Community Forums

biker art · 01-21-2013, 06:45 PM

Ned some recomendations about wifi boosters.I'm in a rv park and having trouble getting online.I'm looking into getting a booster but don't know squat about them.I don't want to spend money for something too fancy .I don't have cell phone capable of internet and don't want one.I don't want to be in a contract to the phone co.Any help,Thanks

Fred1609 · 01-21-2013, 06:59 PM

Theres a lot of info on this forum about boosting your WIFI signal. Type WIFI booster in the search engine at the top of the page. Should be enough info to get you educated in short order. I use millenicom while on the road for our internet needs as DW works while we are RVing. No contract and lots of data for a great price.

sdennislee · 01-21-2013, 07:29 PM

Google Jefa Tech. I have one a really like it

denochs · 01-21-2013, 07:40 PM

You can get them on eBay for about $15 bucks. I have an older laptop that does not get good reception and bought one at the recommendation of a friend. Makes all the difference between good reception and none. Look for a USB plug and play.

Dave

biker art · 01-22-2013, 04:34 PM

How well do the wifi antennas work do they hook up to a usb port on the laptop? I'm thinking of buying one otherwise I will get the Jefa booster.

Jack1234 · 01-22-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biker art

How well do the wifi antennas work do they hook up to a usb port on the laptop? I'm thinking of buying one otherwise I will get the Jefa booster.

Just a caution......we tried a jefatech and their antenna .....did not work for us and we now use it as a paperweight!

Angler3041 · 01-22-2013, 06:33 PM

Just read a write-up on WI-FI Ranger looks promising and secure. Anyone tried this?

gajd33 · 01-25-2013, 06:01 PM

Crane Wifi Antenna I use this model and after trying several other "$15" options its clear to me that you get what you pay for. This unit also doubles as a wifi card so all you do is plug it into your computer and install the software. Pretty straighforward. We even ended up plugging it into a cradlepoint hot spot (creates its own wifi network) so we could use our phones on it as well.

denochs · 01-25-2013, 06:08 PM

Some of us may not need a hot spot or wifi network capability in the "antenna" we buy. So $100 vs $15. Let me think on that one.

Dave

docj · 01-25-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angler3041

Just read a write-up on WI-FI Ranger looks promising and secure. Anyone tried this?

I have a WiFiRanger Go with a WiFiRanger Mobile for extended range. We are full-timers and our system is in use 24/7/365. My WFR system currently connects my in-coach network (2 computers, printer, iPad, Roku) with a DSL line, my phone's hotspot and the campground wifi.

The WFR hardware permits me to prioritize my available internet connections. At present the DSL is the primary connection but the WFR maintains a backup connection to the campground's wifi in case it detects problems with the DSL. It can switch the connection in a matter of seconds and back again when the DSL is restored. All of this operates automatically.

If you have any particular questions about WFR products, feel free to PM me.

wa8yxm · 01-26-2013, 10:38 AM

The problem with Wi-Fi USB dongles (The antenna is part of teh dongle normally) is the maximm length of a USB cord is what, 30 feet and some hardware won't work at 30 feet.

Some won't work at 3 feet.

This means you are still INSIDE your RV

For best range you need to get OUTSIDE your RV.

Now, there are some adapters that do have detachable antennas, these can be connected by coax to an outside antenna....

But again there is a tradeoff.. The longer the coax run, the greater the line loss, eventually the loss exceeds the gain (Where that is depends on the coax and a few other things)

The repeaters like the JafaTech are a good way to get around this.

My method is a bit unique and uses vintage hardware but it gets around it too. Sigging on (currently) the back of the RV is a Linksys WGA (Wireless Game Adapter) This is a Wi-Fi Modem.. it is also 1/2 of a repeater.

The other half (A Belkin router) is inside the motor home Max line length for cat 5,, Well I only have 100' but it's 3 times that as I recall.

wb7auk · 01-26-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack1234

Just a caution......we tried a jefatech and their antenna .....did not work for us and we now use it as a paperweight!

Something wrong then as I have field tested their unit and found it
works well.

vsheetz · 01-26-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biker art

How well do the wifi antennas work do they hook up to a usb port on the laptop? I'm thinking of buying one otherwise I will get the Jefa booster.

I have used USB adapters with high gain antenna from Hawking Technologies with excellent results. Good way to go if you just need one computer connected.
USB Network Adapters

I use their outdoor repeater as well.
Dual Radio wireless-N Smart WiFi Repeater HOW2R1 Hi-Gain Outdoor Wireless-300N

biker art · 01-27-2013, 03:17 PM

Thanks everybody.I got a range extender from best buy for$75.It works well if it can get a good signal but will only boost the signal it receives.If the sig.is weak it still is not going to work good.With out spending some more money after good I will stick with this for now