G3/G4 and WIFI access point in one box ?

[BartW]

update,

a week ago I was at the boat, and ao installed a Yacht Router system,
consisting of a YR Mini, YR Mobile extender (for 2nd simcard), and a YR Network extender (ethernet switch)

onboard we have now a Crew Wifi network, and a Guests Wifi network,
we can make separate settings (or limitations) for each newwork

In porto Montenegro is a fairly good marine wifi network,
so the router is permanently connected to the interweb

we also have a subscribtion the the "cloud" service from Locomarine (the YR manufacturer)
this cloud service enables us to setup a Internet link to onboard IP devices.

we have installed a Wifi camera on the quay, right opposite our boat,
coincidently there is a pole for the marina wifi antennas
the camera is connected to the Blue Angel Crew wifi network

so now I can have a look at the boat, through a VPN connection.
I'm at home in Belgium right now,
and this snapshot I took a few minutes ago

Its cloudy in Tivat right now, and the boat is quite dirty, sorry for that

I can have the same vieuw on my I'phone.

the opening angle of the camera lens is too narrow,
its fixed, so next visit, I need to change the camera

 

[alt]

Nice one, Bart.

What were once gadgets, are now almost essential items. I couldn't spend as much time on the boat if I didn't have a solid 3G connection. My needs were more basic than yours, so I installed a 3G router with an external omni-directional antenna. It does the job. My project was also a lot more simple by the fact that 1) No Wi-Fi in the area, so just 3G connection needed and 2) Staying in the same country, so no SIM-swapping.

It actually cost very little. My next project will be an IP camera, just like yours. For peace of mind, more than anything. As I don't have power during the summer on the mooring, I need to check that the router won't drain batteries. But as it's 12v and consumes in the mA, I don't think it'd be an issue... time will tell

I have become VERY popular with my friends on the lake. The Wi-Fi I provide keeps big and small kids entertained on the weekends. I have some basic firewall rules (no YouTube etc.), but even without, I haven't had an issue with bandwidth consumption. I just don't want some kid streaming videos while i'm trying to work. The BIK for providing bandwidth is quite good - my neighbours only drink the finest of wine

PS. Does your system have an auto fail-over to 3/4G if the Wi-Fi goes down? So that you can keep an eye on the boat when away?

 

[Hurricane]

I have often thought of setting up an IP camera to monitor the boat.
I have a shore power monitor that texts me if the shore power is lost but, as you say, these days it is easy to set up a camera as well.

However, a few years ago, our marina helped us connect a site wide webcam to our marina forum software (SCMCHAT).
The camera is a fully remotely operated from our forum webservers located in the UK.
Three times a day, the camera "pans round" and takes photos of the whole marina.
These photos are stored and displayed to our members to see whenever they access the SCMCHAT forum.
Incidentally, the camera was re calibrated remotely yesterday.
Here's a link to the latest set of photos.

http://www.scmchat.com/extraweb/webcam/camera_display.php

 

[alt]

If you wanted to be really James Bond, you could install a camera on top of the fly, looking down at the platform. Set it to motion record, so it only records when there's movement ie. someone jumps on the platform.

Then have pics / video sent to you... you'll know any time anyone stands on the platform.

Obviously this wouldn't work if you are covering a large area, or a pontoon where people are walking by. Well, actually, it could still work, as you can choose particular sections of the image that will detect the motion.

It's a slow day in work, today

 

[BartW]

My next project will be an IP camera, just like yours. For peace of mind, more than anything. As I don't have power during the summer on the mooring, I need to check that the router won't drain batteries. But as it's 12v and consumes in the mA, I don't think it'd be an issue... time will tell

depends on the period that you're away from the boat ?
mA's during weeks can drain your battery's

My camera on the quay is powered from my boat shore connection, (a splitter on my 63amp plug, and the 5V camera powersupply is in a 32A blue plug housing.)

I'm considering to place solar panels on the boat,
would this be a solution for you ?
had a quotation from "Solara"
they have these thin, flexible solar panels for marine use

I have become VERY popular with my friends on the lake. The Wi-Fi I provide keeps big and small kids entertained on the weekends. I have some basic firewall rules (no YouTube etc.), but even without, I haven't had an issue with bandwidth consumption. I just don't want some kid streaming videos while i'm trying to work. The BIK for providing bandwidth is quite good - my neighbours only drink the finest of wine

yes I can imagine your popularity providing wifi
just one warning be carefull with guests who have I'phones and I'pads,
they don't realise if their device "detects" the wifi network, they start automatically uploading their data and pics to the i-cloud in the background, without any notification, and consuming all your sim card data capacity.

Does your system have an auto fail-over to 3/4G if the Wi-Fi goes down? So that you can keep an eye on the boat when away?

no it doesn't, the YR system used to have a auto select in the past, but this gives more disadvantages then advantages according Locomarine , the YR might switch network at moments that you don't want it to switch.
This is not a issue, as the selection menu is very simple, I have acces from any i'phone or pc onboard.
if the marine wifi network interrups, the system will reset automatically when the wifi comes up again.
so no worry's.

 

[Princess52]

I am considering one of these currently http://www.gizmag.com/iridium-go-satellite-hotspot/30711/ . Iridium are currently replacing their satellites and whilst download speeds are not much apparently they will be 3G speed once complete.
I have little success with marina systems and basic mobile masts are often pointing the wrong way.

 

[BartW]

I am considering one of these currently http://www.gizmag.com/iridium-go-satellite-hotspot/30711/ . Iridium are currently replacing their satellites and whilst download speeds are not much apparently they will be 3G speed once complete.
I have little success with marina systems and basic mobile masts are often pointing the wrong way.

the YR Mini and all models above have at least one Lan port suitable for satellite equipment connection,

the connection to a shore wifi network goes through a booster antenna included with all YR systems

 

[JSYmartini]

Just installed a YR Micro, very easy installation, after a couple of initial hiccups it seems to have settled down and working very well on wifi.
I'm still researching sim cards before I purchase one and see how the mobile connection works.
Work is currently apace rolling out the 4G network here in Jersey so looking forward to that. Masts are being hooked up to fibre at the same time, chatting to a friend the other day who is a Jersey Telecoms engineer, they've seen speeds up to 160mbps/90mbps on the mobile network.