extending wifi range.

Bill, I did try a USB extension yesterday, but without any luck. Also made sure the wifi was on channel 1. It was raining here in Seattle yesterday. That should go without saying, and I'm sure it had an attenuating effect, but then again if your deploying in Seattle, you plan for the rain.

Still can't figure out what is going on with the cradlepoint. Needs more futzing I guess before any conclusion.
 
Try lowering the CradlePoint routers power ouput level to 0dbm if you can. This will still cover a boat. In the house though you will need to possibly increase its power output.
Bill
 
If you have heavy foliage and it gets wet that will severely attenuate the WiMAX signal.
Look in my opinion ClearWire and Spriint do not have adequate funding to properly roll out WiMAX. In fact in the BAWA and Philadelphia markets to save money they removed an IDEN Nextel antenna in each sector (spares) and installed the ClearWire WiMAX equipment. Nextel lowered their average sites rad centers (height) so they could re-use frequencies between sites while re-banding (to reduce public safety interference) which is far from completed they reduced 800/900MHz IDEN/Nextel coverage. Since the IDEN Nextel network has holes you can see where a complex signal over 3 times higher in frequency wouldn't propagate well. Hence the need for the dual 3G & 4G U300.
I don't really understand why Sprint is really running 3 different networks and they can't run anyone of them correctly (from an engineering standpoint). They are Nextel's network 800/900MHz using Motorolas IDEN platform, the Sprint PCS network which is also like 2 networks in 1 1-RTT and EVDO using Qualicoms signal platform at 1900MHz and now Sprint/ClearWire 2.5 to 2.7MHz using a WiMAX signaling platform.
Then they totally outsource maintaining the network to Ericsson who has almost no real world knowledge of anything but GSM networks which Sprint has none. One could argue IDEN is similar to a GSM signal.

Bill
 
"(if you call 150kbps as fast at a dollar a meg.) "

last time i checked, Inmarsat FB150 service was more like $10 a meg, not $1 a meg ??

I'm looking into this indeed for Charmer, mostly for when we have charter guests who need wifi access, especially in the bahamas. In the US, 3G service is excellent and anyone requiring web access will have an air card.

what kind of price are we looking at with Wave? I don't see anything on their site. it woudl be easy to add the external antenna on the radar arch with the "black box" mounted up in the skylounge, close to the antenna. From there we can have router sending the signal thruout the boat.

thks for the info guys, that's what i was looking for... so it's either Wave or Syrens...
 
You will also want to have the ability to lock down you AP with WEP or other encryption since people down here tend to hitch hike and bog you down :D.
And then there is MAC cloning.
Often times when you purchase wifi, they latch up your MAC address to prevent others from sharing the Userid/PW. If your bridge router (the one that hooks up to the shore based access point) offers MAC cloning, you can then redistribute to all the WIFI devices or cameras that share the connection. The spec on the Syrens MPAP 5000 was a bit lacking but this could be the easiest thing to set up but probably more expensive than it has to be. But having one mfg/source is better for warrantee work or questions.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

"(if you call 150kbps as fast at a dollar a meg.) "

last time i checked, Inmarsat FB150 service was more like $10 a meg, not $1 a meg ??

I'm looking into this indeed for Charmer, mostly for when we have charter guests who need wifi access, especially in the bahamas. In the US, 3G service is excellent and anyone requiring web access will have an air card.

what kind of price are we looking at with Wave? I don't see anything on their site. it woudl be easy to add the external antenna on the radar arch with the "black box" mounted up in the skylounge, close to the antenna. From there we can have router sending the signal thruout the boat.

thks for the info guys, that's what i was looking for... so it's either Wave or Syrens...

Click to expand...

Pascal sorry I make many typo's $10.00 a meg. is correct. I am on the FB-150 type plan only with the Skipper 150 it is pay as you go. You can check the usage daily on their log in portal. No monthly fees if you don't use the service. Sorry about stating the wrong Fleet Broadband VSAT rates.
Bill
 
I prefer Wave WiFi Pascal they are in your backyard.
Bill
 
i'm not too worried about setup... heck, i've been playing with network stuff since the good ole days of Netware 2.2 which came on 20 floppy discs... but i want something reliable which doens't need to be "maintained" or restarted every few hours!
 
Ours is a bit more administrative up front but it's been up for a week now at a new site without issue. I'm thinking the less hdwr you need to get the job done the less headaches you will have. Locating and installing two routers vs. one is a pain unless you are paid by the hour (ooopss. Nancn may be lurking).
 
Pascal since the boats are both on charters your customers we really appreciate reliable good long distance WiFi. The Wave WiFi stuff I would say is the best. It will be one thing you will never have to worry about. The units are built in aluminum boxes with gaskets. All connectors have water resistant fittings. If I had a spare I would send it No charge if you liked it you could then leave the cabling in place return it to me and get a new one.
Now Hot Spots I have many high power Wave units. The survey software is an important feature. While you may know a lot about computers your clents/passengers may not.
Bill
 
Indeed. They should only have to hook up to the yacht hotspot. That's why you want MAC cloning.
 
well, yes and no since many charter guests chose chartering to get away and dont' want to even look at a computer! it depends...

what the approx. cost of the Wave systems?
 
My Wave System was purchased at the worst place up here $1950 complete. Please call Richard tell him I told you to call Pascal you can get it for less. It is a complete system you don't need to purchase anything, no LMR400 cable, adapters nothing. The prices may have come down I was one of the 1st in my area to purchase a unit and I bought it where they build Viking Yachts. All I can say is it is not like any other Access Point combination Hot Spot you will ever purchase in a store or build with components unless you are a real RF guy like Mixman, RadioActive or myself sorry if I left out any other radio frequency experts. Even then the packaging and software is a snap to use and your charter clients will love it. I'm going to put up a HotSpot near Merritt before Spring so hopefully it should cover from Oriental to North of Merritt depending on the antennas I use and the height above ground. It won't be blazing fast because there are no DSL or Cable internet connections there I will have to do the backhaul initially through Verizon EVDO.

Bill
 
Pascal, What solution did you choose and are you happy with the results?
 
Haven't decided yet but leaning towards the syren lite. Does t have the raw power of the others but much cheaper and since wifi is line of sight I m not sure the extra power will be that important. In most real world applications obstacles will be an issue and I feel the extra power will be only useful in specific spots.
 
That unit looks about like what we have. Except, you won't need P.O.E.. The specs I found were so limited I could not buy one based on the available flyer. No details on modes of operation etc.. The Lite "PLUS" says something about bridge mode and I would consider that a requirement so I could easily redistribute to more than one computer via a second router.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Haven't decided yet but leaning towards the syren lite. Does t have the raw power of the others but much cheaper and since wifi is line of sight I m not sure the extra power will be that important. In most real world applications obstacles will be an issue and I feel the extra power will be only useful in specific spots.

Click to expand...


Check your Email.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Haven't decided yet but leaning towards the syren lite. Does t have the raw power of the others but much cheaper and since wifi is line of sight I m not sure the extra power will be that important. In most real world applications obstacles will be an issue and I feel the extra power will be only useful in specific spots.

Click to expand...
It is not line of site but something called nLOS near line of sight or NLOS (Not Line of Sight). I would recommend the higher power unit I hardly call 8 plus miles typical radio line of sight. Step up don't do it half way Pascal. Did you call Richard at Wave WiFi?
They are currently building systems to map the oceans bottoms using special WiFi units and Access Points this will really speed up getting raster charts up to speed.
I said earlier it is also the receivers sensativity and selectivity something the EC-Lite is only moderate at. I'm ready to buy you a real unit if your not pleased mail it back. I know you will like it so much I have little chance of you returning it. It is a joint effort with NOAA this should give you an idea of the quality.
Bill
 
Pascal if you want to PM me Wave WiFi the old Syrens has come out with a new unit called the "Rouge" it is 800mw and is less than $400.00. It uses their software it should be released early next week. I am getting a unit to test if you want to be the test bed I'd be willing to lend it to you and if you want it I can work something out otherwise send it back to me.
Bill
 
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