Wireless internet access General Forum Forums

Someone mentioned to me that they were having issues with wireless access and I thought I would share a couple solutions I have seen or used that work pretty well. 

Wireless is flaky. I own a computer company and deal with it all the time. It is a pain in my butt to be honest. I would much rather run ethernet, dsl, cable modem etc... for stability. However wireless is very convenient. 

I have used a WaveRV marine antenna wireless setup from http://radiolabs.com pretty successfully. It isn't all they crack it up to be but it is very good. It's a bit pricey at 170 dollars but with a nice antenna and the card built into it. It isn't highway robbery either. It is a bit cheaper than other comparable setups for boats that I have seen.   You could probably build something similar for about a hundred if  you could source all the right parts.  I know of someone using a usb wifi key on the end of a long usb cable the haul part way up the mast at anchor to do the same thing for in the 50 dollar range and they say it gets great reception. however they also have to water proof it and the cables they use as none of it is designed for outside use. I have found that when I used a similar setup that within a few months my cable connections between usb cables and cable and usb key started to corrode. However all I had done is tape the connections and put a ziplock bag over the end of the cable and usb key.

I have thought about configuring a router to a better antenna and attaching as a client to remote wireless hotspots with the router and then connecting my computer/s wirelessly to my router so that I could use multiple computers with my wife and I aboard at one time from anywhere on the boat.

Something to note that I see a lot as a cause for major connectivity issues with wireless. Microwaves when in operation give off EMF in the 2.4ghz freqency range that totally disrupts wireless connectivity between computer and wireless routers. If you crank up a microwave on the boat it will kill your signal. If someone between you and the router at a marina turns on a microwave it will kill your signal. If there is a restraunt near with comercial heavy duty microwaves near and they turn it on it will kill your signal or degrade it significantly. Just a FYI. Not to get you to stop using the microwave but just be aware 🙂 if your streaming a movie or something it is better to pause it and use the microwave and then start up again or you will be frustrated with why it you lost internet for  a while. 🙂

Scott