I was reading post regarding wireless routers with external antenna. My laptop has an internal antenna which works well here at the house.
Now the question. I have a Linksys wireless G router for my home, would taking this in the RV and hooking (wired) my laptop to it help my wifi reception in the campgrounds? In other words, does it work both ways? Or is there some other device that I would need in order to better pick up the wifi signals?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
My best,
Helperzack
’07 Coachmen Mirada 310DS
Counting my blessings with my high school sweetheart.
3 kids, 39 foster kids(not all at once) 2 boys currently
Do you have room for a child? Consider fostering/adopting a child. Thousands of children are in need of a loving family.
i've got a similar setup in my home. We use the Linksys wireless router to provide a wireless network in the house, but the router is connected to the DSL modem by a cable. In that configuration, the router is receiving the DSL signal by cable, then transmitting it wirelessly to the computers. What you're describing sounds like it would be configured in an opposite manner (i.e. receive an internet signal wirelessly from somewhere, then transmit it by cable to your computer). Not sure it could be used in that manner, but i'm interested in finding out.
Your current router wouldn't help you unless you have a broadband Internet connection in the campground where you could connect it. If you are trying to connect to the campground WiFi, then your built in laptop antenna would work if you were in line of sight and relatively close to the campground antenna. I too have a laptop with a built in WiFi, and often couldn't connect to the local WiFi as we traveled. As far as I know, there isn't a way to directly hook an external antenna to your laptop's built in WiFi, but you can buy a WiFi adapter with an antenna, that you can plug into your USB port on the laptop. There are a variety of these available at many prices. I bought a WiFi USB adapter with a 10 DBI gain directional antenna. This works very well for me even when others can't connect. Mine is an indoor antenna, which isn't a problem because my MH is fiberglass and the signal will pass right through it. The signal will not pass through metal, such as aluminum cladding, and you must still be pretty much in line of sight to the campground antenna. I also have to aim my directional antenna to get the best signal. Some of these adapters use an omnidirectional indoor or outdoor antenna, and they all pretty much come with the necessary software to use them. The idea is that you would shut off the built in WiFi and use the adapter instead. You can look online at your favorite sites. Hawkins makes good ones, but they are a little pricey. You might want to check out any of your camping neighbors that use one to see what brand they have and how it works.
We gave up trying to get campground WiFi's to work so we went with Verizon and using their cell phone and a cable and $60 per month we are able to access the internet anywhere there is a cell. Unlimited data transfer and doesn't affect the voice minutes.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
What you are describing is called a Bridge, a Wireless Ethernet Bridge to be more precise. A Bridge does the opposite of a router.
A router takes a wired signal and makes it wireless. A Bridge takes a wireless signal and makes it wired.
Bridges are a great way to get good signal in an RV park Wi-Fi hotspot, BUT they require some geekiness in order to configure them. Most of them need to be reconfigured for every different hotspot.
Chris Guld
"Blessed are the Flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape!"
Full time in our 30' Safari Class C with Datastorm
See our weblog/travelog, at GeeksOnTour.Blogspot.com RV.net Blogger
I think Chris hit it on the head. I have found a Hawking available and planning to pick it up. Head out on Wednesday for a 2 week fun trip to Tennessee. Hopefully I can find some networks there to log onto.
chrisguld wrote: What you are describing is called a Bridge, a Wireless Ethernet Bridge to be more precise. A Bridge does the opposite of a router.
A router takes a wired signal and makes it wireless. A Bridge takes a wireless signal and makes it wired.
Bridges are a great way to get good signal in an RV park Wi-Fi hotspot, BUT they require some geekiness in order to configure them. Most of them need to be reconfigured for every different hotspot.
I have a WET54G Linksys Wireless Bridge that drives a Linksys WRT54G Wireless router in our fifth wheel. In addition I have a highly directional 9db gain antenna mounted on top of the TV antenna. The system works great, but just as Chris has stated it does take a bit of geekiness to make it work and to set it up for each individual park. Kind of a fun thing to play with if you like doing things like that. The nice thing about it is the ability to pull in more distant hotspots so I can usually get a signal from some direction in most any location and if necessary bootleg in a connection.
But the simplest and best answer I have seen for the typical RVer is the Hawking directional antenna that plugs into the usb port. I would suggest that one use a usb extension cord and place the antenna on top of the rig with the lead running through a window for the very best operation. That of course can't be used in rainy weather.
Driver & Mechanic: Tom
Navigator and Accountant: Wanda
2002 GMC 2500 HD 4 X 4 8.1 Liter Vortec/Allison
2000 SunnyBrook Mobile Scout
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