WIFI extender

JPOSH
JPOSH Forum Participant Posts: 131
edited January 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

I was wondering if anyone has tried using a  domestic plug in wifi extender .while on site and if the difference is appreciable. 

Comments

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #2

    What are you hoping to achieve?

  • JPOSH
    JPOSH Forum Participant Posts: 131
    edited January 2016 #3

    A stronger signal .

    I use one in the house no problems 

    I think the theory is sound but not had the opportunity to use on site yet

  • Oldgirl and Staffy
    Oldgirl and Staffy Forum Participant Posts: 414
    edited January 2016 #4

    I use a Turbo-tenna which picks up WiFi from quite a distance and when the signal is reasonable it increases its strength.

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #5

    My understanding of these devices is that they take a receivable signal and amplify it for onward distribution. I’m not sure what function one would have on site. If the device can receive a signal your laptop/tablet/phone should also be able to.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #6

    If you want to pick up a stronger signal you need an external powered aerial which you can stick with suckers to the outside of the van. I use one with a USB router and then pick up the router signal with my iPad and iPhone. In other words, you are creating
    your own internal wifi network. Check out Motorhomewifi. I use a cheaper solution with a Solwise aerial and router which has been effective throughout Europe.

  • Oldgirl and Staffy
    Oldgirl and Staffy Forum Participant Posts: 414
    edited January 2016 #7

    THIS is what I use

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #8

    But isn’t that only half the picture? What do you plug the antenna into?

  • fmh
    fmh Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited January 2016 #9

    Last year I bought an iBoost which plugs into the 12volt socket and has an arial which can be used inside or outside with sucktion cups. Used it in Scotland last summer and was amazed at the difference in WiFi signals I was able to receive. In one isolated
    location my iPad on its own could not see any WiFi signals with the iBoost I could pick up over a dozen with three BT Fon hotspots included. Brill product - not inexpensive but worth it in my mind..

    It also allows a number of different bits of equipment to connect to a single WiFi connection at the same time as it sets up a local WiFi network.

  • Oldgirl and Staffy
    Oldgirl and Staffy Forum Participant Posts: 414
    edited January 2016 #10

    But isn’t that only half the picture? What do you plug the antenna into?

    ...No.   The antenna plugs into a USB socket on your computer.  It is powered by your computer but picks up and amplifies signals from a WiFi transmitter.  So, if you are on a site with poor WiFi reception in some areas it can improve the signal so you can receive WiFi and also improve the strength of the signal in areas where it is currently poor.  It comes with a CD driver which you also load onto your computer.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2016 #11

    You can use a powered antenna with a laptop and plug direct into it but you cannot do that with an iPad or smart phone so you have to use something like the iBoost mentioned above or the (cheaper) solution that I use. The antenna plugs into a router which retransmits a wifi signal (hotspot) so that you create your own system from which you can run multiple devices. You can apply security to your own network so that nobody else can use it. Works well and if you can afford it I would go for the iBoost by Motorhomewifi.

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