Alfa WiFi boosters?
- Thread starter Carmel2
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Contest1
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Didn't know there was a virtual router associated with Windows 7. Might give it a try when I get back to the sun in late April.
My original comments were just to so the OP was aware that the set up was much simplified by use of the laptop s the default settings didn't produce any results.
nigelmercier
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boatmike
Well-known member
If I only want to run a PC with windows 10 will this thing from amazon do the job?
Solwise outdoor 11n WiFi Rocket Antenna
• Ralink RT3070L Chipset
• 9dBi Antenna
• Outdoor weatherproof plastic housing
• Mounting bracket & suction cups included
Solwise outdoor 11n WiFi Rocket Antenna
• Ralink RT3070L Chipset
• 9dBi Antenna
• Outdoor weatherproof plastic housing
• Mounting bracket & suction cups included
Carmel2
New member
Is it directional or omni directional? And were would you envisaged using it most, in port or on the hook?
boatmike
Well-known member
Well as it is a stick antenna that is mounted vertically I would think it is omni-directional wouldn't you? All I need is to boost the signal in marinas when parked........
Carmel2
New member
Sounds about right.
RobbieW
Well-known member
A quick look at the Solwise website says that model has been superseded. The available info doesnt say explicitly that W10 is supported, just 'Windows'. Note that Solwise often rebadge Alfa proucts, the Tube2H I have came from them and I have succesfully flashed that with stock Alfa firmware. As the Rocket is described as 11n compliant it could well be an Alfa Tube-U(N) which doesnt list W10 in its supported OSs
boatmike
Well-known member
Thanks for that. There seem to be many pitfalls for the unwary here. What do you recommend as a simple signal booster for Win 10 then?
RobbieW
Well-known member
The simple answer is to use a booster that connects either by wifi or ethernet as that frees you from driver issues and will work with any device capable of connecting to one or other. I dont know what I'd suggest as a solution for W10 as i) I dont use it and ii) my setup is designed as in the first sentence.
After a bit of research I found this link... http://alfanetworkinc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/blog-post.html ... from the Alfa website. It seems to contain drivers for W10 to work with the listed Alfa devices.
Mistroma
Well-known member
I found the same list as RobbieW when I checked before upgrading from Win7to Win10. The upgrade went without a hitch a few months ago and my Alfa AWUS036H worked perfectly without any problems.
The list says that the drivers will work with Windows 10 but Alfa's own utility was not verified. I wasn't using it but did try it out of interest and it did appear to function. I seem to remember a few oddities but can't remember the details. However, you don't actually need Alfa's utility program unless you want to play with a host of options (mostly hidden). Most of the options, hidden or otherwise, are actually available within Windows anyway so the utility just makes them easier to access. The utility was always a bit iffy for some things, even with Win7.
boatmike
Well-known member
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply with clear answers folks. Must confess my understanding of geeky things is limited. If it ain't diesel powered I have difficulty 
So to complete the circle can you suggest what I should actually buy and from whom if the one on Amazon is obsolete?
So to complete the circle can you suggest what I should actually buy and from whom if the one on Amazon is obsolete?
RobbieW
Well-known member
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply with clear answers folks. Must confess my understanding of geeky things is limited. If it ain't diesel powered I have difficulty
From the devices on the Alfa list, for simplicity I think I'd choose the AWUS036NHA as the suggestion is that it will auto install when plugged in to W10. They are available from Crucial WiFi, http://www.crucialwifi.co.uk/, who have been recommended by others on here before. Just remember you are limiting yourself to a single laptop by choosing that device, if you ever want to add another device or switch to a tablet/smartphone you'll need to add an R36 to create your own hotspot - or learn a bit about networking
(as there are one or two other options).
boatmike
Well-known member
From the devices on the Alfa list, for simplicity I think I'd choose the AWUS036NHA as the suggestion is that it will auto install when plugged in to W10. They are available from Crucial WiFi, http://www.crucialwifi.co.uk/, who have been recommended by others on here before. Just remember you are limiting yourself to a single laptop by choosing that device, if you ever want to add another device or switch to a tablet/smartphone you'll need to add an R36 to create your own hotspot - or learn a bit about networking
Thanks for that Robbie. I think I have finally understood. I agree with your motto, but I was not misinformed, just confused!
boatmike
Well-known member
Right! Having determined that I am a complete dummy, I am preferably looking for something that works straight out of the box.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caravan-Wir...12&sr=8-4&keywords=wifi+booster+for+boats#Ask
is the only complete package that I can see advertised on E-Bay and is by "Kuma" not Alpha. The reviews on it appear to suggest it works but it is £150 which seems expensive and I suspect I might be paying a lot for the box. The only equivalent from Alpha was referred to in an earlier posting and it was suggested that this too was cheaper if one bought the components separately. It appears to be out of stock anyway.
I believe I am right that if I bought the two components (antenna and router) it would work with any WiFi enabled device which is indeed what is suggested in the above advert for the Kuma so no faffing about with drivers and no question of it not working with W10.
Question then. Is the above a good buy (Kuma) or should I stick to Alpha bearing in mind what others have suggested that there are some Chinese copies out there? Also buying the whole thing as a package should guarantee it works straight out of the box I suppose but am I being over cautious?
Please help an old fart to avoid an expensive mistake!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caravan-Wir...12&sr=8-4&keywords=wifi+booster+for+boats#Ask
is the only complete package that I can see advertised on E-Bay and is by "Kuma" not Alpha. The reviews on it appear to suggest it works but it is £150 which seems expensive and I suspect I might be paying a lot for the box. The only equivalent from Alpha was referred to in an earlier posting and it was suggested that this too was cheaper if one bought the components separately. It appears to be out of stock anyway.
I believe I am right that if I bought the two components (antenna and router) it would work with any WiFi enabled device which is indeed what is suggested in the above advert for the Kuma so no faffing about with drivers and no question of it not working with W10.
Question then. Is the above a good buy (Kuma) or should I stick to Alpha bearing in mind what others have suggested that there are some Chinese copies out there? Also buying the whole thing as a package should guarantee it works straight out of the box I suppose but am I being over cautious?
Please help an old fart to avoid an expensive mistake!
tcm
...
I'd buy the Irie product. Mark wassisname who is ex-boaty ... takes apart the original gear (alfa etc) and then sees how to make it 10x better, and then sells that. Adverts around various places. Often based on alfa etc existing gear, but with extra bells/whistes for fab speed.
RobbieW
Well-known member
RobbieW
Well-known member
The pics in the link strongly suggest the little square box is an Alfa R36 - that creates your wireless access point, dont know what the booster - the bit that connects to the remote signal, is but it has a directional aerial. Directional is good for semi-fixed locations - caravans, boats in marinas, canal boats etc, but will need constant adjusting at anchor. Look for a booster with an omi directional aerial, like the AWUS036xxx we talked about earlier.
I'd suggest this package, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Network-WiF...=UTF8&qid=1458644024&sr=8-6&keywords=alfa+r36, would be better for you (and cheaper!)
Mistroma
Well-known member
Might be cheaper on via his own website, crucialwifi http://www.crucialwifi.co.uk
I didn't check but worth a look as RobbieW's link is crucialwifi via Amazon.
Update:
Prices seem to be same as Amazon but show item as sold out. Might be worth emailing him about stock. I imagine his own website will be correct.
Last edited:
GHA
Well-known member
A raspberry pi can act as a router as well, cheaper & less power than the r36
