WiFi Antenna Installation - 2012 Discovery 36J

[Capn_Dave]

Wow Thanks YC1,

That praise comming from a guy that knows signal propgation is all that one can be thankful for. Thanks YC1
They make commercial units so they don't put instructions in them, expecting trained people who are supposed to know what they are doing.
If Ubiquiti would set them up for everyday people to use they would sell a bunch of them and I think they would become an item on Walmart shelves.
There is a fellow that sets units up boater/cruisers. Island Time PC he has a web site and that is his living. He asked me if I minded if he steped on my toes by doing so, I said no there are lots of boaters out there that need something. You need income, besides Iam retired and now sold the boat and joined the RV gang.
Now I just try to keep comming up with bang for the buck stuff

[YC1]

Just a thought Dave. Will a backup be compatible with an identical unit. The thought here is one could just basically clone the critters. Sure would save time. If the serial number is imbedded I bet we could change it to match and the setup would be very fast.

Hey Bukzin, glad you tackled it. It is scary drilling holes in these things and I have drilled holes in every imaginable vehicle for 40 yrs. I still take lost of time and break vehicles down looking for danger.

[pagosajoe]

A couple (or more) questions for you Picostation networking gurus -

I'll be setting up the Picostation using using an old(er) XP notebook that I normally take with me in the coach, and my home wireless system to configure/test and check it out.

My home WiFi internet system uses WPS/WPA2 security. Wanting to use the Picostation for CG WiFi in the coach, will I have to change the security features of the Picostation in airOS when using it at a campground, versus the secured home WiFi system to access CG WiFi?

My thought (hope) was to access CG WiFi through the Picostation on several devices at once - notebook/tablet/Droid cell phones in the coach. Is that possible, or does the Picostation require a direct cat 5 LAN connection to the notebook? I have a new/spare Medialink wireless router I could use (if possible) in the coach in conjunction with the Picostation if that would provide what I'm hoping to achieve. That would seem to add a layer of complexity beyond what I had considered the Picostation would do by itself. I'm not sure that approach would work, thus relying on the networking gurus for help.

Is there a "best" configuration setup mode in the Ubiquiti software for this intended use, noting that there are choices of operating the Picostation as a "station", Access point, or AP-Repeater.

OK - I'm one question past the "couple" of questions I mentioned...so I'll stop there.

Although not completely computer illiterate, networking is relatively new, and I'm eager to learn. My last formal computer education was in 1963 on an IBM mainframe using punch cards, if that brings things into focus. The rest, over the decades, has been self-taught.

Again, thanks so much!

[YC1]

Now that I'm an expert, because I have done 1, here is my solution. Once I have the pico station running and locked on to the wi-fi signal using the great cheat sheets provided I plugged the cord into my own wi-fi router internet slot. I have a dual band model but that is not necessary. Just find what channel the local wi-fi you are monitoring is on and change your wi-fi router to a different channel.

So I am repeating the wi-fi signal. The neat thing is where I have the router mounted behind my couch has room for a PC. The pc plugs into the router directly and I use my television for a monitor.
Using my wi-fi router gives me some other functions. My printer is wireless so I can have it working as well as a wireless camera I use for fun watching critters around the campground.

Using my own router lights up my camp spot so weak devices like Ipods and phones with wi-fi work well.

[Capn_Dave]

YC1 hit it out of the park, there is nothing to add, mabey a word of warning. Remember I had been setting things up for boats. I set one for a real sharp guy and gave him the cheat sheet. This guy goes over to the Bahamas. In the Bahamas there is very little free WIFI and the signals can be spotty at best. He pays for the WIFI and decides to set his up as an access point. Now every boat in the anchorage is getting free wifi. When the authorities found out he got in big trouble.

I thought it was kinda funny as he was English and the way he told it just hit my funny bone.

Fair Winds
Dave

[coachmanrvr]

For those interested in signal boosters and wifi repeaters you might give these guys a call.

3Gstore.com, 3G/4G Routers, Antennas, Amplifiers, WiFi, Extended Batteries, Data, IP Switch & CloudCam

I bought this little CradlePoint MBR95 that will connect to just about any USB modem or wifi hotspot. It rebroadcasts the hotspot so we can always connect to the same connection inside the RV. Connect the router to any wifi and we're set.



They have good support on the website as well and you can talk to a real person with questions!

[pagosajoe]

Thanks guys - I appreciate all the info. Time to go do some head scratching.

[docj]

Originally Posted by pagosajoe

Thanks guys - I appreciate all the info. Time to go do some head scratching.

While you're considering your options you might also want to include the products sold under the https://www.wifiranger.com/ label. Depending on the configuration you choose you can obtain a dual radio solution which maximizes throughput speed. All WFR items have WiFi as WAN capability.

[Mean1255]

I just located your entries and think that I too may use the HOW2R1. How many amps does it draw when turned on?

[pagosajoe]

According to the manufacturer, it takes 0.5 amps with a 48V POE adapter.