On the Water Wifi Network

[Wylie_Tunes]

Anyone created a wifi network on the boat and using their phone to get on the cellular netowrk?


Does it work well, what equipment are you using? Any other thoughts or ideas?


Thanks,

 

[northern]

Cell phone signal seems to be good for voice in areas of coverage but not for Internet. I have an antenna and a 3 watt booster connected to an internal transmitter in the boat. It boosts the cell signal so my cell phone works better. From there I use my cell phone as a hot spot so all on the boat can use it. Works great for email but not so great for surfing the internet. My cell bill goes up by 60+ a month due to my plan when in use. We have used up to 8GB in a month. Without the antennal the hot spot system does not work well. The system seems to pick up towers up to 40 miles away.
The booster and antenna I have is from Wilson. I got it on line 10 years ago. You can get ones that plug into 12 or 120 volt.

 

[alnav]

I have a CradlePoint router. One of its modes is "WIFI over WAN" which means it can use another WIFI signal as input then distribute that over a local WIFI network. When at the marina (or anywhere I can get a WIFI connection), the router can use that. When it loses signal I have it set up to use my cell phone hotspot as input; it does this automatically. The router can also house an air card and I used to use one but have found the hotspot actually works better and provides more control. Using the router lets me connect a couple of wired devices. Since the parameters of the local network never change there users don't need to change anything as the router shifts from input to input.

 

[KSalibs]

Anyone created a wifi network on the boat and using their phone to get on the cellular network?


Does it work well, what equipment are you using? Any other thoughts or ideas?


Thanks,

this will be my first year trying this i have already purchased all the devices and linked them.. using the cradel point mbr1200b Same product alnav is talking about below... I cant speak to performance but i can say that i did a mock up test at my house and have 1 smart TV, 2 apple TV's, iphone, ipad and laptop connected to it... worked great... was able to control the apple TV's via the iphone remote app... seems like its going to be a great solution... love the idea of being able to communicate between devices on the boats in house network and only having to join the nearby wifi signal once... like alnav i will also use hotspot if needed. hopefully not...

 

[KSalibs]

I have a CradlePoint router. One of its modes is "WIFI over WAN" which means it can use another WIFI signal as input then distribute that over a local WIFI network. When at the marina (or anywhere I can get a WIFI connection), the router can use that. When it loses signal I have it set up to use my cell phone hotspot as input; it does this automatically. The router can also house an air card and I used to use one but have found the hotspot actually works better and provides more control. Using the router lets me connect a couple of wired devices. Since the parameters of the local network never change there users don't need to change anything as the router shifts from input to input.

any feed back on the units ability to bring in the marinas wifi? I feel like im just going to end up using the hot spot all the time... what have you experienced?

 

[Seevee]

Questions for WIFI and internet.. is there a good portable box that will give you a good internet signal at a reasonable cost? Could use that for everything.... boat, house, travel, car......

 

[KSalibs]

Questions for WIFI and internet.. is there a good portable box that will give you a good internet signal at a reasonable cost? Could use that for everything.... boat, house, travel, car......[/QUOTE

Only one I know of is a Hotspot... (verizon, Att, etc.) affordability depends on ussage...

 

[ttmott]

Here is a question about the Cradlepoint router; more from ignorance so humble me please.
I have an unlimited data plan with ATT which is grandfathered from years ago. ATT does not allow my IPhone to be used as a hotspot; the feature is disabled on the phone. Can the Cradlepoint fill this roll with my phone and plan?

Thanks

 

[bbwhitejr]

With a decent 4g signal(2-3 bars), my verizon phone works well as a hot spot. It is my work phone with unlimited data plan. We visit one of 4 lakes most of the time. On 2 of them, it works fantastic for whatever we use the internet for-Apple TV, streaming Dish Network, surfing the internet, etc. On the other 2-it is very undependable.

Bennett

 

[Seevee]

Unless one has a real deal on the hot spot feature for an Iphone, it is HORRIBLY expensive for any big downloads, like movies, etc. Emails and surfing is not bad.

But a separate box, that gave good internet service would be great... portable, use it at home, boat, on the road. That would be nice, and what I'm looking for. Ideas?

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

I do hot spot with a verizon tablet, but do not have an unlimited data plan anymore, so I have watch what I use.

What kind of range is reasonable from a wifi and external antenna?

 

[estoltz]

I'm leveraging a standard SOHO wireless router connected to an Ubiquiti Bullet with directional antenna. This allows me to pick up any open wifi and leverage that when near shore or at the marina. Its great for those that want to tinker but as a set it and forget it solution not so much.