BajaNomad

Campground WiFi Solution?

windgrrl - 7-7-2011 at 05:58 PM

Hola Technomads!

Anyone have an inexpensive solution and/or instructions for getting improved WiFi reception?

Much appreciated,
w

USB antenna

bajaguy - 7-7-2011 at 06:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Hola Technomads!

Anyone have an inexpensive solution and/or instructions for getting improved WiFi reception?

Much appreciated,
w





http://tinyurl.com/3f44bko

Russ - 7-7-2011 at 07:06 PM

I think you'll want a high gain directional antenna.
http://www.earthterminal.com/wifiusbantenna.html
They come in all sizes and there are instructions how to make your own. Google "USB directional antennas"

directional Antenna.jpg - 43kB

windgrrl - 7-7-2011 at 07:40 PM

Thanks for your quick replies. I was wondering about one of these systems and why they seem expensive?
http://www.jefatech.com/category/a050

Roberto - 7-7-2011 at 07:51 PM

one approach you might try, depending on how technical you want to get on this:

WiFi is just radio xmit/receive
It does the above on a defined frequency range
Antenna theory is a known quantity
Ham Radio operators live on this stuff
research on Ham Radio sites what antennas are available, either pre-built or construction details

IMHO, this will yield the best possible results. Potential downside is that it could take a time investment. Come to think of it, that may well be a side benefit!

If you're not prepared to do the above do enough research from the same sources to understand what you are buying.

www.wlanparts.com

MrBillM - 7-7-2011 at 08:07 PM

The best I've dealt with.

Bought a variety of antennas, cabling and connectors.

Quality products, good prices, great service.

Diver - 7-7-2011 at 08:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Thanks for your quick replies. I was wondering about one of these systems and why they seem expensive?
http://www.jefatech.com/category/a050


Hi Gain antennas will help a lot. The one you show is non-directional but a directional like the one Russ showed would work better.
We used a non-directional with 9db gain in La Ventana and I still needed to find just the right place to get a signal.
Also, you need clear line-of-sight between you and the source or reception will be spotty at best.
Also remember that more antenna cable means less db gain as some is lost in resitance.

[Edited on 7-8-2011 by Diver]

Wondering

Dave - 7-7-2011 at 08:39 PM

What it is you expect to receive with all this extended equipment?

It's been my experience that WiFi is pretty protected down here. True hot spots are rare...especially on a secluded beach or at a remote campground.

windgrrl - 7-7-2011 at 08:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
What it is you expect to receive with all this extended equipment?

It's been my experience that WiFi is pretty protected down here. True hot spots are rare...especially on a secluded beach or at a remote campground.


Hi - we're in town at an RV park and the WiFi is fine and there are several places to get WiFi, usually just weak and intermittent. If I can get set-up, I plan to exert mind control and convert everyone to tree-hugging, granola crunching free-thinkers. :P

Actually, I'm just trying to get a more consistent connection in RV parks, so \i can get the weather and use SKYPE in the RV.

Bits and pieces 4 u

mcfez - 7-8-2011 at 06:24 AM

Minimize mirrors. All metallic surfaces reflect WiFi signals, including the thin metal layer found in most mirrors.

Place your router in one of the following locations:

* Near the center of the house
* Off the floor, ideally on a high shelf
* As far as possible from your neighbor's Wi-Fi router (which, of course, you've made sure is using a different channel)
* Away from cordless phones and microwaves, which operate on the same 2.4-Ghz frequency.(There are some cordless phones that are Wi-Fi friendly)
* Keep antennas as far away from power cords and other computer wires as possible. Those cords and wires can interfere with radio reception.

Set the adapter settings to maximize coverage (i.e, Power Mgmt. to Maximum, Transmit Power to Maximum, and Throughput Enhancement to Enabled).

* The computer case itself can be a significant barrier to the Wi-Fi signal - try positioning the case so it doesn't come between the network card and router antennas.
* The addition of a "high gain" (higher dBi) external antenna will often provide increased reception signal and performance. Note that a higher dBi increases the signal horizontally, but decreases vertically. If you need to cover several floors, a higher dBi will probably not help. In this case, you might consider buying a Wi-Fi amplifier, which will boost your signal.
* Reflectors can also be used to good advantage. Use NetStumbler to tune your placement of the reflector. Compact disks can be used, as can anything that actually looks like a parabolic reflector. The reflector, of course, should be placed behind the receiving device or antenna. Large increases in signal strength can be expected. This trick also works with cellphones.
* If all else fails, you can look into purchasing a WiFi repeater, which is a piece of hardware you can use to boost the signal between the router and your device.
* Depending on your brand and model of wireless router, you may be able to replace the built in software with a replacement open source solution that adds much more capabilities and the option to increase the power to your wireless antenna.
* If you still need more range, consider upgrading your wireless standard, up to Wireless N or Wireless G with MIMO. These two technologies will greatly increase the range of a formerly 802.11g or 802.11b network.

mtgoat666 - 7-8-2011 at 07:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Hola Technomads!

Anyone have an inexpensive solution and/or instructions for getting improved WiFi reception?

Much appreciated,
w


get a laptop and walk around until you find a good signal. plop yourself down where signal is acceptable.

windgrrl - 7-8-2011 at 08:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Hola Technomads!

Anyone have an inexpensive solution and/or instructions for getting improved WiFi reception?

Much appreciated,
w


get a laptop and walk around until you find a good signal. plop yourself down where signal is acceptable.


Been there, done that. Some phone conversations require a bit more provacy and quietude.

wiltonh - 7-8-2011 at 10:03 AM

If your RV is made of metal then you need to get the antenna outside.

Here is my favorite setup:

http://windsurf.mediaforte.com/wifi/Alfa_Antenna_Testing/Alf...

Most any USB radio can be placed on a 20 foot extension and that will get you a lot more signal in marginal areas. If you can add an external antenna then all the better.