Long-Distance WiFi Device

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by SV Demeter

So I have followed this thread and was planning to just order a $300 kit from either island time or wifi for boats but now I am thinking cant I simply get:

One of these: Ubiquiti BulletM2HP Wireless-N 802.11N/G/B 100 Mbps Bridge / Access Point

connect to it one of these:

Antenna 15dBi 2.4Ghz Omni-Directional Alfa Network V-Polarization

Mount the above kit to my mizzen masthead and run a bit of CAT5 cable down the rig to one of these:

POE: Power supply over Ethernet cable: 15V, 12W for AP, bridge, CPE

and use a patch cord between my laptop and the poe.

Bingo onboard long distance wifi!

What am I missing here folks?

Basically what I did, but I added a wireless AP behind my electrical panel.
The whole system only draws about a half amp.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Basically what I did, but I added a wireless AP behind my electrical panel.
The whole system only draws about a half amp.

yes, add a nifty picostation m2hp to the system to complete it with wifi access for all the gadgets aboard

It's best to config the ap as bridge.

ciao!
Nick.

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

yes, add a nifty picostation m2hp to the system to complete it with wifi access for all the gadgets aboard

It's best to config the ap as bridge.

ciao!
Nick.

Thanks Nick. Is this better than using a wireless router?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by SV Demeter

Thanks Nick. Is this better than using a wireless router?

It *is* a wireless router if you want it to (configure it as such)

What I like is that it is very small, that it does 130 Mbps n-mode for my Apple gadgets and that it is weatherproofed which is always a good idea on a boat, even if it gets mounted inside.

If you use a plain standard router, you should not use the WAN port to connect to the Bullet (use a LAN port, a little trick which makes it a bridge)

ciao!
Nick.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

yes, add a nifty picostation m2hp to the system to complete it with wifi access for all the gadgets aboard

It's best to config the ap as bridge.

ciao!
Nick.

I just used a garden variety home AP from NewEgg ($34.95), ditched the plugin wall power supply and hooked the AP up to boat's 12 volts.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by Extemporaneous

On a different note, I'm thinking of mounting this upside down (pointing downward) under my gimbaled radar which is on my mast. It would be out of the way there and may?? provide some stability to the antenna in terms of staying vertical??

Comments welcome,
Extemp.

Any benefit?
Can it be done?

Anyone?

Regards,
Extemp.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Extemporaneous

Any benefit?
Can it be done?

Anyone?

Ah sorry :-)

Yes, can be done but the design of the Bullet is such that it's weatherproofing will be void if mounted upside down. You can counter that by buying a piece of thin wall PVC pipe that fit over the bullet + Ethernet cable, plus an end-cap for that pipe. Use PVC cement to glue the end-cap on and put it over the bullet after it's mounted.

I would still drill 2 little drain holes in the top of the Bullet housing (which becomes the bottom in upside-down mounting) so that condensate etc. doesn't accumulate and drown the electronics.

ciao!
Nick.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Ah sorry :-)

Yes, can be done but the design of the Bullet is such that it's weatherproofing will be void if mounted upside down. You can counter that by buying a piece of thin wall PVC pipe that fit over the bullet + Ethernet cable, plus an end-cap for that pipe. Use PVC cement to glue the end-cap on and put it over the bullet after it's mounted.

I would still drill 2 little drain holes in the top of the Bullet housing (which becomes the bottom in upside-down mounting) so that condensate etc. doesn't accumulate and drown the electronics.

ciao!
Nick.

Thanks Nick.

Extemp.

[foggysail]

Hey guys, I have a just a laptop (my only need for wireless) that I am using so an ethernet connection to it from my Bulletm2hp works just fine. But how many things are you fellows using that makes adding another wireless router an advantage?

OH-- also using the Alpha 15db omni that works just fine. I was somewhat concerned going with 15db rather than something in the 8-10db range but I am pleased with the 15.

Foggy

[Cheechako]

I'm too lazy to pound through allt hese posts... is there a wireless booster avail for braodband? My broadband device will not accept any kind of antenna/amplifier hardwire.... so I need wireless from the antennal/amp to the Samsung Galaxy device....

[hellosailor]

cheechako-
" is there a wireless booster avail for braodband? "
No, because "broadband" means "fast" and there is no booster for "fast". Boosters are sold for specific radio frequencies and services.

"to the Samsung Galaxy device.... "
AH, you don't mean a broadband device, you mean a CELL PHONEor tablet, which is using cellular service or WiFi service. There are boosters for both of those services. Wilson makes cell phone cradles (holders) that will couple to your cell phone and an amplified repeater, so you put the phone in the cradle (or within xx feet of a unit) and their booster will provide a much higher power signal in and out of it.
No cables into your phone, or tablet, needed.

But if you want a cellular booster, that's one thing. A WiFi booster is entirely another. A broadband booster? Would be a cheerleader with a thing for Comcast.

:-)

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Extemporaneous

Auspicious,
Having used this antenna now, is there different one you would buy/try if you were doing it again? Is it too high of gain for a Sailboat?
Others have suggestions?

On a different note, I'm thinking of mounting this upside down (pointing downward) under my gimbaled radar which is on my mast. It would be out of the way there and may?? provide some stability to the antenna in terms of staying vertical??

Nope. I continue to be thrilled with the Bullet and Air802. I think I said mine is on a radar pole, not at the mast head. I've had great luck with it. "Can you hear me now?" *grin*

Upside down should be fine.

[capngeo]

I'm about 18 miles West of Key West as I type this.... on IslandtimePC's WiFi antenna back to Key West

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by capngeo

I'm about 18 miles West of Key West as I type this.... on IslandtimePC's WiFi antenna back to Key West

Ubiquity rules

ciao!
Nick.

[capngeo]

Well it sure helps that Maricom's antenna is atop a 6 story hotel!
In all fairness, we were really only about 12 miles as the crow flies.... I was looking at the distance traveled on the GPS when I typed that... But still a long link!