Forum Discussion

4x4FF's avatar
4x4FF
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014

Wifi antenna ideas

I am wanting to put a wifi antenna/repeater on my 5er. I already have the router and omi-antenna. I don't want to use the 'USB Solutions' because I am a techy redneck and want to have multiple devices connected easily hence with a repeater I will create my own wifi network that I can connect to the campgrounds wifi.
With that being said I an debating over where and how to mount the antenna. I have seen some who have mounted it to their crank up antenna and fished the wire to a cubby up front. I really like that idea but I can see fishing the wire to be a little problematic. There is no access to the 'attic' between the antenna crank and the cubby. Especially with the thicker antenna wire I think this would be difficult but I'm still open for suggestions.
My second idea is to mount a pvc pole on the rear ladder with a second pvc pole inside it that I can use to slide the antenna up and down. This approach makes sense to me because the entertainment center is in the rear of the coach and that is where I would prefer the router to be located. My concern is if I use the LMR400 cable for the antenna to avoid signal loss, where do I store the extra cable when I retract the antenna???

I've been perusing the net searching for ideas and am just not sure which route is best. I'm open for suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    I saw this setup and think it is brilliant the way it is mounted, as the antenna goes up and down with the TV antenna. Also if you are a little tech savvy, the router he bought for $150 is just an old Linksys WRT54G with a special firmware called DDWRT. If you google "DDWRT universal wireless repeater" it will give you instructions on how to configure a router just like the one in that blog. When configured, you plug it in and it starts looking for open WIFI and connects to it automatically, than it connects your wifi network thru it.

    I already have the router configured, I just need to buy the antenna and I have to figure out how to get the cable thru... maybe thru the Fridge vent???

    http://www.wheelestatervin.com/sweet-wifi-i-am-my-own-hot-spot
  • 4x4FF's avatar
    4x4FF
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    rwbradley wrote:
    I saw this setup and think it is brilliant the way it is mounted, as the antenna goes up and down with the TV antenna. Also if you are a little tech savvy, the router he bought for $150 is just an old Linksys WRT54G with a special firmware called DDWRT. If you google "DDWRT universal wireless repeater" it will give you instructions on how to configure a router just like the one in that blog. When configured, you plug it in and it starts looking for open WIFI and connects to it automatically, than it connects your wifi network thru it.

    I already have the router configured, I just need to buy the antenna and I have to figure out how to get the cable thru... maybe thru the Fridge vent???

    http://www.wheelestatervin.com/sweet-wifi-i-am-my-own-hot-spot


    That is one of the setups I was talking about but could be a pain to fish the wire. I have about 6-8ft to fish it through in the 'attic' and would have to cut a fair size access hole in the cubby. The LMR400 wire is about 1/2" thick and pretty stiff. I already have the antenna and have flashed my router with dd-wrt. (By the way...I got both for $35)

    Steve
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    (sorry to hijack) but I would be interested in any ideas on how to get the antenna cable thru. My last choice is drilling a 1/2" hole in my roof and than caulking it up. I have not looked but I thought the fridge vent on the roof may be an access into the void behind/above the fridge. From there I may be able to go thru to the shelf beside the fridge and mount the router there. the real question is when you take off the vent cover on the roof... what is actually there?
  • 4x4FF's avatar
    4x4FF
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    rwbradley wrote:
    (sorry to hijack) but I would be interested in any ideas on how to get the antenna cable thru. My last choice is drilling a 1/2" hole in my roof and than caulking it up. I have not looked but I thought the fridge vent on the roof may be an access into the void behind/above the fridge. From there I may be able to go thru to the shelf beside the fridge and mount the router there. the real question is when you take off the vent cover on the roof... what is actually there?


    Actually nothing. It is basically a flue but doesn't get super hot like a chimney. I have read where a lot of people ran wires down the fridge vent. That is not an option for me as my fridge is in a slide.

    Steve
  • Class_A_DP_1's avatar
    Class_A_DP_1
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    I have no advice for you but I am watching this thread cause it sounds like a great idea! My next step will be looking to see how big of an ordeal it is to load the DDWRT onto a Linksys.

    If you need to run a wire across a roof and then down through, they do make a moulded cover plate for such. You may already be aware of that.

    Great thread. My info search goes on.
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    Class A DP 1:
    It is not too hard to install. Just a few words of caution:
    1) you should be fairly comfortable with computers (but don't need to be a guru)
    2) the Linksys WRT54G is probably the best option as it has more ram than most (even new routers) and in its day it was one of the most common, making it easy to find on eBay
    3) make sure you follow the upgrade instructions to the letter and there are a number of versions of wrt54g (about 8 different versions)) so make sure you follow the instructions for the right version

    Here are the instructions for installing DD-WRT:
    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G/GL/GS/GX
    Here are the instructions for configuring for the RV:
    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Universal_Wireless_Repeater
  • 4x4FF's avatar
    4x4FF
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    Class A DP 1 wrote:
    I have no advice for you but I am watching this thread cause it sounds like a great idea! My next step will be looking to see how big of an ordeal it is to load the DDWRT onto a Linksys.

    If you need to run a wire across a roof and then down through, they do make a moulded cover plate for such. You may already be aware of that.

    Great thread. My info search goes on.


    Flashing a router with dd-wrt is super easy and takes all of 5 minutes. You just have to make sure you have the right build of dd-wrt. It is based on the model number of the router. There are a few steps to configure it but once again it is very easy. FWIW Jefatech.com sells a turnkey type system. The nice thing is they took a Linksys router, loaded dd-wrt on it and developed a nice interface for it to make it easier.

    Where is the moulded cover plate you were talking about??

    Steve
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    I don't know if this will work but in computer networking, most of the vendors make a self adhesive cable raceway in various sizes for running cable down concrete walls etc. I would bet Panduit LD3 (google it and look at the images) would do the trick. The only question I have is how would the self adhesive hold up on the roof.
  • 4x4FF's avatar
    4x4FF
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    I' not sure that will work for me. Here is what I have in mind if I do the ladder mount



    It would be telescoping. One PVC pole inside the other to raise and lower it.

    Steve

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