Wireless NMEA

[RobbieW]

I know there are a plethora of products that will do this for you - at a price. Those with some IT type knowledge might find my RYO solution interesting - it all started with deciding I needed some sort of router on board .....

http://syspringdawn.blogspot.com/2013/08/disributing-nmea-through-router.html

 

[maby]

Interesting - been thinking of trying to lash something like this together - may give it a try.

 

[laika]

Still impressed by what you've done with that asus router and given that they get snapped up for top dollar on ebay, I may just have to stump up the £65 for a new one. Also considering the advantages of going the ubiquiti route. Which bullet do you have, how is it mounted, and are there minimum separation distances from VHF antennae to be considered?

 

[RobbieW]

I have a Bullet 2HP, I may upgrade to an M2 this winter as I'm starting to see more N networks around looking at what the laptop sometimes sees. I bought an EnGenius 8 dbi omni-directional antenna to go with the Bullet. Basically I have a string cradle with a couple of rolling hitches around the Bullet/antenna body that links into the port flag halyard or goes up up the topping lift on the main halyard, its on 10 metres of cat 5E ethernet cable. A friend of mine put his Bullet into a length of plumbing pipe sealed at the top, seems a bit sophisticated to me.

Didnt think about separation from VHF, however my VHF transmit aerial is at the masthead so theres around 10 metres separation there. I have an external 3G antenna mounted next to the AIS antenna off the wind gen pole on the stern, no idea if that interferes but I'd doubt it. I have the Asus box mounted vertically and only use one of the three antenna possible, I only need it to cover the boat and choose what looks to be the least congested channel (10) which is easily changed. I've had the Bullet/Engenius combo within about a metre of the Asus without noticing any deterioration of signal but usually they are at least 3 metres apart when in use.