I concur with Denis. There were many open Wi-Fi networks out there even a few years back. Now they are substantially less available (by default, all wireless routers , for a while, have to come preconfigured with a password protected network). Not to mention that what many cruises used to do, was, if you wanted to be honest with yourself, stealing the Internet connection form unaware Wi-Fi owners.
For cellular modems, I strongly recommend Sierra Wireless modems. Mi-Fi (Novatel) was quite popular, but I had, let’s say, mixed results. We had some poor results with ZTE. Btw. You will find multiple types. The standard consumer grade - “chocolate bar” size boxes that are very convenient to use and the “industrial” models that are more sturdy, have externa antennae etc. The latter would probably be a bit more expensive (I saw some of the consumer grade modems for under $50 on eBay). I would suggest picking one that has an external antenna connection, so that you can add an extra aerial with higher gain to reach a cell tower further away. Btw. If you go that way, don’t buy overly directional antenna - it may not work so well on a boat, which is not an overly stable platform, even at the best of times. Marek Ottawa, ON From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Dennis C. via CnC-List Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2018 11:24 To: CnClist <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Dennis C. <capt...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: Stus-List Omni WiFi antenna installation / connection range I appreciate wanting to install a WiFi antenna but you'll need to be near an open system or hot spot. There are other options which are always available as long as you're close to a cell phone tower. I just use the personal hot spot on my smartphone. There are enough big data plans around it's fairly cost effective. You can also use a Verizon MiFi Jetpack. Did that for a couple years. At the time, you could buy data by the month. We'd buy a month when we were cruising then let it lapse. Buy a used jetpack off eBay. Be advised some are better than others. Dennis C. Touche' 35-1 #83 Mandeville, LA On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 7:52 AM, John Christopher via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote: Hi, Has anyone installed an Omni WiFi antenna? If so; - which model (ubiquity or otherwise), - - where did you install the antenna (Mast, Arch, etc) - 2.4GHz or 5GHz - What DBi (and actual range / strength are you getting). We’ll be spending most of the summer on the boat (with kids) 😉. Any other information is appreciated. Cassidy’s Free LF 38, #155 /J _______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fstumurray&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc78529437f564ffa068508d57c6c47db%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636551726850733673&sdata=lTkONsIIkl%2BGeCVvek6N9puhaDrph2a%2Fb6AOU1a3kLc%3D&reserved=0>
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