Forum Discussion

msiminoff's avatar
msiminoff
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2016

The Perfect Long Range WiFi Setup?

For some time now (been on the road for 95 days) I have been looking for a way to get my family and I connected to distant WiFi networks. I do have the ability to teather to my cell phone which is fine for checking email etc, and I love the LTE connection speed...but up/downloading large files (and kids games) has twice pushed me over my 10gig limit :(

As we all know that WiFi is king when it comes transferring large files and streaming video. So I checked with a friend who is responsible for the wireless network at a very big outdoor event and he steered me to the products from Ubiquiti. I selected their NanoStation M2 antenna/radio and an airGateway WiFi access point. The two devices cost me just $108 in total (+tax).

The NanoStation features an 11dB gain antenna and a high power radio. When paired with another similar antenna it has a potential range of several miles (well aimed, clear line of sight, no obstructions, etc). The airGateway is a super-compact access point which basically gives the TC it's own secure hot-spot that the whole family can join. We even have our printer and AirPort Express on the network.

I'm not a networking wiz' so the initial configuring of the network settings was a challenge and it took me quite a while to get it working right. But now that it's set up, re-connecting to any other WiFi network is a snap.

When parked close to another access point the NanoStation can stay inside the TC, pointed in the general location of the other antenna. Longer range requires outdoor mounting. I'm still playing around with possible mounting schemes and will probably make a simple PVC pipe mount that attaches to my ladder. At the moment the NanoStation is zip-tied to a short length of PVC pipe and attached to my batwing antenna with a Velcro strap. As I type this I am ~1200 ft from the park's (Bahia Honda State Park) WiFi antenna.


This is a close-up of the NanoStation.


Velcro strapped to my batwing.


This shows the airGateway (small box) plugged into the POE power supply (larger box).

Hope this is useful to some of you.
Cheers,
-Mark
Truck Campers
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2016
    sorry, I should have been more specific. I was talking about the passive POE injectors discussed earlier. I'd like to be able to use it without being plugged in to AC. Don't really want to run it off an an inverter
  • Hemi_Joel's avatar
    Hemi_Joel
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2016
    the Ubiquiti NanoStation locoM2 comes with a POE.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EGI3CI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

    Mine is supposed to be here today, and in about 2 weeks I will be installing and testing it. I am a total dummy when it comes to computer tech, so we will see what happens. I'll let you know.
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2016
    Hemi Joel wrote:
    Naio wrote:
    So does this mean that if a person only has one device they only need the NanoStattion?


    That's a good question. I was wondering the same thing. I ordered the airgateway anyway. Because I figured that without it, the cat 5 cable from the nanostation would have to be plugged into the computer. (but I could be wrong) I use a laptop and move around, so wireless is more convenient.


    That would work but you'd have to have it plugged in to the LAN port. I'm not sure if the Nanostation can broadcast a wifi network at the same time it's connecting to an external network but even if it could you'd only get a decent signal in front of it because of the directional antenna.

    These are all guesses until I can get the equipment to test it.

    PS: what POE injector are you guys ordering?

    PSS: also I'm thinking of doing a hard install of this in my camper and then just adding a RJ45 faceplate in my waterproof 'service bay'. It would then be easy to hook up the Nanostation when necessary. Are there any issues with this? ie. can I use normal faceplates and punchdown plugs with POE?
  • Hemi_Joel's avatar
    Hemi_Joel
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2016
    Naio wrote:
    So does this mean that if a person only has one device they only need the NanoStattion?


    That's a good question. I was wondering the same thing. I ordered the airgateway anyway. Because I figured that without it, the cat 5 cable from the nanostation would have to be plugged into the computer. (but I could be wrong) I use a laptop and move around, so wireless is more convenient.
  • Hemi_Joel's avatar
    Hemi_Joel
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2016
    I went ahead and ordered from amazon, using a free trial of amazon prime to get free 2 day shipping. Nanostation for 47.38, airgatway for 21.85 and a flat 25' cat 6 cable for 9.49.
    It is supposed to get here by Friday. I hope I can make it work!
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2016
    I was responding to the cellular discussion on the previous page of this thread.

    So does this mean that if a person only has one device they only need the NanoStattion?
  • Rbertalotto's avatar
    Rbertalotto
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2016
    Amazon is not the seller I believe....Be careful...It states in the picture

    "Products may be different from picture and subject to change without notice"
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2016
    It looks like Amazon sells both pieces as a package for a great price, wish they'd ship to me :(

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0160DFNDE/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_d0_g504_i1_sh

    I see they also have an airGateway with an antenna that may improve your range, but probably not necessary within an RV, especially a TC.

    It also seems to me that the airGateway wouldn't strictly be necessary, you could also use an old router, but it is a nice unit how it snaps into the existing POE block.
  • msiminoff's avatar
    msiminoff
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2016
    Hemi Joel wrote:
    Would this package (ebay link below) work with my truck camper? Do I need some kind of cables to hook everything together?

    Hi Joel,
    That is the right antenna (NanoStattion), but it doesn't include the access point (airGateway)... Be sure you get both. In addition, you will need 2 cat5 ethernet cables. I used a 3-footer and a 25' flat one to sneak through an open window.

    Daveyuhas- You can always do a software reset if you can't access the reset button... although I have yet to need to reset mine.

    Naio- Interesting, but this thread is about wifi connections... not cellular.

    hedge wrote:
    ?..it seems to me that he has essentially a router behind a router which will result in double nat'ing the traffic. Will work fine with normal browsing but you'd be unable to do an port forwarding or UPNP required by games or such. It seems to me you should be able to just set the m2 as an AP..

    Although I haven't tried, I do think that the NanoStation can be used as a PtP connection to avoid the double-nat'ing. The benefit of adding the ($20) airGateway is that it gives me a secure wireless network for all of my devices.

    Cheers,
    Mark
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2016
    I watched the video, it seems to me that he has essentially a router behind a router which will result in double nat'ing the traffic. Will work fine with normal browsing but you'd be unable to do an port forwarding or UPNP required by games or such. It seems to me you should be able to just set the m2 as an AP.

    I've been checking these devices out and I really would like to get a set to play with but it's pretty expensive to get it up here in Canada.

    As far as the reset button, not sure why that is a big issue. It's rarely used as you can do a hard reset from the software via a browser... unless I'm missing something.

    PS, please don't complain about your data rates lol, we pay through the nose for data up here.

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