Visit our Popular Forums

Zanshin · 19-02-2013, 05:43

I have an Ubiquiti Bullet 2HP set up aboard that works very well, I have it set up as a wireless station and network router and can often pick up excellent signals from a mile away.
I've been wondering if this antenna could serve a dual purpose, as an station connected to a remote Access Point (AP) as it currently runs, but then also as a gateway/AP to boats next to mine who would like to access the internet but don't have a powerful antenna/transmitter.
I am fairly certain that a fellow cruiser set up his bullet once to allow me to connect when my system wasn't running, but cannot find a reference on how to do this on Google and hope that someone here has done this and can give me a pointer on how to set up the system to do so.

Gary H · 19-02-2013, 06:30

Zanshin,

In order to do what you're contemplating, you would need a second wifi radio of some sort. A second Bullet could be set up to do this, or the more common approach, I believe, would be to attach a standard wireless router to your current setup. You could then share any distant signal you get over the Bullet with your neighbors.

I've got the 2HP and have had similar success with an 8dB antenna. I'm contemplating adding a router so iPads and such can share the connection.

I hope this helps.

jcapo · 19-02-2013, 06:40

I agree, you need two radios.

One radio might be in your laptop if you are using a laptop with a builtin radio. I was using a second wireless router to provide an access point on the boat but now I am using a software solution called Connectify Hotspot, google it. With connectify the radio in my laptop that is connected to the bullet is the boat access point.

Zanshin · 19-02-2013, 06:40

Gary - what you posted is what I thought as well, I didn't think a single MAC could 'duplex' like that but my neighbour a couple of years back told me he'd done that with just his bullet; but perhaps he had a little router as well and forgot to mention that to me.
Thanks for the information.

Gary H · 19-02-2013, 06:45

Zanshin,
It would be awesome if you figure out a way to do that with a Bullet. I was not all that crazy about the idea of adding a separate wifi router.

jcapo,
I will check out the connectify. Thanks for the info. +1 on the grog.

Gary

**noelex 77** · 19-02-2013, 07:06

As others have said you can turn some computers into a wifi hotspot, but I am not sure which Macs will do this.

There are some inexpensive 12v routers like the Alfa R36 that will plug directly into all the Alfa long range divides. You would need to check the the compatibility with the Bullet.

This has the advantage the computer does not need to on. It's a great solution for sharing the wifi connection around the boat especially for tablets.

Zanshin · 19-02-2013, 07:09

jcapo - I downloaded connectify and now have my notebook running as an access point, many thanks for that recommendation!

AnchorageGuy · 19-02-2013, 07:16

I tried Connectify and could not get it to work. After a week of emailing the developer and getting no response, I had to go to my credit card company to get my money back. It doesn't work for everyone so be careful. We have a router connected to our Bullet and it works just fine. If we want to share it with someone we just give them our password. We can connect as many devises on board as we want. Chuck

Dsanduril · 19-02-2013, 07:54

You don't need two radios, but you do need a cooperative access point and you will lose bandwidth. The Bullet (actually AirOs in the Bullet) can operate in WDS (Wireless Distribution System) mode. WDS allows the Bullet to act as both an AP and a client to another AP at the same time. If you go into the configuration menu you'll see a couple of WDS options, you can select as desired.

In WDS mode the radio and the processor do split duty, so you will lose some data throughput, depends on how friendly you are with your neighbors.

Gary H · 19-02-2013, 08:01

Dsanduril,

Most days I learn something. Today is no exception. Thanks much.

**s/v Jedi** · 19-02-2013, 08:08

The best thing to do is get an Apple Airport Extreme and connect it to the Bullet. Set it to Bridge mode so that the Bullet does al the routing like it already does.
This will give you both 2.4 and 5GHz access-points for your boat that work with every wifi enabled computer, phone or gadget on the planet.

Bash · 19-02-2013, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelex 77

As others have said you can turn some computers into a wifi hotspot, but I am not sure which Macs will do this.

All the newer Macs running OS X will hotspot.

Zanshin · 19-02-2013, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

You don't need two radios, but you do need a cooperative access point and you will lose bandwidth. The Bullet (actually AirOs in the Bullet) can operate in WDS (Wireless Distribution System) mode. WDS allows the Bullet to act as both an AP and a client to another AP at the same time. If you go into the configuration menu you'll see a couple of WDS options, you can select as desired.

In WDS mode the radio and the processor do split duty, so you will lose some data throughput, depends on how friendly you are with your neighbors.

I see that I have old firmware which doesn't have WDS, I'll upload the new stuff and see if I can get that working. Thanks!

**s/v Jedi** · 19-02-2013, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanshin

I see that I have old firmware which doesn't have WDS, I'll upload the new stuff and see if I can get that working. Thanks!

I don't think it will make you happy because the "but you need" part of that message is big. Public access-points will not allow it and home-routers normally don't do it either.

I know one brand that will do what you want and that is Cradlepoint routers. But you replace the bullet then and the Cradlepoint is not weatherproof so it'll only work for short range.

Extra radio in bridge mode connected to the Bullet is the winning answer for what you want.