Community Forums

JGTexas · 02-05-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallyrver

I went with the 2 foot antenna also ,mounted to the tv mast . I ordered a 5 foot antenna from Amazon.com .I tie strapped it temporally to the mast to check on the signal difference...like they say, bigger is better

. it is about 20 ft at the top of the antenna. The weight of the setup is not an issue ,just make sure you're not under trees or other hanging items.

Wayne

Wayne: Can I ask what antenna you ordered from Amazon?

JGTexas · 02-05-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I use a Crane SuperUSB wifi instead of the Jefatech. It encapsulates the wifi receiver in the antenna module, so only a USB cable has to run to the inside. A USB cable is smaller and more supple than most antenna cables, and it fits in the slide-out gap easily. I fit mine in the lower corner where the side and bottom seals meet.

Super USB Power WiFi Antenna 3 - RV WiFi Antenna

Gary: I considered the Crane SuperUSB initially, but the wireless repeater that is part of the Jefa Tech solution was important in that it allows me to use my iPad, wireless enabled laptop, and Apple TV.

SVTotem · 02-05-2012, 01:26 PM

I like the TV antenna mount approach. Can those of you that have done this give a detailed description of the wire run from the antenna to the in-coach apparatus?

Alan_Hepburn · 02-05-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTotem

I like the TV antenna mount approach. Can those of you that have done this give a detailed description of the wire run from the antenna to the in-coach apparatus?

The wire run is trivial on mine: it comes off the bottom of the antenna and enters a weather resistant junction box:

It's the black wire in the above photo - the white wire connects to the second LNB on my satellite dome (Fleetwood decided it was a good idea to install a dual-LNB dome, but only wire up one LNB!). The junction box is a couple of feet in front of the TV antenna, which folds toward the back of the coach. Under neath that box is a hole in the roof that enters the cabinet above the co-pilot's seat. Inside that cabinet is the wifi repeater box.

SVTotem · 02-05-2012, 09:04 PM

Thanks Alan,
In my case the TV antenna is amidships and I am not sure of the wire run forward to the AV switch over passenger side dash.

I need to go to the coach and climb up on the roof to see where the cable enters.

My other thought was a ladder mount with the cable entering directly through the end cap. Just uneasy about drilling holes through the side or roof.

Stevegd007 · 02-05-2012, 09:33 PM

Well my two cents...I got a 12 foot painters extenstion pole and mounted the antenna on the end of the pole. This sets up the antenna at over 12 high and then I tie it off to the passenger front mirror. Running the wire into the RV thru the front passenger window, leave like a 1/4" gap. Then I put a wood dowl in the inside window channel to keep the window from being forced open. Setting the Jefe tech on the dash. Works for me when I need to use it.

Arch Hoagland · 02-06-2012, 01:04 AM

I've had the Jefa tech going on 4 years now. I mounted my antenna just as SCVjeff did and ran the 20' cable over to my bathroom exhaust vent and came down through a small hole in the screen into our middle bathroom. I used Gorilla Tape on the roof to hold the cable down and it is still holding just fine even in the hot western sun.

I mounted the repeater on the wall there and then ran 2 CAT 5 cables out of the bathroom over to the slide, attaching the cable to the bottom of the walls but not penetrating the wall. I just came in from the front opening along the slide opening.

The CAT 5 cable does not go through the slide wall. If I did that I guarantee you I would forget to remove it when closing the slide.

I discovered the CAT 5 cable allows faster data transfer.

I've used this system coast to coast in at least a 100 campgrounds and it works great. Best money I've spent on the coach ever.

I don't think I would run that cable anywhere that you have to remember to remove it before you move the slide.

jimmyjnr · 02-11-2012, 07:39 PM

I am also looking at the jefa system , are you able to find many free WiFi sites and what sort of range can you receive signal , thanks Jim

Tallyrver · 02-11-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGTexas

Wayne: Can I ask what antenna you ordered from Amazon?

Sorry for the delay.

It's 49.00 ,have not installed it yet,too cold .
Wayne
Amazon.com: Alfa Hi-Gain Omni-Directional Outdoor 15dBi Antenna - 2.4/2.5GHz 4.8-Feet long Weatherproof antenna With N Female Connector - Can be used for IEEE 802.11b/G WiFi and Bluetooth applications: Electronics

Arch Hoagland · 02-11-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyjnr

I am also looking at the jefa system , are you able to find many free WiFi sites and what sort of range can you receive signal , thanks Jim

I've connected to McDonalds that were a half mile away. When we stop for lunch in populated areas it's amazing how many people are using Wifi and how many businesses have open connections.

The question of how far away is determined by various factors and will vary, in wet weather for example. Speed will be affected based on how many people in the campground are using the Wifi system. Evenings are the worst and early morning is the best for number of users.

We have a Droid that we can setup as a hotspot in case no WiFi is available at a campground but we haven't had to use it yet as the Jefa really works quite well.

Tallyrver · 02-11-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyjnr

I am also looking at the jefa system , are you able to find many free WiFi sites and what sort of range can you receive signal , thanks Jim

I installed my Jeffa tech last August ,if there is wifi in the park you will get a great signal ,a lot of times there is a signal outside the park you may be able to get if it is open. I was in Eagles roost in Valdosta Ga. last month .My laptop had 1 bar showing ,I logged on with the repeater ,had an excellent signal ,even picked up the rest area down the road.

I have a 5 foot antenna ty strapped to my tv mast ,it seems to have a much greater range. I should know more when I install it correctly.

Wayne

jimmyjnr · 02-11-2012, 08:38 PM

Is the 5ft to big / heavy for the TV antenna mechanism

Tallyrver · 02-12-2012, 08:17 AM

The antenna is very light,it dose not seem to have any effect on the raising of the mast,I just have to make sure there are no obstructions above the rv.

The Jeffa repeters come with two antenna choices ,the two foot which i have now or the five foot . The two foot works well ,I just can't leave things alone like that ..like Tim Allen ,gotta make them stronger. With the two foot attached to the rv at my home I could get around 10 or so wifi signals , the five foot one receives around 15 including the Mcdonalds a 1/4 mile away as the crow flies

With the smaller antenna I could see the Mcdonalds, but could not log onto the signal . I am happy so far....

Wayne

Arch Hoagland · 02-12-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallyrver

The antenna is very light,it dose not seem to have any effect on the raising of the mast,I just have to make sure there are no obstructions above the rv.

The Jeffa repeters come with two antenna choices ,the two foot which i have now or the five foot . The two foot works well ,I just can't leave things alone like that ..like Tim Allen ,gotta make them stronger. With the two foot attached to the rv at my home I could get around 10 or so wifi signals , the five foot one receives around 15 including the Mcdonalds a 1/4 mile away as the crow flies

With the smaller antenna I could see the Mcdonalds, but could not log onto the signal . I am happy so far....

Wayne

I've had times where it was not necessary to crank up the antenna and on occasions would lower it to get better reception. If I had it to do over I would get the 15db gain antenna. Mine works, but Tim Allen is right sometimes I think.