Wi Fi Marine Antenna

[swagman]

We've just added a weatherproof wifi antenna and amplifier to our radar pole and whilst I'm not sure it will pick up wifi in the claimed range of 2 miles - it certainly gets me 13 stations as opposed to 0 before.
Found it on ebay at 'Your Wifi Guy' store.
Absolutely no connections other than a very happy customer. And this message is being sent via the link it created!!
So hopefully I'll be able to piggy back off other coastal wifi routers from now on - and save us using our expensive G3/GPRS card.
Cheers
JOHN

[ess105]

Originally Posted by swagman

We've just added a weatherproof wifi antenna and amplifier to our radar pole and whilst I'm not sure it will pick up wifi in the claimed range of 2 miles - it certainly gets me 13 stations as opposed to 0 before.
Found it on ebay at 'Your Wifi Guy' store.
Absolutely no connections other than a very happy customer. And this message is being sent via the link it created!!
So hopefully I'll be able to piggy back off other coastal wifi routers from now on - and save us using our expensive G3/GPRS card.
Cheers
JOHN

Hi Swagman. Just took a look and can see no 2 mile antennae in the 'Your WiFi Guy' store on eBay. Maybe because he has none for sale right now. Do you have any further details of the antenna you have? A link to the eBay item, perhaps.

[Lancerbye]

These guys and others in our area sell the long range antennas.
shoppingCart

[Microship]

Also check out the goodies from Radiolabs - particularly the 15dB Omni. I have one of those that is being mounted on my radar arch, and I also use one of their yagis in a temporary setup when directionality can be maintained.

Steve

[AnchorageGuy]

I have seen quite a bit of negative comments regarding Radiolabs lately especially regarding after sales support so a little research in advance won't hurt. There are lots of companies selling these antenna.

[colemj]

Oh my - they are selling an Engenius USB adaptor and antenna for $400!

If you source these same items separately, you can save $330.

Newegg.com - EnGenius EUB-362EXT 802.11g High Power 200mW Wireless USB Adapter w/ Removable Antenna - Retail
Newegg.com - EnGenius EAG-2408 Outdoor 8 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna - Retail

I can vouch that the Engenius is a very good solution. I have one attached to a 9dB omni and have connected to the internet from over 6 miles away (over water) and regularly connect 2-4 miles away. But I wouldn't pay $400 for it.

Mark

Originally Posted by Lancerbye

These guys and others in our area sell the long range antennas.
shoppingCart

[David M]

Shakespeare sells wi-fi antennas that are marinized...meaning your not going to have a worthless blob at the masthead and a streak of iron oxide running down your mast in a few years.

Shakespeare Marine Antennas Specifications: Galaxy 5248 Wi-Fi

Any antenna designed to pick up something transmitting at a watt or less from two miles away is going to be a very directional antenna..which means you are going to need a way of aiming it. The greater your gain the lower the wattage you are allowed to transmit. You also need to consider the narrow shape of the lobe on a high gain, omni-directional antenna which may not work so reliably on an object that heels.

For some a Yagi type antenna might work well if you have a way of aiming the thing.

♠ WiFi Antenna | High Gain Directional Yagi Wireless Antennaa

2.4 GHz WiFi 15dBi Yagi Antenna for 802.11b/802.11g Wireless Networks

WiFi Maximum Power Limit FCC Guidelines

On my boat I have an 8dB omni-directional which works for maybe a mile and a half...unless I get into some chop and the boat is rolling pretty good.

[c.spots]

I just got the Engenius EUB-362 EXT for $40.87 from: Keenan Systems Wireless Store Featuring Engenius
I ordered it on a Fri afternoon (West Coast) and received it on Monday from the East Coast. Unfortunately their 7dB OMNI antenna has a magnetic mount, but it is only $15.

[swagman]

Hi Ess105,
The card with the order gives this contact info.
Matt Shuchan at sales@getmarinewifi.com or Terrance Gareau at Tech@getmarinewifi.com.
Phone 954.239.1263
Good luck
JOHN

[SeaKing]

I am having good luck with this

Alfa 500mW USB Wireless B/G Adapter RP-SMA Antenna Jack - (eBay item 290170975147 end time Nov-13-07 20:15:30 PST)

[Beausoleil]

The solution I'm thinking about is putting a weatherproof 802.11g wireless bridge up high on my mizzen mast, and feed it with POE (power over ethernet). No signal losses over a long feedline to worry about...

There's some decent info here. I'm looking for sources other than the SENAO bridge listed there. May just place a Buffalo wireless router circuit board in an IPX-7 enclosure.

Forgot to mention: USB WiFi adapters should really only be considered for temporary solutions. USB cables are limited to 16 feet per spec. Ethernet over twisted pair, even if using remote power, is good for 90+ meters. Plus, it's possible to get marinized ethernet cabling and connectors. Not so with USB.

[hideaway]

I too am using an Alfa USB device and must also sing it praises. I have found no advantage in hoisting it high, the thing works best hanging off the end of the boom but do use USB cable not coax.

[jdoe71]

Hideaway, what antenna are you using with the Alfa?

I am using a USB cantenna now, good range at a dock but it is useless on anchor.

[W32PAMELA]

Beausoleil,

Put this CLIENT BRIDGE BOARD in your enclosure for an easy to use flexible system.

Bob Stewart

[Vasco]

This is what I got this year. Haven't tried it yet but will do so in a couple of weeks when I splash the boat, if I ever finish the bottom paint. delivered to FL 2 days after ordering.

Netgate