Best WiFi booster

[Clipper4730]

Hey yall just curious as to what your favorite wifi booster might be. About to take the plunge and purchase one for our Beneteau 50, just wanted to get a few opinions.

Thanks Will

[Navicula]

[kas_1611]

Depends on what you are wanting to do with it? If all you want to do is extend the range of a wifi signal then things like the 3G/4G Mifi units will do the job. I'm using a Huawei unit right now to extend the range of my wifi signal from the front room of the flat right through to the back room. Full signal strength and quick with it.

Just an idea and you can always switch to the 3G/4G signal when out of range of a wifi signal.

[SURV69]

In America, most libraries have open WIFI available for anyone ... not just actual patrons.

There are also other WIFI's all over.

My small city(population 14,000 or so) has free WIFI all through the downtown area.

Where I dock, the library is 1200-1300 feet away and I can see the building from my boat. I could be nice to have an antenna or something that would grab that signal.

[kas_1611]

There are so called "hi gain" wifi antennae available but I've never heard of one that could pick up a signal from that distance even if you do have direct line of sight. Especially when you think that in some areas you can't connect to the wifi router in the next room due to poor signal strength (airports seem to be particularly prone to this).

I'd be interested to hear any results as there's a free wifi on the other side of the bay from our marina which would be great to access instead of using 3G or the marina's expensive wifi.

[BlueBuddha]

I recently got an Alfa network card extender for our cruising. I used it last week during a sail in Florida. While at the Marina, I was able to connect to an open signal several blocks away and I got great reception (without it I could only reach 3 nearby closed signals). I was not able to use it at anchor because after we left the marina my mac died and the inverter wasn't working . I specifically got the AWUS036NHR V.2, but that's because it worked with my Mac OS (there are other models). I also know you can use an external alfa antena to extend the reach even more. I've read that the wireap is even better but is a lot more expensive. The Wirie AP+: Long Range Boat WiFi and RV WiFi

Best wishes, bb

[zboss]

Any of the Ubiquiti (BitStorm, Wirie, Radiolabs, etc.) or Grove based access points will do a good job. The software that runs on them is often customized but there are times when I miss my original Ubiquiti router.

These bullet-type access points can be connected physically to a wide variety of antennas but the ones that are shipped with the AP work well. Although you are on a boat, there are times when you could benefit from a directional antenna, like when you are in a slip or when wind/current is coming from the same direction for a long while, because you will get even better reception and be able to cut through more noise.

I like the Bitstorm because it uses both a wireless router and an access point, so all my wireless devices can connect simultaneously. The other advantage is being able to reboot/reset/configure the remote AP from the router.

[barnakiel]

We are using a plain wifi extender wired into a flat panel antenna. It works OK. However, it refuses to extend some networks (say 1 out of 10).

I would try a bullet styled / ethernet out / thing wired into a plain wifi router. Hoping this set up is less problematic to control on iffy and offy networks.

b.

[Clipper4730]

Thanks guys and gals great info. I guess I shoujd have been more specific. We just want to be able to connect a router to a signal booster ie we want to reach signals further away. Some of the systems seem to just boost yor own signal so that other devices can use your own provided data. Anyway looking at the Rogue Wave device or the Wirie ap+. Any one use the Wirie. Looks like it would be pretty easy to set up just need a power supply.

Thanks again
Will

[steamgoat]

Check out the IslandTime system,Marine PC's & WiFi by IslandTime PC. I am tec.illiterate but i manage mine ok. Have mine wired to onboard router so the boat is 'wireless'

[Virginia Lee]

If you want to go the DIY route, we have had good results with putting together a Ubiquiti bullet system. Price was about 50% of the commercial versions, and as with everything on a boat if you DIY, you will be able to troubleshoot it yourself while cruising.

The important part is to use a PPOE (power over ethernet module) to power the external bullet wifi radio + antenna with 12V via the same Cat 5 cable that transmits the data to your wireless router down below.

Also, it is nice to have a wireless router that use 12V as well. We found a Belkin N150 that uses a 120-12V power supply at WalMart for cheap

I have attached some photos of the parts when I was bench testing the system.

We have had good results with the system, (1 mile + range is doable) but of course the real challenge will be finding open Wifi spots.

If you are cruising in the Bahamas, we had relatively good luck using the Batelco wireless pre-paid plans for voice and for data. Don't expect to stream videos,but for low-bandwidth uses it is perfectly serviceable. We were able to get weather via smartphone 10-15 miles offshore of Chub Cay!

[ka4wja]

Will,
Either a "Bullet"-based system (what I've been using for years) or "Groove"-based system (newer and better!), will work well for you...

This set-up will cost you about $250, all-in, professionally packaged/tested, and ready for you to install it and "plug 'n play"....

I agree with steamgoat....IslandtimePC is the guy to buy from!!

Marine WiFi Systems

Although it is rare that I need to use an access point father away than a mile or so, I have used a few that were 3 miles away, with perfect reliability for days and days...(my system is just about 9' off the water...)

But, some of the best reasons to buy a system from Bob Stewart of IslandtimePC, is that he KNOWS what he is doing and will give you plenty of free support should you be technically-challenged or have a rare problem....but also 'cause he is a fellow sailor/cruiser!!!

(yes, you can save almost $100, if you piece things together yourself, by buying cheap on-line, etc....but you'll have no support and you may end up having troubles getting it to work well...)

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

Hey yall just curious as to what your favorite wifi booster might be. About to take the plunge and purchase one for our Beneteau 50, just wanted to get a few opinions.

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

I guess I shoujd have been more specific. We just want to be able to connect a router to a signal booster ie we want to reach signals further away.

Anyway looking at the Rogue Wave device or the Wirie ap+. Any one use the Wirie. Looks like it would be pretty easy to set up just need a power supply.

Don't bother with the Wirie or Roguewave...they're okay, but IslandtimePC's system is a bit better, and less expensive...

I've been using one for years, and am a happy customer!!



Just my 2 cents, based on my experience....I hope this helps...

Fair winds...

John

[Paperbird]

Ditto what john said. We went with the groove from islandtime and have been very satisfied throughout Abaco. We did purchase a cellular data pkg for backup but rarely use it.



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[Virginia Lee]

To hijack the thread a little bit; PaperBird did you find a lot of free open wifi in the Bahamas recently?

We are going in the next month and have pretty much decided to rely on Batelco prepaid data plan for critical check-ins. Mistake?

[Paperbird]

I would guess we're about 60% wifi and 40% cell plan. We're using just under 2gb/month and last month had to update all our phone and ipad apps to not lose the data before it expired

If you need to connect, def have the cell hot spot. If you have flexibility, then wifi might be enough. I work part time and need to have dependable email. Your circumstances may vary

Note that we've stayed on Abaco this season where there are more wifi spots. If you go further south to Exuma or Berries I suspect many fewer wifi spots

Have a fantastic trip! Feel free to contact us directly if youd like. Contact info on our blog at paperbird dot us


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