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Old 27-02-2016, 18:28   #31
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Re: Wifi Booster for Bahamas & Caribbean?

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Originally Posted by W32PAMELA View Post
Any of the Mikrotik routers with a USB port will accept USB modems such as the Sierra Wireless Aircard 308u. An unlocked 308u will work in North America and much of the Caribbean with GSM through HSPA+ service on 850, 1900 and 2100 Mhz. It is easy to switch out the sim as you move from island to island.

It has an MMCX antenna connector if you want to get fancy and add a high gain cell antenna.
Bob, How would this compare with the WiriePro? Looks like the Wirie isn't compatible with cdma sim cards. Is the Sierra Aircard compatible with both GSM and CDMA?
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Old 27-02-2016, 18:56   #32
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Re: Wifi Booster for Bahamas & Caribbean?

Forget about Verizon if you plan on being out of the US. The 308u usb stick does not do CDMA. The rest of the world does not do CDMA. If you want something that is close to worldwide then you don't start with Verizon. If you want a usb stick that does CDMA then you could get a Pantech UML295. I haven't tried one but reports indicate these will work with Mikrotik routers but it won't help you when you want to switch to a sim card from one of the Caribbean islands; Lime etc.

I've never used a Wiriepro but I am sure that a router and usb cell stick down below will not be as good as a wirie pro mounted outdoors with a cell antenna. If you put the router and usb stick in a waterproof box, add a high gain cell antenna and use a Groove and antenna to provide a wifi signal to the router then you will probably have comparable performance to a Wiriepro. It would have to be a DIY system.
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Old 27-02-2016, 21:22   #33
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Re: Wifi Booster for Bahamas & Caribbean?

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Originally Posted by W32PAMELA View Post
Any of the Mikrotik routers with a USB port will accept USB modems such as the Sierra Wireless Aircard 308u. An unlocked 308u will work in North America and much of the Caribbean with GSM through HSPA+ service on 850, 1900 and 2100 Mhz. It is easy to switch out the sim as you move from island to island.



It has an MMCX antenna connector if you want to get fancy and add a high gain cell antenna.

We have been running a wifi extender from island time for 3 years now and I am in agreement with Skip. The unit is really plug and play and Bob is terrific with customer service. Simply the best! We have put it thru its paces and have seen connections from more than a mile away.

We also installed a Mikrotik router at the same time we installed.the groove. Would you have the time to explain how one goes about setting it up to accept a USB dongle with a data card. We are in French Polynesia where wifi is awful but some locations we could use the stick.

Thank you in advance for your time

Chuck
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Old 28-02-2016, 03:41   #34
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Re: Wifi Booster for Bahamas & Caribbean?

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Originally Posted by W32PAMELA View Post
Forget about Verizon if you plan on being out of the US. The 308u usb stick does not do CDMA. The rest of the world does not do CDMA. If you want something that is close to worldwide then you don't start with Verizon. If you want a usb stick that does CDMA then you could get a Pantech UML295. I haven't tried one but reports indicate these will work with Mikrotik routers but it won't help you when you want to switch to a sim card from one of the Caribbean islands; Lime etc.

I've never used a Wiriepro but I am sure that a router and usb cell stick down below will not be as good as a wirie pro mounted outdoors with a cell antenna. If you put the router and usb stick in a waterproof box, add a high gain cell antenna and use a Groove and antenna to provide a wifi signal to the router then you will probably have comparable performance to a Wiriepro. It would have to be a DIY system.
Bob, I'm a Verizon subscriber and for northern NYS, it works for me. As I sail down the East coast, I'll continue to use it where I can. As you say, once I leave U.S. waters (and apparently even in the USVI), I'll need to switch to the local providers (and their GSM cards): Nothing's ever simple. I may try adding a Verizon hotspot to my plan if I can figure out a cost-effective way of doing that.
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Old 29-02-2016, 05:03   #35
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Re: Wifi Booster for Bahamas & Caribbean?

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Originally Posted by chouliha View Post
We also installed a Mikrotik router at the same time we installed.the groove. Would you have the time to explain how one goes about setting it up to accept a USB dongle with a data card. We are in French Polynesia where wifi is awful but some locations we could use the stick.
Chuck,
Do you already have a usb modem? If so stick it in the USB port then go in the router to System->Resources->USB and see if your modem is listed. Email me directly and I can address your specific circumstances. I am just learning the ins and outs of cell modems myself.

This link, Option Globetrotter HSDPA USB Modem - MikroTik Wiki, will take you to a wiki example of setting up a USB modem.

If the router recognizes the modem it will usually create a PPP interface for the modem. This interface is where you add the details for your ISP and for the modem.

You also need to create a NAT masquerade for the PPP interface.

The "Mikrotik Supported Hardware" list will show you modems that users have found to work. This is a user supported list and is not complete by any means.

If you need to get a modem you have two tasks. First you have to find one that will work with the local phone company and then you have to find if it will work with your Mikrotik.
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Old 19-07-2016, 22:26   #36
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Re: Wifi Booster for Bahamas & Caribbean?

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I think your only real use for a Wifi booster these days is to boost the signal for a secured network that you have the password for.
A few people become friends with the person that works at the desk of a Hotel or Marina, shore side restaurant etc. and get a password
I agree 100 percent with this. I recently completed 4000 nm in the Bahamas and Caribbean and found very few places with free wifi that was accessible from my boat. In fact the one time I remember using a shore wifi from my boat was when I got the password from the nearby restaurant when we had a drink there.

But there is another reason for the wifi booster. Marinas are notorious for poor wifi. The booster will help you connect there.
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