WiFi signal repeater

[Richard6959]

Looking for a wifi signal repeater/booster than can find a signal from long distances. I am reviewing options such as the wifiranger and the products sold at HawkingsTech.

Please share your experience.

[bg71361]

I use one when I have a week signal in a campground, works for me.


http://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cantenna

[glenalt]

interesting setup

[hankaye]

Richard6959, Howdy;

I'm less than 100 yards from the Park's router and they have one of the CB style
antennas to help get the signal "out-there", problem is the router is 5 or 6 years
old and has suffered from multiple brown-outs and power outages, in other
words, it barely covers the immediate area (office and game room). I have the
JEFA Tech. set-up http://www.jefatech.com/product/RV-KIT-USB/Long-Range-
80211n-WiFi-Kit-for-RVs---USB.html
and it pulls a lot of signals out of the air unfortunately, the campground's is,
due to their outdated and poorly working equipment, hit-n-miss.
So, it's nice to be able to have something that will pull the teeth out of router
from 1/4 mile away, ... you just need a signal that will reach you from the
sender. Any system will, like a chain, only work as well as the weakest link.

hankaye

[alien_scones]

Wifi Ranger Mobile atop a RV Flag Pole Guys flag pole.

It pulled in a Texas State Park wifi 1/2 mile away.

It's pricey starting at $500 and up...
but it did the job and happy with results.

It has a cool feature - it scans and speed tests all the available wifi spots then chooses the best based on your preferences...

[Richard6959]

Any idea what the differences are between the wifiranger mobile and the wifiranger sky?

https://www.wifiranger.com/9-solutio...-wifi-mobileti

https://www.wifiranger.com/solutions.../7-rv-wifi-sky

They seem to function the same way.

[Richard6959]

Sorry, answered my own question after further review of the FAQ's.

"Both devices are similar in their operational performance. The Sky is designed for mounting on a flat roof while the Mobile is most typically mounted on a TV antenna mast or a rear ladder. Because of differences in design we provide a lifetime warranty on the MobileTi compared to the one-year warranty on all other WiFiRanger products."

[SkiSmuggs]

This is the link that got me to the product:
http://www.jefatech.com/product/RV-KIT-REPEATER

[Richard6959]

SkiSmuggs, thanks for sharing. This is a much cheaper option, but can you tell us how well it works?

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by Richard6959

SkiSmuggs, thanks for sharing. This is a much cheaper option, but can you tell us how well it works?

I have no personal experience with it and currently have a PepWave. I've had issues in that you need a CAT5 cable connection to set it up so a tablet can't be used for that like the JEFA. Also the PepWave is b/g and not n so it is somewhat behind in technology. And finally, when using a CG WiFi that requires a browser logon, the PepWave usually won't work for that. For these reasons I am giving serious thought to the Jefa setup as it is a reconfigured Cisco router, is configured via WiFi (no cable) so it can be done from laptop, tablet or smart phone. Browser login is passed through to the device, need only be done once and your other devices will connect without being seen by the host as a different device.

[FTWingRiders]

I tried the Jefa setup to set up a hotspot for the whole family. Even tho it found more signals from further away, it doesn't boost the signal, which is what I needed at my usual CG. Called jefa, and they had no solution to capture and boost a signal.Ended up going thru my iPad's cellular and creating a hotspot thru it. Actually worked great with up to 4 devices at the same time. Yes, you need cell service, and it's not the cheapest option, but works where I needed it.
Going to return the Jefa system.

[B&T]

We have used the Jafatech Rv kit for a few years now with great success on getting signals that were not available without it. It has also been useful in those instances where we were given (one code one device) to get on the CG internet. The Jefatech repeater was the one device that connected to the CG hotspot and all of our computers/phones&ipad connected to the Jefatech repeater for internet access.

We just returned yesterday from a 2 month+ stay at North Myrtle Beach where we used the Jefatech rv kit to reliably connect to a TWC hotspot from our camping location. The hotspot was on the other side of Hwy 17 (6 lanes + center divider) and we were at least 80ft or so away from 17. Got enough speed for the DW to use her Ipad for facetime.

[Richard6959]

FTWingRiders / B&T,

Thanks for the reply and insight. I didn't realize that it wouldn't boost the signal. With 4 wireless devices, I think this would be a feature we would want. I am heavily leaning toward the wifiRanger Sky. Not sure if I want to spend an additional $100 just to get a pole mounted version in the wifi ranger mobile Ti. The sky can be mounted on a flat surface, but an aluminum plate mounted to the top of a pole should work just fine.

[B&T]

For wifi devices, A signal boost within your RV is unnecessary with the jefatech. The devices connect to the DHCP server in the Jefatech repeater (located in your RV) and it assigns each device a local IP. Then the Jefatech repeats the data transmitted from/to each device through an external high gain antenna to/from the hotspot. I suppose one could argue that there is, in essence, a signal boost between the high gain antenna and the hotspot.

[alien_scones]

Originally Posted by Richard6959

Not sure if I want to spend an additional $100 just to get a pole mounted version in the wifi ranger mobile Ti. The sky can be mounted on a flat surface, but an aluminum plate mounted to the top of a pole should work just fine.

I looked at both, but ultimately line of sight comes in to play. Getting the wifi ranger mobile up another 15-20 feet above other structures (on the flag pole) in the park helps pull in more available hotspots.

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by alien_scones

I looked at both, but ultimately line of sight comes in to play. Getting the wifi ranger mobile up another 15-20 feet above other structures (on the flag pole) in the park helps pull in more available hotspots.

And you can do that with the Jefa antenna as well. Just fasten to a fiberglass pole and fasten the pole to your ladder and have a nice day.

[bg71361]

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

And you can do that with the Jefa antenna as well. Just fasten to a fiberglass pole and fasten the pole to your ladder and have a nice day.

Same with the Cantenna for about $29 to $49 plus your pole you have signal!

[arturob]

You might want to check out these guys
http://www.technomadia.com/2014/08/h...nternet-setup/

They have just written a book on RV wi-fi and cellular phone systems and I've seen lots of people refer to them.

I just bought the wifiranger Go2 and Mobile Ti and they are working fine in my 5er which is currently parked in my driveway being outfitted for fulltiming. As such I cant comment on how well it would bring in distant signals but it gets a lot of wifi hotspots in my neighborhood. I can also connect to the wifiranger (which is sitting in the 5th wheel) on my laptop from inside the house so it is rebroadcasting a pretty powerful signal.

[Richard6959]

Just wanted to update this thread. I ended up buying the WifiRanger Sky. I mounted it on the bat wing just as earlier models of the sky were designed. It only weighs a few ounces so it doesn't affect the integrity of the antenna. Instead of mounting it flat on the roof as designed, I can get a few more feet in the air so hopefully that helps.

I ran the POE cable the same route as the cable from the antenna so that I could plug it into the outlet under the T.V. It required some fishing but was successful.

[bigbluejmc]

How do you reconfigure the cisco unit and can you use any cisco wireless router..thanks