Internet / WiFi / CAT 5 installation

hynespa

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2010
314
Marina Del Rey, CA
Boat Info
2005 420 Sundancer
Engines
T-VD-8.1 S HO MerCruiser (T-420 hp)
I recently did a project on my 420 Sundancer to install 12V Internet including running CAT5 ethernet cables to key components. The "network closet" is beneath the cabin circuit breaker panel (same place where the Beam vacuum is located).

1) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.13.04 PM.png I purchased a Netgear LB1121 4G LTE modem. I got this item because it accepts a SIM card from AT&T, and I can add this to my existing AT&T family plan. It also runs over PoE (power over ethernet) which enabled me to install it in a remote (high) location for a better signal. It also has an external antenna adapter.

2) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.19.08 PM.png I originally was going to mount this in the cabin, but I could only get 2 bars. When I experimented and put it on the arch I got a better signal. So I ended up mounting it with adhesive velcro (I didn't want to drill any holes in case I changed my mind later). I mounted it behind the cockpit TV so that it would not be visible.

3) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.23.38 PM.png I bought the external MIMO antenna which fit into the external antenna jacks on the LB1121 modem. This was the item most often paired with the modem on Amazon as well.

4) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.26.04 PM.png I velcro'd the MIMO antenna to the fiberglass canopy of the boat. I can therefore remove the antenna when I go home and/or we are not really using the Internet. My preliminary review of the MIMO antenna is that it is pretty useless (does not seem to really add a bar over having no external antenna plugged into the modem). If anybody has used a different antenna I would really love to hear about it.

5) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.29.03 PM.png I purchased a PoE injector (Power over Ethernet) so that I could power the modem via the same Ethernet cable that I was using to patch between the modem and the router. I had to do quite a bit of searching to find a PoE injector that ran off 12v instead of household 110v. I wanted the 12v version so I could run the Internet without shore power or generator.

6) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.32.06 PM.png I purchased the NETGEAR N600 WiFi router because a) it's input voltage is 12v so I was able to directly wire into the boat 12v power system b) it has both WiFi as well as 4 Ethernet jacks (more about that later).

7) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.34.17 PM.png I mounted the NETGEAR WiFi router to the inside of the space under the cabin circuit breaker (where the Beam Central Vac is located). Here is how the CAT5 ethernet cables are set up:
a) The Green ethernet cable goes to the PoE Injector and then to the LTE modem.
b) Top Blue cable goes to the Fusion stereo (which only supports WIRED ethernet).
c) Middle Blue ethernet goes to the mid cabin PS4. When I removed the defunct 2005 DVD player, I modified the cabinet opening to fit a PS4 console. When my son brings the PS4 from home (so he can play Fortnite on the boat - ridiculous I know) he can simply plug it into the spare power cord I bought, the HDMI to the TV and the Ethernet cable and not have to configure anything on the box.
d) The bottom blue goes to the Cockpit Samsung Smart TV.
e) The Salon Samsung Smart TV is connected via WiFi.
f) The Raymarine MFD is also connected via Wifi.

8) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.44.17 PM.png I am powering the whole thing from 12V from a Blue Sea Systems 6 circuit sub panel. This sub panel is fed off the "Satellite TV" breaker in the cabin breaker panel.

9) Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.46.50 PM.png I mounted the sub panel in the same location as the router (described above) and installed blade fuses just above the rating for each component (PoE injector powering the modem / WiFi router). I also ran 12v to near each TV so I have the option of powering each TV off an individual inverter if I don't want to run the generator while not on shore power.

VERDICT: The Internet speed is OK - probably on par with setting up your iPhone as a hotspot. The main advantage is that I have a power up and go Internet solution (by just flipping a single circuit breaker) that also works with the Raymarine MFD and Fusion stereo (enabling remote control of the Fusion from any phone associated to the WiFi). The Internet speed is good enough for my son to play his beloved Fortnite as well.

As stated above, I am disappointed in the effectiveness of the external antenna.

Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 10.53.11 PM.png I considered buying the "Glomex Web Boat 4G/LTE Cellular Internet Dome" but it was a good deal of money and I couldn't find any review online from boaters who had actually installed it. For that much money it better give much better Internet than I am getting off the (much cheaper) Netgear LB1121. If anybody on this forum has experience with the Glomex Internet dome I would love to hear what you think!
 
VERY nice Job!!! Dang impressive for sure.
 
I’m in the process of doing the same, except I’m on a Verizon Jetpack and I have a Bullet for WiFi. My jetpack accepts a MIMO antenna and they make a marinized version that mounts to a 1”-14 Marine antenna mount.

I’m going to mount the jetpack, bullet and PoE injector in the arch, and just run 12v and Ethernet line back to the cabinet and distribute via a netgear wired/wireless router from there.

I’m accumulating parts, but like where you hid things.
 
Been reading up on the Netgear 4g LTE Modem. Seems it works with Verizon. I ordered one to try it out. Would simplify my system.
 
I got a nice surprise the other night despite typically crappy cell reception in my boat my at my dock.
I installed a third smart TV on the boat in the aft cabin. Like the two I installed in June, it required downloading and installing updates to the TV and registering it with Vizio.
Not wanting to drag the TV home to accomplish this I decided to use my iPad (with unlimited data plan) as a hotspot despite only having two bars of reception.
Worked like a charm!
Next, I signed in to my Amazon and Netflix accounts from that TV. Once that worked, I streamed content from both providers with no buffering problems at all.
Couldn’t believe I was able to stream clearly despite a weak cell signal on my iPad.
Did the same with the other two TV’s and got the same surprisingly good results.
Watched it for several hours between Friday night and yesterday and it streamed flawlessly.
 
Been researching antenna options. The trick to 4g LTE is MIMO, hence you need 2 antenna. In an outdoor arrangement (boat), they should be about 3 to 6 feet apart roughly. The hardest part with the cheap consumer grade 4g LTE routers are they all tend to use TS9 antenna connectors which are not robust. SMA would be better and marry up to marine grade antenna easier. If this works well, a future upgrade could be a more robust lte router.

Bought the router and PoE injector today. Hopefully have a functioning stereo and data streaming system soon.
 
I recently did a project on my 420 Sundancer to install 12V Internet including running CAT5 ethernet cables to key components. The "network closet" is beneath the cabin circuit breaker panel (same place where the Beam vacuum is located).

1) View attachment 58135 I purchased a Netgear LB1121 4G LTE modem. I got this item because it accepts a SIM card from AT&T, and I can add this to my existing AT&T family plan. It also runs over PoE (power over ethernet) which enabled me to install it in a remote (high) location for a better signal. It also has an external antenna adapter.

2) View attachment 58136 I originally was going to mount this in the cabin, but I could only get 2 bars. When I experimented and put it on the arch I got a better signal. So I ended up mounting it with adhesive velcro (I didn't want to drill any holes in case I changed my mind later). I mounted it behind the cockpit TV so that it would not be visible.

3) View attachment 58137 I bought the external MIMO antenna which fit into the external antenna jacks on the LB1121 modem. This was the item most often paired with the modem on Amazon as well.

4) View attachment 58138 I velcro'd the MIMO antenna to the fiberglass canopy of the boat. I can therefore remove the antenna when I go home and/or we are not really using the Internet. My preliminary review of the MIMO antenna is that it is pretty useless (does not seem to really add a bar over having no external antenna plugged into the modem). If anybody has used a different antenna I would really love to hear about it.

5) View attachment 58139 I purchased a PoE injector (Power over Ethernet) so that I could power the modem via the same Ethernet cable that I was using to patch between the modem and the router. I had to do quite a bit of searching to find a PoE injector that ran off 12v instead of household 110v. I wanted the 12v version so I could run the Internet without shore power or generator.

6) View attachment 58140 I purchased the NETGEAR N600 WiFi router because a) it's input voltage is 12v so I was able to directly wire into the boat 12v power system b) it has both WiFi as well as 4 Ethernet jacks (more about that later).

7) View attachment 58141 I mounted the NETGEAR WiFi router to the inside of the space under the cabin circuit breaker (where the Beam Central Vac is located). Here is how the CAT5 ethernet cables are set up:
a) The Green ethernet cable goes to the PoE Injector and then to the LTE modem.
b) Top Blue cable goes to the Fusion stereo (which only supports WIRED ethernet).
c) Middle Blue ethernet goes to the mid cabin PS4. When I removed the defunct 2005 DVD player, I modified the cabinet opening to fit a PS4 console. When my son brings the PS4 from home (so he can play Fortnite on the boat - ridiculous I know) he can simply plug it into the spare power cord I bought, the HDMI to the TV and the Ethernet cable and not have to configure anything on the box.
d) The bottom blue goes to the Cockpit Samsung Smart TV.
e) The Salon Samsung Smart TV is connected via WiFi.
f) The Raymarine MFD is also connected via Wifi.

8) View attachment 58142 I am powering the whole thing from 12V from a Blue Sea Systems 6 circuit sub panel. This sub panel is fed off the "Satellite TV" breaker in the cabin breaker panel.

9) View attachment 58143 I mounted the sub panel in the same location as the router (described above) and installed blade fuses just above the rating for each component (PoE injector powering the modem / WiFi router). I also ran 12v to near each TV so I have the option of powering each TV off an individual inverter if I don't want to run the generator while not on shore power.

VERDICT: The Internet speed is OK - probably on par with setting up your iPhone as a hotspot. The main advantage is that I have a power up and go Internet solution (by just flipping a single circuit breaker) that also works with the Raymarine MFD and Fusion stereo (enabling remote control of the Fusion from any phone associated to the WiFi). The Internet speed is good enough for my son to play his beloved Fortnite as well.

As stated above, I am disappointed in the effectiveness of the external antenna.

View attachment 58144 I considered buying the "Glomex Web Boat 4G/LTE Cellular Internet Dome" but it was a good deal of money and I couldn't find any review online from boaters who had actually installed it. For that much money it better give much better Internet than I am getting off the (much cheaper) Netgear LB1121. If anybody on this forum has experience with the Glomex Internet dome I would love to hear what you think!


I don't use internet while in motion, but I needed better internet at the dock, my marina has wireless internet but the signal did not reach my boat. I installed a Halo wifi extender. It pulls in weak signals, amplifies them and creates its own wifi network. you just log on to the new wifi and you have pretty good internet, good enough for Fortnite!
 
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right? I used Hynespas idea and added a few improvements. Installed behind the TV above the fridge.

Black box is a i3 media server running Plex server as a service. The 48 VDC PoE injector powers the Netgear LB 1121 4g modem, and the 24 VDC is going to power the access point.

I installed the modem in the arch, getting great signal and downloads are 25Mbps, same as I get at the house.

I’m going to install a ubiquity access point under the arch.

57261256-9CB6-495F-A385-CCEC59E5D1E2.jpeg
537D8245-1DA2-416B-9D2C-CDC95365C5EC.png
 
Last edited:
Here is a question for you internet experts.

Lake Powell Ut is the lake we boat on. It is very very remote when it comes to anything.. food , fuel, parts, service companies and yes cell service and internet. Our dock has internet however with 200 or more slips fighting for the same wiFi the connection can be spotty and when it comes to down loading it is next to impossible. We also have covered slip and at times it makes the cell signal spotty.

1st question> What is the best way to boost connection while at the dock and make it so not only email proforms better also To have the capability to down load movies, pod cast... etc.

2nd question> When out on the lake what is the best way to boost cell services and also have better internet on the water. Cell services out on the lake can be very spotty as well and in most cases you need to know where to go on the water to get service.

I am in a position in life to work 100% remote now I just want to make it so I can do so at least 100 days a year on the water.

Thank you in advance for thoughts and help.
Jim
 
I recently did a project on my 420 Sundancer to install 12V Internet including running CAT5 ethernet cables to key components. The "network closet" is beneath the cabin circuit breaker panel (same place where the Beam vacuum is located).

1) View attachment 58135 I purchased a Netgear LB1121 4G LTE modem. I got this item because it accepts a SIM card from AT&T, and I can add this to my existing AT&T family plan. It also runs over PoE (power over ethernet) which enabled me to install it in a remote (high) location for a better signal. It also has an external antenna adapter.

2) View attachment 58136 I originally was going to mount this in the cabin, but I could only get 2 bars. When I experimented and put it on the arch I got a better signal. So I ended up mounting it with adhesive velcro (I didn't want to drill any holes in case I changed my mind later). I mounted it behind the cockpit TV so that it would not be visible.

3) View attachment 58137 I bought the external MIMO antenna which fit into the external antenna jacks on the LB1121 modem. This was the item most often paired with the modem on Amazon as well.

4) View attachment 58138 I velcro'd the MIMO antenna to the fiberglass canopy of the boat. I can therefore remove the antenna when I go home and/or we are not really using the Internet. My preliminary review of the MIMO antenna is that it is pretty useless (does not seem to really add a bar over having no external antenna plugged into the modem). If anybody has used a different antenna I would really love to hear about it.

5) View attachment 58139 I purchased a PoE injector (Power over Ethernet) so that I could power the modem via the same Ethernet cable that I was using to patch between the modem and the router. I had to do quite a bit of searching to find a PoE injector that ran off 12v instead of household 110v. I wanted the 12v version so I could run the Internet without shore power or generator.

6) View attachment 58140 I purchased the NETGEAR N600 WiFi router because a) it's input voltage is 12v so I was able to directly wire into the boat 12v power system b) it has both WiFi as well as 4 Ethernet jacks (more about that later).

7) View attachment 58141 I mounted the NETGEAR WiFi router to the inside of the space under the cabin circuit breaker (where the Beam Central Vac is located). Here is how the CAT5 ethernet cables are set up:
a) The Green ethernet cable goes to the PoE Injector and then to the LTE modem.
b) Top Blue cable goes to the Fusion stereo (which only supports WIRED ethernet).
c) Middle Blue ethernet goes to the mid cabin PS4. When I removed the defunct 2005 DVD player, I modified the cabinet opening to fit a PS4 console. When my son brings the PS4 from home (so he can play Fortnite on the boat - ridiculous I know) he can simply plug it into the spare power cord I bought, the HDMI to the TV and the Ethernet cable and not have to configure anything on the box.
d) The bottom blue goes to the Cockpit Samsung Smart TV.
e) The Salon Samsung Smart TV is connected via WiFi.
f) The Raymarine MFD is also connected via Wifi.

8) View attachment 58142 I am powering the whole thing from 12V from a Blue Sea Systems 6 circuit sub panel. This sub panel is fed off the "Satellite TV" breaker in the cabin breaker panel.

9) View attachment 58143 I mounted the sub panel in the same location as the router (described above) and installed blade fuses just above the rating for each component (PoE injector powering the modem / WiFi router). I also ran 12v to near each TV so I have the option of powering each TV off an individual inverter if I don't want to run the generator while not on shore power.

VERDICT: The Internet speed is OK - probably on par with setting up your iPhone as a hotspot. The main advantage is that I have a power up and go Internet solution (by just flipping a single circuit breaker) that also works with the Raymarine MFD and Fusion stereo (enabling remote control of the Fusion from any phone associated to the WiFi). The Internet speed is good enough for my son to play his beloved Fortnite as well.

As stated above, I am disappointed in the effectiveness of the external antenna.

View attachment 58144 I considered buying the "Glomex Web Boat 4G/LTE Cellular Internet Dome" but it was a good deal of money and I couldn't find any review online from boaters who had actually installed it. For that much money it better give much better Internet than I am getting off the (much cheaper) Netgear LB1121. If anybody on this forum has experience with the Glomex Internet dome I would love to hear what you think!

I have basically the same setup, but I was not able to get AT&T to add the Netgear LB1121to my family plan. The only thing they could set me up with was an additional stand alone 10GB plan which isn't much.
 
Dumb question: does that netgear thing use a SIM card? I have my iPad included in my ATT unlimited data plan. If I had the same setup, what would keep me from taking the SIM card out of my iPad and putting it in to the Netgear LB 1121 thus giving it unlimited data?
 
Dumb question: does that netgear thing use a SIM card? I have my iPad included in my ATT unlimited data plan. If I had the same setup, what would keep me from taking the SIM card out of my iPad and putting it in to the Netgear LB 1121 thus giving it unlimited data?

Technically nothing and then technically everything :confused:. If AT&T (or other carrier) has the service locked down to the IMEI of the IPAD they can deny service. Same thing goes with a mobile phone SIM with unlimited LTE data - it all depends on what the carrier is doing to prevent you from abusing their service limits. Its hard to ask a carrier how to circumvent their limits that they impose to generate profit from. The unlimited plans tend to be based on their monitored average usage.

These devices are on the hit list because they tend to generate a very large volume of data quickly that the carriers do not want.

-Kevin
 
Thanks for clarifying that. My knowledge of these technologies peaked about a decade ago. If it weren’t for my kids I’d probably not even be texting.
 
Jim:

1st question> What is the best way to boost connection while at the dock and make it so not only email proforms better also To have the capability to down load movies, pod cast... etc.

Two parts to this, One is in your control the other is not. Getting a better signal involves the use a wifi repeater that will receive your data and broadcast using more power and a better antenna. This can be complex but involves a Access point that will connect to the remote wifi system and pass the data through to your local router. This may be an all in one unit like a AP Repeater and Firewall.

The second part is completely out of your control. Lets assume that we accomplish the above and get a great signal. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that there will be available bandwidth for your needs behind the remote wifi connection. Example if the marina has a 10Mbps connection and you have 20 boats trying to stream video its probably going to be horribly slow.

2nd question> When out on the lake what is the best way to boost cell services and also have better internet on the water. Cell services out on the lake can be very spotty as well and in most cases you need to know where to go on the water to get service.

To boost cell signal you would need a better antenna coupled with a more powerful transmitter if possible. I don't have personal experience with it but I know that Glomex makes a marina AP router for cellular data.

-Kevin
 
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right? I used Hynespas idea and added a few improvements. Installed behind the TV above the fridge.

Black box is a i3 media server running Plex server as a service. The 48 VDC PoE injector powers the Netgear LB 1121 4g modem, and the 24 VDC is going to power the access point.

I installed the modem in the arch, getting great signal and downloads are 25Mbps, same as I get at the house.

I’m going to install a ubiquity access point under the arch.

View attachment 58974 View attachment 58975
Hey @dtfeld, did you end up connecting an external antenna to the Netgear? If so which one did you go with?
 
Hey @dtfeld, did you end up connecting an external antenna to the Netgear? If so which one did you go with?

@hynespa. I have not added external antennas (you need 2). The reception I get is about 3 bars, but I get expected speeds, so I just left the LB1121 modem in my Radar arch. The other issue is I didn't have good locations for the antennas on the arch due to all the old equipment up there. I have been conducting electronics surgery the past couple days, so I may add at a later date, funds permitting.

However, if I were going to add them, I like these from Digital Antenna (see pic below). I beleive these are a standard N connection to the antenna, and you can buy pre made coax cable to run from the antenna into the arch, and then you would need a converter to convert the end of the coax to a TS9 that are on the LB1121. In this example, the coax is N at the antenna, and a mini UHF inside the arch, so I would need the below pigtails. I was planning to use electrical tape to secure the TS9's into the LB1121. TS9's are not very robust. All in about $300.



antenna.PNG

TS9.PNG
 
Great discussion and i'm looking to do the same. I looked at Halo wifi extender however it's $399 and the Webboat Glomex is only $550 (with dual SIM card and Marina Wifi extension). I'm looking for solution with minimal wiring. Love the PoE, can you plug it to any router port?
 

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