One of the difficulties that a lot of fulltimers complain about is internet connectivity. While satellite internet can make a huge difference, it does have its own set of problems: Expense, complexity, and in some cases, technical know-how. While we do use satellite when we're in one place for an extended time frame, dragging out the tripod and locating the satellite makes using it on a spur-of-the-moment basis out of the question.
Many of us turn to wifi when traveling. With so many free wifi hotspots popping up around the country, it's a natural for us. Nevertheless, you've got to be close enough to the wifi carrier to make the connection. Not everyone wants to drag the laptop into the coffee shop; it's nice to be able to work out of the rig. Still distance issues cause trouble.
Enter the external wifi antenna. Properly equipped you can extend your connectivity by several factors. What do you need? An appropriate external wifi antenna mounted on your rig, a connecting cable (often run through the slide out gasket), and a wifi card with a suitable external antenna fitting to mate up to the cable.
When looking for an external antenna, you'll have a choice between directional antennas, and omnidirectional antennas. The directional antenna needs to be "pointed" at the source of your wifi signal--which may be good if you're parked long enough to get up to the antenna and take the time to point it precisely. A directional antenna is by far the best when dealing with great distances to the wifi provider. However, an omnidirectional antenna works (theoretically) equally well in all directions, albeit useful for shorter distances. That's probably a whole lot better for those of us who move frequently.
Here's a link to RadioLabs, Inc, who sells an omnidirectional antenna that may be right for you. BY ALL MEANS they are NOT the only internet seller of external wifi antennas, but they do illustrate what you might be looking for. If you're unsure, look for a local provider of external wifi antennas (check local computer stores for referrals) and have them show you on your own computer how an antenna could work for you. For the technical at heart, here's a great discussion of "gain" relative to antennas, and what that means in practical terms.
5 comments:
A friend of mine and myself both bought this antenna, and both had the same results. Our wi-fi reception showed no added range whatsoever. My feeling is that we each wasted $150. I have since purchased a Hawking Hi-Gain™ USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter, and while it comes nowhere close to it's advertised 300% range extension, it does often pick up a signal that I can't get without it. It's also only about a third of the price.
I bought a WiFire by hField last year. (hfield.com) This gadget is a wifi adapter with a built in high gain antenna. It's small enough to fit in the palm of my hand and it mounts on your laptop screen.
I travel a lot, and its been great at boosting my signal. I get great distance without the hassle of bigger bulky antennas I looked at.
We also bought the USB activated product from Hawking Technologies and found that it improved the WiFi signal sufficiently to allow us to remain connected to the internet from inside the coach(before the purchase, we had to go to the clubhouse of our winter resort where the signal was stronger).
Slightly off topic, but has anyone tried a cellular service, booster antenna, and WiFi access point like: http://evdo-coverage.com/evdo-v650-lightning-rod-router.html ?
When I work, it's often nice to have multiple systems online, and not alway can I have one that is WiFi enabled (i.e. a server), or I am not always in a WiFi zone and need to create my own (i.e. cellular).
Thanks,
Sam
Sam, be careful on the "special deal" on this site you mention. It is simply a Kyocera KR-1 router, which creates WiFi from EVDO. You may already have the EVDO card, or get it free or cheap from your provider, and the antenna is not expensive. Suggest you try pricing these out separately. The only increase in range here is from the antenna and placing it higher or in a more clear location. Also check out repeaters like those at http://www.redhillsupply.com/Cell-Phone-Repeater.htm some say they work with EVDO, and I'm investigating these to see if they will help the signal without slowing down data rate too much.
- Barclay
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