rustybarge
Active member
Just a small caveat about using wi fi hotspots for private data........http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-26469598
Wi Fi Booster
- Thread starter Powersalt
- Start date
RobbieW
Well-known member
Having read the article, I think using a VPN service would protect your data irrespective of the connection used to get to your VPN provider. VPN sets up an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN providers server, your data then passes through that tunnel. As with most things you get what you pay for, free VPN usually only encrypts port 80, or http, traffic. Paid for services are more likely to protect all interactions.
Possibly less reliable or secure would be to ensure that your emails are using an SSL connection and any sensitive website traffic uses an https: connection.
Powersalt
Active member
Hi Paul,
I would appreciate your comments on this: http://www.metisair.co.uk/products.asp.
Seems a compromising bit of kit price viz efficiency.
I would appreciate your comments on this: http://www.metisair.co.uk/products.asp.
Seems a compromising bit of kit price viz efficiency.
Prhperio
Member
I would have thought it worth getting something with a higher gain antenna whilst you are at it. That kit supplies with 8dB but it's possible to do better than that IMHO. I've done a "home brew" set up and used a 15dB simply as the more the merrier to some extent AFAIK.
HTH
Paul
MarieC
New member
Hi - Marie from MetisAir here.
Paul, we considered offering such a high gain antenna but elected not too. Have a look at our FAQ page where the rationale for this is addressed:
http://www.metisair.co.uk/faqs.asp
Powersalt, what you have been told is correct. MetisAir remembers all of the remote hotspots you connect to and then automatically reconnects as you move location.
Hope this helps
Marie
Paul, we considered offering such a high gain antenna but elected not too. Have a look at our FAQ page where the rationale for this is addressed:
http://www.metisair.co.uk/faqs.asp
Powersalt, what you have been told is correct. MetisAir remembers all of the remote hotspots you connect to and then automatically reconnects as you move location.
Hope this helps
Marie
Philiz
Active member
Could someone help me with my set-up please?
As a BT Broadband customer I can use the BtFon wi-fi if I can pick one up. I have a Wifisky booster connected to an external aerial which picks up a very good BtFon signal. The bit I'm struggling with is inregrating an R36 to create an hotspot on the boat for wireless connection of laptop and smartphones. The R36 firmware version is V1.2.1.2b6 which appears to be new enough to allow it to recognise the booster.
Although reasonably good at I.T. stuff, wireless networking is still a bit of a mystery, I'm guessing there are some settings I need to sort out, but not sure. Any help would be appreciated, simple terms please!
As a BT Broadband customer I can use the BtFon wi-fi if I can pick one up. I have a Wifisky booster connected to an external aerial which picks up a very good BtFon signal. The bit I'm struggling with is inregrating an R36 to create an hotspot on the boat for wireless connection of laptop and smartphones. The R36 firmware version is V1.2.1.2b6 which appears to be new enough to allow it to recognise the booster.
Although reasonably good at I.T. stuff, wireless networking is still a bit of a mystery, I'm guessing there are some settings I need to sort out, but not sure. Any help would be appreciated, simple terms please!
adey
Member
Setup a hotspot
http://www.agl-distribution.co.uk/docs/wifi/dsheet/AP-R36_USB_WiFi_HotSpot_Setup.pdf
http://www.agl-distribution.co.uk/docs/wifi/dsheet/AP-R36_USB_WiFi_HotSpot_Setup.pdf
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Powersalt
Active member
HI, I have just come back from a week in sunnier climates and have picked up on this thread again.
You mention the aerial and say you consider higher gain but you do not sat why you do not copy the likes of Digital?
ALso I have a second question, ref the cable does it have to have the ends fitted and as such the need for bigger drilled holes? just a thought
Philiz
Active member
That's great, thanks very much! I'd found the firmware update page (which suggests mine is okay, but I'll update it anyway just in case) but I hadn't fpund the step by step guide to set up the hotspot. I'll print it off and have a bash at it next weekend. Thanks again for your help.
adey
Member
It looks more complicated than it is! 
MarieC
New member
Hi Powersalt - hope the week away was good.
We elected to offer the 8dBi antenna as from the tests we performed offered the combination of performance, practicality and cost. As the gain increases the antenna becomes more directional in the horizontal plane and the overall dimension can become impractical for some. We initially offered a choice of antenna but the take up on the higher gain was so low we stopped stocking it.
With regards to the cable, no it does not have to be supplied pre terminated. You can specify the following at point of order: the type of cable (there are two to choosse from depending on the overall length), the exact length required and how it is terminated. For the termination you can choose to have both ends terminated, one or none. We then supply the appropriate number of clamp on plugs you can fit yourself after running the cable.
Hope that helps.
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Philiz
Active member
It looks more complicated than it is!
It works! Sitting on the boat typing this with a pretty quick connection. Thanks for the help
ExmoorTech_Jim
New member
We are the UK & EU Distributors for the WaveWiFi product range. If you have any questions please fire away...
To answer the comments re Pricing, there are a couple of important factors.
1) All WaveWiFi products run a propriety firmware rather than a re-branded version of AirOS (the Ubiquiti firmware which is very very flexible, but can be very technical and would intimidate most non-tech users). This firmware takes time to develop, test and is subject to constant free updates - for example this year we have released the YachtAP onboard Access Point which is managed directly from the Rogue Web Interface (in fact upto 10 YachtAP's can be managed from a single Rogue). By focusing on making the firmware as easy to use as possible, we are able to offer our customers the convenience of 3 click connection to a new hotspot.
2) We select & test hardware platforms to suit the marine application - and if non are available then develop these. They are then packaged (generally in a stainless steel enclosure rather than non UV stabalised PVC) and supply all the components needed to work out of the box.
3) WaveWiFi products (apart from the EU MBR4G model) are manufactured in the US, unfortunately this involves import, duties, and CE regulatory compliance which all contribute to the cost.
WaveWiFi have been around for over 10 years and with over 8,000 deployed units shows that many non-technical users value the convenience and accept the higher cost.
To answer the comments re Pricing, there are a couple of important factors.
1) All WaveWiFi products run a propriety firmware rather than a re-branded version of AirOS (the Ubiquiti firmware which is very very flexible, but can be very technical and would intimidate most non-tech users). This firmware takes time to develop, test and is subject to constant free updates - for example this year we have released the YachtAP onboard Access Point which is managed directly from the Rogue Web Interface (in fact upto 10 YachtAP's can be managed from a single Rogue). By focusing on making the firmware as easy to use as possible, we are able to offer our customers the convenience of 3 click connection to a new hotspot.
2) We select & test hardware platforms to suit the marine application - and if non are available then develop these. They are then packaged (generally in a stainless steel enclosure rather than non UV stabalised PVC) and supply all the components needed to work out of the box.
3) WaveWiFi products (apart from the EU MBR4G model) are manufactured in the US, unfortunately this involves import, duties, and CE regulatory compliance which all contribute to the cost.
WaveWiFi have been around for over 10 years and with over 8,000 deployed units shows that many non-technical users value the convenience and accept the higher cost.