Wifi booster relay - NOT ANTENNA

[fjarvis]

I have a setup similar to what is being asked for. On a spreader I have a large (1m) wifi antenna connected to a Ubiquiti networks bullet. There are used for commercial wifi networking for mobile phone comms backhaul between masts etc. They are cheap.

It connects via Ethernet to a power injector (12v) and I have it going into a linksys wireless router which also takes a 3G PCMCIA card so I can switch between 3G and wifi.

I use it with an iPad. I connect to a web configuration page on the bullet to search and connect to a wifi network. I'm a bt total broadband subscriber at home which means there is usually an openzone or fon network in range when I'm near shore.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I just went through all of this. I learned a lot from this post: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=747640&highlight=wifi

I purchased the Alfa rig suggested by Rich and it works just fine.

http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-158/Alfa-AWUS036NH-2000mW-1000mW/Detail.bok

Poke around the website, there's a lot to learned there.

The "trick" is the ACTIVE USB extender. No need to go to masthead, since it captures signals which are sent out non-directionally.

Charlie's discussion on the first link is another way to go.

Also realize that this is an "adapter" solution with a remote antenna, which was not quite what the OP's question was, but it seems to answer the other question of "how do I better pick up wifi signals when on board?" They don't need to be at the masthead and can pick up signals far away.

 

[smartcom]

I did quite a lot of work on this for an article for YM just over a year ago.
There is no point in having a more powerful transmitter without having a decent antenna and low noise receiver - it's like trying to hold a conversation by shouting with earplugs in!
Also, the high power transmitters are illegal in Europe, and in addition will degrade the performance of all other WiFi users within range.
Best bet is to get a small WiFi box down below connected to your computer by a LAN or USB cable, then take the antenna off and fit a full size antenna on the pushpit, with good quality antenna cable and a short cable run to the antenna. Marinas don't yet use 802.11n, so you just need to get older kit off eBay that supports b/g and has a single antenna.
Tim

 

[lenseman]

It seems to me that the best location for a Wifi antenna would be at the top of the mast. But this solution has the inconvenience of having to thread a USB cable through the mast and cabin to the chart table . . . . . .

The longest cable that can be used it 5 metres or the data being passed along the cable will start to corrupt and become self defeating.

I have always suggested (ask Nathan ) a USB cable of maximum 5-metre length being hoisted using a signal halyard remembering to protect the dongle from the weather with something waterproof like a condom.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

I have a setup similar to what is being asked for. On a spreader I have a large (1m) wifi antenna connected to a Ubiquiti networks bullet. There are used for commercial wifi networking for mobile phone comms backhaul between masts etc. They are cheap.

It connects via Ethernet to a power injector (12v) and I have it going into a linksys wireless router which also takes a 3G PCMCIA card so I can switch between 3G and wifi.

I use it with an iPad. I connect to a web configuration page on the bullet to search and connect to a wifi network. I'm a bt total broadband subscriber at home which means there is usually an openzone or fon network in range when I'm near shore.

I have the bullet too and although I'm 100% happy with it I find that I only get any meaningfull distance with the directional 18db antenna. I have an 18db omni too but haven't had much success with it. Which omni do you have?

C.

P.S can a wifi ariel be used as a vhf antenna? (I'm thinking no...)