Antenna to receive WiFi

[Ron]

Has anyone used a antenna to receive WiFi, for their LapTop when camped in a campground in their RV, if so what is the brand name?

Ron

[yizit]

I would suggest checking into Wilson Antenna. I'm not sure there is an antenna just to receive a WIFI signal, but they do have antenna's to boost cell towers signals. Wilson is highly recommended by many truckers.

[markopolo]

A Repeater might help. http://www.costco.com/Amped-Wireless%C2 ... 31650.html

Your devices connect to the Repeater and the Repeater connects to WiFi hotspots.

Also, consider MiFi devices. They use cell data plans so there is an ongoing cost but they'll probably work well even when you are mobile. Your passenger could be on the internet when you are driving.

TruConnect Internet on the Go Mobile Hotspot (3G)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Internet-on-t ... t/20665535

$45 Never Expires 4 GB of data for the TruConnect device above
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Email-Deliver ... 5/20903085

[markopolo]

Ron - I'm going to install an outdoor wifi antenna on my RV. I'll connect the antenna to a Repeater inside the camper van.
Power will be supplied by a PSW inverter when off-grid or grid power when plugged in.
The parts are arriving by mail The antenna arrived today.





I'll post the setup in the Tweaks, Mods & Projects section when I put it all together.

[markopolo]

This antenna seems to work! You're probably thinking; well, yeah - it is supposed to work.
Over the years, I've bought more antennas that don't work as expected than those that do so I am excited to get one that does work as expected.

The first test was simple. I just connected it to the antenna jack on a desktop PC and held the antenna by hand. With the new antenna the PC sees a WiFi network that is 900 feet away in a straight line (measured using Google Earth). That is inside a house to inside another house so I can't wait to try this antenna when it is mounted outside on my van. I have not been able to see that network from in the house before.

[Ron]

Please lety me know how the antenna works on the camper van.

Ron

[markopolo]

2nd test not overwhelming...

5 year old Asus WL-520gU router flashed with DD-WRT firmware and configured as a repeater. I'm only catching glimpses of the WiFi network that I mentioned previously. G network.
I have to get this properly installed. I only received the J poles for the Ubiquiti mounts in the mail so I have to wait for the seller to send the rest of the parts so I can mount this and try it in the van.

[markopolo]

The Amazon seller that I bought the Ubiquiti antenna mounts from confirmed today that they will send the missing parts so that's a bit of good news.
I need to get the mounts on the van before the really cold weather sets in.
Update on the router configured as a repeater - I've been connected to it for a few days now for internet access. The repeater and antenna are in my garage with the van. The repeater (garage router) connects to another router in my house which is an access point to the internet. It is working as expected.

[markopolo]

I mounted the WiFi antenna on van today.



The tip of the antenna is 9' 4" from the ground. I ended up mounting it separately from the TV antenna.
The router configured as a repeater is on a bookshelf / gadget shelf I made for the rear of the van.



DW reads real books so the shelf will let her bring lots of books. E-books for me though

Tonight, (van parked in garage) the repeater / antenna combo is able to see and connect to that previously mentioned WiFi network that is 900 feet away during a quick test. I think it will work well in campgrounds.

[markopolo]

Drove around town and made a few stops testing the TV antenna and the WiFi antenna. At one stop my iPod could only see 2 networks but the repeater could see 12! The town and library both have open WiFi here. I think the antenna and repeater combo has doubled or even tripled my reception range. With weaker WiFi devices like my iPod I just need to be within range of my van to benefit from the outdoor antenna and repeater router combo.