wifi signal strength

nondikass

nondikass

Member
Joined
18 Dec 2005
Messages
30
Location
UK south coast
Visit site
I am trying to extend/enhance the reception for my wifi enabled laptop. In particular, I want to use the laptop in the cabin to protect it from the elements and to avoid the problem of bright sunlight on the screen, but am worried that the signal strength will suffer as a result.
Is a range extender the answer, or can I use a supplementary aerial in the cockpit? I am limited to 12 volt boat power supply.
Any advice or recommendations would be gratefully received.
 
My laptop's pretty good for strength- right now am on a train, stuck after an "incident" and courtesy of some kind fellow in the neighbourhood, I can join you folks to while away the time (and forget my rumbling tummy)...
If anyone hears any news about an "incident" on the Stanstead Express today at 1310ish, I'd be curious to know what's gone on, they aint telling!
 
If your laptop has an internal wireless card, you will get significant improvement by using a USB one with a 1m cable. This lets you move it about for best positioning and is what I have on my boat. Not as sensitive as some of the other items discussed here, but a good solution for £40 odd.
 
I use an airbridge indoor, coupled with a 12db directional antenna bought for £20 from Maplins. This allows me to connect to the marina office network at a distance of over half a mile with 80% of the full network strength. Not cheap overall, but reliable (apart from when Square mile have problems anyway....)
 
Square Mile supplied an Airbridge to me when I was in the UK, in 2004. It works OK and I usually connect it to a 20dB directional yagi, giving a range of a couple of miles, at times. I don't think that product is still available, though.
 
I'm looking into this at this very moment, although we're starting our long term cruise from the States where we are at the moment.

Whilst obviously not in the UK you could try these two US sites:

Hyperlink marine wifi

Radiolabs wifi

Hyperlink sell complete marine kits including PCMCIA card cable and external antenna. Also look at the RV sections - there is a neat USB-only system that has antenna-cable-USB and nothing else (self powered) for about $170. The only reason I haven't bought it yet is because they use a USB plug on the antenna end as well and I've not figured out how to make this marine/waterproof. I think there is a market opportunity here /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I plan to discuss it with them next week.

I haven't used either company yet, I'm just providing this for information. Their sites do have a lot of useful information on how to put a system together though.

I don't know if there are regulatory differences between wifi in the UK and Europe and in the US, that's something else I'm looking into.

Cheers

Neil
 
its good to get a direct link to a selling site.
pity you have to pay $42 for airmail while uspostal send all their mail airmail even if its designated as surface.
hope theres plenty of sites in wiltshire
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top