Survey: Do you use an external wifi antenna with amplifier?

[RogueRV2]

Just curious as I have not seen any mention of this kind of device other than myown mention. Does anyone else use something like this? What kind is it and how has it worked out for you? There are several brands available. I'm currently using one from SimpleWifi.com and it pulls in wifi from several miles away. I have a large parabolic antenna that is good for 5 to 8 miles, and a much smaller antenna that I'll probably use on the RV that is good for 1 to 3 miles. It is just a lot handier and stealthier to use over the large parabolic antenna.

If you have experience with these types of antennas in a RV, I would be interested in your story. I'm trying to justify taking the large parabolic. It is already mounted on the roof.

 

[Luisafernandes]

I don't have one but have been looking and like to get one.

 

[RogueRV2]

I've been using one from SimpleWifi.com at home for over a year now. It has easily paid for itself many times. I'm wondering how practical it would be to use in an RV. I suspect it can only help. If you are looking for something like this, I'd recommend the 1 amp amplifier along with 10" X 10" flat plate styled antenna. It is small, yet really pulls in the signal.

 

[highdesertranger]

I am also looking into these. I would like to hear more. highdesertranger

 

[offroad]

First understand wifi. 2.4ghz is the typical standard. It has interference from microwave ovens. Many channels overlap to cause some interference. Inherently it adjusts itself to find the best connection channel. But that does not always work.

Also there is 5ghz wifi. So much better but much shorter range. More channels. Less interference.

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Most routers that handle your connection can be poorly designed. Don't be surprised if you can see wifi signal but it can not see you for a connection request. Wifi Antenna inside phones-computer-tablet are a compromise shape.

 

[RogueRV2]

Highdersertranger,

There are tons of YouTube videos on these things. I also have the 24dbi parabolic antenna mounted on the RV roof. It is long range under the best 'line of sight' conditions, realistically 5 miles, maybe 8, and it is also good for shorter ranges caused by dense foliage. Of course the signal coming to you must also make it passed the trees. Because of the size and very narrow beam of only 7 degrees, I wonder if it is really practical for boon docking in general or even out on BLM land where wifi is simply too far away. Parked in a parking lot for free wifi would not require such a beast of antenna.

With all my radio antennas deployed, my rig looks like serious communications van. I figuring out how to tone it down a bit and retain the some of the capability. It really is too much, and it is more to move around...

 

[johnny b]

On a budget?

http://www.offgridworld.com/how-to-build-a-tin-can-wifi-antenna-for-5/

:idea:

 

[RogueRV2]

http://www.simplewifi.com/long-range-20dbi-panel-with-18-beamwidth.html
I'm using this tough and compact 12"x 12" 18dbi directional antenna with a 18 degree coverage with a 1 watt amplifier on a short 3 feet of LMR240 cable: http://www.simplewifi.com/alfa-1000mw-usb.html
You might get into this package for around $100, but instead of the 1 watt amplifier, I'd get the 2 watt amplifier. http://www.simplewifi.com/alfa-802-...apter-150mbps-realtek-rtl-8188ru-chipset.html

The 24dbi parabolic antenna is very large and bulky in comparison, and not stealthy at all. It screams look at me, this is a microwave antenna! The reception however may prove to be worth it, but only if you have the space and are not concerned with stealth. It does break down into a smaller package and is very light weight.

For $32 I'm going to get a 2 watt amplifier that should also be compatible with Windows 8. This way I will double my signal strength and improve upload speeds, and have the old 1 watt amp as a back up. This means that the 18dbi compact tile style antenna perform abut half as well as the 24dbi parabolic using only the 1 watt amplifier. However it is not just about sending a signal, one must have a good antenna TO RECIEVE a signal, and this is where the 24dbi parabolic may perform better. It is like a giant sets of ears and can collect a weak signal.

One must be careful with these antennas as the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is actually beyond safe limits and some combinations of radio amplifiers and high gain antenna output is considered illegal by the FCC. I believe the safest and most powerful legal combination is the 2 watt amp and the 18dbi tile antenna. I would mount the 24dbi antenna about 15 feet high to avoid folks who may walk in front of one of these antennas. This is what Ham Radio operators do with their antennas. Mounting the antenna up high and away from people is necessary as one is generating intense microwave radiation. You might cook a hot dog or gray matter with one of these things....

Here's the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) for each of the combinations I've mentioned:

1 watt amp with 18dbi antenna....38 watts
2 watt amp with 18dbi antenna....77 watts
1 watt amp with a 24dbi antenna....153 watts
2 watt amp with a 24dbi antenna....306 watts

In comparison, your cell phone is generating around 1/4 of one watt. When placed against your head during a long conversation, the temperature inside the head has been measured to increase in temperature about 1 degree F. Even a low power cell phone is doing damage and creating tumors. A cell phone is an 800Mhz radio. The wifi is a 2.4Ghz radio signal, a true microwave generator. 306 watts of power out of a 24dbi antenna is about 1/3 the power of a 1000 watt microwave oven. Please be careful with the highly directional 24dbi antennas and mount them at least 15 feet above the ground or where no one will stand in front of them. The 18dbi antennas should be mounted up higher as well. Perhaps 10 feet up would be good enough. Used on a van, I would mounted it outside or temporarily lean the antenna mast, perhaps a 3/4 inch pipe, several feet above the roof line so that it can be rotated 360 degrees. One could also just set it in the front window and point it toward a likely good target. This information is not usually discussed and should be. Thanks for listening.

 

[LowTech]

Thanks, nice write up.

I sometimes use a cheap vers of that set up, mag mount antenna, cabled to a USB style wifif adapter. That tends to be too far from where I have my laptop, so I run a USBF to a USBM cable from the adapter to the lap. An older vers of these,
Antenna, Adapter

(Moderators note: at authors instruction, this is a corrected link to the antenna http://www.amazon.com/JEFA-Tech-Micro-Antenna-802-11b/dp/B006JPSSO0/)

When I'm around wifi it's usually close and that works well, but for me I rarely find it useful.
What I think is needed out west is how to get a better cell antenna. I have cell signal in loads of places that I'm not anywhere near buildings or wifi.

My handheld (phone) doesn't have any external antenna port, so other than sticking it in a can and aiming that what are my options? I also know that people use the MiFi type systems as well, can these be up-antenna'd?

 

[Willy]

Here: wokfi ..Willy.

 

[RogueRV2]

Hi Low Tech,
I started out with that adaptor and it in no way compares to the performance to the amplifer/antenna combinations mentioned. Of course any of these wifi boosters may be useless if one is mostly boon docking out in the boonies. But if you are in a camp ground, or in town, or elevated above and with in a few miles of a town, these high power wifi boosters, or even the smaller amplifier types can suck in the bandwidth making it much easier for one to find wifi without driving around, or parking in an awkward location. I gotta save money, so I might buy a prepaid 3G hotspot, but when near town I can get giga bytes for free. If you just want something smaller, easy to use, and less expensive, I would try one of these. It has good reviews and a larger external antenna can be attached later if you'd like even more performance:
http://adclick.g.doubleclick.net/ac...20&ascsubtag=4a251a2ef9bbf4ccc35f97aba2c9cbda

Here's a demonstration and review of the device by fellow RVer and YouTuber Nomadic Fanatic. He likes it:



Your mag mount antenna, btw, is not suited for wifi, as it is made for a different frequency other than 2.4Ghz that is typical of wifi. And sorry I do not know how to boost a signal for a cell phone. Glad you brought that up, cause there is probably someone out there that does know how to improve their cell phone's reception. I should try to find out...

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Hi Low Tech,

Love your the photo of your 'pick up'. Those are awesome vehicles! There is indeed a commercial made cell phone booster. I would not expect a home made version would be nearly as effective as one of these. Wilson is apparently one of the big manufactures and have making them for some years now. I'm thinking one of these might be good to have too:

 

[LowTech]

Yea, that wasn't really my antenna, just a mag mount I grabbed off the net , , , my bad w/ crappy info.
I did find this way of boosting 3G and 4G cell signals to a cell phone.
http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electr...sim_cps_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZBZ1PMZZHAAX6ZNCX8W
Haven't done any studying to see what would be the best balance between cost and functionality, or how well they work for data transfer, but now I understand the concept.

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This is the antenna that should be linked back there,
http://www.amazon.com/JEFA-Tech-Mic...r=1-1-catcorr&keywords=mag+mount+wifi+antenna

Maybe we can get a mod to change that link? . . . Please?

 

[RogueRV2]

Yes, that's it. That may be enough improvement, however I do know that an external antenna mounted as high as possible and under a metal ground plane such as the roof of a car, will far outperform any internal or 'built-in ' antenna. For example the cab on your Deuce and Half is metal. When you make a call, the radio signal is bounced around inside and some of it manages to make it to the cell tower. If you had an external antenna mounted on the rain gutter or much better yet, mounted in the center of cab roof with a ground plane all around the antenna, you'd get the most TX/RX possible. And being up so high above other vehicles, the signal will be even better. In the radio world, it is well known that 'height is might' when it comes to antennas. If the signal is weak, simply moving the vehicle to higher ground, say 15 to 50 feet or more higher than the average terrain, can make a huge difference. Because an external antenna is inherently far superior, I would consider any cell phone booster that offers an external antenna to be superior. Here's the one you found that comes with an external antenna. I should probably get one of these myself, but my budget tight right now....

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Oooops....here's the link that belongs to my post above:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect...FsKJcp82iITAllTOi7ycsnXiqUB8vGdEIagoTkICInEdr

 

[akrvbob]

If you want to add the topic of cell/data amplifiers then I've been using the Wilson Sleek for about 3 year now and love it. The device sits in a cradle and the cradle is an amplifier and comes with an antenna port. I get a minimum of 2 extra bars with it. Most devices should fit, I've used my Note 3 with it and its a big phone.

You want to get the latest model because it works with both 3g and 4g. Even if you are still just 3g, chances are sooner or later you will be 4g.
http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electronics-Sleek-4G-Packaging/dp/B00I9I67Z2

Bob

 

[RogueRV2]

Hi Bob,

Been reading and learning huge from all of your articles as I prepare to launch. I'll be applying for a camp ground host job....

Very good to get your experience and endorsement of this Wilson cell phone booster. I see the road out there as pretty lonely and I may need to pay the price to be on the internet as much as I would like to help me with the transition. The cell phone booster is apparently is very useful for yourself and helps you stay on top of the blog traffic as much as is possible from remote locations. I see that it could greatly expand one's ability to find suitable free camp sites.

I glean that you are not using an antenna? That you have an antenna port? Yet you are satisfied with the performance. I know from experience with radio and from building my own antennas, that an external antenna on a handheld radio, will make a huge difference.

 

[wagoneer]

haw haw willy,,,, gotta stop laughing OK,,, I WONDER IF A GARBAGE CAN LID WOULD WORK I got one laying around doing nothin. The plus being its got a handle on the back. OK gotta go change some oil on the beast now. 3 gallons.

 

[akrvbob]

I was just in a hurry, they come with a 4 inch magnetic antenna and with that on the roof it works great. I've switched to a Wilson Trucker antenna which comes with an adaptor to make it work with the Sleek. It's a big 30 inch antenna and you'd think it would make a big improvement but I barely see any difference at all. It's probably not worth the money.

I'm going to try to one of there flat directional antennas, I think once aimed it will show a big improvment, maybe another bar.
Bob

 

[wagoneer]

I am really thinking about "NO WIFI" and just adjust. I know this is not for everyone.

 

[RogueRV2]

If you can remember back when CB's where the hot thang, folks needed to have their antenna's 'tuned', or cut by someone with a meter. Your 30 inch trucker antenna might be a dual band antenna, and is not properly cut to the cell phone's frequency. A 800 Mhz antenna should be no more than 4 inches, and can be as short as once inch if it is a quarter wave, no gain antenna. Manufactures selling to radio aficionado's typically advertise an antenna for certain frequency range, but the buyer is expected to put it on an SVWR meter and adjust the length to suit their radio. This might explain why your trucker's antenna is not working well. The 4 inch antenna sold with a cell phone booster is likely already tuned for a cell phone's frequency range. I do not know about the directional antenna's sold for 800Mhz, but they should come tuned to the advertised frequency range and boast an SVWR of 1.1 to 1 , but no more than 1.5 to 1 for the particular frequency of your cell phone. You should call and ask before you buy if you are not confident. If the high gain directional antenna is marketed specifically for cell phone use, you'll probably be fine and enjoy an increase in range, because this type of antenna is already 'tuned' and set correctly for your frequency. An Omni -directional antenna may have to be 'tuned'. A high gain antenna, be it a directional or Omni -directional antenna, that has a gain of 6 dbi doubles the power out from the radio or cell phone. If the high gain directional antenna boasts a gain of 12dbi, it produces twice the power out as a 6 dbi antenna, however, being highly directional, the higher the gain, the more narrow or concentrated is the radio beam, therefore is it may be difficult to aim the antenna accurately at a cell tower to enjoy it's potential and optimal performance. It could be tricky to aim unless you know where that cell tower is, and can aim it within perhaps 18 to 30 degrees of it's actual location. I would not go any higher than about a 18dbi gain. An antenna with a 18dbi gain is highly directional, and has a radio beam width of only 18 degrees. An omni-directional antenna broadcasts everywhere, or 360 degrees. A high gain cell phone antenna of either type, directional or omni- directional, is probably the way to go, so I'll be looking into it. The high gain omni- would be the easiest to use, but it's gain will be less than the directional type. I would certainly like to have either, or both would be best. In the Ham radio world, is it known that it is not the radio, but the antenna that makes good communications possible.

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This source for a high gain directional antenna is promising. Looks like they know what they are doing and will help you choose the right antenna that will perform:

http://www.wpsantennas.com/high-gaindirectionalyagicellularandpcsantennas.aspx

 

[akrvbob]

The Trucker antenna is a cell phone antenna and not designed for anything else. I can't imagine needing to cut it to make it work right.
Bob