Wi-Fi – A Better Antenna will Get You a Better Connection
We’ve said this time and time again, but it’s been a while and we have a lot of new readers. If you’re using a Wi-Fi hotspot and it’s not working so great, get an external Wi-Fi adapter. We have quite a collection of them over the years, but we recently bought a new one to go with our Windows 7 64 bit computer. Here’s the one we purchased, a Hawking HWDN2:
There are lots of choices, just look for ‘Wireless Network Adapter.’ It will also say 802.11 somewhere in the description. 802.11b is the oldest technology, then comes g, and the latest and greatest is n.
Turn off your Internal Wi-Fi
It’s important to understand that these do not ‘boost’ the Wi-Fi adapter built in to your computer. They ‘replace’ it. You should turn off the internal adapter in your computer in order to properly use an external adapter. See the Geeks on Tour ‘Show-Me-How’ video ‘Turn Off your Internal Wi-Fi.’
Improving our Wi-Fi Experience
When we parked at our current RV park, and tried to connect to the Wi-Fi, it took a while to make the connection and browsing was very slow. So we took our new Hawking Wi-Fi adapter out of the box, used the included CD to install the drivers, plugged the adapter into a USB port and turned off the wireless switch on the computer.
This time the connection happened a little faster, but, more importantly, the browsing was faster. Still not as good as our DSL at our home park, but better nonetheless. Wi-Fi is 2-way radio. Low-powered, 2-way radio. The radio and antenna built in to your laptop computer is often not good enough for the distances and obstructions in an RV park. Plugging in an external adapter (radio and antenna are both inside) with a wire to your USB port allows you to move the adapter over to a window, or even outside a window so as to get an unobstructed line-of-sight to the source of the Wi-Fi – the Access Point. Unobstructed line-of-sight is the most important factor in a good Wi-Fi connection. Notice, in the photo of our adapter above, that I have it pointed out a window. Notice also that I have the metal mini-blinds raised above the adapter. Those metal mini-blinds can make a big difference in your connection!
For other, past articles/videos on this topic:
The #1 Best way to Improve your Wi-Fi Connection
WiFire Long Range Adapter
Get the right Wi-Fi Adapter
54Mbps is Not better than 11Mbps
Wi-Fi for Beginners
Other Geeks on Tour Show-Me-How videos on this topic.
by Chris Guld, www.GeeksOnTour.com
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Hello Chris,
Last year I bought the “RV Kit” for $99.95 from http://www.jefatech.com. The package came in wiith a 22 inch omni-directional antenna, cable, installation CD and all the necessary hardware to fix it on top of my rear ladder. Also, included in the package is a small rubbery antenna which I can use in a coffee shop or library to boost my signal reception. Since that time, I use both of them anywhere I go with excellent results. That system definately boost my reception by 70%… not bad. If you are too far away from your Hot-Spot, Jefa Tech has a 5 ft antenna as well.
I have also found that the poor quality of some “travel” usb cables can have an effect. These devices require some power, and they often get it from the usb cable. I had a good antenna and didn’t get results until I put a standard cable on it. The small wires in the travel cable were heating up and providing too much interference/resistance.
I have wifi in the campground I run. The router is in an RV in the park. As you mentioned in the article “Unobstructed line-of-sight is the most important factor in a good Wi-Fi connection.” If there are just a few RV’s in the park it works great but when I’m full and there’s lots of RV’s between the router and the other RV’s the line of sight is often obstructed for the RV’s in the same row as the router RV. What would be the best hardware to buy to boost that signal or to get it higher on the RV with the router so that the other RV’s are in the line of sight? I imagine an antenna of some sort but not sure. We are a very small park have limited finances.
Hi,
I’ll try this as we have travelled across country twice and have experienced all the connections issued.
In the past 4 years we have twice purchased Verizon Broadband cards for use with our laptop and were very satisified with its operation across the country and north and south. Both times we cancelled the unit and paid the $ 175 ? cancellation fee as we have FIOS at home. Another time we purchased a Sprint card in Fla. for a month and then also cancelled it. Each situation the contract was for $60/month/ year with a yearly contract .
Just this week we purchased from Verizon a PrePaid contract ( new idea ) for 30 days ( just what we needed ) and used one of the USB broadband cards we had. You can also purchase for 1 day or 1 week. So for us travelers that need Internet Connection but not for a full year this is a great thing.
I was getting so frustrated with RV parks that only have wi-fi at the main hall. I purchased a Jefatech outside antenna for $99.00, complete with rubber ducky inside antenna. I am so pleased with this item. I have been over 1/4 mile from the router (located in the main hall) and can get 5 bars on my laptop, INSIDE my trailer. It comes complete with all cables, drivers, 2 foot antenna, all securing hardware, rubber ducky antenna, and was delivered by UPS in 2 days from Maryland for $13.00. the web site is http://www.jefatech.com.
i attached mine to a painters expandable handle, tied to my ladder, so I can raise it when needed and lower below roof line for travel.
Geeks:
don’t forget the Ham Radio gadget – cantenna – a wi-fi directional inexpensive antenna. Just Goggle the instructions.
Happy Camping,
Fred b.
rv101buyfred.com
get a stainless steel salad bowl (big one) from Walmart and drill a hole in the bottom of it the size of a USB plug. Hot glue or JB Weld a USB antenna (cheap $15.) and buy a cord. Mount on an old camera tripod and you have a wifi signal catcher that will triple you singal area. Cost $30. total. I am on my second one. Alan in Tennessee
We had the same problem in many RV camps. The solution I found (and it WORKS!) is from http://www.innovativedevice.com. It includes a Yagi Antenna, that can be mounted externally or internally, and a quality cable that connects the antenna to an included LinkSys router inside the RV which rebroadcasts the captured WiFi signal inside the RV. This way my wife and I can both pick up the signal on each of our computers. Great solution, 1 antenna works for both computers. Kinda like your own hotspot inside the RV!
Amen, brother! I work over the Internet for a living and travel (because I can) so getting the best signal everywhere is important. Whether using an aircard or wifi, having my trailer blocked in by huge Class As is is a real signal killer so external antennas are a must. They will increase signal in bad areas and when placed on the roof or a mast will clear most obstacles.
I have a question. I am planning an extended RV trip to Alaska.
In preparation, I want to be equipped for boon docking.
Should I rely on the shortwave, SAT Phone, maybe both.
Is wifi functional in AK , other than in an RV Park?
Wil SAT dish work?
All advice from AK RV Vets is appreciated