stevelv
FullTimers at Last!
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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I have spent many months trying to find the best allround solution for getting WiFi service into the RV including custom routers, bridges etc and I have just come across the best solution bar none!
It's a Long Range USB adaptor ($50) and a Super Cantenna ($40).
We are at 1000 Trails in Las Vegas and anyone who has stayed here knows just how bad the WiFi service is, only available by sitting outside the store with a laptop.
I'm sitting here about 150 yards away from the store with the cantenna sat on the table inside the RV with a signal strength of -51 dBm. I'm seeing a 400kbps download and 250 kbps upload - totally unheard of.
In addition I have an active USB extender if I need it to move the unit outside to get even better signal strength.
The USB Adaptor is a high power 200mW unit from EnGenius and I bought it from www.newegg.com - the Super Cantenna came from Frys Electronics.
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tvme
Medina, Ohio
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Joined: 04/10/2007
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stevelv wrote:The USB Adaptor is a high power 200mW unit from EnGenius and I bought it from www.newegg.com - the Super Cantenna came from Frys Electronics.
Thanks. Any problems with the software (I had problems with the Hawking unit)? Can you still use your built in WIFI adapter if you go somewhere with good signal strength and don't want to bother with the external?
Bob
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Steve
Do I remember right that you previously rigged a router to boost a roof antenna and then send wifi to the MH interior? Checking on the Cantenna I see that is has 12dBi antenna gain. I went with a Wi-Fire with a 10 dBi antenna gain which I have posted before. I run a 15' USB cable to my computer with no problem. The antenna is on top of my Winegard TV antenna which I rotate to aim it. So far this has been a good solution for me. More gain is alway a plus. What length of USB cable are you using which requires a booster?
Jim Walker
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Joyce in NY
NY
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Does it work with Apple computers?
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shirlock1
McLean VA
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Does the antenna not plug into the laptop and that is why you need the usb extender? Or am I missing some reason for the usb adapter?
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Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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shirlock1 wrote:Does the antenna not plug into the laptop and that is why you need the usb extender? Or am I missing some reason for the usb adapter?
The USB adapter is the gizmo that provides the actual hookup to WiFi. It has a built in antenna but it's too weak to receive distant signals so you have to use an more powerful external antenna.
I don;t know of any laptops with built in WiFi that has a plugin for external antenna... would be nice though.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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When I was at TT LV they still had the Truckstop.net routers on line, of course they were not connected to anything, Are you saying they took those down but finally got their Verizon 2-way sat service up. (I was starting to wonder if Verizon was ever going to arrive and finish the install when I was there last)
Thankfully I bring my own Wi-Fi with me
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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Gdlow
Meridian Idaho
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stevelv wrote:
The USB Adaptor is a high power 200mW unit from EnGenius and I bought it from www.newegg.com - the Super Cantenna came from Frys Electronics.
Steve how does the USB from engenius do?
Gary And Cathy
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stevelv
FullTimers at Last!
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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1. No problems (for once) with the EnGenius software but Windows only - no Mac version unless they have one on their website.
2. Yes, I still have the bridge routers and flat panel antenna but this setup gives me better signal strength and is sitting inside the RV - I haven't needed to use the USB Extender at this point as the cantenna sits next to the laptop. It's a lot less cabling, hardware, hassle and $$$.
3. The 16' active USB extender will allow me to reposition the USB WiFi Adaptor and the Cantenna (it has a tripod adaptor) outside the RV if I need to get an even better signal.
4. Yes, TT LV have the Verizon 2 way system up and running but the repeaters appear to be switched on but not attached to anything so the only access point is in the store. We are along the back wall and have never been able to get on until now. We also have Sprint BB but as I use the Internet for work we need all bases covered.
5. The EnGenius adaptor works well on it's own and it's convenient to have the external antenna connector - it's the combination of it and the Cantenna that really pulls in the weak signals.
6. Yes you can switch between the laptop built in WiFi and the EnGenius at any time simply by Enabling and Disabling in the Control Panel - just don't try running both at the same time (it doesn't double your speeds LOL)
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Steve, I read your set-up to be that the EnGenius acts as a repeater which can use a high gain antenna. Is that correct?
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