Like many, Internet connectivity can be an elusive part of being on the road. While there are many work arounds available, I wanted the same "wire free" solution I have at home.
JefaTech "long range" WiFi Repeater has been mentioned in passing before, so I wanted to report back on my installation experience.
Overall the installation straight forward and takes about 1.5 hours to get operational. I chose to mount the 8.5 db omni directional antenna on my current Winegard Sensar TV antenna. This has the advantage of laying flat when underway yet raising to 4' above the roofline when the TV antenna is cranked up. It is also a simple install with one "U bolt" used to attach the WiFi antenna to the TV antenna mast. The coax cable is lead through a water tight fitting in the roof and comes out behind the Entertainment Center on my Jayco Seneca 34SS.
The "repeater" is a modified version of the Linksys WRT54G WiFi Router and this unit sits on a shelf behind one of the Entertainmeent Center's cabinet doors. Everything is out of site which is always good newa for my DW. (A dab of clear silicone on each of the feet, keeps the repeater in place.) Here are some pictures of the installation.
Click Here then press SPACEBAR to start and stop the slideshow.
The initial one time setup for the repeater is well explained in the manual provided and takes only 15 minutes. That's it!
From now on when I arrive at a campground offering WiFi, but as often happens it is "out of range", all I have to do is crank up the TV antenna, turn on the repeater, select the campground signal that the outside antenna receives, and connect to the Jefatech repeater wirelessly from my laptop.
With this device I create my own "WiFi Hotspot" (just like Starbucks) that is useable anywhere inside or outside the coach. No antennas to rig or cart about, no cables to connect.....WiFi at your finger tips, just like at home.
I also meant to set up a diy WiFi Repeater, but haven't yet had the time to do so. I just recently located a refurbished Linksys WRT54G, none of my old routers were compatible, and intend to flash the router myself. You can download the necessary files at DD-WRT. A database of supported routers can be found here. More info. can be found at What Is DD-WRT?.
1942 wrote: I also meant to set up a diy WiFi Repeater, but haven't yet had the time to do so. I just recently located a refurbished Linksys WRT54G, none of my old routers were compatible, and intend to flash the router myself. You can download the necessary files at DD-WRT. A database of supported routers can be found here. More info. can be found at What Is DD-WRT?.
Thanks for providinng a cheaper alternative for accompishing the same thing. I thought about taking the same route, but in the end having everything in one kit with technical support for questions, won out over the better price.
Jefa tech is an expensive version of what you can do for less money yourself. You can buy the router already flashed on ebay. I picked one up for $20, Jefa tech also gives you a cheap antenna with not much gain. Again, you can get a better antenna, router and wiring on ebay. You just have to select the items yourself rather then have them put them all in a box for you.
creeper wrote: Jefa tech is an expensive version of what you can do for less money yourself. You can buy the router already flashed on ebay. I picked one up for $20, Jefa tech also gives you a cheap antenna with not much gain. Again, you can get a better antenna, router and wiring on ebay. You just have to select the items yourself rather then have them put them all in a box for you.
where did you get one for $20?
can I buy one?
I thought JeFa made good antennas I don't recall anyone complaining.
this sounds like what I need what company did you get your router from?
creeper wrote: Jefa tech is an expensive version of what you can do for less money yourself. You can buy the router already flashed on ebay. I picked one up for $20, Jefa tech also gives you a cheap antenna with not much gain. Again, you can get a better antenna, router and wiring on ebay. You just have to select the items yourself rather then have them put them all in a box for you.
I also would like links to these better and cheaper products, because i'm gonna be needing them for our property. Thanks
Fred & Jodie, dogs, Zoey & Mika
RIP Bella
2010 F150 5.4, 3.55, 4x4, Equli-z-er Hitch
2007 Forest River Salem 27RB LE
and
2009 Nomad 3980
creeper wrote: Jefa tech is an expensive version of what you can do for less money yourself. You can buy the router already flashed on ebay. I picked one up for $20, Jefa tech also gives you a cheap antenna with not much gain. Again, you can get a better antenna, router and wiring on ebay. You just have to select the items yourself rather then have them put them all in a box for you.
I also would like links to these better and cheaper products, because i'm gonna be needing them for our property. Thanks
Ditto.....Hey Creeper, help a brother out; can you give us the links to a set-up you would recommend? Thanx!
If you keep an eye on ebay you will see guys dumping lots of used Linksys routers with DD-WRT on them. I bought 2 off ebay, one new buffalo for $50 and 1 used Linksys for $20. 1 goes in the RV and one I use for to extend my wifi set up in my house and for my Dish network DVR. When companies upgrade their routers you will find people dumping them with DD-WRT on them as the DD-WRT is what ups the value on them. I could have bought a dozen at $20. You just have to keep an eye out for them.
Don't use the Newer Linksys routers are you can not use an external antenna unless you modify it.
pete42 wrote:
I thought JeFa made good antennas I don't recall anyone complaining.
this sounds like what I need what company did you get your router from?
Jefa isn't making the antennas, they are just selling the same Chinese antennas everyone else is. All jefa is doing is Flashing the routers putting the stuff in a box and shipping to you for $165.... $220 if you want the 15db antenna.
What are you getting?
A DD-WRT flashed router. The link I provided you can get the router shipped for $41
You're getting 25' of cable... Link provided you get 30 feet for $5
That's a total of $106. The same set up from Jefa Tech would be $220 and you would only get a 15db antenna.
If you bought the 8.5 dbi antenna from Jefa for $47 then purchasing the items yourself separately it would be a whopping $93... IF the tech support is worth $60 to you then go for it. But, setting up the router is the hardest part, but DD-WRt has instructions online. It's up to you and your level of comfort with these things.
So it's up to you. $165 from jefa tech or $93 for the same set up or$106 with a MUCH higher gain antenna. Either way your saving a bunch, you could take the saved money and buy a directional antenna for those times you really need to reach to a wifi access point.
I just don't like paying for someone putting something in a box and calling it a kit.
Look on EBAY for a router that has been flashed w/DD-WRT upgrade. Ask any specific questions with the seller before bidding. You can find the EBAY listings here.
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