Wifi booster

D

dbashJ56

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2017
Messages
37
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Hillary Leigh
I am curious, fellow Tugnuts, what any of you have done about boosting your wifi reception?! I am not sure if the expensive units will give us any more signal strength or not?! I have heard that they can eat up a lot of data, and that maybe one from Comcast, added to my contract, would be the best option?? Any opinions you have or personalizations you have made would be helpful. We are not extremely tech savvy... any help you can offer for phones and laptops would be awesome!!

Debbie
 
I’m not sure from your post whether you are looking for a WiFi booster (which picks up WiFi hotspots such as a marina WiFi and amplifies them) or a cellular signal booster, which helps your cellular devices to lock onto to the cellular network in places that they might not otherwise be able to due to a weak signal. Some units do both, and also provide your boat with its own WiFi hotspot/router. We installed a unit called the “Wirie.” It did a pretty good job in Desolation Sound and other outlying areas at giving us an internet connection when we otherwise wouldn’t have had one. You might also want to read an article by Sam Landsman on his blog where he evaluates a unit that he is pretty happy with. Sam is the one who does the “Points North” seminar for Ranger Tug and presents some great classes at the Seattle Boat Show. Here is the link: http://slowboat.com/2016/10/wifi-in-the-wilderness/

John Bachelor
 
If it is cell boost you are looking for .. I bought the least expensive weboost. Your phone fits in it.. Gained 2-3 bars of signal. Works great for me as I work on line and need to keep connected
 
Also have the Wirie booster and love it. One on the boat and one on the camper.
 
i'm in the midst of configuring a mikrotik groove with mikrotik HAP AC router to provide wifi coverage. I chose this route as I can configure as I choose, its half the price of the off the shelf units and I can add LTE network switching should I want to by adding an LTE modem such as the one from Netgear.

This is the same setup I am using
https://sailbits.com/modular-cheaper-boat-internet-solution-via-netgear-and-mikrotik/
 
I also went with the Mikrotik Groove. I use a Mikrotik router as shown in Cutwater28GG's link. This was purchased from Island Time PC. I had problems sitting it up but the owner was extremely helpful in troubleshooting it. Turns out I damaged the cable when running it to the mast. He makes nice protective mount for the antenna.

http://islandtimepc.com/marine_wifi.html
 
We have a new 2018 RT 31 CB. I knew from previous experience how weak wifi signals could be in marinas due to the high volume of users and the quality of the signal. I ordered the equipment from island time pc as well. I had my local Ranger dealer install it when he got delivery of the boat. He mounted it at the top of my mast and I can get signals from over 5 miles away. I had some setup problems and I called Island time and the owner was extremely helpful and talked me through the setup. His equipment and pricing can't be beat. I would highly recommend him.

Sonny Side Up
 
For those with the groove are you configuring your groove as a bridge or a router?

im having trouble with a few marinas not showing me their wifi login page.

also to the original poster - if you are not technically savvy do not attempt to do this on your own. buy the island time or wirie which takes a lot of the complicated configuration away.
 
I just bought a jet Pak from Verizon works for me
 
I installed the Groove with Microtik router. Had problems from the get-go. The guy at Island time was very patient and helpful. Ended up sending the unit back to him for a reset. Then I discovered a damaged cable. Then the reset tab on the groove broke. Then the cat 6/USB adapter for the computer broke. Even when it was working it was a PITA. And most marina WiFis have a low baud rate. I took it out and installed a cellular booster. We have no problems getting connected.
 
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