Info for Antenna for WiFi Usage

Ron · 12-31-2011, 03:54 AM

Looking for information for a antenna for WiFi usage that can be used for my Laptop in my RoadTrek when at a campground that has WiFi.

Ron

markopolo · 12-31-2011, 03:13 PM

Can you directly connect an antenna to your laptop? If you can't then look into wireless bridges or repeaters.
Some home routers can operate in bridge mode right out of the box or there is 3rd party firmware that can be installed on some brands to give the router that ability. http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...hp?f=42&t=1658

I used a SuperPass antenna for a while at home with an Asus router running DD-WRT firmware. I think SuperPass is a good brand and actually works. http://www.superpass.com/2400M_Nomni.html Might not be the best looking antenna though.

markopolo · 12-31-2011, 03:25 PM

This site: http://www.data-alliance.net/ has product and info.
Lots of options.

markopolo · 12-31-2011, 04:49 PM

The WaveRV http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/waverv.php is a nice solution because it is an all-in-one wifi card and antenna. So the whole thing is powered through your laptop USB port. Only drawback I see is that it is only wireless B & G. Wireless N is not listed.

I like this idea http://hawkingtech.com/index.php/pro...ns/how2r1.html also. Outdoor unit, nice and neat. The inside the van part needs to be plugged in though so you need an inverter turned on if your are not plugged in at a campground.

markopolo · 12-31-2011, 05:18 PM

Another all-in-one solution from Radio Labs http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wi...fi-antenna.php no N spec listed.

Your laptop is tethered to the USB cable with the all-in-one card/antenna combos.

I prefer the bridge/repeater solutions. Then you are free to move around with your laptop.

Ron · 12-31-2011, 05:46 PM

I checked out http://www.buy.com for a WiFi Antenna Booster, wireless Long-Range WiFi Antenna, they have many, no idea which one to purchase.

Would anyone have any suggestions.

Info on my Laptop is: Dell, Studio 1535, Model No. PP33L, Windows Vista.

Ron

Mike · 12-31-2011, 06:59 PM

How about one of these?
Found 3 on Walmart.com.
The may be available in store. I don't know.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng ... raint=3944

Actually, upon further review, they are designed to beef up your router's ability to pull in signal, so I don't
think these will help you on the road unless you use a router, or possibly a wireless hotspot device, but I
think those are cell phone tower based?

I then found this. I'm thinking, if you can find a way to power it from your van, it looks like you might be able
to configure it to become a pass-thru range extender for your laptop. It is compatible with WPA/WEP security
and can connect wirelessly to your laptop via plug and play, or PUSH and CONNECT. Maybe marko can explain
it better, but I think you could power it up, and then scan for it with your laptop's network connection software,
then connect to it, and maybe then find an external wifi signal? Like at a campground? Or other wifi hotspot?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/NETGEAR-Unive ... r/16636647

markopolo · 01-01-2012, 01:15 AM

I did take a look at your link Ron. There sure is a lot of stuff available.
There are a few ways to get better WiFi range. It depends how much improvement you want and the scope of work that you are willing to do. Do you want to drill holes, mount external antennas, configure a router as a bridge etc. for up to maybe 1 mile range or do you just want to plug an extender into your laptop to get a boost?

Ron · 01-01-2012, 03:14 AM

I do not want to drill holes, looking to plug an extender into my laptop for a boost. Would like to get up to a mile range.

Ron

markopolo · 01-01-2012, 02:45 PM

The simplest thing to try on Buy.com looks to be the Alfa AWUS036NH

Alfa AWUS036NH by itself
http://www.buy.com/prod/alfa-802-11g...216469372.html

Alfa AWUS036NH bundled with a holder
http://www.buy.com/prod/2000mw-2w-80...216916248.html

Alfa AWUS036NH bundled with a second larger antenna:
http://www.buy.com/prod/alfa-awus036...216916249.html

Alfa AWUS036NH bundled with a holder and larger antenna
http://www.buy.com/prod/2000mw-2w-80...216916239.html

I have no experience with this product Ron. There are a few posts on RV.net that might help you decided if it is worth trying: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...7B%7D/sr/1.cfm

soohma · 08-02-2012, 12:35 AM

Trying to follow the lingo here. What is a wi-fi extender? I know what it does, but where does one get one and what do you do with it? We recently stayed in a couple of campgrounds where the signal was too weak unless you were right next to the office.

I talked with a guy recently who had an antenna (Wilson) attached to the back of his B. He said he wired it into the van, puts his smart phone next to 'something' (sorry, lost his thought), pushes a button on his phone and he has Internet. I think he means he sets up his own wi-fi system. Does that sound right?

Mike · 08-02-2012, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markopolo

The simplest thing to try on Buy.com looks to be the Alfa AWUS036NH

Alfa AWUS036NH by itself
http://www.buy.com/prod/alfa-802-11g...216469372.html

Alfa AWUS036NH bundled with a holder
http://www.buy.com/prod/2000mw-2w-80...216916248.html

Alfa AWUS036NH bundled with a second larger antenna:
http://www.buy.com/prod/alfa-awus036...216916249.html

Alfa AWUS036NH bundled with a holder and larger antenna
http://www.buy.com/prod/2000mw-2w-80...216916239.html

I have no experience with this product Ron. There are a few posts on RV.net that might help you decided if it is worth trying: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...7B%7D/sr/1.cfm

Found this thread out in cyber-space. The forum members sound like wi-fi range extender geeks, so no idea whether
any of the techno-babble is meaningful.
http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=6989.0

People who believe that the Alfa works, also may have spent money on this ...
http://hakshop.myshopify.com/products/9 ... gi-antenna

Mike · 08-02-2012, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soohma

Trying to follow the lingo here. What is a wi-fi extender? I know what it does, but where does one get one and what do you do with it? We recently stayed in a couple of campgrounds where the signal was too weak unless you were right next to the office.

I talked with a guy recently who had an antenna (Wilson) attached to the back of his B. He said he wired it into the van, puts his smart phone next to 'something' (sorry, lost his thought), pushes a button on his phone and he has Internet. I think he means he sets up his own wi-fi system. Does that sound right?

Probably. I think they call that tethering, when someone uses their cell phone as an access point for their wifi laptop.
marko would know for sure.

markopolo · 08-02-2012, 06:49 PM

Interesting links Mike. Possible counterfeit products etc.

This tech stuff changes so rapidly so I'm behind the curve. It could have been a MiFi type of device which is a wireless router that connects to a cell network and can act as an access point for other computer or devices. Some smart phones have something like that built in now. Press a button and the phone turns into an access point - possibly wifi or cell. Or it could be tethering via Bluetooth maybe?

I've been thinking about putting an omni directional wifi antenna on the end of a crank up Winegard TV antenna. I'd connect the wifi antenna to a router or wireless bridge or repeater. I have an unused router already converted to be a wireless bridge: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...hp?f=42&t=1658

Mike · 08-02-2012, 07:32 PM

Yeah, the 9DBi counterfeit antennas thing was amusing. Also the comments about increasing the range, sometimes
increases the interference, so the net gain is negligible.
When I'm having problems with my wifi connection, I move the van closer to the Starbucks storefront parking spaces,
or sometimes we actually go inside with our laptops, buy a coffee, and sit down for an hour.

Seems to work pretty well, and it's almost free (uses some $$$ in fuel starting and moving the van, or buying a coffee).

JohnnyFry · 03-20-2014, 05:49 PM

Realizing that this question is probably stale and everyone has moved on. I use a WiFi Ranger and Ubiquity bullet antenna from Bluemesh systems. http://www.bluemesh.com Boosters can be ordered factory direct and theca support is first rate.

It allows you to connect multiple devices to a single WiFi connection, good where places charge for connection or where they give you a single access code.

John Freitag

avanti · 03-20-2014, 06:31 PM

At least one of us is still here.

I just finished researching this issue for our soon-to-be GW Legend. I ended up with the following:
1) Pepwave Surf SOHO 3G/4G Router -- : $129.99 from 3GSTORE.COM
2) 2 x Taoglas 7.5" Omni WiFi Antenna (2.4Ghz/5.0Ghz) -- $29.98 from 3GSTORE.COM
3) Ubiquiti NanoStation loco M2 -- $52.45 from AMAZON.COM
4) Wilson 813426 Sleek 4G cellphone booster -- $126.99 from CELLPHONESIGNALBOOSTER.US

Notes:
--#4 will be used with our Verizon Jetpack MiFi 5510L, which is irrelevant if you only care about WiFi, but which can be tethered to the Pepwave for seamless access.
--#3 can be swapped directly with the Ubiquity Bullet. The difference is that the Bullet is omnidirectional and the NanoStation needs to be pointed. I plan to mount the NanoStation on the pointable TV antenna mast on the vehicle.
--Setup of all of this is a little geeky. If you don't know about things like NAT, DNS and so on, you probably want a more plug-and-play solution, but except for that, this is a very cost-effective and high-quality setup.

I have not used this system in anger yet (still waiting for the van), but it all works great on the bench. There are a few nits (e.g., a DC power-over-ethernet injector; the use of shielded cat-5 cable) that I have left out. If anyone needs the gory details, let me know.

cruisefx · 07-28-2014, 10:18 PM

Avanti

Have you been able to implement your setup yet? Is this setup primarily to get WIFI from a 3g/4g from a smartphone or the Jetpack Mifi? Does the Pepwave pick up both WIFI and 3g/4g signals?

I can create a personal hotspot with my smartphone to allow WIFI for a tablet or laptop but if I am nearing the limit of my data plan I would like to use free WIFI. I have noticed that not all my devices will pick up a free WIFI signal with the same signal strength so I got a Netgear WN3000RP range extender. It creates my own network using the free WIFI so that all my other devices can use the signal. This item is a bit tempermental but I suspect it does what the Pepwave does except I cannot boost the signal with another antenna so I am looking for something a bit more reliable

I am curious on how yours is working

Cruisefx

avanti · 07-29-2014, 02:00 AM

Yes, we recently took delivery of the van, and I have the system fully installed. Still haven't used it a whole lot, but so far it all seems to work great.

The idea is to use free WiFi whenever available, and to fall back to MiFi automatically when necessary. The nice thing about the Pepwave router is that it can maintain multiple potential connections in a priority order, and pick the highest priority one that is currently working. It doesn't receive 3G/4G directly, but it has a USB port where you can tether the Jetpack.

So, in my case, I have it set to (a) use the NanoStation if it is connected; (b) directly receive a WiFi signal using "WiFi as WAN" (this is basically acting as a WiFi extender); or (c) fall back to the Jetpack as a last resort. This is completely automatic. I have the Wilson Sleek 4G repeater permanently installed in the van, with its antenna on the roof. I leave the Jetpack in the Sleek's cradle and plugged into the Pepwave (where it also gets power). So, the Jetpack is always available (assuming there is service), but it is only used when WiFi is unavailable.

No matter what the WAN source, it is rebroadcast onto the van's local network (both WiFi and wired), so all of our devices can stay connected to a single network. Everything is seamless.

I mounted the Nanostation M2 on the TV antenna mast. That way I can point it in any direction from inside the van. It can pick up WiFi signals from incredible distances:

cruisefx · 07-29-2014, 04:19 AM

Thank you for the clarification. That is pretty slick on how the priority can be set up on the router. So as long as you can reach a Verizon signal, all is good. Since you have installed the Nanostation on your TV antenna, did you install the two antennae that you had purchased initially? What distances have you been able to achieve with/without the antennae?

I am using a Winegard Flatwave antenna for my television so I guess I will have to mount the Nanostation unit on its own on the roof.

Cruisefx

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