Logged onto the boat from home!!!

I am following this thread with some interest, as I would like to do something similar. However I am on a swinging mooring, so I will need to keep a close eye on power consumption.

I have a mobilarm unit which will monitor the battery state, and also allow me to switch devices (i.e. the laptop) on/off.

I have 2 questions:

(1) Is is possible to conect to the VPN on start-up without any intervention. This should be possible, but has anyone done this via a script ?

(2) I am on the limits of WiFi range, so am considering mounting an extenal 9dB aerial, either on the pushpit or on one of the spreaders. Again, has this been done, and has anyone any experience of the likely losses in the cable.

John
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am on the limits of WiFi range, so am considering mounting an extenal 9dB aerial, either on the pushpit or on one of the spreaders. Again, has this been done, and has anyone any experience of the likely losses in the cable.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got a 12db omnidirectional aerial (similiar to this one) with low loss cable from Solwise hooked to Pheenet client and have managed a connection from over 2.5nm offshore. Could probably manage more if I went to a directional aerial, but what I have is fine for what I want.

Solwise have some useful docs on what sort of link budget you need which should help when working out what cabling etc. you need.

Rick
 
Hi John

I use a 9dB aerial with LMR600 cable which is rated at 4.4dB loss per 100 feet. As i use about 20 feet my loss is about 0.88dB so still a big gain.

My aerial is on the bimini on my fly bridge (Grand Banks 42) & i see hotspots up to about a mile or more. Can't always access the more distant ones but it is a huge improvement.

Aerial does need to be clear of other metalwork to get the best results.

I bought my kit from http://www.wirelesspro.co.uk/ they do all the pigtails to interface to the pc cards etc.

Paul
 
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