WIFI antenna needed: 33 days out
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Have you thought about an Ipad and 3g? I don't know where your travels take you but it would be handy depending on cellular service.
WIFI on a boat
WIFI is line of sight so if your VHF can't get to shore then neither will WIFI. That is assuming there is a shore base station avalable. There are High Frequency (HF) options but the bandwidth is pretty thin. More of an email solution than a surf the web one. think 2.4k modem speeds.
Then there is the account access issue. Don't know how the IC is but most businesses are going to want you to pay for service for a time period. Do you want a bunch of accounts along the IC that you already paid for but can't use because you have moved out of range?
The only option that needs one account and works at acceptable speed any where is a sattilite dish. These are thousands of dollars plus a fee for data moved either way. If you are doing the marina every night then your standard laptop is probably OK however assuming the marina has a base station.
Anyway you cut it it is a pretty expensive endevor. I'd be recommending romance novels, board and card games etc in leu of having the internet.
WIFI is line of sight so if your VHF can't get to shore then neither will WIFI. That is assuming there is a shore base station avalable. There are High Frequency (HF) options but the bandwidth is pretty thin. More of an email solution than a surf the web one. think 2.4k modem speeds.
Then there is the account access issue. Don't know how the IC is but most businesses are going to want you to pay for service for a time period. Do you want a bunch of accounts along the IC that you already paid for but can't use because you have moved out of range?
The only option that needs one account and works at acceptable speed any where is a sattilite dish. These are thousands of dollars plus a fee for data moved either way. If you are doing the marina every night then your standard laptop is probably OK however assuming the marina has a base station.
Anyway you cut it it is a pretty expensive endevor. I'd be recommending romance novels, board and card games etc in leu of having the internet.
I went here and got this http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-73/802.11g-USB-802.11b-high-dsh-power/Detail.bok
then added this http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-63/Antenna-9dbi-Alfa-RP-dsh-SMA/Detail.bok
used this to connect them http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-197/RP-dsh-SMA-dsh-male-ANTENNA-CABLE-29.527-dsh-FT/Detail.bok#
Used it last winter down the ICW NC to FL and all through the Bahamas. Worked flawlessly. Price was right too. Hoisted it up the starboard spreader and always got a signal for emailing and blogging.
There were always unsecured wifi signals . I never had to pay for a connection. I used it to surf at good speeds, uploaded pictures and text. I will use this again without hesitation. Not expensive, and easy enough for this dumby to set up.
then added this http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-63/Antenna-9dbi-Alfa-RP-dsh-SMA/Detail.bok
used this to connect them http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-197/RP-dsh-SMA-dsh-male-ANTENNA-CABLE-29.527-dsh-FT/Detail.bok#
Used it last winter down the ICW NC to FL and all through the Bahamas. Worked flawlessly. Price was right too. Hoisted it up the starboard spreader and always got a signal for emailing and blogging.
There were always unsecured wifi signals . I never had to pay for a connection. I used it to surf at good speeds, uploaded pictures and text. I will use this again without hesitation. Not expensive, and easy enough for this dumby to set up.
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Capt Dean,
I have successfully used an external wifi usb device similar to the one recommended above except that mine is an EnGenius EUB-362 with a 7dbi magnetic mount antenna with a 5-6'cable. I can usually get a signal from a nearby library, coffee shop, or other provided free wifi access points. My device is a 200mw vs the one recommended above is 1000mw. The 9dbi omni antenna sounds better also, but I question the accuracy of the specification. It is not easy to achieve that high a gain from a short antenna.
After looking at the site mentioned by MJWarner, I would look at the unit already in a weatherproof box with the 9dbi antenna and a 5 meter USB cable. Having a short RF antenna to the transceiver and a longer USB active cable may provide better performance than a long RF cable.
Check this combo out:
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-218/RV-USB-WiFi-Wireless/Detail.bok
I have successfully used an external wifi usb device similar to the one recommended above except that mine is an EnGenius EUB-362 with a 7dbi magnetic mount antenna with a 5-6'cable. I can usually get a signal from a nearby library, coffee shop, or other provided free wifi access points. My device is a 200mw vs the one recommended above is 1000mw. The 9dbi omni antenna sounds better also, but I question the accuracy of the specification. It is not easy to achieve that high a gain from a short antenna.
After looking at the site mentioned by MJWarner, I would look at the unit already in a weatherproof box with the 9dbi antenna and a 5 meter USB cable. Having a short RF antenna to the transceiver and a longer USB active cable may provide better performance than a long RF cable.
Check this combo out:
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-218/RV-USB-WiFi-Wireless/Detail.bok
I am typing this on the laptop that took me from Lake Erie to Tampa and was never out of reach of a Verizon tower. I had to download charts from Garmin while four or five miles off shore in the Atlantic and again in the Gulf. Not a problem.
Capt Dean,
Another thought regarding the mounting height of the antenna- I don't think that a top of the mast location is really necessary. Since you will be 1/4 nm or more from the wifi access point, the omni antenna should have enough vertical beamwidth to cover most shore locations. Having the antenna mounted high would not really help and any maintenance issue as well as installation will be more difficult. I use my magnetic mount on my cabin top. I think it would be more important to mount it in a clear spot away from the mast and so that it has a clear line of sight to the shore.
Another thought regarding the mounting height of the antenna- I don't think that a top of the mast location is really necessary. Since you will be 1/4 nm or more from the wifi access point, the omni antenna should have enough vertical beamwidth to cover most shore locations. Having the antenna mounted high would not really help and any maintenance issue as well as installation will be more difficult. I use my magnetic mount on my cabin top. I think it would be more important to mount it in a clear spot away from the mast and so that it has a clear line of sight to the shore.
b&d
He said clearly is mast is DOWN.
Not sure what your issue is. We just took our "toy" plastic Compaq laptop on our first cruise. Built-in receptor, worked fine in our first harbor with wifi. Down below, too.
Is it a reception issue or a locale issue?
He said clearly is mast is DOWN.
Not sure what your issue is. We just took our "toy" plastic Compaq laptop on our first cruise. Built-in receptor, worked fine in our first harbor with wifi. Down below, too.
Is it a reception issue or a locale issue?
We have used a Sprint air card for the last 3 years. It works here in St. Croix as well as in the states and in the RV we rented for a couple of weeks. We also bought an RV antenna similar to the West Marine one but cheaper by going on line.
That has worked well when anchored near a signal.
That has worked well when anchored near a signal.
Capt.Dean,
A few more thoughts...
Rich- Thanks. I love when someone can take my simple cheap solution and capitalize on it and turn it into a great simple cheap solution. Since I have turned my setup over to my grandson, who is successfully using it to receive wifi from his bedroom desktop, I will be using the housing/USB cable setup you describe when I redo this for my new boat this fall. The shielded antenna cable I used reportedly allows for signal degradation. Didn't have anything to gauge that against, and felt my signal was more than adequate, but using the USB cable will eliminate that, so why not?
Using a built-in wifi card. Most of these (not all, MOST) are very weak and work for short range only. In a traveling situation, the signal would be rapidly lost, if you could get a connection at all.
I do have a Verizon air card, and this worked quite well in areas on the ICW where towers allowed cell signals. It did work in Charleston Harbour, for example. Unfortunately, I could not surf the web in these places while underway. I had to remain at the helm, or topside, as a second pair of eyes in busy areas. There were remote areas where I could have gone below to surf, upload, and e-mail, but there were no towers in the wilds of the ICW stretches, so I had no air card cell signal. I might add that in these areas, I generally had no wifi signals broadcasting either, unless there was a large motor vessel traveling with us that was putting one out.
My point is, there are flaws and gaps with anything you choose. With the wifi setup Rich and I describe, possibly augmented with an air card, there will be very few times that you won't be in touch with the Internet.
And listen to Rich about the height of the antenna. You DON'T want it anymore than 20 feet of your deck, or you will actually miss all those wifi signals you are trying to receive.
Good luck with getting your wifi solution that is right for you. You will be amazed at the results when it is in the boat and you are surfing the web.
A few more thoughts...
Rich- Thanks. I love when someone can take my simple cheap solution and capitalize on it and turn it into a great simple cheap solution. Since I have turned my setup over to my grandson, who is successfully using it to receive wifi from his bedroom desktop, I will be using the housing/USB cable setup you describe when I redo this for my new boat this fall. The shielded antenna cable I used reportedly allows for signal degradation. Didn't have anything to gauge that against, and felt my signal was more than adequate, but using the USB cable will eliminate that, so why not?
Using a built-in wifi card. Most of these (not all, MOST) are very weak and work for short range only. In a traveling situation, the signal would be rapidly lost, if you could get a connection at all.
I do have a Verizon air card, and this worked quite well in areas on the ICW where towers allowed cell signals. It did work in Charleston Harbour, for example. Unfortunately, I could not surf the web in these places while underway. I had to remain at the helm, or topside, as a second pair of eyes in busy areas. There were remote areas where I could have gone below to surf, upload, and e-mail, but there were no towers in the wilds of the ICW stretches, so I had no air card cell signal. I might add that in these areas, I generally had no wifi signals broadcasting either, unless there was a large motor vessel traveling with us that was putting one out.
My point is, there are flaws and gaps with anything you choose. With the wifi setup Rich and I describe, possibly augmented with an air card, there will be very few times that you won't be in touch with the Internet.
And listen to Rich about the height of the antenna. You DON'T want it anymore than 20 feet of your deck, or you will actually miss all those wifi signals you are trying to receive.
Good luck with getting your wifi solution that is right for you. You will be amazed at the results when it is in the boat and you are surfing the web.
iPhone
We just completed the first 3 weeks of our cruise to the North Channel. We were surprised by the availability of the Internet through our iPhone telephone connection (with the appropriate data and phone adders for Canada) as we sailed up the Bruce Peninsula and through the North Channel to Mackinaw City.
We were able to get Accuweather radar pictures of our location even when several miles off shore in Lake Huron. The only place we weren't able to connect was in Marianne Cove, in Baie Fine, deep in the La Cloche mountains. We used NOAA and Environment Canada text forecasts, and Accuweather's radar picture of our location most days.
We found Weatherbug and NOAA's Lake Huron midlake forecast to be the best help for planning the coming 5 days. We are using both as we anticipate our return to Lady Lillie in Mackinaw City next Friday. The standard weather app also gives a good, simple weather forecast (without wind) covering 6 days.
We just completed the first 3 weeks of our cruise to the North Channel. We were surprised by the availability of the Internet through our iPhone telephone connection (with the appropriate data and phone adders for Canada) as we sailed up the Bruce Peninsula and through the North Channel to Mackinaw City.
We were able to get Accuweather radar pictures of our location even when several miles off shore in Lake Huron. The only place we weren't able to connect was in Marianne Cove, in Baie Fine, deep in the La Cloche mountains. We used NOAA and Environment Canada text forecasts, and Accuweather's radar picture of our location most days.
We found Weatherbug and NOAA's Lake Huron midlake forecast to be the best help for planning the coming 5 days. We are using both as we anticipate our return to Lady Lillie in Mackinaw City next Friday. The standard weather app also gives a good, simple weather forecast (without wind) covering 6 days.
For wifi, we use http://www.islandtimepc.com/. We used to have an usb connected network card for a while that we plugged into our computer and put on the other end on the deck but that was a hassle. This works much better and you don't have to buy the different parts.
Saying that, when we cruise up and down the coast, we typically use our verizon phone tethered into our pc for internet access. That seems to be more reliable. We also have a signal amplifier from Wilson Electronics that helps receive a signal on our phone a little better at times when we can’t get a connection. I can’t really say how much better it works with the amplifier in a bad area, but I do think it helps a little.
There are places where one works and the other one doesn't, where both work or both don't work.
Also, for quick web browsing like checking weather or emails, just using a phone with web surfing capability (I have the droid) works great for us.
Saying that, when we cruise up and down the coast, we typically use our verizon phone tethered into our pc for internet access. That seems to be more reliable. We also have a signal amplifier from Wilson Electronics that helps receive a signal on our phone a little better at times when we can’t get a connection. I can’t really say how much better it works with the amplifier in a bad area, but I do think it helps a little.
There are places where one works and the other one doesn't, where both work or both don't work.
Also, for quick web browsing like checking weather or emails, just using a phone with web surfing capability (I have the droid) works great for us.
Hi David, are you using the iPhone tethered to a laptop? Or just the phone? I have been with Verizon for a long time along with both sides of the family. So I am not anxious to change. But I love all the iPhone apps. The long rumored iPhone on Verizon has not happened. So maybe the Droid is the answer.
Dean,
The system Rich and I suggested will run you around $70.00. Make that $100. or so if you want them to next day ship it to you.
I was getting good high speed Internet 2 and 3 miles from the wifi tower on an ADJOINING island.
Some of the systems being mentioned cost nearly $300.00. It's your money, but that's a lot of umbrella drinks.
There are, as I said, a lot of choices out there. I did the research when I took this on for my boat, so I know it can be very confusing to pick just one.
A lot will depend on what you have in the way of currently owned items. eg., ipad, iphone, aircard, etc. and how that is working out for you already. I can only tell you that I wanted a easy, cheap, powerful, system. One that did not require a POE to be connected to the boats power system, or would have had me trying to figure out bridges vs. routers vs. me being a moron with that kind of technology.
I got everything I wanted.
The system Rich and I suggested will run you around $70.00. Make that $100. or so if you want them to next day ship it to you.
I was getting good high speed Internet 2 and 3 miles from the wifi tower on an ADJOINING island.
Some of the systems being mentioned cost nearly $300.00. It's your money, but that's a lot of umbrella drinks.
There are, as I said, a lot of choices out there. I did the research when I took this on for my boat, so I know it can be very confusing to pick just one.
A lot will depend on what you have in the way of currently owned items. eg., ipad, iphone, aircard, etc. and how that is working out for you already. I can only tell you that I wanted a easy, cheap, powerful, system. One that did not require a POE to be connected to the boats power system, or would have had me trying to figure out bridges vs. routers vs. me being a moron with that kind of technology.
I got everything I wanted.
At risk of revealing my technical inability, I have to ask is the data alliance unit that Rich provided a link for, the complete system or do I need to purchase other componets? For a very reasonable $28 I would purchase it right now. I just don't know how it integrates with my PC - hardware or software?
Components Andrew, but all from the same site. This is what I will be getting, based on previous experience, Rich's suggestions, and the fact that I gave mine to my grandson.
I will get the usb cable length based on needs for making the runs on my boat.
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-73/802.11g-USB-802.11b-high-dsh-power/Detail.bok the meat of the system.
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-221/Enclosure-Alfa-AWUS036H-AWUS036NH/Detail.bok weather condom
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-261/USB-Printer-Cable-A-dsh-male/Detail.bok
usb cable (length varies on personal needs)
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-63/Antenna-9dbi-Alfa-RP-dsh-SMA/Detail.bok
antenna. This is about the highest DBI that will actually be effective. Bigger would NOT be better in this case.
The disc to install it on your computer is included and easy to follow. I used it on a PC. Mac might be an issue of sending for a different disc.
Hope that helps.
I will get the usb cable length based on needs for making the runs on my boat.
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-73/802.11g-USB-802.11b-high-dsh-power/Detail.bok the meat of the system.
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-221/Enclosure-Alfa-AWUS036H-AWUS036NH/Detail.bok weather condom
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-261/USB-Printer-Cable-A-dsh-male/Detail.bok
usb cable (length varies on personal needs)
http://www.data-alliance.net/-strse-63/Antenna-9dbi-Alfa-RP-dsh-SMA/Detail.bok
antenna. This is about the highest DBI that will actually be effective. Bigger would NOT be better in this case.
The disc to install it on your computer is included and easy to follow. I used it on a PC. Mac might be an issue of sending for a different disc.
Hope that helps.
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I just ordered the alpha adapter, USB cable 5 meter, Hi gain antenna and suction cup mount. I'll be using while at anchor or in the slip so I don't think I need the weather proof mount. I'm not sure where I would put it. I'll see how this works and maybe consider a permenant mount next season. What would you think of a mount on top of the lower spreader.
Last year mine was a new experiment that ultimately worked better than I had hoped. so rather than a permanent mount, I attached a cord to the antenna, and ran it up the starboard flag halyard. It rested below the spreader when in use. My whole mast on this boat was only 45 ft high, so I figured it was up around 18-20 feet above deck.
This year, I plan to make it a permanent install to my nav station, where I use the laptop when surfing and such. I'm considering either a standoff from the mast below the spreaders, but above the stack system, or a mount on one of the standing side stays, about 5-6 feet off the deck. Since I've done and tested neither of these things as of now, I can't advise you, only tell you my plans. I believe either of these will work fine. Most of the final decision will rely on how efficiently the cable can be run without it being in the way. Because of the mast blocking signal coming from a station opposite the mast mount, I'm leaning towards the standing rigging solution.
This year, I plan to make it a permanent install to my nav station, where I use the laptop when surfing and such. I'm considering either a standoff from the mast below the spreaders, but above the stack system, or a mount on one of the standing side stays, about 5-6 feet off the deck. Since I've done and tested neither of these things as of now, I can't advise you, only tell you my plans. I believe either of these will work fine. Most of the final decision will rely on how efficiently the cable can be run without it being in the way. Because of the mast blocking signal coming from a station opposite the mast mount, I'm leaning towards the standing rigging solution.
iPhone
We are using the iPhone as a standalone, since we have had a Garmin color charting handheld GPS for the past few years. It connects to our PC which loads charts into it, along with waypoints and routes. Setting up routes and waypoints on the PC is much quicker.
I bought the PC for the boat last fall, otherwise, we would have an iPad, and I would be working on mounting it and figuring out how to see it in the sun.
The current system works fine, though. Setting up waypoints and routes for this cruise occupied a lot of weekends through the winter with the PC in my lap, going from the GLCC website to the charting program and back. And setting up a new route as we changed plans, and loading it into the GPS was usually a 10 minutes exercise.
We are using the iPhone as a standalone, since we have had a Garmin color charting handheld GPS for the past few years. It connects to our PC which loads charts into it, along with waypoints and routes. Setting up routes and waypoints on the PC is much quicker.
I bought the PC for the boat last fall, otherwise, we would have an iPad, and I would be working on mounting it and figuring out how to see it in the sun.
The current system works fine, though. Setting up waypoints and routes for this cruise occupied a lot of weekends through the winter with the PC in my lap, going from the GLCC website to the charting program and back. And setting up a new route as we changed plans, and loading it into the GPS was usually a 10 minutes exercise.
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