WiFi Bat - seeking feedback please

RobbieW said:
I'm now looking at whether my existing router can be extended to carry NMEA over ethernet, that'll keep me interested for a month or two.
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Can you expand a little on what you mean by that? I'm doubtless telling you what you know already but "NMEA over ethernet" in its various forms is just NMEA sentences shoved into TCP or UDP packets so shouldn't be a problem for any router. The only time I've heard of where capabilities of the router matter are some arrangements where high bandwidth data from fishfinders and radar is distributed over multicast and would flood wifi bandwidth if put out the port to which the access point is attached. In those instances it helps to have a router which does igmp snooping so that multicast traffic is only distributed out of ports where a particular group is needed.

The trick of course is getting your data from rs422 and shoving it into IP. If you don't have a favourite idea for that already I can certainly make a biased suggestion...
 
laika said:
Can you expand a little on what you mean by that? I'm doubtless telling you what you know already but "NMEA over ethernet" in its various forms is just NMEA sentences shoved into TCP or UDP packets so shouldn't be a problem for any router. The only time I've heard of where capabilities of the router matter are some arrangements where high bandwidth data from fishfinders and radar is distributed over multicast and would flood wifi bandwidth if put out the port to which the access point is attached. In those instances it helps to have a router which does igmp snooping so that multicast traffic is only distributed out of ports where a particular group is needed.

The trick of course is getting your data from rs422 and shoving it into IP. If you don't have a favourite idea for that already I can certainly make a biased suggestion...
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Its not a big issue because there are several options in Linux which ultimatly most of the routers run (or a version), but you have an NMEA server running which takes the serial data from RS422 and puts it into a TCP and/or UDP stream on a dedicated port to service the clients. Its easy to install on any Linux box.
 
SeamanStaines said:
Its not a big issue because there are several options in Linux which ultimatly most of the routers run (or a version), but you have an NMEA server running which takes the serial data from RS422 and puts it into a TCP and/or UDP stream on a dedicated port to service the clients. Its easy to install on any Linux box.
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As stated above, my opinion might be a little biased, but what do you consider are the best options?
 
SeamanStaines said:
Oh, I could not be arsed to build anything so I have a redbox from mailasail as it just 'does it'. I had it running on a linux install on an old notebook but I would not want to use that for primary systems on the boat.
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Much as I respect mailasail's technical abilities and customer support, their redbox's nmea to IP conversion was (last time I asked) a perl hack that was minimally functional. Of course if it works it works and that's the main thing but there are rather more robust and fully featured alternatives. What were you using on the straight linux install?
 
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prv said:
...Who runs the server end of the VPN you use?...
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Astrill - based on a recommendation from ActiveCaptain a couple of years ago. Throughput isnt always great but mostly it works and with the client running on the router I no longer have to think about enabling software on any of the network devices.

laika said:
Can you expand a little on what you mean by that? I'm doubtless telling you what you know already but "NMEA over ethernet" in its various forms is just NMEA sentences shoved into TCP or UDP packets so shouldn't be a problem for any router. The only time I've heard of where capabilities of the router matter are some arrangements where high bandwidth data from fishfinders and radar is distributed over multicast and would flood wifi bandwidth if put out the port to which the access point is attached. In those instances it helps to have a router which does igmp snooping so that multicast traffic is only distributed out of ports where a particular group is needed.

The trick of course is getting your data from rs422 and shoving it into IP. If you don't have a favourite idea for that already I can certainly make a biased suggestion...
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I'd not seriously looked at this before but I now have OCPN retransmitting NMEA via UDP packets from one laptop to another, thats a start and useful. I guess I'd like to have something similar to the person over on Cruisers who was looking for a low power NMEA to TCPIP solution, so I've started reading threads there and here which describe such things. I'm pretty sure I've read yours but dont remember it explicitly, wanna provide a link please?
 
http://www.stripydog.com/kplex
It *should* compile on any POSIX platform. I was interested to hear if anyone *had* put it into some router firmware: Should be possible but I've not tried it. Putting onto a raspberry pi plugged into a router would be trivial. I did do a (still un-spell-checked) write up of turning the pi into a wireless access point and "nmea server", but given the variability and occasional flakiness of random linux wireless dongles it's not something I'd rely on (though it does actually work for me):
http://www.stripydog.com/tech/piap.html
Now if I can find a web interface to NetworkManager or similar (or finally write one) I could round that project off by plugging in the bat and having a web-selectable internet feed....

Other alternatives on Linux that I know of are muplex (very simple but pretty neat shell script wrapped around socat) and of course Open CPN, but I'm interested to hear what others are using
 
laika said:
http://www.stripydog.com/kplex
It *should* compile on any POSIX platform. I was interested to hear if anyone *had* put it into some router firmware: Should be possible but I've not tried it....
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Thanks - I will likely be back to you! Reading up on cross compiling for the Broadcom platform and having a think about getting the NMEA stream into the router. Just tried plugging the FTDI Serial-USB cable from the AIS into the router and running lsusb, at least it shows up as the right sort of device. Another thought is combining two NMEA streams, one each from AIS and GPS - given I've only 2 USB slots available and I'd like to keep one free for the 3G dongle.
 
RobbieW said:
More in line with the question - had you found this...
http://www.crucialwifi.co.uk/product/marina%20wireless%20network%20complete%20kit

It also appears to be based on a Bullet, designed for cruisers use and less than a third the price of the Bat with added function. No idea about the company though
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Just for completeness, and sort of based on Ed's comments, the Alfa Tube is mostly unlikely to be any relation of the Bullet. Different chipsets for a start (RALink vs. Atheros), the similarity stops at the casing. Alfa do have a high reputation amongst cruisers for long distance & reliable WiFi boosters.
 
Seems to be behaving itself today??

No other wi-fi stuff on board and the base station is in a direct line to the antenna, just a couple of other masts in the way, and is set up to cover the marina, I think!
 
laika said:
Much as I respect mailasail's technical abilities and customer support, their redbox's nmea to IP conversion was (last time I asked) a perl hack that was minimally functional. Of course if it works it works and that's the main thing but there are rather more robust and fully featured alternatives. What were you using on the straight linux install?
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I have had no issues at all with the NMEA function on the Redbox (although it did confuse me a little because it is not on the standard gpsd port and gpsd is still working). I was just using gpsd on the build I had, but I will be honest I did not do the interface, one of the engineers did.

The Redbox I know is not perfect, and lacks a lot of the more technical configuration functions. I believe that they are developing the software to cover some of the functions it lacks. The only one that causes me a problem is the inability to connect up a unit to the Internet that you cant run a web browser on first (in my case a popcorn media player). There is also a known 'bug' that locks up the USB ports occasionally requiring a restart but I understand a fix should be available shortly.

Because I am used to more technical routers I do miss some of the diagnostic functions to look at connections, arp tables, routes etc; but this is not the market that product is aimed at, its designed to be very simple and user friendly, which it is I believe.
 
Just ordered one of these myself and very pleased to say that substantial discount given to forum members who quote YBWFORUM when ordering until end of year. I have opted for one of these to give me a much easy plug and play connection compared to the ethernet Bullet I have been using to date.

No connection to the Company, just satisifed customer that has used the Iridium email service for a number of years.
 
mpo said:
Just ordered one of these myself... I have opted for one of these to give me a much easy plug and play connection compared to the ethernet Bullet I have been using to date.
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If you've the time, I'd be interested in your feedback on the connectivity differences you observe between the two - tia
 
OK So I'm Lazy

Been away so just joining this thread so must admit have not read all of the previous posts.

As liveaboards, over the years, internet access gone from being desirable to essential.

As the technology has matured we have used number of systems.

We find a pay-as-you-go dongle works well - the drawback is expense (especially if you regularly travel between different countries).

This is why, when available, wifi is our primary source. Additionally, SWMBO, is an iPad Queen & as her iPad is wifi only, she always requires wifi.

Our solutions?

To give us extended range wifi we use a plug & play 2w Alfa Network Wireless USB Adapter AWUSO36 (series) connected directly to the laptop. We have achieved ranges up to 7km with this unit.

To provide a mobile wifi hot spot on board we connect the USB Adaptor to an Alfa R36 mobile router. The R36 is a 12/240v, plug & play unit. This meets the iPad need.

Additionally, the R36 operates with either dongle or the USB adapter to provide on board wifi, so ultimate flexibility & no wires between computers.

Costs vary but units cost about £40 - £50.

I am a computer numbty so get all of my advice from David at the Wifi Shop so why not Google The Wifi Shop.

Hope this helps.

ps I have never met David, nor do I have any 'interest' in his organisation.
 
On the whole the Redbox is a fairly useful bit of kit and it's great that they've paid attention to power consumption; there should be a Hall of Fame for 'marine' companies that do this. There are a number of frustrating issues with the Redbox but if you simply want to use it for connecting laptops or tablets to the internet it's fine but then doesn't actually do anything a cheap high street router won't do. It needs a proper manual to give it credibility and also they need to complete it so it actually performs all the functions that it advertises. I think my biggest frustration with it has already been mentioned in that non-browser devices like a Kindle can't connect to it, in addition I would like it to be able to store device connections so we don't have to continually authorise laptops etc with it on every power cycle.
I've had an email exchange with Ed Wildgoose about the above and I know he is continually working to improve it.
 
I have a redbox linked to a wifi bat fitted for me in Falmouth and have had nothing but problems with the kit.

Since April I have had only two, possibly three, short range connections in the last two months and these tripped after several minutes connection. The laptop wifi receiver has been considerably more successful. I have also spent more hours trying to get connections with redbox than on the maintenance of all other systems on board!

On arrival in Spain I purchased a MIFI 3g from Orange with pay-as-you-go SIM (€39 purchase and €20 for 30 days 2Gb connection). I am delighted with it - All connection problems solved, even up to 4 -5 miles off shore around Bibao!

Ed W at Mailasail has been helpful but to no avail - so far.
 
I must admit that the assertions of what WiFi Bat and Red Box will do and what they won't do, the detailed technical discussions, the apparent need to do some programming and fault finding, the apparent absence of a clear instruction manual and, just above, Chief Charlie's challenges over the last few months since he had his fitted in Falmouth don't fill me with confidence. Like him, I did get a MiFi dongle and weekly subscription and it works every time I'm within 3G range. Of course I still enjoy my regular trips to cafes with wifi where I can have a coffee or a beer. You'd have to go to a wifi cafe anyway, wouldn't you, in order to get the password?

I think I'll wait a little longer and watch out for improvements: it seems that the WiFi Bat is under continuous development.
 
bjl said:
I must admit that the assertions of what WiFi Bat and Red Box will do and what they won't do, the detailed technical discussions, the apparent need to do some programming and fault finding, the apparent absence of a clear instruction manual and, just above, Chief Charlie's challenges over the last few months since he had his fitted in Falmouth don't fill me with confidence. Like him, I did get a MiFi dongle and weekly subscription and it works every time I'm within 3G range. Of course I still enjoy my regular trips to cafes with wifi where I can have a coffee or a beer. You'd have to go to a wifi cafe anyway, wouldn't you, in order to get the password?

I think I'll wait a little longer and watch out for improvements: it seems that the WiFi Bat is under continuous development.
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Why are you so sold on WiFi Bat & Red Box when the Alpha systems are fully up & running, easy to install, reliable & cheap? Does just what it says on the box & out to 5miles ish.

I have used an Alfa AWUSO36H for the past 4 years all over Europe & am completely happy with it.

Am I missing something?
 
nortada said:
Why are you so sold on WiFi Bat & Red Box when the Alpha systems are fully up & running, easy to install, reliable & cheap? Does just what it says on the box & out to 5miles ish.

I have used an Alfa AWUSO36H for the past 4 years all over Europe & am completely happy with it.

Am I missing something?
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Just read up what the redbox advertises it can do and you'll see the difference.
 
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