few other cities that just went live with their 4G signal were done a little better. In Seattle, the home base of all locations, its pure JUNK.

No idea why the cradlepoint seems to attenuate the EVDO signal as compared to a direct to laptop connection. Not sure it will be worth troubleshooting as the combo 3G/4G modem is not worth keeping if I can't get a signal at the boat or at home, or frankly any other place around down other than Craig McCaw's personal office.
 
It could be the location of the CradlePoint router. Yes 4G is hit or mis because of the frequency and complex signaling scheme. The U300 is a terrible modem and has no external antenna port(s). You might want to go on E-Bay and try the Motorola 4G unit (a larger tabletop unit) make sure it is 802.16E not D! These are higher power but they do not fall back on the Sprint 3G network. On your router try getting a USB extension cord and locate the U300 away from the router. There is some interaction between WiFi and WiMAX because they are so close in frequency and to be honest the U300 is being replaced with the U301 soon (still junk IMHO). But really try the USB extension on your CradlePoint 1st and try finding a good reception point on the boat. In many of ClearWires home installations people have had to put the 4G router near a non low-E glass window or in the attic to get enough signal. I have a ZyXel WiMAX modem that is 4G only with external antenna connectors but it cost me almost $600.00. I'll see if I can get you a model number for the Motorola unit (they cost about $50.00 on E-Bay but make sure it is the 802.16E standard the D standard is no longer supported. For now I am keeping seperate 3G and 4G systems until they get the modems straightened out. Because the U300 is so small and did you notice how hot it gets it isn't optimized and can't be? The size kills antenna beamforming and diversity which is needed for good WiMAX reception. Also as I am sure you are aware when you go back to Sprints 3G your data is capped at 5gig then they charge additional fees. I also do not believe WiMAX will stay with no data cap or be sucessful until they invest in more sites and treat it as a seperate network not a mis match of EVDO 3G and WiMAX that fits into a modem the size of a thumb drive!
Bill
 
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