WiFi Range extending cards & aerials

Richard10002

Richard10002

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Hi,

There have been a number of posts asking about wifi and connecting. Dogwatch seems to have sorted out a system, but IIRC it involved a bit of soldering to get an aerial connected to a laptop card.

I've found the following seller on ebay and am considering this card, along with an appropriate aerial:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9737821002

Any thoughts on its' being appropriate, or not, for wifi on a boat.

I'm currently in Lagos using the Hotspot Portugal connection at £35 per month unlimited. I can get a reasonable signal on deck, but it's almost non existant below decks, (where I need it most).

Cheers

Richard
 
Just get one of the little USB silver "finger" type units (Netgear) and a 5m USB extension. Add snappy bag and a cable tie.

Just hang it outside away from any metal (Pegged to the topping lift). Works a treat for us.
 
If you don't mind manually pointing the antenna. this is excellent.

If you want omnidirectional then something like this but it is a lot more work to install. I use the second solution but dont use the pc card adapter. I have hooked the antenna and amplifier up to a wireless bridge, here . The linksys scans the airwaves for suitable access points. From the wireless bridge you can go straight to your laptop with a standard ethernet cable, (I go to a secondary wireless router so I have private wifi throughout the boat). You may need to make your own cables and it takes a bit of setting up, (fortunately it's my day job), but it is the ultimate solution. I pick up access points up to 1/2 mile away no trouble.
 
Wow! I like the idea of the kit... a bit like my TV aerial kit, (aerial to 12V amp, then amp to TV and Radio). Shouldnt be too difficult to fit, but not cheap compared to Neils £20 USB adaptor in a plastic bag <g>

Thanks for the info.
 
Richard, concerning the post in the lounge, the link I sent for the LMR400 cable. I said that I bought it bare and fitted my own connectors, but if you look, they will supply with connectors fitted.

You should also look at Tomes method, he extended his USB cables rather than the RF, using a linksys wireless box. Though he had to modify his box to connect to an omni directional aerial.

I would like to go alongside Tomes boat and see how our relative systems compare for connections to the same hub <?>. I think his system might have more gain than mine as he should not have the possible problems of RF loss, but my RF cable is far beefier than his.

There is a business opportunity for someone here, you could make a mint!
 
Re: WiFi Range extending cards &amp; aerials

I have the full installation as described. On my neighbours more static boat I installed the USB directional device that I mentioned.
My omni antenna is on the top of the mizzen but you do need the amplifier next to the Linksys bridge as the cable run would be too long without it. As it's my day job I had the opportunity to try loads of different devices before settling on this. The Linksys bridge seems to be quite sensitive and the 'Site Survey' option is great for seeing what's out there. When you see one over about 30% signal strength that doesn't require WEP etc then simply click on it and you're connected. Range is tremendous, I used this on a recent cruise down to N Spain and when at anchor was rarely without a connection. The link quality is dependent obviously on range but also on channel interference and 'rigging'. The higher you can get the antenna the better. I compromised by using thinner coax up the mizzen but if you can feed it through heavier coax would serve you well.
Not an easy installation but worth the effort.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just get one of the little USB silver "finger" type units (Netgear) and a 5m USB extension. Add snappy bag and a cable tie.

Just hang it outside away from any metal (Pegged to the topping lift). Works a treat for us.

[/ QUOTE ]Good common sense, but don't go beyond 5m, that is already the USB max cable length, and could be pushing it a bit for WiFi.
 
Another vote for this solution - we are at the furthest berth from the marina office / wifi hotspot and the 5M cable is usually tied to a shroud - gets 4/5 signal strength even that close to all the metalwork.

Cost total about 20 quid via ebay for USB adaptor and 5m cable
 
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