lasttruck Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Our park is currently running a total of 500mbps of cable provided bandwidth connected to an open mesh system. The system is shared equally between leaseholders and visitors/guests and password protected with pre-shared authentication. While we have multiple repeaters set up (and evaluating for more), some users who are in signal restrictive RVs still have trouble getting a signal, even 50' feet away from a gateway or repeater and in a direct line of sight. Our system uses dual band gateways (currently 3) and repeaters (currently 11) that have a 600' range. Of course, trees, buildings, etc., affect that range. Those that have problems are typically in a metal skinned RV (class B, airstream, etc.) and/or have heat reflective (metal impregnated) window film. What we are looking for is a Wi-Fi extender or repeater (similar, but do work differently) that we can recommend to users if they need one. Cost of course is a factor, but finding something that does not rebroadcast a strong radio signal is important. One of our committee members tried a TP Link extender that rebroadcast a signal on a different channel that caused some interference with the Wi-Fi network. One user is using this: https://www.amazon.com/Hawking-Technology-Radio-Repeater-HW2R1/dp/B002SYUP60/ref=s9_simh_gw_g147_i1_r?_encoding=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=32AYPBB6TCVXH43ND7ZK&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=b13ec477-194d-4f63-971b-ca6229de96a2&pf_rd_i=desktop which has worked well and causes no radio interference. Her rig is a class B and she placed the device up in the overhead window with direct line of sight to a repeater two lots over. So, are there decent AND affordable repeaters that we can suggest users purchase if they desire? Thanks ahead for the ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckbear Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 We have been using a Ubiquiti Bullet and an omnidirectional antenna on both our boat and RV with excellent results. We often pull in wifi signals from a couple of miles away. There are some that make claims about picking up signals 10 or 20 miles away. Don't believe it. The bullet and antenna needs to be mounted on the outside of the unit and a cat5 cable run to a computer or router. You can make a permanent mount like ours or mount it on a pole and put it up an down as needed. The entire system can be put together for under $100.00. There are prepackaged systems out there that sell for hundreds of dollars for the convenience. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Take a look at this video about an inexpensive Wifi system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavePasch Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Take a look at this one. Very easy to setup and use in any park. http://www.technorv.com/RV_WiFi_Boosters_s/85.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Signal Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 The Wifi Ranger folks provide the best equipment and the best support after the sale ! Sure it costs more . Quality and support costs money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Those that have problems are typically in a metal skinned RV (class B, airstream, etc.) and/or have heat reflective (metal impregnated) window film. Metal-skinned RVs are always going to be a problem since the shell of the RV acts as a pretty good Faraday cage. Relying on a single device inside the RV to solve the problem is going to always be problematic. IMHO the best way to solve this problem is a two-part solution with a rooftop unit coupled with an indoor one. I can't speak to other manufacturers but WiFiRanger provides such systems at several different price points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 ...IMHO the best way to solve this problem is a two-part solution with a rooftop unit coupled with an indoor one. I can't speak to other manufacturers but WiFiRanger provides such systems at several different price points... I thought some of the WifiRanger products like the Mobile, Sky and Elite could function as stand alone products located outside the RV that functioned as a high powered repeater that could be connect to by multiple devices by Wifi. I also seem to recall that at least some of them had at least one LAN port on the interior power supply. Is this no longer the case. The WifiRanger website appears to only offer packages including both an outdoor and an interior unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasttruck Posted February 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Thanks for a good start in the research. Appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Newegg today had these guys 2 for $14.99 https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3363731&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL013117&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL013117-_-EMC-013117-Index-_-Combo-_-Combo3363731-S3A10A&ignorebbr=1 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833389040&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL013117&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL013117-_-EMC-013117-Index-_-WirelessRangeExtenderMediaBridge-_-33389040-S3A10A&ignorebbr=1 http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Jan-0-2017/MidWinter_5dec9kg6_31/index-landing.html?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL013117&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL013117-_-EMC-013117-Index-_-E0B-_-feature1&et_cid=31610&et_rid=36630&et_p1=&email64=ZGVyZWtnb3JlQHN1ZGRlbmxpbmsubmV0 Reviews look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Does anyone know of any discount codes for purchasing the Wifi Ranger, I thought I heard somewhere that there was a discount for doing an upgrade but I don't know where to look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Does anyone know of any discount codes for purchasing the Wifi Ranger, I thought I heard somewhere that there was a discount for doing an upgrade but I don't know where to look A 25% upgrade discount was available throughout the month of January. Sorry if you missed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I thought some of the WifiRanger products like the Mobile, Sky and Elite could function as stand alone products located outside the RV that functioned as a high powered repeater that could be connect to by multiple devices by Wifi. I also seem to recall that at least some of them had at least one LAN port on the interior power supply. Is this no longer the case. The WifiRanger website appears to only offer packages including both an outdoor and an interior unit. For a variety of reasons we no longer sell the Sky and Elite models unless they are coupled to one of the indoor routers. Although there are several reasons for doing this, one key one is that if the EliteAC were to be connected to an 5.8GHz access point it would rebroadcast the private network on the 5.8GHz band ONLY. This could be a problem for users who have a mix of 2.4GHZ and 5.8GHz equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 For a variety of reasons we no longer sell the Sky and Elite models unless they are coupled to one of the indoor routers. Although there are several reasons for doing this, one key one is that if the EliteAC were to be connected to an 5.8GHz access point it would rebroadcast the private network on the 5.8GHz band ONLY. This could be a problem for users who have a mix of 2.4GHZ and 5.8GHz equipment. That is a very good reason to hold the line. It would cause mass chaos to try to explain that to most users. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 A 25% upgrade discount was available throughout the month of January. Sorry if you missed it. Thanks for the info I did purchase the wifi ranger, just waiting for delivery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 ...What we are looking for is a Wi-Fi extender or repeater (similar, but do work differently) that we can recommend to users if they need one. Cost of course is a factor... Thanks for a good start in the research. Appreciate it. Might want to read this thread before making your recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasttruck Posted February 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 Thanks all for the added info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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