Wifi adapter...help choosing

[RVfever1]

Hi Guys, I need help,

I want to purchase two UAWIFI UA3 wifi adapters for my RV and Truck, but need some "real user" info. before I buy. Has any of you used this adapter? What is the REAL range ? I love the shape and that it has magnets on the bottom for easy mounting, but need info about the performance!

Thx
TSS

[wa8yxm]

Never used that product, never heard of it before, but let me tell you what I do use and why.

A Linksys WGA-54G Wireless GAME adapter.

Here is why.. USB adapters have to be within a few feet of the computer,, I think the maximum length for a USB cable is around 10 feet and often that won't work on a Wi-Fi adapter.

On the other hand The WGA is not a USB product, it's a LAN device, (MODEM in fact) it does not have a USB port, it has a LAN port, takes CAT-5 cable.. it also takes electricity (Needs it's own power supply) though I'm sure if I wished I could find a way to power it via the cat=5 cable (in fact I know how) I just do not want to.

Now with CAT-5 the maximum length is not 10 feet or 20, 0r 30, it's closer to 300, I can set that adapter (in my case) up to 100 feet from the computer (or in my case my house router) and it works perfectly.. Why am I limited to 100 feet.. Well.. that's all the cable I have.. But I could buy more cable if I needed to.

So the WGA can go on the wall here in the room where the router is loccated

It can go (As it is now) outside on the lawn cart I use to haul laundry which is hanging on the ladder... It can go on the ladder, On the roof, UP a flagpole (25') over on a short 2-step ladder/stool On a picnic table, on the cargo tray, Under the front of the rig,, Wherever it needs to be to get a good view of the park's antenna.

It also has an antenna that "Sticks up" which means I can drop a parabolic reflector over the antenna for directional gain.. I do not hae the link handy but you can google for it.. You download a PDF file.. (Google: wi-fi RV booster road) You cut out the print out, glue tin foil to one piece and that's your adapter.

I was amazed at how much difference it made when I tested it by turning it so it faced away from some nearby routers.

All in all, I'm very happy with this set up

Theory has it I could mount the WGA on the arm of a Satellite dish for even more gain, but I thin that would work better with a Directway dish than a DirecTV dish. Though the theoretical gain of a DirecTV dish is 18DB if I'm not mistaken.

[RVfever1]

Wow, thanks for such a detailed info wa8yxm, as I can tell you know alot about wifiing
This is great info not only for me but for the whole RV community here at iRV.
In my case, I must choose UAWIFI UA3 as it less complex and easier to mount/unmount, and for me the 10 feet USB cable which UA3 has is more than enough at this moment.
I ordered the adapter from USB WiFi Adapter | UAWIFI UA3 and I am waiting for it, as soon as I get it, I will post about it performance and range.

Thanks again

[njs42]

Thanks to both of you for some helpful information. I'm faced with this decision so I am listening and learning. I certainly like the UA wi-fi simplicity and 10' is plenty for me---but preformance counts. Good luck on your install and test. Hope it works--let us know!!!!

I'm googling Linksys as I type---thanks wa8yxm