windgrrl
Super Nomad
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Campground WiFi Solution?
Hola Technomads!
Anyone have an inexpensive solution and/or instructions for getting improved WiFi reception?
Much appreciated,
w
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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USB antenna
| 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
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Russ
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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"
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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windgrrl
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Thanks for your quick replies. I was wondering about one of these systems and why they seem expensive?
http://www.jefatech.com/category/a050
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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Roberto
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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.
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MrBillM
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www.wlanparts.com
The best I've dealt with.
Bought a variety of antennas, cabling and connectors.
Quality products, good prices, great service.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
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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]
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Dave
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Wondering
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.
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
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| 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.
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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. 
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.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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mcfez
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Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Bits and pieces 4 u
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.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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mtgoat666
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Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| 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.
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
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| 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.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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wiltonh
Nomad
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Registered: 2-2-2007
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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.
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