Wifi

[Dfitchtx]

New to cruising. Is there already a thread dealing with Wifi available while cruising?

[belizesailor]

Loads. Where do you plan to cruise?

[Mr B]

I bought a USB Wifi Dongle, It plugs into my laptop on my boat or PC at home,
It gives me the Internet any where I go,
If you can see land it works, Same as my mobile phone,
It dont work out at sea,

[Dfitchtx]

E Carib

[belizesailor]

"WiFi" has become synonymous with "internet service" but technically its not. Do you want to boost WiFi service from existing sources (like a marina) or have internet service when away from existing WiFi installations (like in a remote anchorage)? Or do you want to do both?

[belizesailor]

As I mentioned there are also loads of threads on the subject of WiFi/Internet access while cruising. Just search "WiFi" and you will get a bunch of hits. Some of these would make good background reading for you.

A few below:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...d.php?t=212513


Internet access via WIFI



https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...d.php?t=220158


WiFi Range Extender vs MiFi Hotspot vs etc


https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...d.php?t=225289


Please Help: Internet / Cellular / Data / Wifi

[Dfitchtx]

I am interested in having internet capability at all times whether anchored or underway.

[tkeithlu]

Three levels of problem/service here. At the marina, boosting their weak signal con be dealt with with a $25 wifi booster on Amazon.

Next up is a wifi hot spot for when you are outside existing wifi but within cell phone range, what Mr. B refers to. Most cell phones are hot spots in their own right, or you can subscribe to a hot spot through you cell phone supplier. Data starts costing money.

Third is service anywhere. Now you are talking direct to satellites. That means either very limited service, such as SpotX or Garmin satellite communicators, or unlimited expense for a self-aiming antenna and service. Many dollars for the setup, and another many dollars per month. This means "yacht," not "cruiser."

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Mr B

I bought a USB Wifi Dongle, It plugs into my laptop on my boat or PC at home,
It gives me the Internet any where I go,
If you can see land it works, Same as my mobile phone,
It dont work out at sea,

This unit gets it's data connection over the cell network. The OP was asking about WiFi.

[Dfitchtx]

Thank you theithlu. Affordability is certainly a factor. Looks like the internet will be one of the inconveniences or rather sacrifices of life at sea. That could be a deal breaker. I don’t desire to spent much time at marinas. I envision more of an island hopping life style. I suppose the small villages in the beautiful coves will not have internet connectivity

[tkeithlu]

Dfitchtx, the mid level really is a pretty good life. The satellite communicator can be a life saver, and has gotten me out of a jam on shore (motorcycle breakdown outside cell phone range). We pay $12.50 a month for that. Our phones and tablets are hotspots, so that only means a cell phone contract (Verizon in our case) that includes some data and the option to purchase more when we need it. Thee are lots of isolated anchorages that have cell phone coverage, and a cell phone booster antennas are available should we need one. It would be expensive to stream movies, but I prefer sunsets. Cell phone service tends to be strong where landline service was lacking prior to cell phones, because the infrastructure is so much cheaper.

I'm thinking of south Biscayne Bay, with Miami lights largely over the horizon, and everywhere I can think of in the Bahamas.

Best wishes to you on pursuit of your cruising dreams.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dfitchtx

I am interested in having internet capability at all times whether anchored or underway.

Iridium Go wil give you that even offshore.