MDL Free WIFI - bloody hell it's slow!!!

rafiki_ said:
I don't understand the science of this Gary. It may amplify the signal, but how are you going to pass more data down the crowded link line?
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I don't think it's a contention issue at Ocean Village as they have several hot spots. I think it's more to do with black spots possibly created since the new buildings have gone up and our boat just happens to be in one. The antenna should help in that regard + it'd help when at other marinas.
 
Pinnacle said:
Ok, so it does indeed looked like they have not kept their part of the bargain.

When you go into the office to ask for a berth without a tidal stream running through it, maybe you should ask them when they are going to deliver on the wi-fi front.

:D
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I have been thinking about this and decided to ring the marina today and was surprised to be told that the premium service has been reinstated since my last visit to the boat and best of all its FREE :) we are down for 10 days over easter so will be trying it out
 
lanerboy said:
I have been thinking about this and decided to ring the marina today and was surprised to be told that the premium service has been reinstated since my last visit to the boat and best of all its FREE :) we are down for 10 days over easter so will be trying it out
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That sounds like good news! Let's hope your tv works now.:D

On the berth front, I hope you are able to get them to move you to a berth you like the position of and which doesn't have a river running through it. Best of luck.
 
Things are no better on the Thames unfortunately, MDL Bray's free WiFi is utterly pointless as it takes so long to get the log in page up, by the time you've logged in, you've forgotten why you needed the connection in the first pace. If you do persist and complete the login, you get a service that is so slow it makes an old style (pre 3g) mobile phone connection seem quick and modem dial up seen like lightning fast in comparison.

It's not a contention issue either, as I've tried it in the early hours of the morning and it's no better, can't believe there are lots of users on the network at 2am on a weekday morning!

I wrote to MDL to complain about it last year, received a standard "we will investigate it" type response but nothing came of it. I don't bother with it now, just tether my phone and make the most of unmetered data tariff.

In contrast, visited MDL Chatham last year with a group of boats and the WiFi there was so good several of us were able to steam iPlayer off it simultaneously, so it can be done with the right investment.
 
Still on Shamrock Quay's WIFI and it's like being at home even though I am picking it up from 100's of yards away across the river. I think MDL at Ocean Village need to get someone in to do a signal survey to check that they have good coverage across the whole of the marina since the new buildings have gone up. I presume WIFISPARK don't install a server and it's just a WAN connection at each site, maybe the bandwidth at OV is smaller than Shamrock but again, that wouldn't account for poor performance in the early hours when there should be little use.

I've got a little tool on the laptop to check signal to noise ratio etc.. I'll give it a go when I am next in OV
 
This is what I am getting at Kemps Quay picking up the MDL Shamrock Quay signal

MDLsignalstrength_zpsd31974b7.jpg
 
Haslar seem to have upped their wifi game recently and we currently enjoy very good speed.

Google don't like them though, they sometimes think you're doing some sort of automated spam searches and ask you to verify via typing in some letters & numbers. Simple cure, ditch Google & use Bing :)

We did buy a super aerial for wi-fi at Southampton which picks up every hot spot for miles and we can always tap into something, but not required at Haslar any more. Just used when touring.

When you have a 13 year old on board the Internet is like oxygen.

Henry :)
 
Down the boat and have fitted a setup using the following:

Tube U(N) external USB wireless adapter
AOA-2408R 8 DBi Outdoor antenna
R36 WLAN / 3G USB router

All from Alfa Networks and 'tinternet is whizzing along nicely now on the MDL network, the Royal Southampton Yacht Club's network, Pitcher & Piano's network. Banana Wharf's network, Fred's network down the road (he's forgot to setup his router security)............ :)

Happy bunny again :encouragement:
 
oGaryo said:
Down the boat and have fitted a setup using the following:

Tube U(N) external USB wireless adapter
AOA-2408R 8 DBi Outdoor antenna
R36 WLAN / 3G USB router

All from Alfa Networks and 'tinternet is whizzing along nicely now on the MDL network, the Royal Southampton Yacht Club's network, Pitcher & Piano's network. Banana Wharf's network, Fred's network down the road (he's forgot to setup his router security)............ :)

Happy bunny again :encouragement:
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Gary can you give us a website or somewhere we can look for these items and is any specific idiots guide required to get it all going ?

If my kids can't get internet somewhere like Island Harbour you would think the place was lacking oxygen !
 
I've played hell any times about the WiFi at Shamrock. I struggle to log on and even then get better performance from my 3G card. If a marina advertises free wifi and includes video streaming in your bumph about it then at least provide it!

Marina WiFi = waste of time. IMHO.

Nuff said
 
 
You should try Ineedbroadband – there’s a misnomer if ever I saw one.
Tried the free go it was very slow, so called up and the lady said oh it will probably be better if I subscribe as the free service is limited.
Handed over my 20 quid for a month and could rarely get better than 200kbps and often less than 50kbps – that’s dial up speed.

Wrote and complained after a few days and they said it was not their fault, it was an issue with the network their wifi system connected with. They couldn’t/wouldn’t do anything to resolve it.

I requested a refund. Was refused. Requested again pointing out that the service was not fit for purpose and was referred to the contract saying no refunds no matter what.

Wrote back again pointing out contract was unfair, that their trade name was misleading and asking for managing director’s contact details. In meantime did some research, found his home address and phone number. Wrote to them again saying no need to provide the details as I had found them and would be writing to him and also to PayPal who they use to gather their payments telling them of my experience.

Ten minutes later a PayPal email shows up crediting me the money and saying sorry the service was not what I needed. Hmmm not sure who needs a 50kbps internet connect these days. SO advice is to avoid if possible.
 
oGaryo said:
Here you go Trevor, it comes with a clear guide to setting up and is very easy:

Antenna: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380923840235

Tube-U(N): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-Tube...osters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item462196372d there's one ending in a day or so that will probably be cheaper if you bid http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-Tube...osters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item43cac7c433

R36: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390620580855?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
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Thanks Gary - enjoy the festival.

We'll be annoying the natives in Osborne on Sunday, especially if I drop the rib down for the kids.
 
oGaryo said:
Here you go Trevor, it comes with a clear guide to setting up and is very easy:

Antenna: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380923840235

Tube-U(N): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-Tube...osters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item462196372d there's one ending in a day or so that will probably be cheaper if you bid http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-Tube...osters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item43cac7c433

R36: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390620580855?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
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The Alfa kit arrived today. Amazing - I can see 24 WIFI APs from my living room.

... now where can I find a WIFI WPA security code cracker App ...
 
superheat6k said:
The Alfa kit arrived today. Amazing - I can see 24 WIFI APs from my living room.

... now where can I find a WIFI WPA security code cracker App ...
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The even better news is that when you're on the boat in the marina there's usually a bunch of restaurants in the area that offer free wifi to their customers.... and now you from your boat :)
 
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