The_Joker
regular
Reged: 20/01/2007
Posts: 783
Loc: ked Away
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I know you can buy a wifi antenna that will allow you to pick up a signal from a good distance away.
I think i read on here up to 3kms.
I cant remember what they are called or where to get them from?
Also i seem to remember that they are very directional so do they come with some sort of mounting bracket which will swivel?
Or do you have to make that bit yourself?
any help would be appreciated
Rob
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Why so serious?
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sarabande
regular
Reged: 06/05/2005
Posts: 5373
Loc: Thames valley, or up on the mo...
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try
http://www.wifispark.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=123&Itemid=153
I can pick up stations at least 5k away.
Their support is very good, too.
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Enlightenment is motor-sailing
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BrendanS
regular
Reged: 11/06/2002
Posts: 37013
Loc: Me: Wilts. Boat: Lymington
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Your response require here then
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1910005/an/0/page/0#1910005
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See http://www.frappr.com/ybw to add yourself to the forum map
and as everyone else is doing it
www.plaintalkconsulting.co.uk
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JeremyShaw
regular
Reged: 18/04/2005
Posts: 569
Loc: UK/Caribbean
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I see the Repeatit, linked by Sarabande, is a directional antenna. This may be a problem at a mooring or anchor, though would be fine in a marina.
The Radio Labs Wave RV II is omnidirectional and has a USB connector. This is constrained to the usual USB limit of 15’ (though maybe more with a booster?). Personally I had problems with the RV I but I know several people who are very happy with them. Don’t know if there is a UK distributor, but you could probably get it shipped from the US – it doesn’t weigh much. http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/waverv2.php
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Jeremy Shaw
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david_brighton
regular
Reged: 15/11/2002
Posts: 1021
Loc: Brighton UK, boat nr Trieste. ...
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They look great but anyone know which one works with Mac OSX?
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Is August a sailing month?
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JeremyShaw
regular
Reged: 18/04/2005
Posts: 569
Loc: UK/Caribbean
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I see Radio Labs are now doing the Wave Magnum and say that works with Mac OS 10.3 and 10.4.
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Jeremy Shaw
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rolygate
new user
Reged: 07/06/2007
Posts: 3
Loc: UK Kent, or living aboard else...
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There are cheap and expensive options. If you need long range or painless operation, buy a commercial system. If you just have a basic requirement and/or funds are low, then you might find this a better solution as it's a home-brew wifi cantenna microwave waveguide antenna that costs around £5:
http://www.pelaginox.com/pc/pc-cantenna.html
I'm a radio guy so the theory, formulae and practical stuff are all pukka. I get half a mile range with this cantenna on my boat, just to the normal sort of base units owned by unknowing but cooperative DSL subscribers. You can get double the gain if you want to try harder, with a bi-quad woktenna... And for 3 times the gain, get an old satellite dish and change the little active element in the centre. Heaps of fun for very little cash.
chris
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ForeverFreedom38
regular
Reged: 05/07/2004
Posts: 175
Loc: Cyprus
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Yes - we use it - no problem - you have to ask for the Mac software though.
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david_brighton
regular
Reged: 15/11/2002
Posts: 1021
Loc: Brighton UK, boat nr Trieste. ...
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Thnx for that, just ordered one. Trying to keep my daughter happy onboard!
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Is August a sailing month?
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NathanLee
regular
Reged: 09/06/2008
Posts: 186
Loc: London
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3km from wi-fi is unlikely, although possible, but not on a boat.
From 5 watts of output on a marine hand held radio you can expect about 5/6 miles line of sight, right. The output of a wifi device for a computer, whether it's internal or external is about 50mw, also it's microwave to so doesn't propagate well at all.
The only way you can get that kind of range from wifi is to use an extremely directional antenna. This is to focus the 50mof power into a fine beam rather than radiating it everywhere. the problem with this is you must maintain line of sight, and with an antenna as directional as the kind required to achieve that sort of range you would struggle very much to keep the connection as your boat rolls around.
The best solution for internet access is probably going to be one of these phone dongles. They're about 15 quid a month.
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The wonderful adventures of Kudu the magic sloop.
http://onkudu.wordpress.com
Technical Nathan
blog.nathanwhitworth.co.uk
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