WiFi (not MiFi) installation

[wildebus]

Lots of people here are fans of the THREE data sims, which give 12GB over 12 Months, but I need more data then that for my requirements
I have a phone package that offers 16GB a month on BT Mobile. This uses the EE Network, but I have found coverage a bit too patchy on mobile networks and want to cover more bases for connectivity, so decided to install a Mobile WiFi setup to allow me to use local Free hotspots, BT Fon networks and other accessible systems such as McD's, Starbucks, O2, etc without having to go into the premises or park up outside someones house

The problem is that the amount of accessible wi-fi networks picked up by your average iPad network card is pretty small I find.
This is what I see on my Driveway ....
image_8 by David, on Flickr
So two networks apart from my own, and no public or accessible ones, such as BT Fon (I don't even see my own FON network outside )

Bought and setup an WiFi Booster (the Ubiquiti NanoStation) which can receive signals from a significant distance and boost them to it's own network, plus a WiFi Router.
This is the Booster, fitted in a temporary test location strapped to the headrest:
image_2 by David, on Flickr
And the WiFi router is another Ubiquiti product which clips neatly to the booster power unit so needs no seperate supply
image_6 by David, on Flickr
Opted for the LR (Long Range) Router rather then the standard 'internal' version as I want to be able to use the wifi outside the camper as well (at Festivals in my Marquee for example), so for the extra £12 or so, thought it worth the extra :dance:

Difference between iPad network card and Booster as far as visible networks go?
The first picture showed what the iPad found. The next picture shows what the NanoStation found when strapped to the headrest ...
image_5 by David, on Flickr
This unit also finds mobile hotspots as well as ordinary broadband, so it does mean if I enable my hotspot on the phone, I don't need to change the network the iPad is connected to to use it, just select it from the browser window that talks to the Booster


This is a directional radio aerial, so pointing in different directions will change signal strength and find additional/different networks. Also mounting externally will improve performance.

I rigged up a temporary mast support from a cut section of Awning Pole and tywrapped to my roof baset:
image_1 by David, on Flickr

Then tywrapped the unit to another Awning Pole which can drop into the support

For getting a potentially better range, more sections of the Poles can be fitted inbetween as well (the benefit of using these poles as a mast)
image_3 by David, on Flickr

Looking forward to use free WiFi out and about and save my Mobile Data for when no other option


UPDATE:

Moved the setup into my VW LT Camper and fitted a new mast support on the rear door
Aerial Mast - LT by David, on Flickr

This is what the Radio looks like mounted on the mast
Mounted on Mast - LT by David, on Flickr

Using same awning pole system as on the T5. The last picture shows the default height when using the mast and it clears the roof so can be used in any orientation, but I can again add sections to increase the height if need be.
I also need to replace the cable with a new black CAT5 Cable so it is not quite as obvious.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hey Well done you ! .
Sounds & looks BRILLIANT.., Too technical and way over my head, but have to say I will be looking fwd to your updates on how it performs.

 

[izwozral]

Is the booster the N2?

 

[wildebus]

Is the booster the N2?

It is indeed . The Loco M2 to be exact.

I think this is the same unit that Motorhomewifi sell as the iBoost when I looked at their website again (going on appearance, as no details specified for the iBoost)

 

[Wooie1958]

M2 not N2 :wave:

 

[wildebus]

M2 not N2 :wave:

Just checking you're awake


:wacko:

 

[iampatman]

The same kind of set up as offered by Motorhome WiFi but possibly a bit less expensive?
I have their WiFi booster system which finds lots of networks but most, obviously, require a password. Depending where we are in Europe we can sometimes obtain the password - Greece is good, Spain not too bad, Germany is usually problematic. But I've recently bought a Fonera box and connected it to a freind's router so that will give me access to the Fon network in Europe as well as the UK. These systems are also good for connecting multiple devices as you've mentioned.

Pat

 

[wildebus]

The same kind of set up as offered by Motorhome WiFi but possibly a bit less expensive?
I have their WiFi booster system which finds lots of networks but most, obviously, require a password. Depending where we are in Europe we can sometimes obtain the password - Greece is good, Spain not too bad, Germany is usually problematic. But I've recently bought a Fonera box and connected it to a freind's router so that will give me access to the Fon network in Europe as well as the UK. These systems are also good for connecting multiple devices as you've mentioned.

Pat

I think it is basically, Pat
I remember looking at the MotorhomeWifi solution a while back and discounting it due to the price.
I got the setup I posted about for under £100 all together including the Long Range Wifi Router and a set of awning rails from Go Outdoors to use as a mast. I already had various CAT5 ethernet cables I could reuse.
I didn't actually realise the aeriel booster was the same until I decided to have a look at their site again this morning

While it is not really hard to setup, I would say you would need to be fairly familiar with computers to configure as it is not really designed as a "home user" product. Maybe the MHWiFi system is preconfigured and the higher price is worth it in that respect?

 

[iampatman]

I think it is basically, Pat
I remember looking at the MotorhomeWifi solution a while back and discounting it due to the price.
I got the setup I posted about for under £100 all together including the Long Range Wifi Router and a set of awning rails from Go Outdoors to use as a mast. I already had various CAT5 ethernet cables I could reuse.
I didn't actually realise the aeriel booster was the same until I decided to have a look at their site again this morning

While it is not really hard to setup, I would say you would need to be fairly familiar with computers to configure as it is not really designed as a "home user" product. Maybe the MHWiFi system is preconfigured and the higher price is worth it in that respect?

The MHWiFi system is, pretty much, plug and play. Whether that is worth paying another hundred quid for is debatable. But you get good back up from them and it's easy to use straight out of the box. Whichever system folk use I reckon it's the way to go to replace or supplement 3G/4G SIM cards. We've had ours now for less than three years and I reckon it's paid for itself. Depends how often you need/want internet access.

Pat

 

[barryd]

Good job. I use a lot of the Ubiquiti stuff commercially for broadcasting wifi in large buildings, houses, stately homes etc. its excellent. Ive just inherited a motorhome wifi iboost system and it was indeed a piece of cake to set up. So I guess it comes down to how technical you are. The iBoost system has been very well received though throughout the motorhome fraternity. Looks a cracking alternative though.

the Awning poles is a good idea. I am going to do something similar with a telescopic golf ball retriever. No I am really. I tried it on the top of the ladder the other day and as long a I dont extend it to far it seems pretty stable. Should get a good test shortly if we get away in the van.

 

[wildebus]

I'm not familar with the Ubiquiti kit, just read promising stuff about it, so it is good to hear first hand from someone who uses it, and in a professional capacity (where demands are a lot less forgiving!)

Thinking for a while the best way to mount the radio with flexible options and the awning poles seemed to be logical as I thought I could maybe just use ones I had and double-up their duty. Initially looking for one matching one to my existing ones to cut up for the mount, but at Go Outdoors, saw a pair of 4 pole ones (so 8 altogether) plus guy ropes, for a tenner - which seemed good value to me.
It means I could (if the ethernet cable allows) make the mast twice the height again as shown, but I doubt that would be needed (but happy to be advised otherwise if the case - this part of WiFi technology is brand new to me )

I still need to mount the support better, and am thinking maybe the towbar flange could be a good secure place? (but that would stop me opening the tailgate when in use).
I know a lot of motorhomes seem to have TV Ariels on a fold-down swivel and that looked like a good option, but wary as don't want to drill into my roof, and would not be that happy leaving the booster outside in the weather, even if it is IP rated for outside use. Could be an otion though to attach and then swivel up each time?

I am still planning a run around the NC500, probably in October now, and think that will be an interesting test of how well this WiFi setup works in the wilds, picking up remote signals, especially where I am expecting mobile data to be near non-existent (hell, I can hardly get it where I live in Scotland, even though I can still see England out back window!)

 

[gypo]

This sounds interesting but won't most if not all the signals be passworded?
G

 

[barryd]

Most are password protected however if you have BT for your broadband or have a family member or friend who has BT Broadband then that automatically opts you in to BT Fon Wifi which is basically internet sharing on a global scale. For example my router here which is a BT one is accessible (securely) from outside of my house by any passing BT customer so the same applies if I am away in the van and the antenna can find BT Fon routers over much greater distances than your standard laptop or smartphone can. So if I am wilding or on a CL and there are houses within half a mile or so (or in some cases much further away) chances are one of them will be a BT Fon house so I can share their internet.

It works abroad as well FON is available all over France in the same way as it is here but its SFR Fon over there. Its a superb system.

As for leaving the antennas outside. Well they are weather proof. Ideally the network cable you use should be proper shielded outdoor cat 5 cable but for short periods it probably doesnt matter.

The Ubiquiti Antennas I have installed on customer sites are up all year round. I can connect in remotely to them from anywhere in the world, tweak them, turn them off or on, increase power, change passwords etc. Did it this morning in a stately home in Teesdale without getting out of bed. I have one to install this afternoon up in the Dales but I wont be crawling up ladders. Ill let the Sparky do that. They do indoor ones as well, look a bit like a smoke alarm. You just install them centrally on an upstairs roof and they will pretty much cover the entire house (And we are talking big houses here). For the really massive places you may need two or three and of course they have to be cabled back to the routers but they are a better solution than those horrid extenders that go through the ring main which are ok for small places with just one ring main but no good for mansions.

 

[gypo]

Sounds good only in not on bt Internet I'm with talk talk. my mate is tho so what would I need from him?
Thanks
G

 

[barryd]

Sounds good only in not on bt Internet I'm with talk talk. my mate is tho so what would I need from him?
Thanks
G

What you will need is his BT wifi user name and password but it depends when they joined. guide here BT Wi-fi password or username | BT

IF he doesn't know just get him to call BT on 0800 111 4576 or google BT help chat and do it online (this is faster these days then calling).

Test it before you go off and try to use it to make sure its the right one. I think but I could be wrong you are allowed up to 5 logins at the same time from the same user name and password.

 

[gypo]

Many thanks will get on to him
G

 

[gypo]

Is there any sort of data usage restriction when your in France for eg?
Thanks again
G

 

[iampatman]

Is there any sort of data usage restriction when your in France for eg?
Thanks again
G

Not if you are connected to the SFR Fon network.

Pat

 

[wildebus]

This sounds interesting but won't most if not all the signals be passworded?
G

Barry has already answered this one in later posts ref BT FON, but another set of signals I am hoping to utilize are the commercially provided Free Hotspots such as McDonalds, Starbucks, and various others that bigger stores often supply, especially in retail parks, but you usually have to go into the store to use. With this setup, I am expecting (fingers crossed) to be able to use them from inside the van parked up instead

 

[wildebus]

Not if you are connected to the SFR Fon network.

Pat

Is there a speed cap on SFR Fon similar to BT FON?
When BT FON first was introduced, I understand that a maximum of 1Mbps (mbps?) was allowed out of the total speed of the HomeHub connection, to allow priority to the HomeHub owner, which makes sense. But as speeds have increased significantly, has that been increased as well?