Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band gigibit Router

Salida Scarlett · Aug 14, 2013

I bought this in order to tap into the RV parks wifi modem with my laptop. The park uses Tengointernet which is sketchy to say the least. I'm always getting bumped by other users.  The problem....?? Probably me, since I don't know now to get this to work and I need some advice. Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band gigibit Router. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif"> <-------Scarlett

Guest · Aug 15, 2013

Unless the RV park provides an ethernet jack at your parking slot, it will only work at your house when used with a modem and a hard wired internet connection. You need to take it back to the store and get your money back. Unfortunately there is not much you can do about limited bandwidth and being kicked off using the RV parks WiFi. Ask the park owner to get a better connection to the internet.

VanLifeCrisis · Aug 15, 2013

Yeah, that is the thingy that sends out the internet signal, not receives it <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">  Well i think it does have an option to use it as a bridge (you take in a signal, then rebroadcast it), but that would require the campground to configure their network to allow it and that is some advanced stuff on your end too.  And it won't really help you with your problem. You could try a more powerful wifi adapter (receiver), like an alfa.  http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036NH-Wireless-Long-Range-Screw-On/dp/B003YIFHJY Get a long usb cable and stick it on the roof or something, it has a suction cup on that one (i taped a magnet on the bottom of mine and just pop it up there like a police siren from the 70s) <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="bbc_img"> http://www.amazon.com/Foot-USB-2-0-Extension-Cable/dp/B003M6FDS8 Im not sure what you mean by being bumped by other users...do they somehow set a limit on how many can connect?  I don't think such a thing is based on the strength of your signal.  Also, there is nothing you can do really to improve the internet that he is broadcasting...if his internet service blows than you are just getting a divided portion of a connection that blows. For instance i have 5 bars connected to a router about 8 feet from me.  Super strong signal at all times...but the internet coming into that router is divided by 30 hotel rooms above me, and that signal is coming from yet another hotel with 200 rooms.  So by the time it gets to me its often super slow and wont load a thing.

Salida Scarlett · Aug 15, 2013

My oldest son living in another state recommended this router to me, when I was complaining about getting bumped off the wifi. The way he explained it to me is that most routers use like a 4 or 4 1/2 gigabytes bandwidth, and the netgear router I bought, ($89) utilizes about a 5 gigabytes bandwidth which is "less crowded". Please know that I'm a wifi  newbie, and was only basic PC savvy when using my desk PC on a AT&T landline set up. In any case, every one in the various parks where we've stayed, complains about Tengointernet wifi system being sketchy, (blows). All I know is that I  need to use the internet on a regular basis, and can't even count the times I've lost an email or even a post, or private message on this forum due to suddenly loosing a signal because of the lousy connection, which I have attributed to other Tengointernet users logging on this particular bandwidth. Both son and I can possibly be wrong...but can't send the darn thing back. I want to thank you guys for the info and take the advice into consideration and see what I can do. All I know is that this sucks. Funny that people can go to a McDonald's etc and get a good consistent signal, but who wants to drive to a McDonalds for that purpose? We have to PAY for this crappy TengoInternet, (which all the parks seem to use).

bee · Aug 16, 2013

You are partially correct.  Most people use 2.4ghz bandwith.  If they broadcast in 5ghz then you could take advantage of that with the right hardware, but first you would have to find out if they even use 5ghz frequency.  You should also find out if they broadcast b, g  or if they use n also. If it is a signal strength/quality issue then I also suggest an alfa modem and a directional antenna mounted facing their router.  If they only use b,g then I would get the alfa modem that only does b,g.  If they use n then get the alfa modem capable of bgn. An easy way to tell if it is a bandwith issue (to many people) is try using it when everyone is asleep or gone.  If it gets a lot faster then it is a bandwith issue.  If it doesn't then its either signal strength or its just crappy.  Your computer should have 3 bars or more of signal strength.  If not then that is probably your problem and then get an alfa.

cygvan · Aug 16, 2013

basically you just need to have a better receiving antenna. the usb sticks that have the wireless adapters on them are great but can be better if you use an extension cable so you can position them better. the antennas in them tend to be tiny. while there are actual signal "boosters" these may not be necessary in your case. they require an actual signal to boost too. cant boost something thats not there anyway. if you have the ability to use an external antenna (by that i mean one that screws onto a terminal, not necessarily outdoor model, though that is important too), that will help reign in the signal. its not technically a "booster" but they provide "gain" which really helps. external antenna can be directional (you have to aim it at the wifi router of the signal provider) or omni-directional (which pulls in signals from all around). the "gain" from both types varies on model and there is some overlap in strength. lastly, sometimes, your usb type wifi adapter will have the feature to use an external antenna. not really the most common but worth checking. it can give you the best of both worlds in the they are really mobile but you can benefit from external antenna when needed. if your usb stick does not have this feature, check your computer or laptop to see if there are wifi antenna ports. feel free to PM to clarify or ask any questions.  the alfa suggestion in this thread is a good one. ive looked into that myself but my computer has the wifi antenna ports. i ran a 10' antenna cable from these ports to an omni-directional antenna. i chose an indoor one since i have it mounted in the cab of my van in a manner that provides stealth as well as clear signal. after installing this simple antenna (its about a foot long, black, articulated and thin) which i paid $10 for at Microcenter my signal skyrocketed. it has 9dbi of "gain". lastly, i recommend installing this software. it shows you all of the networks being received by whichever wifi adapter/antenna combination you use.  its very simple software and you dont need to configure anything. here is the link... <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/" target="_blank">http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/</a>

Salida Scarlett · Aug 16, 2013

Thanks so much for all this info, guys and it makes sense.  I think you know your stuff and it's going to help us wade thru this crazy wifi dilemma. You are so appreciated....I hope you know that. As a new RV dweller, all this is Greek to me, and it can't be learned overnight. It's sure different than living in a house, as I'm finding out. But....I love it!

cygvan · Aug 16, 2013

it is a lot of fun learning and researching all this stuff. i also like that fact that the "problems" we encounter are different than the problems when living traditionally. i find them easier to resolve and with less stress. plus, i know that i am benefitting more from learning these things and practicing conservation and frugality. i did spend some good coin on my set up so far but i look at it as a smaller investment in MY future than what i would have had to invest if i stayed where i grew up and continued the ridiculous rat race. i have been priced so far out of the mixed blue/white collar suburb where i grew up that even if i could comfortably afford it, i wouldnt do it. who the hell wants to pay 8-10k or MORE per year in property taxes for a postage stamp sized lot with a small ranch or salt box cape on it? anywhoooo, back on topic...once you acquire a few pieces of information regarding all the technical stuff and make a purchase that suits you, everything will be cool. you will learn by doing (or in this case using). its also fun to pass along the info to those you meet down the road that are starting. thats what the great thing about forums like this is. anything i can do to help just ask.

arizonatruck · Aug 24, 2013

What kind of stores, besides walmart and the like, have these wireless devices.  It seems like most of the people at stores like  walmart just try to bs you about electronics.

cygvan · Aug 26, 2013

microcenter. if youre lucky to be near one.  they compete very well with online retailers and carry just about everything. probably my all time favorite brick and mortar store. (their online store is great as well). after that, i think your best bet is an online retailer like newegg, (microcenter), amazon, ebay. what specifically are you looking for?