Simple Omni Directional WiFi

[Snboard976]

I am currently using a Verizon card to get the internet on board. Sadly, I will have to say goodbye to it in a few days when we cross over to the Bahamas.

I bought a nanostation 2 antenna which is directional. It is a pain to set up the physical antenna as well as the associated software.

I am looking for an omnidirectional wifi antenna that is easy to configure. So far the closest I have found is the Radiolabs Wave RV. Anyone have experience with this product or other suggestions?

[Allanbc]

I bought one of theseUSB 500mW WiFI Adapter. I see that the price has gone up by $5 since I bought mine 2 weeks ago!

I have used it both on my desktop and my netbook computer. On my desktop, my connection to my wireless router at the other end of the house went from 3 bars to 5 bars. I could see two wireless networks (mine and a neighbors). With this device, I can now see 12 wireless networks.

At my marina, my netbook would not connect to the marina wi-fi reliably. I could only get 1 to 2 bars of service. Now I get 4 to 5 bars and have a good, strong, reliable connection.

This was a cheap and easy to install option for me.

Allan

Disclaimer, I have no financial interest in this product. I am simply a very satisfied user.

[westerly]

i have used a radiolabs wave rv marine antenna at a dock in florida for the past year and it seems to function ok. much superior to the built in laptop unit. a friend who had used his in the caribbean recently broke it & replaced it with a unit from Marine PC's & WiFi by IslandTime PC he says the new one works better for him.
jim s/v mello moon

[scottyt]

i made a coliner dipole antenna that i hacked in to a usb wifi dongal. it works pretty well, as i run it on a 15 usb cable. i have a short line with a clip that i just take topside and loop it on the boom, then drop the cable down the hatch. i put the antennea/usb into a piece of pvc pipe and sealed it with rescue tape so it water proof. total set up time is less than a min

here is some info on what i made ( not mine but similar )
Super Wi-Fi antenna | Articles & Archives | Ocean Navigator: The magazine for long-distance offshore sailing and power voyaging

[braidmike]

Check these folks out: Data Alliance: Long-Distance Wireless Networking Equipment & Support
I bought a WIFI card, omni antenna (marine, no less!), appropriate cables & cords, for just a little over a $100. In the marina, I could barely get the WIFI from the shoreside bathroom 200' away. Now I get over 70! Of course, most are barely there, but it is amazing. The WIFI is 100X faster than my ATT air card. A buddy is cruising in Mexico with the same setup, & we can skype while he is at anchor...
I have no financial interst in Data Alliance. Their tech info was helpful when I had trouble getting the driver to download from the supplied CD.
Mike

[capn_dave]

uses the Bullet made by the same people that make the Nano Station.

The Bullet is designed to plug into a WIFI antenna. Ubiquiti makes both units.

I used to push the Radio Labs antenna, then came the Nano Station, No drivers to install and no cable length restricrions as with the Radio Labs RV wave.

The Bullet sells for about 58.00 and then you have to get an omni directional antenna. Depending on the gain the antenna could cost as little as 20.00 more than likely it will cost you about 75.00 for a high gain omni antenna.
So for around 125 150 boat bucks you could have a good wifi capable unit.

Fair Winds

Dave

[sailingdog]

Get the Bullet 2HP and a 9 dB gain omnidirectional antenna. Read the post I wrote on WiFi on cruising boats.

Originally Posted by Snboard976

I am currently using a Verizon card to get the internet on board. Sadly, I will have to say goodbye to it in a few days when we cross over to the Bahamas.

I bought a nanostation 2 antenna which is directional. It is a pain to set up the physical antenna as well as the associated software.

I am looking for an omnidirectional wifi antenna that is easy to configure. So far the closest I have found is the Radiolabs Wave RV. Anyone have experience with this product or other suggestions?

[scottyt]

i will say i installed a nano station2 for a friend, i spent hours trying to use the standard system of linking it to a wireless router. once i decided to go with the marine/rv type setup it took 5 mins and worked great. i went from not even seeing the network to 89 % signal strength. it also picked up 8 other networks, none of these where even seen by my netbook that has a decent ant in it. would i buy one, yes i would if i needed anything more than i have currently, but until i go cruising that is a neg.