Antenna and Amplifiers for Weak WiFi Signals

VoodooMedicineMan wrote:
I use an Alfa. I'm going to add an external antenna.

I have been using this with an external antenna for years.
Can't beat it for the price.

I use the Alfa 2-watt amplifier and the 18db enclosed yagi tubular antenna. I have no db figures to offer but the gain over the Alfa and 12 db whip antenna is insane. No bars to 5 bars. I found out the hard way that De-Oxit D100 is virtually indispensable to gain decent amplification. Am I ever happy with this system! But get the DeOxit! It is not a gimmick. Use it everywhere.

Summary of the Ubiquiti equipment

Loco M2 8dBi $47
Airgateway $19
Window mount $25
2 cables $16
Optionally:
Nano M2 11dBi $87 - 2x gain from the Loco
Airgateway LR $28

The Bullet option:
Bullet-M2-HP $72
Yagi WiFi 17 dBi $30 on Amazon - 4x gain from the Nano
Plus the above gateway and cables

The bullet option still need further research (for me) to be sure that the cables are compatible (or adapters are available) and understand the software setup. Plus how and where to mount the equipment. My options are to use the Flagpole Buddy mount at the rear of the rig or a more permanent mount on the Batwing.

Heaven forbid that I've helped hijack my own thread!

I've gotten a lot of good input on options to pick up weaker external WiFi and thank you everyone. And with my own WiFi network it's even better. It's really nice to be wire free these days, no LAN or USB cables. Now technology just get rid of the power cords to the laptops...

docj wrote:

cpaulsen wrote:

which gives me wifi thru Verizon.

No, you're not getting wifi through Verizon. What you're getting is internet access via the cellular network. You may choose to set up a wifi network within your RV using a phone's hotspot or a Jetpack device but that's completely independent of what you get from Verizon.

Words do matter.

Not using a hotspot...just the jetpack sitting in the Wilson Sleek cradle.. and everything is thru Verizon

From the website and they show a picture of a Yagi:

Connect the Bullet™M to any existing antenna with an N-type female connector to create an airMAX® basestation.

So I'm thinking Yagi and Bullet directly behind it with the Yagi attached to the Batwing. It would lay flat, then raise and rotate. It would be long at about 3' but not a lot of windage so maybe OK?

Jim,

Maybe we can put our heads together on this over at Rigatoni's. We'll be home for a few days on 9/13 or so. Maybe longer as Cummins will be replacing a sheared turbo bolt - long story.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
CA Traveler is muddying the waters a bit as well.

I think he is just trying to clarify the difference as some of the responders don't seem to understand the OP's original question.

I use the Nano Station M2 and it is great but I also would like a stronger external antenna. I have a TP Link Parabolic antenna but it is much too large to carry for occasional use.

This is interesting: Ubiquiti BULLET-M2-HP Outdoor 802.11 B/G/N M2HP $72 Amazon
It connects directly to the antenna (no cable) and apparently that can include a Yagi or any antenna with the correct mating connector. So now we've gone from the Loco M2 at 8dBi to the Nano M2 at 11 dBi to the Bullet at 15 dBi with a 15 dBi antenna. The bullet also has a built in signal strength meter. Perhaps you see it on the computer screen? That could be handy to tune in the signal.

Note: The $72 is just for the Bullet and not the additional parts.

Well I thought I was clearer than mud. :R But I'm watching them dredge the slip where I keep my boat and everything is very muddy down there. So apparently I got real mud mixed up with WiFi mud. :h

So I'll try to keep crystal clear radio waves separated from harbor mud that hasn't been dredged for 17 years.