WIFI ideas???

[Frank]

Any ideas for ongoing WIFI in the Bahamas (Abacos)? I know the spots where it can be accessed..all are a distance away...but we're looking to get it at the cottage and its not available. Has anyone heard of a satelite stick or something that works? Looking for ideas.

Thanks

[hearsejr]

 I checked in to hughs net, but they only offer 200 meg bytes a daY...plus they costed too much.

[Tim]

Frank probably satellite is going to be the only way down there, assuming you can find an installer or do it yourself.

From Hughes I can get there minimum service for around $70/month although I am now on their "Pro"for about $80 which let's me take about 300 megs a day which still doesn't mean you can watch streaming movies or anything.

How far away from a hot spot are you? You can get antennas that will get you up to 5 miles or so line of sight.

[Frank]

it's that "line of sight" thing thats the problem. I'd need a 150+ ft tower. It would be easy if not for the hills and trees on the bay behind me. I was just on Hughes net site....USA only :-(

[Capt. Tony]

Scrap the WIFI and enjoy the surroundings, Frank.  I think I understand the desire but check it against the need.  Damned right I'm jealous ;D

[CapnK]

Maybe fly down a Professional Consultant who could get things set up for you?

;D ;D ;D

Or, a cheaper way with less hangover possibility ;) - if you know someone on the other end of your island, or another island that is line-of-sight, that you can befriend well enough to share their 'net subscription costs, you could make yourself an inexpensive yagi antenna (http://www.ab9il.net/wlan-projects/wifi6.html)...

Google for more info, there is lots of it out there, some people do long range wifi as a hobby and get miles and miles of range from commercial consumer gear that you can whip up yourself following their plans. Check these words for search terms:  yagi , cantenna, long range wifi

There is software named DD-WRT that will let you turn a regular router into a high power repeater bridge that could help also.

Capt T has a good point as well. ;D

[hearsejr]

 I got an idea!!!!! go steal one of those small balloons from a car lot, connect a antenna to it and a bout 150' of cable to it and let'er rip..lololololol

[Frank]

There is wifi about 1/2 mile behind me. The only problem is that darned 'line of sight' thing. The land goes up and has many tall pines. I have a clear shot across the sea of Abaco to Coopers Town....but they don't have wifi yet. I'm liking that balloon idea  ;D Capt. Tony has a point...but it's still nice to check e-mails or call home on skype. I'd pay for Capt K's flights  L O N G G G  before I'd agree to picking up his bar tab. I've seen that man in action. He is correct in calling himself a 'professional' drinker consultant   :o

Just checked out that yagi antenna.  Seems easy to make. What is the manufactured peace on the end that it is wired into?

[Captain Smollett]

Frank, just a reminder that there are powered antenna solutions available for less $100...these give ranges of 3-5 miles. For $150, you go upwards of 15+ miles.

Not saying the passive route is not worth looking into, just presenting full range of options.

[hearsejr]

Frank, just a reminder that there are powered antenna solutions available for less $100...these give ranges of 3-5 miles. For $150, you go upwards of 15+ miles.

Not saying the passive route is not worth looking into, just presenting full range of options.

I'd be interested in the 15 mile range thing.  could ya give me an idea about who I could talk with and find out how and what I need to get it set up on my boat?

  as for the pine trees...what if you got some kid to climb it and mount and antenna on a small pole attached it to the tree with clamps that could be removed if need be. that'll be like a free tower. lol.

[Captain Smollett]

I'd be interested in the 15 mile range thing.  could ya give me an idea about who I could talk with and find out how and what I need to get it set up on my boat?

Here ya go..  Actually, range is closer to 30 miles (I had misremembered). 

[hearsejr]

 hhhhuuummm that's a Little over my head. I was thinking that the stuff I seen on that site was more long the lines of a fixed ground type antenna, and the movement of a boat on the water would make it hard to keep a signal. of course I might be totally wrong!

[Captain Smollett]

hhhhuuummm that's a Little over my head. I was thinking that the stuff I seen on that site was more long the lines of a fixed ground type antenna, and the movement of a boat on the water would make it hard to keep a signal. of course I might be totally wrong!

Here's the one I, and quite a few others, use (from the same company) aboard.

Nano Station.

Any WiFi antenna you use to get over a couple hundred feet is going to be directional.  That bunches of people on boats (anchored/alongside) use them is pretty good evidence that it's not that big of a problem.  The beam width on the Nano Station, for example, is wide enough to allow some slop in alignment (i think it's 20 degrees or thereabouts).

[hearsejr]

Hey ..thats about what I was looking for. I think I kow what I'm getting after Christmas! lololol

[missinglink]

You could check with OII  http://www.abacoinet.com/  and see what they have to offer.

For closer WIFI I have a 1000mw ALPHA WIFI USB Adapter that works Great!

[hearsejr]

 I'm not smart enough tyo understand this stuff, so I'll have to get someone to walk me trough it. lol.

[maxiSwede]

Here's the one I, and quite a few others, use (from the same company) aboard.

Nano Station.

Any WiFi antenna you use to get over a couple hundred feet is going to be directional.  That bunches of people on boats (anchored/alongside) use them is pretty good evidence that it's not that big of a problem.  The beam width on the Nano Station, for example, is wide enough to allow some slop in alignment (i think it's 20 degrees or thereabouts).

Actually I think it's 60 degrees. We've used the Nano Station 2 -thanks to Cap'n Smollett's recommendation here - for a year and a half, and more thn 500 days (and a few nights too) and we are very satisfied with it.

In rolly anchorages it can be  bit 'on/off' which is more of a disturbance than yawing for it's performance.

Picked up wifi signals > 3 miles off quite a few times