Wifi again.......

nigelmercier said:
It won't be significantly better than an Alfa. See this post, and the links to other posts.
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errm, on the basis that the Alfa is a generally a single device solution and the link points to a multi device AP solution we're not comparing apples with apples (I should point out that other fruits are available)

The devices used in the solution the OPs link points to are equally as good as the Alfa ones, imo.
 
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RobbieW said:
errm, on the basis that the Alfa is a generally a single device solution and the link points to a multi device AP solution we're not comparing apples with apples (I should point out that other fruits are available)

The devices used in the solution the OPs link points to are equally as good as the Alfa ones, imo.
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Could be as good but Alfa R36 + AWUS036H / NH will be a fraction of the cost. So cheaper option if OP wants to go that route. I've seen $300 units that turned out to be boxed Alfa kit and other units that might have been superior but no proof supplied (one owner claimed 10nm range and best I get is a little over 5nm). This kit has some advantages but not enough to persuade me to pay $300.

N.B. Nigel has used his Alfa booster as a multi-point AP so it wasn't too unfair to compare it to unit OP mentioned as functionality can be similar (but a bit more of a faff than a dedicated system).
 
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Carmel2 said:
Would I be right in saying none of these Alfa units are waterproof and should only be used indoors? Also when they say its a 9 or 5 dBi antenna, does the higher the number mean a stronger signal?
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I've never needed to mount mine outside, as the unit has high power and a sensitive receive. However, you could easily mount the antenna externally via a cable. You could then get an larger one (higher gain, higher dB) if you wanted, but I've found the 7dB directional one to be more than adequate, as on this unit: http://amzn.to/1ovBIdw

Just noticed that my link has disappeared from my first post, here it is again.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?387589-Sharing-Wi-Fi-signal-update
 
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nigelmercier said:
The multi-point aspect is of course optional.
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I was replying to post saying Alfa was single device only and saying you were wrong to compare it with OP's device. You were actually correct of course as R36 is available and Alfa booster can also manage the same trick on it's own.


N.B. Alfa AWUS036H is not waterproof (nor NH version). However, I've used it many times in rain by putting it in a plastic bag (upside down, tied at bottom). I ran into one chap with a $300 waterproof version. He had a problem and it revealed an Alfa AWUS036H when opened. Just an Alfa in a box with a bigger antenna on top and USB extension coming out of a gland. It was designed for permanent external mount but you could make the same thing very cheaply (lot less than $300). :D
 
Mistroma said:
... I ran into one chap with a $300 waterproof version. He had a problem and it revealed an Alfa AWUS036H when opened. Just an Alfa in a box with a bigger antenna on top and USB extension coming out of a gland...
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I bought a box, a long antenna, and some plastic conduit to do exactly this, then discovered that it worked fine inside.
 
Pretty rare for me to use it outside as well. However, there are odd times when it helps and a lot of times when it's worse. I had problems recently at end of a long line of boats on a single pontoon (only a wave break really). Marina didn't have WiFi and all Cafés were in a street away from the pontoon.

2-3 boats would leave and I could pick up a faint Café signal through a gap. Then some more would arrive and I'd need to move the antenna up and to one side or other to get a signal again. So it might be worth making up something waterproof. However, Nigel hasn't found a real need and I manage by using a simple poly bag. So I don't class it as a priority, otherwise I'd have put something together in past 10 years.

I do sometimes use an active USB extension cable to hang it under the sprayhood. But that's as much to get it out of the way as to improve the signal.
 
Mistroma said:
I was replying to post saying Alfa was single device only and saying you were wrong to compare it with OP's device. You were actually correct of course as R36 is available and Alfa booster can also manage the same trick on it's own.


N.B. Alfa AWUS036H is not waterproof (nor NH version). However, I've used it many times in rain by putting it in a plastic bag (upside down, tied at bottom). I ran into one chap with a $300 waterproof version. He had a problem and it revealed an Alfa AWUS036H when opened. Just an Alfa in a box with a bigger antenna on top and USB extension coming out of a gland. It was designed for permanent external mount but you could make the same thing very cheaply (lot less than $300). :D
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Trying to get WIFI on my boat via a local cafe about 500 yards from my mooring, problem is I know nothing about setting this up, can any one in simple terms explain, I have an ·acer· laptop with windows7 it works with WIFI so long as I am in the cafe, a friend said I need an antena type EDUP 802.11G/B USB, thanks in advance
 
scoty said:
Trying to get WIFI on my boat via a local cafe about 500 yards from my mooring, problem is I know nothing about setting this up, can any one in simple terms explain, I have an ·acer· laptop with windows7 it works with WIFI so long as I am in the cafe, a friend said I need an antena type EDUP 802.11G/B USB, thanks in advance
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See the link in Post #7
 
Well I have been running with 3G/4G Aerial up the mast in the Med and UK. I really don't see the point of Wifi anymore unless you have a yacht at the end of the dock and want your house wifi.

This is the way the world is going Huawei E5172 Get involved £150 and a doddle to set up. No longer will you worry about Marina WIFI fees or finding that weak signal from the local wifi.

JOB DONE - The link that you posted is "from 2003" I think that says it all about the technology for boats. The router spreads wifi throughout the boat so you don't need a stand alone wifi router that links up to the wifi spots available on the market.

Im watching Forest gump through my iPad (Netflix) while messaging on YBW -
 
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Jamesuk said:
...This is the way the world is going Huawei E5172 Get involved £150 and a doddle to set up. No longer will you worry about Marina WIFI fees or finding that weak signal from the local wifi...
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Mostly agree, we rarely use WiFi now. However, when outside your home country the data plans currently available limit the usage to around 10Gb/month tops for a reasonable price (up to €30 depending on country). IMO its useful to have WiFi capacity still for those occasions when its available and you can save the heavy downloads for those occasions.

Hadnt come across that device before, it seems very like an updated Ericsson W25 that we still use some of the time - it seems better at dealing with weak signals than the dongle, currently have 2 bars of 2G in a bay on Meganisi
 
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