WIFI offshore part two

[capn_billl]

Let me be more specific.

I want to buy a WIFI extender, with a router that accepts USB WAN.

I've tried several "extenders", and they use internal antenna only, and use the USB port just for a plug in thumb drive, or even just for power.

An external antenna is a must for more than 1/4 mile. an external transponder even more of a must if further.

AT&T WIFI, and Xfinity have roaming plans with plenty of public WIFI on beaches, and marinas where I boat, (Keys), that burning through cash on a satellite, or cell plan is usually not necessary. (If I can watch Youtube on a tablet in the marina lobby, I should be able to at the mooring field with a little more power).

The extender needs to be able to login at a captive portal, my smart TV cannot, also I can't control, or cast to TV from phone through a public network.

Yes I know first world problems, but after spending hundreds of boat bucks for a boat, I should be able to handle a few hundred dollars for a good internet connection to see where the latest Covid shutdowns are, and what's up on this board.

So equipment needed.

WIFI repeater with external antenna.

Compatible router for all wireless items on boat including radar, and chartplotter.

I just needed to update MFD plotter, took a day, and a half to download with frequent dropouts, using cell phone as tether on Raymarine network.

Should have been an easy task with a proper WIFI, instead of going to shore, downloading to a tablet, writing to a SD card, back to boat, upload from SD card to chartplotter.

There are compact, even battery operated Hotel WIFI extenders that handle captive portal, and VPN, but without an external antenna, it's going to be duct taped to a halyard, and hauled aloft.