Internet access when cruising

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Dec 15th, '13, 08:51

This subject came up in the other thread but perhaps deserves a discussion of its own...

I pretty much bite the bullet and pay for the extra data. I suspect that on a two week cruise, checking email, accessing tide/current data and referencing charts here and there, plus checking in on this board, costs about the same as a one night mooring fee.

That said, I do try to find free access whenever I can... coffee shops, pizza places, libraries and the like are good targets. Marinas and yacht clubs, too... they'll often have wifi but they don't tell you unless you ask.

What's your secret?

pete faga · Post by **pete faga** » Dec 15th, '13, 10:17

Neil
Try jiwire for locations that have free wi fi access
When you are in scituate let me know and I will give you the yacht clubs passwords
Stay warm
Pete

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Dec 15th, '13, 10:27

Neil

Here are (is) a couple of sites I have found for making relatively inexpensive signal boosters (antennas) for use when trying to access wifi from the boat.

Part 1 http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com ... .html#more

Part 2 http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com ... sited.html

Part 3 http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com ... art-3.html

Fair Winds and happy holidays

sharkbait · Post by **sharkbait** » Dec 15th, '13, 10:39

Bite the bullet is the correct term.

If you are going to do it do it right: http://dl.ubnt.com/b2hp_datasheet.pdf

mike ritenour · Post by **mike ritenour** » Dec 15th, '13, 22:10

i bite the bullett and buy the data for my iphone.
just completed oriental to boot key harbour and only lost cell signal while 15 nm plus offshore.
rit

pete faga · Post by **pete faga** » Dec 16th, '13, 08:31

Rit
I am jelous.Boot key harbor!
Burdines,Lazy Days,Porkys, 7 mile grille and tiki bars everywhere!
Not to mention 80 degrees.
A sunny 20 here.

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » Dec 16th, '13, 09:00

Pete:

The high temp yesterday was 86. We broke the previous record of 85

It was a HOT day. Constantly having to leave the couch and watching the Dolphins/Patriots game to go to the frig for a Guinness to try to keep cool. Today, fortunately, the Keys will only get up to 75 degrees.

boogie · Post by **boogie** » Dec 18th, '13, 10:25

One of the more elegant solutions to do it is to create a hotspot on your boat.
I used Alfa products:
AWUS036NHR Long Range USB Adopter to boost the signal received.
R 36 Mobil Router
Engenius Antenna.
Now I can sit in my cockpit and provide WiFi to all the Ipads and Smartphones on board.
All it needs is 12V line going to the box.
For Pictures

https://picasaweb.google.com/ybogatch/WiFi

mashenden · Post by **mashenden** » Jan 7th, '14, 20:42

boogie wrote:One of the more elegant solutions to do it is to create a hotspot on your boat.
I used Alfa products:
AWUS036NHR Long Range USB Adopter to boost the signal received.
R 36 Mobil Router
Engenius Antenna.
...

Very interesting. I wanted the same concept (WI-FI booster/repeater hotspot), and after doing a fair amount of research, it seemed that the Ubiquiti Bullet solution was the best. But I never knew about this Alfa solution - your post came out a few days after I ordered my parts.

If performance is comparable, I like your approach better because all are 12 v and probably easier to configure given both the WI-FI adapter and router are the same manufacturer.

Not knowing about the Alfa solution I went with a used Bullet 2-HP, a used TP-Link TL-MR3040 Portable Battery Powered Wireless N Router, and the same Engenius antenna. My design also needed a POE to power the Bullet and a 12v to 5v micro USB converter to power the router. In total it all cost about the same as your system (based on e-bay pricing), but mine includes used parts and is more complicated.

I'd love to test them side by side. You wouldn't happen to be in VA, would you? [Edit: Never mind - I just noted you are in CT. I am half tempted to buy one so I can do a test.]

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Jan 12th, '14, 09:53

Jacob

Where did you get (or did you make it) the short coax for the router antenna and what size is the coax?

And are the fittings on the coax RP-SMA Plug-Male to RP-SMA Jack-Female (Right Angle)?

fair winds and TIA

boogie · Post by **boogie** » Jan 12th, '14, 21:27

barfwinkle
I bought all the small cables on Ebay.
The coax is 6 Inch long.
and yes to the male female Q.

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Jan 18th, '14, 08:57

I have to say that configuring this is a bit if a beeaucth!

Any suggestions for online resource, the material that came with the devices is all but useless..

FW

boogie · Post by **boogie** » Jan 19th, '14, 10:38

barfwinkle
I went through the same frustration.
It is simple if you will learn first how this thing works.
You can get the knowledge from the operation manual on the "The Wirie" website.
If this doesn't help? PM me.

http://www.thewirie.com/wiriedrivers_fi ... alV2.1.pdf

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Jan 21st, '14, 17:53

boogie check your pms

M. R. Bober · Post by **M. R. Bober** » Jan 25th, '14, 09:30

boogie wrote:One of the more elegant solutions to do it is to create a hotspot on your boat.
I used Alfa products:
AWUS036NHR Long Range USB Adopter to boost the signal received.
R 36 Mobil Router
Engenius Antenna.
Now I can sit in my cockpit and provide WiFi to all the Ipads and Smartphones on board.
All it needs is 12V line going to the box.
For Pictures

https://picasaweb.google.com/ybogatch/WiFi

Very spiffy.

Good to see your post.
Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where it's been sunny and cold lately.) VA

The Cape Dory Board

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