Wireless Networking On Ribs

boristhebold · 03 July 2014, 17:34

Anyone know of any wireless networking device you can fit to a rib which is good enouth to pick up wireless signals from shore, or is the point most shorebased wireless only works if your really close like in a marina.

whats longest distance normal wirles signals reach and what distance if land station has a booster. ?

im talking wireless networking rather than mobile telephony.

Starovich · 03 July 2014, 17:51

Not very much range. Better to use 3/4g unless you want to go sat type comms.

gooner-paul · 03 July 2014, 21:13

I used to use one of these on my old static caravan Im not sure how this would / could work in a marine environment and what the maximum distance is!

http://www.tp-link.com/lk/products/d...del=TL-WA5210G

it allowed me to get access to a btwifi hotspot in the reception which was a good 300+ meters away

This little guide might be of use:

http://rv.dickeastman.com/2012/01/ho...em-part-1.html

gotchiguy · 05 July 2014, 17:19

Digital yacht claim up to 3NM with this: http://www.digitalyacht.co.uk/produc...ducts_id=11708

Would be really useful with a yacht I think, point it at the harbour cafe and away you go!

ShinyShoe · 05 July 2014, 17:34

Long range WiFi needs are yagi type antenna so it only works when pointed at a specific place. No good at 20kts. Even at anchor I suspect you'd get too much movement...

Better to use 3/4G if avail and if device doesn't have that to use hotspot locally to share it. My android phone can share 3g with others his WiFi... So my tablet which has no sim can connect.

simonc2409 · 05 July 2014, 21:25

I use mobile data a lot and technology has moved on a little since Dick Eastman's guide in my view. I have an O2 3G router which I use all over the country along with the much faster EE 4G solution .

You can get these things on PAYG or PayMonthly contracts but be careful not to slip into the 'roaming data' trap if you use them in the channel.

I don't really know what the off shore range of these things is other than to say that the theoretical range of a 3G mast is 35Km. In practise there's a whole bunch of variables that can change that.

I've not used my routers at sea but our annual trip to the north coast is in a few weeks and I'll give them a go.

ShinyShoe · 05 July 2014, 21:56

I think three have a new deal that means roaming charges are waved in certain countries which may make it the better option for playing in the channel...

Starovich · 06 July 2014, 00:31

best deal ive found is to buy 6gb data for £15 lasts 3 months and thats 4g (where avaialble otherwise 3g) EE Sim Card. after they run out I get a new one.

Solent Bombard · 06 July 2014, 02:47

When I'm out at different ports on the boat at work I use a ALFA NETWORK Inc.

Also been anchored off browndown beach (lee on solent) before and managed to pick up bt openzone on the shore. Must have been about a mile away from where we were.

simonc2409 · 06 July 2014, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solent Bombard

When I'm out at different ports on the boat at work I use a ALFA NETWORK Inc.

Also been anchored off browndown beach (lee on solent) before and managed to pick up bt openzone on the shore. Must have been about a mile away from where we were.

It's the nature of UK 3G/4G networks I'm afraid. None of the providers have 100% coverage which is why I have two routers. One of them usually works when the other doesn't.