Internet / WiFi / CAT 5 installation

After testing various hardware, I've landed on a Peplink MK2. Can handle four WANs. I plan to use three: cellular, WiFi 2.4GHz, and Wifi 5GHz
 
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?
@Boater71 - Yes it can be plugged into any one of the Ethernet ports. You would need a small CAT5 patch cable to go from the router to the PoE injector, and then a longer CAT5 cable to go from the injector to the cellular modem (which would be located as high as possible for the best signal.
 
@hynespa Thank you. i found this article to be a great resource for all internet connectivity for mobile internet on boats. I'm trying to stay within the $500 and simplicity of use. we spent more like a couple of month on the boat and the last thing i want to constantly deal with not working internet. Looks like there is another option the Shakespeare webwatch which includes TV antenna (I can replace my Glomex antenna) with this. Again, limited reviews. https://www.sea-tech.com/2018/12/30/what-cellular-devices-are-available-for-my-boat/
 
@hynespa Thank you. i found this article to be a great resource for all internet connectivity for mobile internet on boats. I'm trying to stay within the $500 and simplicity of use. we spent more like a couple of month on the boat and the last thing i want to constantly deal with not working internet. Looks like there is another option the Shakespeare webwatch which includes TV antenna (I can replace my Glomex antenna) with this. Again, limited reviews. https://www.sea-tech.com/2018/12/30/what-cellular-devices-are-available-for-my-boat/

I have tested several different setups the past couple months:
a) we826 + sierra cat6 modem ~$170 (new, basically same as mofi4500 at fraction of price)
b) cradlepoint cba850lp6 + mikrotik metal dual-band wifi + peplink balance 20 ~ $430 (used)
c) pepwave mk2 $450 (used) can do cellular, wifi as wan 2.4ghz, wifi as wan 5ghz, and fourth open wan port

I like C because everything is on one box, interface is easy to understand, and it just works. Probably should've gone this route from the get-go. The one thing that I am worried about is that the Wifi radio power is lower than I would've liked and even lower on the 5ghz band compared to the powerful Mikrotik (for that reason I am hanging onto the Mikrotik device and will make it so I can quickly connect it to test should I experience a weak signal). I may supplement with the an asus access point because when I run my LAN wifi on the same box speeds drop which makes sense and will happen on any wifi as wan setup trying to use the same radios for wifi LAN.

So for less than $500 I was able to find a stable and easy to use solution (that also has current tech such as LTE-Advanced Category 6 and cellular channel aggregation). Of course you can surpass $500 if you start adding external antennas etc but for many it may work just fine as-is. For most, option A probably is sufficient and a fraction of the cost but I wanted something enterprise grade as I work from the boat often and the Peplink has the option to setup advanced Speedfusion Smoothing to keep VoIP and Video Conferencing going while WAN sources change (I have not tested or set it up yet but wanted the option available).
 
I have tested several different setups the past couple months:
a) we826 + sierra cat6 modem ~$170 (new, basically same as mofi4500 at fraction of price)
b) cradlepoint cba850lp6 + mikrotik metal dual-band wifi + peplink balance 20 ~ $430 (used)
c) pepwave mk2 $450 (used) can do cellular, wifi as wan 2.4ghz, wifi as wan 5ghz, and fourth open wan port

I like C because everything is on one box, interface is easy to understand, and it just works. Probably should've gone this route from the get-go. The one thing that I am worried about is that the Wifi radio power is lower than I would've liked and even lower on the 5ghz band compared to the powerful Mikrotik (for that reason I am hanging onto the Mikrotik device and will make it so I can quickly connect it to test should I experience a weak signal). I may supplement with the an asus access point because when I run my LAN wifi on the same box speeds drop which makes sense and will happen on any wifi as wan setup trying to use the same radios for wifi LAN.

So for less than $500 I was able to find a stable and easy to use solution (that also has current tech such as LTE-Advanced Category 6 and cellular channel aggregation). Of course you can surpass $500 if you start adding external antennas etc but for many it may work just fine as-is. For most, option A probably is sufficient and a fraction of the cost but I wanted something enterprise grade as I work from the boat often and the Peplink has the option to setup advanced Speedfusion Smoothing to keep VoIP and Video Conferencing going while WAN sources change (I have not tested or set it up yet but wanted the option available).

Thanks - really helpful. You purchased the "Pepwave MAX BR1 MK2 LTE" - trying to get the exact model from ebay? how is reception and did you install internal/external antennas? Can you access Wifi networks requiring authorization web sites?

Basically all what I'm looking for is a decent wifi WAN router (boosts marina Wifi) with 4G LTE as backup with optional external antennas. I have the basic requirements for working from the boat as my home office) !!! I can use my iPhone for Teams/Skype/whatever meetings.
 
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Thanks - really helpful. You purchased the "Pepwave MAX BR1 MK2 LTE" - trying to get the exact model from ebay? how is reception and did you install internal/external antennas? Can you access Wifi networks requiring authorization web sites?

Basically all what I'm looking for is a decent wifi WAN router (boosts marina Wifi) with 4G LTE as backup with optional external antennas. I have the basic requirements for working from the boat as my home office) !!! I can use my iPhone for Teams/Skype/whatever meetings.

https://www.peplink.com/products/max-cellular-router/single-cellular/
Its model "MAX-BR1-MK2-LTEA-W-T"

I do plan on installing external antennas only because an area that I spend time in has limited cellular and WiFi coverage and goes to shit during low tide (6-8 foot tidal swing). I am hoping the external antennas mounted up high will help alleviate.

I just did test connecting to a WiFi network that requires authorization via a website. To get it to work, I had to disable the health check which makes sense (if the connection isnt accessing the internet, you want the unit to take the interface down). It seems to work fine. Since I have multiple WAN sources I do have to re-enable the health check after authenticating. Perhaps I can somehow setup a notification to get an alert if a WAN goes down? I don't know. I can see it being annoying having to toggle on and off and authenticate, especially if the session expires after a short time but I dont see how any other device would solve. Luckily for me, I can enter the MAC address into one of the systems that serves most of the WiFi hotspots for my region so I should only have to web authenticate rarely when in a marina or in an area that is not served by my normal provider.
 
Great and thanks you. i downloaded the manual and has great functionality and flexibility with configurations. I will be interested in the final install pictures and antennas used. I'm about 6-8 weeks out form installing all this. I had the Jetpack from Verizon last year which worked great for few days for my use only, but this year, looking at kids bringing xbox/laptops and playing games. so need a more reliable connectivity. I have unlimited with T-Mobile, but i'm sure after 50GB, they will throttle!!!
 
Great and thanks you. i downloaded the manual and has great functionality and flexibility with configurations. I will be interested in the final install pictures and antennas used. I'm about 6-8 weeks out form installing all this. I had the Jetpack from Verizon last year which worked great for few days for my use only, but this year, looking at kids bringing xbox/laptops and playing games. so need a more reliable connectivity. I have unlimited with T-Mobile, but i'm sure after 50GB, they will throttle!!!

I was burning through 200-300+ GB per month when I was traveling on my boat. Security cams, streaming, etc.
 
I have tested several different setups the past couple months:
a) we826 + sierra cat6 modem ~$170 (new, basically same as mofi4500 at fraction of price)
b) cradlepoint cba850lp6 + mikrotik metal dual-band wifi + peplink balance 20 ~ $430 (used)
c) pepwave mk2 $450 (used) can do cellular, wifi as wan 2.4ghz, wifi as wan 5ghz, and fourth open wan port

I like C because everything is on one box, interface is easy to understand, and it just works. Probably should've gone this route from the get-go. The one thing that I am worried about is that the Wifi radio power is lower than I would've liked and even lower on the 5ghz band compared to the powerful Mikrotik (for that reason I am hanging onto the Mikrotik device and will make it so I can quickly connect it to test should I experience a weak signal). I may supplement with the an asus access point because when I run my LAN wifi on the same box speeds drop which makes sense and will happen on any wifi as wan setup trying to use the same radios for wifi LAN.

So for less than $500 I was able to find a stable and easy to use solution (that also has current tech such as LTE-Advanced Category 6 and cellular channel aggregation). Of course you can surpass $500 if you start adding external antennas etc but for many it may work just fine as-is. For most, option A probably is sufficient and a fraction of the cost but I wanted something enterprise grade as I work from the boat often and the Peplink has the option to setup advanced Speedfusion Smoothing to keep VoIP and Video Conferencing going while WAN sources change (I have not tested or set it up yet but wanted the option available).

Bringing this discussion to the surface again.
I did some additional research and here is what i'm thinking about testing:
  • Ubiquiti NanoStation M2 - Wireless Access Point - AirMax (NSM2US) - $81 (or the Ubiquiti NanoStation locoM2 $49), connected to Ubiquiti airCube airCube-AC $70 (the 2.4 GHz is only $30). I will need a mount for the WAP. Based on reviews, this works well at receiving 2.4Ghz WiFi signals and it has a powerful radio and antenna (there is also a 5 GHz version and can both be used together)
  • Use the we826-T2 + sierra cat6 modem, Teltonika RUT240, or any Mifi for that matter
  • When the marina/public Wifi is not accessible, I switch on the Mifi and connect the WAC to the MiFi SSID
Although i like the flexibility of one device does it all and was really hoping the Glomex webboat will do it, however, the above is about $200-$300 and have flexibility on upgrading any component as needed.

Any thoughts?
 
Bringing this discussion to the surface again.
I did some additional research and here is what i'm thinking about testing:
  • Ubiquiti NanoStation M2 - Wireless Access Point - AirMax (NSM2US) - $81 (or the Ubiquiti NanoStation locoM2 $49), connected to Ubiquiti airCube airCube-AC $70 (the 2.4 GHz is only $30). I will need a mount for the WAP. Based on reviews, this works well at receiving 2.4Ghz WiFi signals and it has a powerful radio and antenna (there is also a 5 GHz version and can both be used together)
  • Use the we826-T2 + sierra cat6 modem, Teltonika RUT240, or any Mifi for that matter
  • When the marina/public Wifi is not accessible, I switch on the Mifi and connect the WAC to the MiFi SSID
Although i like the flexibility of one device does it all and was really hoping the Glomex webboat will do it, however, the above is about $200-$300 and have flexibility on upgrading any component as needed.

Any thoughts?

I would do the Mikrotik over the Ubiquiti, high power, can select 2.4 or 5 ghz bands, $100-ish

The WE826+Sierra modem can work. You'd have to pick OpenWRT or another distribution and configure. I dont think anyone has been successful in loading MoFi software onto a home built MoFi.

I really like how seamless the Pepwave MK2 is. Four WAN sources can be hooked up. Can make it handle seamlessly or quickly log-in and tweak. They have many Outbound/load balancing rules to choose from which you'd have to attempt to replicate in linux and you probably will not be able to match to their algorithms 1:1. I just saw a MK2 on ebay for $350. You can find it for $550 brand new. Average ebay price is $450.
 
I would do the Mikrotik over the Ubiquiti, high power, can select 2.4 or 5 ghz bands, $100-ish

The WE826+Sierra modem can work. You'd have to pick OpenWRT or another distribution and configure. I dont think anyone has been successful in loading MoFi software onto a home built MoFi.

I really like how seamless the Pepwave MK2 is. Four WAN sources can be hooked up. Can make it handle seamlessly or quickly log-in and tweak. They have many Outbound/load balancing rules to choose from which you'd have to attempt to replicate in linux and you probably will not be able to match to their algorithms 1:1. I just saw a MK2 on ebay for $350. You can find it for $550 brand new. Average ebay price is $450.


Where did you install it? any external antennas? any pictures to share?

I'm convinced and I could not find one for $350 (I'd jump on it). Otherwise, it is just another cost ($450) that I don't want to add this year - leaving electronics for next year. That is why i'm looking for something to do the job this year, learn our boat internet usage and adjust for next year.
 
Where did you install it? any external antennas? any pictures to share?

I'm convinced and I could not find one for $350 (I'd jump on it). Otherwise, it is just another cost ($450) that I don't want to add this year - leaving electronics for next year. That is why i'm looking for something to do the job this year, learn our boat internet usage and adjust for next year.

I haven't installed it yet but its been tested in a lab environment the past few months. Its going to go in a weather resistant box in a cabinet under my fly bridge grill station/sink. 20' LMR400 antenna wires from antenna to MK2. MK2 will then have ethernet into the cabin using a cheap router to handle the LAN AP (some folks instead use the MK2 to handle LAN and use an external Bullet/Mikrotik for WiFi instead of integrated WiFi as WAN).

Yes, external antennas. Where I am the 6-9 foot tidal swing easily means the difference between having a little signal and no signal. I currently have a Wilson marine antenna and trying to select a dual-band marine WiFi antenna. I may switch the Wilson to a MIMO in the future but MIMO only increases download speed and my download is fine. Antennas will be mounted on my mast.
 

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