I bought a wifi amplifier froma disreputable scallywag who disappeared before I could install it on my boat (OK it was five months later). I finally have enerything read to install but am wondering about the loss of signal from the coax. As with any coax I imagine that it is best to keep it as short as possible. The run I have will be 12' to 15'. Is that a reasonbale distance for regular marine coax or do I need to step up to the low loss coax.

Hmmm... I might know a thing or two about coax cables and scallywags!


The run I had was approx 25 ft, with about 5ft of coax coiled up to take up extra length.

It is best to keep it as short as possible, but coax losses start to creep in at longer lengths than a boat length.

Thanks Sully:

I'm going down to San Diego next week so I will let you know how it works. Right now I can not get any unsecured wifi signals. I'm hoping with the antenna that I will be able to. The dock where I'm at faces some three story condos and then about 120 yards on the other side is a big hotel. That probably blocks off a bunch of signal.

Charlie, The longer the coax run the more signal loss. Does not mean you won't pick up a signal just that the weaker ones will not connect. Try and keep it as short as possible. Our set up has a 1 1/2 foot coax and the adapter runs on a USB cable to the computer. There is a detailed report on our unit at Voyages of Sea Trek

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Thanks CC

I bought a set up off of Sully before I read your post. I am using his system since I already own it. Your system sounds easier and mine will require a 12' to 15' run of coax. I'll recomend your setup should someone ask

Here is what the pros say about coax on WiFi

Wifi is generally considered to conform to the frequencies and
protocols of IEEE 802.11 with various bandwidth specifying letter
suffixes. 802.11 is extremely transmit power limited (for PC cards and
laptops - about 750 milliwatts, as I recall), with the "land based"
access points somewhat more powerful and/or with power concentrating
directional antennas. Aboard the boat with a PC or laptop wifi card,
any "gain" provided on receive by an optional antenna is completely
cancelled out by the loss from any significant length (more than 2-3
feet)of coax cable.
You should not expect much from long
antenna leads on wifi applications; as stated, the proper approach is
to use a short antenna lead and a USB cable to go the distance (I
believe the specification length for USB2.0 is 16 feet, but there are
inexpensive USB routers - or a USB hub might be applicable.

__________________
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To boldly go!!
Read about our past and current
cruises, the boat, some projects
and a whole lot more a

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And Now Visit The New Boats Site At

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It should be noted that Charlie has a 1 watt powered WiFi amp in that coax cable.

ha ha ha

He also has a professional grade Buffalo WiFi radio and enormous omnidirectional antenna (on the order of 6 ft)

His setup is extremely powerful.

Charlie: Unfortunately, many people's private WiFi networks are well secured. Caps on bandwidth on some broadband providers as well as some paranoia are the reason. With that said, you will find plenty of free WiFi hotspots you can connect to -

1. Public Libraries
2. Panera Bread Locations
3. Municipal Free WiFi Networks
4. Many independent coffee shops
5. Some marinas
6. Hotels (some)
7. Independent Coffee Shops (starbuck's is expesive)
8. And you can always pay for a monthly pass somewhere if you are in port for that long.

Using your setup, I used to connect to a library about 2 miles away inland when I wintered over in Long Island, NY. I've also connected to Paneras.

The main advantage to WiFi onboard is to not have to go ashore to use the internet. It doesn't guarantee you free access all the time, but with as powerful of a setup as you have, you will find it most of the time.

Look to businesses and municipalities for your free connections and to marinas for a monthly service, if you are in one place.

The beauty is... you can even use the marina networks when anchored several miles away from one. They don't restrict access to people paying for slips.

Oh Great Sully now the FCC is ging to come down and arrest me and I will be on America's Most wanted.

Oh no!! I blew it!

From Houston, Texas to Myrtle Beach, NC we had an open WiFi connection on all but maybe three occasions. Sometimes I wondered where they were coming from since there was no sign of civilization. The point is, there will be plenty of open connections for you but occasionally you will find none or only secure connections. Good luck.

__________________
http://www.waterwayguide.com/
To boldly go!!
Read about our past and current
cruises, the boat, some projects
and a whole lot more a

http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/

And Now Visit The New Boats Site At

http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/