External wifi antenna

[Sea Devil]

I am having problems picking up a strong enough WiFi signal for my laptop in a Gibraltar marina.

Does anybody know what external antenna would help this?

The ones I have purchased so far actually make the signal weaker!

Michael

 

[ukmctc]

I am having problems picking up a strong enough WiFi signal for my laptop in a Gibraltar marina.

Does anybody know what external antenna would help this?

The ones I have purchased so far actually make the signal weaker!

Michael

You can buy a booster from ebay, 99p.
Would it be possible to connect your antenna to a signal booster (TV booster) and get a better signal? (9.99)

 

[Steve Clayton]

Wnen we anchored in La Linea then we had no problem finding wifi points/logging in (on both the Spanish and Gib sides) using our "Repeatit" antenna - google will find it.

Also got a TP-LINK TP-WN722N dongle type hi-gain antenna which increases range and stability. TP do various models - find them on Amazon

 

[barryalan]

wi fi

alfa network awus036h has 5x normal coverage. Is working really well for me-around 25 pounds in UK described as 5 dB antenna

 

[SJF]

I use a Ubiquiti Bullet 2HP coupled with an 8db omni directional antenna and its worked very well for me.

I have documented how I ended up using this setup here.

 

[lenseman]

I am having problems picking up a strong enough WiFi signal for my laptop in a Gibraltar marina.

Does anybody know what external antenna would help this?

The ones I have purchased so far actually make the signal weaker!

Michael

Hello Michael, firstly, I don't think that you really mean that the new WiFi antennas 'make the signal weaker'. What you probably mean is that the new WiFi antennas do not work as well as the original equipment?

Now, the reason you are experiencing this sort of fault is probably based on two different causes.

1) You are purchasing new WiFi equipment which has much higher receiver gain and probably an increase in transmitted power?

2) You are located in an area in the World where there is a very large amount of Radio Frequency equipment and your local environment is fully saturated. (Ships Radar, Land based radar, Spanish surveillance equipment [SIVE - Coastal Surveillance across the bay at Algerciras,] PMR, PBR, Marine VHF, Microwave ovens . . . the list goes on and on). Basically the area around Gibraltar is completely saturated with radio signals.

What you have effectively done is purchase one or two different WiFi and the new antennas associated have gain (9dBi +) which is about ten times more sensitive just for starters. The new WiFi receiver(s) will almost certainly have an increase in amplification. These two facts alone will cause the new WiFi equipment front end to become completely overloaded and therefore the AGC will shut down and will therefore seem to be worse that your original equipment

In the environment in which you are currently located, your best option would be to start using passive shields to eliminate the signals which are causing you problems, these will be far more effective that amplifiers which will swamp your WiFi equipment.

This is where a large catering tin of coffee 8" diameter type, cut to the shape of a reflector can be used to mask any unwanted signals. Be aware of sharp edges!

The WiFi signal has a ¼-wavelength of about 2½ inches and this amount of movement can cause your antenna to move in and out of a null and this can compound your problem and as you are on a yacht movement is inevitable.

 

[SimbaDog]

alfa network awus036h has 5x normal coverage. Is working really well for me-around 25 pounds in UK described as 5 dB antenna

+1

 

[Liz_I]

Wnen we anchored in La Linea then we had no problem finding wifi points/logging in (on both the Spanish and Gib sides) using our "Repeatit" antenna - google will find it.

Also got a TP-LINK TP-WN722N dongle type hi-gain antenna which increases range and stability. TP do various models - find them on Amazon

Sadly Repeatit antenna are no longer available unless you do some serious searching. I recently contacted WiFi Spark (extremely helpful company) They are selling a cheaper and smaller unit. It seems to work well although I'm not sure it's quite as powerful as the Repeatit. Would also give the Alfa antennas a go, they are very good.
Worth mentioning, to get the antennas up high enough make sure to use an Active USB Extension cable.

 

[emnick]

Wi-fi

Has anybody tried the wi-fi bat from Mailasail looks like a good bit of kit but expensive

 

[KellysEye]

>You are located in an area in the World where there is a very large amount of Radio Frequency equipment and your local environment is fully saturated.

I wouldn't disagree with that but we had no problems using an external high gain antenna in Gib.

 

[bendyone]

Just brought one of these after recommendation from the liveaboard chapter

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220927169366?s....984.m1497.l2649

Set it up on the laptop and instead of just 2 nearby signals I got 12 good ones all locked but it proves it works. Will try it in the marina next hoping to pick up a Fon spot from the flats opposite.

 

[TQA]

alfa network awus036h has 5x normal coverage. Is working really well for me-around 25 pounds in UK described as 5 dB antenna

+1

If still having problems using it with an internal aerial get an external aerial and an exension lead.

Boss bit of kit.

 

[stevensuf]

I bought a wifi wand , google them, a very neat easy and simple set up, good range too, only gripe was i had to hunt on the net for the drivers.