How do I boost iPhone and iPad signal?

[Niffler]

I use an iPhone and iPad on the boat, not a laptop and I have an all-you-can-eat data package. Is there a 12v data signal booster that costs under £100 that actually works?

 

[superheat6k]

For wifi yes - Alfa R36 + Alfa Tube N + Marine Antenna.

For 3G /4G boost not sure

 

[Bikerwookie]

Yes for 3g

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2015/...oost_drive_4g_and_digital_antenna_bullet.html

unbranded version available for £70 on eBay

 

[Niffler]

Thanks. I can see aierials for £70 but not the booster/repeater with aierial for that price. What search term are you using on eBay?

 

[nigelmercier]

Thanks. I can see aierials for £70 but not the booster/repeater with aierial for that price. What search term are you using on eBay?

You won't find anything if you search for "aierials"

http://r.ebay.com/dNJgJR

 

[charles_reed]

You won't find anything if you search for "aierials"

http://r.ebay.com/dNJgJR

Unkind, but true. Why don't people use spell-checkers?

From memory, some of the iPads only use IEEE 802.11b/g - most booster units are n or even ac.

 

[flobbets]

I was under the impression that boosting/retransmitting of the mobile signal (as opposed to a wifi signal) was illegal in the UK?

 

[Bikerwookie]

Search for 3G signal booster but get the right frequency

 

[Niffler]

Unkind, but true. Why don't people use spell-checkers?

From memory, some of the iPads only use IEEE 802.11b/g - most booster units are n or even ac.

Indeed but there's no hyphen in spell checker.

 

[fireball]

I was under the impression that boosting/retransmitting of the mobile signal (as opposed to a wifi signal) was illegal in the UK?

It is - unless the kit is provided by your network provider ...

 

[Niffler]

It is - unless the kit is provided by your network provider ...

Do they provide this sort of kit? I'll give 3 a call. Thanks for the head's up.

 

[ghostlymoron]

How are they going to know?

It is - unless the kit is provided by your network provider ...

 

[Niffler]

How are they going to know?

Turns out that the kit they sell just plugs into your router, not much use on the boat

 

[VicMallows]

Surely you just plug a standard 3g dongle into an Alfa R36 (or similar) and then connect via WiFi or Ethernet. Weather proof the dongle. I have found that the R36 will support an active USB extension to the dongle which should be long enough to get it to a decent height, but you could alternatively mount the R36 remotely in a waterproof container.

 

[Niffler]

Surely you just plug a standard 3g dongle into an Alfa R36 (or similar) and then connect via WiFi or Ethernet. Weather proof the dongle. I have found that the R36 will support an active USB extension to the dongle which should be long enough to get it to a decent height, but you could alternatively mount the R36 remotely in a waterproof container.

Thank you, that makes sense but could you recommend a dongle that doesn't need to plug into a laptop?

 

[RobbieW]

Thank you, that makes sense but could you recommend a dongle that doesn't need to plug into a laptop?

This page, http://www.alfa.com.tw/products_show.php?pc=51&ps=11, should show you the dongles (no 4G I think) that the R36 supports. I think the R36 is getting a bit long in the tooth now so I might have a look at the TP Link MRxxxx series which also support 3/4G dongles and mostly run on either 12v or USB power.

 

[bush boat]

Thank you, that makes sense but could you recommend a dongle that doesn't need to plug into a laptop?

Any dongle. R36 has a USB port (at least mine does).