Wi-fi repeaters

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Adethefridge

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Hi, when moored at the marina I am just out of range of the marina, bars & restaurants free wifi & have been looking at the possibility of installing a wifi repeater, I no Alfa do one but think it only for a USB connected devise ? I'm really looking for a unit which will allow me use my iPad , iPhone and tablet none of which have a USB connection, also my laptop does not have a cd/DVD drive so installing driver could be a problem, is there a straight forward unit that would do the job..??
 
Adethefridge said:
Hi, when moored at the marina I am just out of range of the marina, bars & restaurants free wifi & have been looking at the possibility of installing a wifi repeater, I no Alfa do one but think it only for a USB connected devise ? I'm really looking for a unit which will allow me use my iPad , iPhone and tablet none of which have a USB connection, also my laptop does not have a cd/DVD drive so installing driver could be a problem, is there a straight forward unit that would do the job..??
Click to expand...

Hi, try this company http://www.yachtrouter.com

Pan
 
Are you sure you mean "wifi repeater"? Yes, they do exist and would solve your problem, but they have to be left powered up somewhere between you and the wifi access point you want to connect to where they effectively function as a signal booster. In the context of a marina, this would seem to imply siting on another boat closer to the marina buildings - and that would be a problem in most cases.

There are long range wireless access devices from companies such as Digital Yacht, but they are quite expensive - if there is a decent 3G signal in your area, it may be cheaper to go for a mobile WiFi solution on a Pay As You Go contract - that will work in many more places than any long range WiFi connection device.
 
Or you can connect an Alfa R36 to the ALFA AWUS036NHR and create your own wifi hotspot that way.
The R36 runs off the mains adapter or 12v.
That way you don't need a laptop on all the time.
http://www.crucialwifi.co.uk/Alfa_R...AWUS036NH_Range_Extender/p740998_3971490.aspx
+ http://www.crucialwifi.co.uk/Alfa_N...apter__REALTEK_RTL8188RU/p740998_3940899.aspx

Also, if you're out of free wifi range, with the R36 you can plug in a 3G dongle with a local sim card and everyone on board can connect through that. Great piece of kit.
 
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It's all a bit techno - babble ,to me
My Marina has recently got WiFi and the signal @ my mooring lasts about 5-10 mins before I have to log back in ,it breaks down
Does anybody know of a gadget to plug inti a I Pad to act as a signal strength booster ?
 
Portofino said:
It's all a bit techno - babble ,to me
My Marina has recently got WiFi and the signal @ my mooring lasts about 5-10 mins before I have to log back in ,it breaks down
Does anybody know of a gadget to plug inti a I Pad to act as a signal strength booster ?
Click to expand...

That sounds more like your marinas attempt at controlling usage. If you physically have to log on every ten minutes, stops you downloading the latest blockbuster whilst sat in the pub two miles away....
 
I'm not great with computers and it took me ages to update the firmware to get it to work.
You have to connect it to a PC with a LAN cable to set it up. I found this guide did the job... http://www.agl-distribution.co.uk/docs/wifi/dsheet/AP-R36_FW_Update.pdf

After that it's fairly easy to use and you can search for new networks etc using the ipad.
When you plug it in it connects to the last network you used so if you always use the marina wifi, for instance, you just switch it on and you're good to go.
If the marina wifi chucks you off to stop you using bandwidth then maybe there's a bar nearby? The range is pretty good, much better than my laptop and 10x better than the ipad.
For about £70 it's a no brainer.
 
adey said:
I'm not great with computers and it took me ages to update the firmware to get it to work.
You have to connect it to a PC with a LAN cable to set it up. I found this guide did the job... http://www.agl-distribution.co.uk/docs/wifi/dsheet/AP-R36_FW_Update.pdf

After that it's fairly easy to use and you can search for new networks etc using the ipad.
When you plug it in it connects to the last network you used so if you always use the marina wifi, for instance, you just switch it on and you're good to go.
If the marina wifi chucks you off to stop you using bandwidth then maybe there's a bar nearby? The range is pretty good, much better than my laptop and 10x better than the ipad.
For about £70 it's a no brainer.
Click to expand...

I have the same kit, which is permanently wired in to a 12V connection, hidden in a cupboard. Works well, but you are still at the mercy of whatever wifi you connect to (most public stuff is slow), but hey, better than nothing.
 
That's what I intend to do with mine. I take it there's no problem with using the 12v boat supply, given that it's sometimes more?
I probably wouldn't bother with it in the UK. I'd just use an iphone as a hotspot with an unlimited 3G sim but for holidays abroad it saves buying a local sim that I won't use most of the year.
Slow wifi is okay for e-mails and checking the weather forecast etc.
 
adey said:
That's what I intend to do with mine. I take it there's no problem with using the 12v boat supply, given that it's sometimes more?...
Click to expand...
I've just bought a TP-Link TL-MR3220 150Mbps 3G/4G Wireless N Router:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0043GWGV8/dolcetto-21

I originally thought that it had a 12V power supply, but it turns out it is 9V. It has two SM power supplies inside, so I did a few tests: it works fine down to about 6V, so I just put a 4.7V zener diode in series with the power line. Having done that, I got a reply from the manufacturer saying it would probably be OK at 12V.
 
Although I suggested looking at the yachtrouter site, a previous thread started by myself on this issue contained some great advice from the forum, eventually we purchased an unlocked mifi which we can use on any network (currently spain) 1.90e/day, it's brilliant, we can use up to 5 wifi enabled computers/ipad/iphones etc at the same time, the speed is excellent (even stream movies!) the unit is re-chargable battery, smaller than iPhone and covers the whole boat, my son streamed a movie all the way offshore from Sa Rapita to Adriano at 24kts without a problem. My experience of marina wifi is pretty miserable, either they restrict bandwidth or the connection is flaky at best. Thanks forum members who suggested this solution, as ever an excellent nugget of information!
Pan
 
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