WIFI Signal Booster

Funtastik · **Joined:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:32 pm **Posts:** 54

I have a seemingly simple question, yet results are difficult to achieve.

My FW 298V is in a marina slip about 100 to 150 yards from where the main office internet router signal is emanating. My question to all of you is: Is it possible to increase the signal strength of the marina's router to reach my boat?
Although there is no security issues at my marina, It would be really nice to install one of those internet security camera's for peace of mind.

In addition, using the internet while on dock would be nice too, it's getting tiresome to always bring the laptop close to the main office just to use the internet.

Has anyone heard about the Rogue Wave Pro? It is supposedly a signal booster.

Does anyone have any suggestions or similar set-up?

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Collin

Sierra · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:05 pm

I have had great success with the Rogue Wave connected to an on-board router for exactly what you are attempting to accomplish and can recommend it without hesitation. Keep in mind that you will still be limited by the marina's bandwidth but you'll be amazed at your ability to pull in distant hot spots and having your own on-board network really opens up connectivity potential. I did not get the Pro because I installed a separate external antenna, but if you don't intend to do that and the antenna will be exposed to the elements the pro is the way to go. The setup is very intuitive as is the user interface. Getting a router that you can wire directly to a 12 volt circuit will give you added flexibility if you anchor out and don't have or wish to run a generator. Otherwise, any old router will do the trick unless you only intend to plug your laptop directly into the Rogue.

Connecting a camera is most certainly possible through your own router and a signal extender like the Rogue but depending on your marina's specific wifi setup there could be potential issues. If it's a non-industrial setup, basically like a home network, it will be more straight forward. But some marinas employ a wifi service with a splash page that requires a daily login or other varying systems. There are ways of dealing with those requiring a bit of extra work. Let me know if you have any other questions.

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:44 pm

Have you looked into something like a mobile hotspot device? I have Verizon's Jetpack and I use it at the slip, on the lake, in the car, on vacation, etc... They run about $50 with a 2 year contract and $20 per month and it is very fast. One of our dock neighbors who worked for a cell phone company put a couple of extenders/boosters on the dock but it was still too slow so everyone has these mobile devices now. There is a thread going on CSR on this same subject but it doesn't sound too positive.

ric · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2015 3:10 am

The short answer is.. yes I can do this with my eyes closed. If you're not IT savvy it can be somewhat difficult. Rouge Wave is a total ripoff.

How would I do it? I would buy this. I currently use their UniFI Access Points in my house and I've used the Picostations for this exact purpose in the past. On my roof, with a 3ft antenna with wifi range almost a mile... until lightning took it out.
http://www.ubnt.com/airmax/picostationm/

They sell for $80 bucks and are carrier grade. Mount it outside somewhere high and configure it as a wireless bridge. It's tiny. It connects to your marina hotspot and feeds internet down the cat5. From that point forward you either plug it directly to your laptop or you can plug it into the WAN port of a wireless router in your boat and then you'll have personal strong secure WIFI in your slip.

Now, to get way more advanced and what I'd REALLY do is, I'd buy the Picostation and reflash it with DD-WRT firmware. With that OS on the Picostation I can turn it into a wireless bridge and simultaneously turn it into a wireless hotspot with a different wireless name with a password locked down so only I know it. It becomes two devices in one. If you have a covered slip just mount it in your slip somewhere high and plug it in. Never worry about it again.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2015 4:50 pm

Good info, thanks!
I've been thinking about this as well. I have an unused security camera at home that I keep thinking would be great to set up on the boat. Just wasn't sure about connecting it to the marina wifi.

www.iFourWinns.com

WIFI Signal Booster

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