The WiFi Ranger has been mentioned quite a bit throughout the RV coummunity and I've put together a demo video of the system with boost and without boost to demonstrate how effective the system is.
Hope you guys enjoy the video demo:
If the quality of the embedded video is poor view it in Youtube directly for HD quality. Let me know if you have any questions about how the boost system works.
Jack Mayer said
08:35 AM May 17, 2011
Nice video Matt. Those interested in the Boost device might also take a look at my website in the Communications section. I also have a download file that can show you how to build your own WFRBoost. Download that from the end of the WFRBoost section on the website. It also contains info on how to interface an external wifi capture device (technically, that is called a CPE - customer primise equipment) to any router.
I recommend buying the pre-assembled Boost from 3GStore. You CAN build your own. But ONLY if you have an understanding of networking and want to fiddle with this stuff. In the download file I do show how to replace the AC powered Ethernet injuctor (POE) with a DC powered one so you can interface directly to the RV 12 volt system.
I've modified the download file quite a bit in the last few days so if you have previously looked at it you might want to reference the new one.
3Gstore_Matt said
10:20 AM May 17, 2011
Thanks Jack, for fun I'm going to do some testing with the WFR Boost on some other equipment to see if I can get it to work. I did some quick testing last night but could see it wasn't going to be a "quick setup", so I gave up for the night. The Ranger is great because it simplifies the process and integrates it directly into the basic admin interface.
Jack Mayer said
12:39 PM May 17, 2011
Matt, all the AirOS devices can be used as a CPE with any router. As can other devices like the Deliberant APs, and Engenius. If you want suggestions on hardware let me know. Depending on what you want to try, I might even have it.
I've used Deliberant, Engenius and Ubiquity gear with the following routers that you guys have: Cradlepoints - 300, 350, 500, 900, 1000, 1200, 35. Also, on non-cellular routers - all the common ones.
Bill and Linda said
03:40 PM May 17, 2011
Matt:
Good video.
Yea, I’ve had three different CPE’s now and for those who care to “roll their own,” if they already have a router they like or whatever, it seems the Ubiquiti “Bullet” or “Pico” do seem to be quite appropriate for the average RV installation.And they should be quite compatible with the Wifi Ranger if you should move to that neat product in the future.
As Jack said, both these products are available at very reasonable prices if you don’t need the complete kit as sold for the Wifi Ranger. DoubleRadius has all kinds of stuff, like the Bullet or Pico, for the RV’er who wants to roll their own.They don’t give a lot of direct support as they do sell to people who can configure this stuff.But if you know a little bit about what you are doing IT wise and can do a little IP magic, they can be a good source in my opinion for a wide range of “CPE type” products and antennas.The fact they are near me and I can pick-up a product at the warehouse doesn’t hurt either. {Grin}
That said, when I need a new router, like this fall, I will most likely be getting a Wifi Ranger for the 3G/4G “card” and coupling it with the “Bullet,” the “Pico” acting as a backup device. I can’t use the air-card in Canada’s Northwest Territories this summer and by early fall Jack and Matt will have all the firmware bugs worked out. {Another Grin}
Thanks Jack and Matt.
Bill
Bill Adams said
04:54 PM May 17, 2011
This setup looks nothing like the Boost system that Jack Mayer showed in the past. Is this an actual WiFi Ranger product or a collection of parts and pieces put together at the 3G Store?
3Gstore_Matt said
05:27 PM May 17, 2011
Bill Adams wrote:
This setup looks nothing like the Boost system that Jack Mayer showed in the past. Is this an actual WiFi Ranger product or a collection of parts and pieces put together at the 3G Store?
This is a complete kit, I believe what you see in Jacks pictures are a more customized system. This is what everything arrives in:
Jack,
Thanks for the info, I think my main problem is that I've got to have the WiFi Ranger as my primary connection to access the network directly. I normally have Ethernet through my Cable connection as my primary and do my testing via WiFi with routers and other hardware. It works good, however, the IP is outside the range to access the Picostation directly.
I actually had to hook everything up to my desktop PC as a dedicated network before I could gain access.
Bill Adams said
05:43 PM May 17, 2011
OK, just a fine point here. Is this a complete Pico Station 2 kit or is this a WiFi Ranger kit? You know, built, sold, produced, supported by WiFi Ranger or something else.
Jack Mayer said
11:58 AM May 18, 2011
Let me clarify,Bill.
What you are seeing in Matts picture is a standard off-the-shelf Ubiquity Picostation. It is used WITH the WiFiRanger to form the WFRBoost Fixed. the Picostation is the Boost model intended to be permanantly mounted on a house, Park Model or other fixed location. It it the Boost that is currently being sold by WiFi Ranger.
The model I show on my website is the WFRBoost Mobile. It is not yet available. It is intended to be used ON an RV or in another type mobile environment. It uses a Ubiquity Bullet as a capture device instead of the Picostation. The Pico has an inbuilt 6dbi antenna, the Bullet requires a separate antenna of your choice (if you just order the Bullet from a Ubiquity supplier), OR if you wait and order the the "kit" (WFRBoost Mobile) from WiFiRanger then you will get the Bullet combined with a Laird 3dbi omni. Which is more than enough antenna for the purpose.
djpotts55 said
01:09 PM May 25, 2011
RVers might want to consider a portable Yagi directional antenna to pull in those weak or faraway WiFi signals. Many Yagi antennas include a built in power booster.
The WiFi Ranger has been mentioned quite a bit throughout the RV coummunity and I've put together a demo video of the system with boost and without boost to demonstrate how effective the system is.
Hope you guys enjoy the video demo:
If the quality of the embedded video is poor view it in Youtube directly for HD quality. Let me know if you have any questions about how the boost system works.
Nice video Matt. Those interested in the Boost device might also take a look at my website in the Communications section. I also have a download file that can show you how to build your own WFRBoost. Download that from the end of the WFRBoost section on the website. It also contains info on how to interface an external wifi capture device (technically, that is called a CPE - customer primise equipment) to any router.
I recommend buying the pre-assembled Boost from 3GStore. You CAN build your own. But ONLY if you have an understanding of networking and want to fiddle with this stuff. In the download file I do show how to replace the AC powered Ethernet injuctor (POE) with a DC powered one so you can interface directly to the RV 12 volt system.
I've modified the download file quite a bit in the last few days so if you have previously looked at it you might want to reference the new one.
I've used Deliberant, Engenius and Ubiquity gear with the following routers that you guys have: Cradlepoints - 300, 350, 500, 900, 1000, 1200, 35. Also, on non-cellular routers - all the common ones.
Matt:
Good video.
Yea, I’ve had three different CPE’s now and for those who care to “roll their own,” if they already have a router they like or whatever, it seems the Ubiquiti “Bullet” or “Pico” do seem to be quite appropriate for the average RV installation. And they should be quite compatible with the Wifi Ranger if you should move to that neat product in the future.
As Jack said, both these products are available at very reasonable prices if you don’t need the complete kit as sold for the Wifi Ranger. DoubleRadius has all kinds of stuff, like the Bullet or Pico, for the RV’er who wants to roll their own. They don’t give a lot of direct support as they do sell to people who can configure this stuff. But if you know a little bit about what you are doing IT wise and can do a little IP magic, they can be a good source in my opinion for a wide range of “CPE type” products and antennas. The fact they are near me and I can pick-up a product at the warehouse doesn’t hurt either. {Grin}
http://www.doubleradius.com/Products/Ubiquiti-UBNT-Wireless
That said, when I need a new router, like this fall, I will most likely be getting a Wifi Ranger for the 3G/4G “card” and coupling it with the “Bullet,” the “Pico” acting as a backup device. I can’t use the air-card in Canada’s Northwest Territories this summer and by early fall Jack and Matt will have all the firmware bugs worked out. {Another Grin}
Thanks Jack and Matt.
Bill
This is a complete kit, I believe what you see in Jacks pictures are a more customized system. This is what everything arrives in:
Jack,
Thanks for the info, I think my main problem is that I've got to have the WiFi Ranger as my primary connection to access the network directly. I normally have Ethernet through my Cable connection as my primary and do my testing via WiFi with routers and other hardware. It works good, however, the IP is outside the range to access the Picostation directly.
I actually had to hook everything up to my desktop PC as a dedicated network before I could gain access.
What you are seeing in Matts picture is a standard off-the-shelf Ubiquity Picostation. It is used WITH the WiFiRanger to form the WFRBoost Fixed. the Picostation is the Boost model intended to be permanantly mounted on a house, Park Model or other fixed location. It it the Boost that is currently being sold by WiFi Ranger.
The model I show on my website is the WFRBoost Mobile. It is not yet available. It is intended to be used ON an RV or in another type mobile environment. It uses a Ubiquity Bullet as a capture device instead of the Picostation. The Pico has an inbuilt 6dbi antenna, the Bullet requires a separate antenna of your choice (if you just order the Bullet from a Ubiquity supplier), OR if you wait and order the the "kit" (WFRBoost Mobile) from WiFiRanger then you will get the Bullet combined with a Laird 3dbi omni. Which is more than enough antenna for the purpose.
RVers might want to consider a portable Yagi directional antenna to pull in those weak or faraway WiFi signals. Many Yagi antennas include a built in power booster.
Here is a link to Yagi Directional Antenna that we use.