Any recommendation for an external WiFi antenna for the Airstream? I need an omni-direcitonal with about 6-8dbi gain. I'd like a flexible whip antenna or one that can be mounted on a spring to keep clearance height down.
Any advice on mounting or on minimizing loss in the connectors/cables? I understand aluminum does make for such a good ground plane.
............Scott
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L
Raleigh, NC
Thanks John. That looks nice and at a reasonable price- difficult to tell but maybe not flexible? I've seen trucker type mouning springs - do those need a steel mounting plane?
.......Scott
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L
Raleigh, NC
Scott,
I don't think a mounting plate is needed. It LOOKS like there is a bracket which would mount on a mirror or some other "likely protruberance".
Also, look at: Maximum Performance Marine & RV WiFi Kit EPR 4 watts.
I think that set up would be the nuts for long distance wifi. I use a cell card from att/cingular myself. Great coverage with no limit on minutes for $2 per day.
I have an amp and trucker antenna as well. I've been using it on my E-350 van and am anxious to try it on my MH which I just bought and have not yet picked up. See my recent post in the new members forum.
John Wolfe - N2XBW
AIR 14867
'84 Excella 270
Any recommendation for an external WiFi antenna for the Airstream? I need an omni-direcitonal with about 6-8dbi gain. I'd like a flexible whip antenna or one that can be mounted on a spring to keep clearance height down.
Any advice on mounting or on minimizing loss in the connectors/cables? I understand aluminum does make for such a good ground plane.
............Scott
Forget WiFi, Get and Aircard for your Laptop from one of the nationwide broadband companys. They have plans now for 49 dollars. You can get internet anywhere you can get cell reception. Wifi is NOT safe, a broadband internet connection from a cellular company is very safe. With wifi anyone can pick up your messages...banking etc. Wifi is extremely unreliable and YOU CANNOT DO BILL PAYING OR BANKING. Too dangerous.
On another thread ( cell phone reception ) I covered the Radiolabs WaveRV external antenna and how I mounted it. It has worked great for us.
As far as WiFi being dangerous, I would suppose that all depends on what you do with it. For example, I have no problem using WiFi for contributing to this forum, internet searching, and ordinary email. Cellphone broadband can cost more than $49 (depending on your provider) and there are many areas where broadband is not available. Where not, WiFi can be much faster.
We use a Wave RV II wificard/antenna. It works great in campgrounds when the signal is weak at our site. We also use Alltel's Quick Link Mobile axcess through SuEllyn's cell phone. This costs $25.00/month for unlimited useage. We have found that we can get lower end broadband speed anywhere we can get a cell signal.
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
I do appreciate the info! I've been reading up on the links and am leaning toward setting up both WiFi and cellular wireless. I found some routers that support both.
I like the idea of the WaveRV keeping all the RF stuff outside the aluminum bubble .
As I study up on cellular wireless, all ideas for Wifi antennas are much appreciated!
...............Scott
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L
Raleigh, NC
I use Internet in motion high speed. information.com
It is for full timers due too cost, but never failed too hook up in three years and its fast and secure.
WiFi reliability depends on the provider. My Home (and trailer) WiFi is entirely reliable and secure. I don't know about your banks but all my banks use SSL encryption. All transactions including sign/sign-off are encrypted. No more or less secure then wired Internet. Having said that I would probably fire-up the host based firewall software in a coffee shop. Aircards are the way of the future but it is not quite there yet for me . Broadband based WiFi is still less expensive right now.
-Ken
__________________ 4CU Charter Member
1981 Excella 280 Turbo Diesel Motorhome
I generally find WiFi at camgrounds pretty iffy. Even with a good antenna, it all depends on signal. As soon as enough campers sign on the available broadband drops right off. Especially if someone tries to download video. At one camp they referred to the later practice as " strafing."
I seem to have a good one (Netgear),have to post more info Monday about it,as the box/specs are at work.
__________________
Brian,the proud (2nd) owner of aluminum 1986 '32 Airstream Argosy (Squarestream) #305 Rare? It's either the Hemi Cuda of all Airstream's,or their Edsel.
Forget WiFi, Get and Aircard for your Laptop from one of the nationwide broadband companys. They have plans now for 49 dollars. You can get internet anywhere you can get cell reception. Wifi is NOT safe, a broadband internet connection from a cellular company is very safe. With wifi anyone can pick up your messages...banking etc. Wifi is extremely unreliable and YOU CANNOT DO BILL PAYING OR BANKING. Too dangerous.
You have confirmed what my daughter said. Thanks. I will check out the aircard.
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