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The older Linksys WRT54G units are the best little boxes. They are
easy to modify (both hardware and software).
Unfortunately the newer model WRT54G's no longer run Linux and cannot
be modified in the same manner.
On 10/5/06, Jeremy White <> wrote:
> I second that approach. We have the WRT-54G up the mast now, using
> power-over-ethernet, and can see quite far. I am using it as I type this
> email.
>
> It is really the only cost effective approach that I have found.
>
> -Jeremy White
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> [mailto:] On Behalf Of Jim
> Richardson
> Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 7:33 PM
> To:
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: lv-ab: wireless internet
>
> On Fri, 2006-09-29 at 11:53 -0400, wrote:
> > ok guys being a total numptie with these matters can i explain my
> > needs and see if you can make some suggestions on what i can buy (i
> > dont wish to get into building anything - unless it is very very
> > simple) and how to configure the bits and pieces - i am an engineer
> > but know little about wireless etc - just assume i have arrived from
> > mars please.
> >
> > Question is for say $100/200 can i extend the range of my laptop WiFi
> > so that i dont have to take it ashore to the wireless hot spot - lets
> > assume i am going to be at anchor about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile away?
> >
> Yes, with several caveats.
>
> The basic idea is to take a wifi gateway, like a Linksys WRT54-GL, then
> reflash the firmware, put it up the mast. Connect your laptop's *wired*
> ethernet port to the gateway, and use that as your route to wireless
> nirvana. Obviously, this is a little more technical that most folks are
> comfortable with. But if you want directions on how to do this. A great
> place to start is <www.openwrt.org>
>
> There's not much you can do to the laptop. Even if your wireless card
> has an external antenna connection (most don't) you don't get much with
> a direction antenna in the cabin. Too close to the water. In the
> cockpit, you might get a bit more, but 1/2mile is really optimistic for
> anything other than a parabolic or tuned horn, and those are unwieldy at
> best.
>
> Remote mounting a gateway high up, maybe with a patch or colin antenna
> will do what you want. But it requires a fair bit of technical knowhow.
> Either yours, or someone who'll do it for beer :) Check out the local
> college campus for wifi nuts, you might be able to hook up with someone
> who'll be able to help there.
>
> > We are sailing in the BVI's (where there are lots of free WiFi spots
> > as well as a crazy paid for one that charges you by the day not by
> > usage) not in some marina so we will generally be at anchor which i
> > think means a unidirectional antenna
> >
> > If so what do i need to buy - and from where - i am sure i can connect
> > all the bits and bobs with a bit of basic instruction. I need a PCMIA
> > card as the Laptop has built in WiFi.
> >
> > thanks in anticipation
> >
> > David
> >
> > In a message dated 29/09/2006 07:06:22 GMT Daylight Time,
> > writes:
> > On Thu, 2006-09-28 at 22:42 -0400, Ron Rogers wrote:
> > > Except, you need to use heavy coax cable to prevent signal
> > loss over
> > > extended distances. Locating and installing such cable is
> > difficult and the
> > > cable is expensive. That is why several correspondents have
> > mentioned
> > > devices that employ 16' USB cables or remote antennas with
> > co-located amp
> > > which then connect via cable. The latter hardware is
> > expensive.
> >
> >
> > POE, power over ethernet. CAT5E cable has 4 pairs of wires.
> > You use 2
> > pairs for the ethernet traffic to the router, and 2 pairs for
> > a low
> > voltage AC or DC power line (20v is common) and
> > rectify/regulate at the
> > router on the mast. You put the router in a sealed enclosure,
> > and run
> > the single ethernet cable up the mast. (inside preferred of
> > course) and
> > Bob's your mothers brother.
> > You can use a cheap wireless router like an WRTG-54GL for
> > about $50. Add
> > in about $25 for the antenna, and another $50 for enclosure,
> > cable, and
> > sundries, and you're done.
> >
> > If you use POE, bear in mind that the RJ45 connectors are not
> > waterproof, and need some sealing, and that they are only
> > moderately
> > secure. The little tabs break off after a while, and they can
> > be yanked
> > out. So running the cable into the enclosure, into a loop, and
> > then
> > clamped in the position it needs to connect to the router is a
> > good
> > idea.
> >
> > None of this is going to extend your range beyond a mile or
> > two, if
> > that. Unless you add power, or are willing to trade much more
> > directonality (and thus, lose signal when you move more than a
> > tiny
> > bit.)
> >
> > You're right on the RF cable issue, especially at low power,
> > with high
> > freqs. The line losses would make putting the antenna up on
> > the masthead
> > a losing proposition from the power standpoint. But POE turns
> > that on
> > it's head. More vulnerable in a lightning strike of course,
> > but if
> > lightning strikes my boat, internet connectivity isn't my
> > biggest
> > concern.
> >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Jim Richardson" <>
> > > |
> > > | Also, the higher up you put the antenna, the better for
> > this.
> > >
> > >
> > --
> > Jim Richardson <>
> > Erisian Claw
> >
> >
> ___________________________________________________________________________
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> >
> >
> --
> Jim Richardson <>
> Erisian Claw
>
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>
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