Long-Distance WiFi Device

[luepetri]

this set up then allows us to recieve internet service as we sail around North and Central America then? without connecting to any harbour internet cafes? that is what folks call hotspots then too? when you are anchored and find a signal?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by luepetri

wow Nick how much power does that all take? We will be on our sailboat trying to minimize our energy use. We will have a GPS/radar and use our laptop as a secondary navigation devise. THe computer will be for internet use.
Thanks for this explanation it is much more understandable.

The wifi stuff is all very low power, no need to worry much about that. A 24" screen is a different story and we don't really use it while underway.

As for minimizing energy use. We decided we are too spoiled to live our life in survival mode but also recognize the importance for the environment. We solved that by installing a rather large solar array of 660W.

cheers,
Nick.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by luepetri

this set up then allows us to recieve internet service as we sail around North and Central America then? without connecting to any harbour internet cafes? that is what folks call hotspots then too? when you are anchored and find a signal?

It depends on the location. Many times you will find that there are no open wifi routers (they are secured) so you will have to pay for service. But there are also many places where we can get free service from a marina or even private houses with open routers. Distance isn't the issue anymore.

But the big advantage of the 2-router setup is basically only if you're geek enough to like wireless Skype devices, iPhones, iTouch, PDA's etc. We couldn't do without our squeezebox based entertainment system because music is an important part of life for us. We have 7 wifi client-devices aboard ;-)

If you just use 1 computer, I would opt for an external adapter that can use an external antenna. I like this stuff best: Buy Wireless antenna,WiFi Antenna,2.4Ghz 5Ghz Wlan Antenna,RF connector,RF pigtail cable,Lightning Protector,802.11 a/b/g, Omni ,panel ,yagi ,Grid antenna

cheers,
Nick.

[hellosailor]

lue-
This may be wandering a bit OT but if all this Wifi talk ius new to you...Also do make Real Damn Sure you are using a firewall on your computer (or in the router) and that any email you send is over an account that uses SSL or https (secured and encrypted) web mails. If you are not using SSL for email, then your user name and password may be sent in the clear--and for every free wifi access point, there is someone hanging around, running a sniffer, just to see what they can find. Obviously, the same applies to online banking, where most banks are smart enough to use https secured web pages by now.

Using a hardwired computer in an internet cafe may be no safer--you simply cannot tell if someone has installed a keyboard logger (sniffer) to capture your keystrokes, again including passwords for accounts.

As usual...you'll find plenty of information on the web about security over wireless networking. Be a little paranoid about it, because identity theft can consume hundreds of hours of your time getting things fixed afterwards. If your bank offers "throwaway" one-shot credit card numbers that can be used for online and phone transactions--use that too if you'll be traveling and relying on that card.

[luepetri]

IT all seems very overwhelming some how!

Not sure where to start!
Tell me what " Squeezebox" based entertainment is?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by luepetri

Tell me what " Squeezebox" based entertainment is?

Squeezebox is made by SlimDevices, now part of Logitech. They are network music players. This means they receive the music they play from a (wifi or ethernet) network. The source of the music can be mp3 files on your PC/laptop or even the Internet when you have a wifi connection.

There are two types that are very useful on a boat:

- Squeezebox Boom. This one can be directly powered from 12V and has all the amplifiers and speakers build in. Move it anywhere within the range of you wifi router. I have one on the way.

- Squeezebox Duet. This is a very small blackbox that is 9V DC powered (use a small converter) and has stereo RCA output plugs for left and right channel. We hooked these up to a cheap car amplifier and small but great speakers with amazing results. Better than any Bose etc. The Duet includes the 2nd part: a remote controller. This is actually a miniature computer with wifi. You can browse through your music, play it etc. Much like an iPod, but the music isn't in there, the music is on your laptop. This controller can control any player, incl. the Boom. It also works everywhere within your wifi range.

We have two Duets: one in the salon and one in the pilothouse. You create "zones" that way and can play different music in each zone or synchronize them or any combination.

The punchline is that you get very high quality music for relatively little money. I used small Mirage speakers (Canadian product) and recently added a custom build subwoofer.

I hear you can get this stuff real cheap now at the Circuit City but think they will all be gone by now.

Ah, the link: Transporter® & Squeezebox™ Wireless Network Music Players - Every room deserves a soundtrack

cheers,
Nick.

[wstu]

Well you guys have sold me on the Engenius EUB 362 but it does not appear to be Mac compatible :-( Any suggestions for the Mac?

[hellosailor]

"Mama's got a squeezebox, Daddy plays it every night". [The Who, vintage 60's]

Or, an accordion.

Apparently the Duets are punning on the fact that 'squeezebox' is a synonym for 'entertainment' in some ways.

[W32PAMELA]

Originally Posted by wstu

Well you guys have sold me on the Engenius EUB 362 but it does not appear to be Mac compatible :-( Any suggestions for the Mac?

The Alfa Network AWUS036H, 500mw USB adapter claims to work under MAC 10.4 or any client bridge device will work with all flavors of MAC, Linux, Windows etc.

Bob

[Beach Cruiser]

I have the Alfa and it works well with MAC 10.5.6.

Barry

Originally Posted by W32PAMELA

The Alfa Network AWUS036H, 500mw USB adapter claims to work under MAC 10.4 or any client bridge device will work with all flavors of MAC, Linux, Windows etc.

Bob

[Gashmore]

The AWUS036H is a relative new comer but it looks pretty good. Receive sensitivity is on a par with the EUB-362. It runs the realtech rtl8187 chips which is a bit more stable than the Atheros chips in the 362. A couple of reviews say that the MacOs drivers are a little wonky but it does work. Also seems to work well with Kissmac, the signal survey software that is the apple equivalent of Netstumbler on the PC.

The one thing I object to is that they express the maximum power as 500mw but it is actually only 300mw. The 500mw is the effective radiated power out of the supplied 2db antenna. Still good but a bit deceptive.

[markpj23]

Wondering if a 36ft active USB cable will work with the EUB-362?

PROVANTAGE: Tripp Lite U042-036 36ft USB 2.0 A-B Hi-Speed Active Cable

[Gashmore]

That cable has the larger B end. The 362 takes the mini B. Also the great unknown for any extended USB cable is if it will pass enough power to run the 362.

[markpj23]

Good catch on the connector size - I completely missed that. I too wonder about the power that would make it to the 362.... Thanks

[hellosailor]

In theory an active USB cable, meaning a cable with power supply, should have the cable size and the power supply matched so that 5V 500mA will be available at the business end of the cable. I'm sure there's junk that doesn't perform properly, but that's what the mass market has made of itself.