Long Range Wi-Fi

[B Bob]

MiFi is just a variation of the Verizon air card. The original air cards all were plugged into a computer using a USB connection. MiFi is similar except stand alone and sends out internet connection via WiFi instead of going directly into your computer via USB connection.

I do not have enough expertise in the Wilson amplifier or WiFi antenna to make a comment. Same goes with Cradlepoint.

But if you have MiFi or Verizon air card you should be good to go. Wilson is an add on to hopefully improve the connection.

I would like to point out that there are a variety of options for air card systems now and if I was going to get a new air card / MiFi type account I would check them out. Several offer unlimited data and discounts.

[Wanabee FTer]

Is there anyone here that is using Verizon's MIFI with a booster antenna or know if that's possible?

[JohnQ]

On another website, somebody there recommend I look into this one -- Keenan Systems Wireless Store Featuring Engenius I like the convenience of the window suction cup mount but without the Big Thick Antenna. The second picture shows it mounted via the suction cups to a side window, but with a smaller 9 - 15 db antenna. Has anyone else looked into this product?

[Lindsay Richards]

That looks very similar to my Wave WiFi antenna. It is omnidirectional, but would be much better mounted above the level of the coach. It can easily bee done using a telescoping paint stick pole and velcroed it to your awning stanchion. It looks like it also requires power. The Wave runs off the computers power from the USB port.

[Lindsay Richards]

The link below goes to the El Primo of WiFi antenna's

YouTube - USB WiFi Antenna: CaptiFi

[Gary - K7GLD]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards

The link below goes to the El Primo of WiFi antenna's

That one looks rugged and durable, simple and effective - and an all-in-one package that's really neat and clean - should easily adapt to most any installation situation - thanks.

[garym114]

This one is good, very easy to use, no instillation, just plug it into a USB port and aim out the window.


It is a wireless adapter, replaces what you are using. 10db antenna .
Adapters – AWLL3055

[Lindsay Richards]

Looks like it is a directional antenna in that it has to be pointed directly at the WiFi source which can make it harder to use than a omnidirectional antenna. If you have a waterproof omnidirectional antenna outside and higher than the RV, you can get anything in a half mile or more radius.... no aiming.

[Dr4Film]

I recently went through this very same exercise and this is what I ended up coming away with.

I originally purchased the Sprint Overdrive router mobile Internet service as we already had Sprint cellular service for our phones. I love the Overdrive, however when hooked to 3G service, I am always pressing the 5 GIG limit so I wanted to also invest in a "Long Range" Wi-Fi Hot Spot antenna to supplement our Internet usage when available. I settled on the Rogue Wave | Wave Wifi, the #1 Name in Marine Wifi, Yacht Wifi, Marina Wifi & Wireless Internet which is one of the strongest available, 800 mW. When it arrives, I will mount it to the roof-top bat wing antenna so I can raise and lower it from inside the coach. It will be hooked to a Netgear N router which I haven't used since leaving the DSL line at my last permanent residence. This Rogue Wave is rated at 7 miles distance depending on terrain. Easy to use firmware, easy to hook up but will be a little pricey for some people. $350 - $400.

I feel it's worth it since we are very Internet dependent.

My next project will be to research cellular signal boosters to see if there is one made specifically for RV coaches.

When using any of these antenna's for a RV application, it is very important to get the antenna above the structure as they are line of sight antenna's. RV's are know to be BIG signal busters.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[Lindsay Richards]

Looks like you will have the best system available. Will you be putting a hole in the roof to route the wire back inside the coach? I thought about attaching my Radio Wave to my bat wing, but didn't as sometimes I can not get any WiFi signal at our site and end up taking my laptop to town and hooking up to a local source in my truck. I now have an Android phone and can tether my laptop to it for a slower, but reliable signal for checking email and banking. With this you run into the moral dilemma of using somebody else's unsecured signal.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards

Will you be putting a hole in the roof to route the wire back inside the coach?

With this you run into the moral dilemma of using somebody's unsecured signal.

No new hole needed as the wire will follow the coax cable that goes through the roof-top now.

It is illegal in most states to use someone's private Internet connection. It is NOT illegal to use a open public connection such as a coffee house, library, restaurant, RV park, etc.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[Lindsay Richards]

I have used many private unsecured WiFi signals in the past. Never actually know if it is private or not. If I see a signal named Wendy (as I see now) I assume it belongs to Windy across the street. If I see one called Cisco or Belkins and it is unsecured, I really can not determine who it belongs to and don't know if I can use it on not. My experience is that there are a whole lot of them out there and many more than the public ones. The question becomes, do I use it or not get on WiFi at all or keep on looking for a unsecured public site which many times I can not find out in the hinterlands. I know that most routers come out of the box unsecured and unnamed (or with the brand name). Many folks not familiar with technical things never name them or setup passwords. I have come down on the side of using these sites if I can find no other public sites. It is easy to rationalize that it is just like looking over somebody's shoulder looking at their newspaper or listening to somebody's radio. This of course isn't always true as some people pay by the usage or have monthly limits. I have a handheld WiFi detector which also reports security status. I usually come down on the side of getting on and doing the necessary computing and getting off. Some places with pubic sites like Best Buy and Staples are free but require a email sign in so they can put you on their advertising list. You are trading access for receiving their ads. Now that I have unlimited tethering ability, I think I will actually be using the away from my coach sites less and less.

[wa8yxm]

There is Wi-Fi and there is Wireless.. I saw a lot of posts (Good posts) talking about Verizon and possibly other Wireless internet options.. I second most of them.

Wi-Fi is a system for local distribution of an internet "Signal" be it obtained via wireless (Verison, Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, AT&T, whomever) or via wire or fiber cable. MANY (But not all) parks offer WI-Fi to their clients/members/customers.

Now the problem is this.. In many parks there is but one Router. IN the club house (usually) and sometimes It's a long way, to the club house, it's a long way for us (3 miles from where I"m typing to where I'm parked.. but I"m in McDonalds, no wi-fi in the park..yet)

I have had some success at "Extending" my range, not a lot but a little, by using not a USB wi-fi adapter, nor the internal adapter in a laptop, but by using a Linksys WGA-54G Wireless Game Adapter.

Now this extends my range in two ways

First: USB cables quickly get "Too long" I mean 10 feet is a LONG RUN for a USB cable to a Wi-Fi adapter. But CAT-5.. Well I can run Cat-5 cable for a hundred feet or more before I need to drop in a repeater (I think it's 300 feet but am not sure) the repeater is called a SWITCH by the way. The WGA (Game adapter) connects to the comptuer via CAT-5 or CAT-6 (longer run I think) Cables. So right there I can gain 100 feet (How much cable I have)

THen I can mount the WGA in a weather shield OUTSIDE The rig.. On the picnic table, the rear bumper, on the roof,, Even "Run it up the flagpole" (I mean that literally by the way.. I have a flag pole)

This gives me a clear line of sight to the clubhouse without any RV's in between (no walls)

Finally Google: WI-Fi Booster RV
and you will find a document.. You print it on card stock, cut it out, cover one piece with Aluminum foil, drop it on top of the antenna for your WGA and .. I was amazed at how much difference it made in signal strength when pointed at the router v/s pointed...elsewhere. I saw routers go from like 70% to nothing. and back as I adjusted it.

[vermilye]

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer

Is there anyone here that is using Verizon's MIFI with a booster antenna or know if that's possible?

The MiFi does not have an antenna input. If you want to use an added antenna, you will need a system that combines an outside antenna, an amplifier and an inside antenna. Some examples -
Wilson Sleek. For more gain, check one of their 3 watt amps.