3G WiFi Router Advice, External Antenna, Sim Etc.

[CaptainBob]

We've two laptops aboard and a 3 and Voda 3G dongle (+sim). Makes sense for us to use a 3G router instead of one dongle each.

While I'm considering the router option, might as well also get one which allows 3G antenna use to extend our coverage and improve our signal - which means getting one which accepts SIMs rather than plugging in a USG dongle.

Would also be rather nice if if could run off a 12V cig lighter socket so it doesn't need yet another mains outlet to operate as we're often at anchor running laptops off a low power inverter.

I know this has been discussed in the past but it's the new year now and new products come out all the time so thought it was time to revisit it.

 

[craigsmith]

Most phones are capable of acting as a wifi hotspot. It's even built into Android 2.2 so the functionality is out of the box. Just one idea - saves redundant hardware and phone service plans, and obviously a phone car charger will handle the power.

(Why don't you get DC PSUs for your laptop(s) as well? The efficiency is usually a nice improvement. Unless you're silly enough to have Apples, they're available easily enough.)

 

[CaptainBob]

Hadn't thought of doing that, interesting idea!

Was hoping to improve the signal a bit with the external antenna options on some of the 3G routers though.

Have tried DC-DC converters for the laptops. It did make about a 10% difference (ish) but having had two of them randomly burn out on me (with smoke and smell and crackling sounds) even though they were reputableish (maplin) and over-watted, I've reverted to the seemingly very reliable inverter solution.

 

[ndbeurope-france]

Globesurfer or Yacht Sport

We've two laptops aboard and a 3 and Voda 3G dongle (+sim). Makes sense for us to use a 3G router instead of one dongle each.

While I'm considering the router option, might as well also get one which allows 3G antenna use to extend our coverage and improve our signal - which means getting one which accepts SIMs rather than plugging in a USG dongle.

Would also be rather nice if if could run off a 12V cig lighter socket so it doesn't need yet another mains outlet to operate as we're often at anchor running laptops off a low power inverter.

I know this has been discussed in the past but it's the new year now and new products come out all the time so thought it was time to revisit it.

Hi Bob,
Do you have an internal network onboard? If you do, you can run a yacht spot which runs on PoE (power over ethernet) - but it would depend on whether your switch had this capability. Another option (although you would need a power supply), would be to go for a Option Globesurfer router or similar.