I've Found my Wifi

Itching to get started… Lin and Larry Pardey

I've Found my Wifi

Back in September, I posted a blog called I Want My Wifi all about my search for the best solution for connecting to wifi stations while cruising. I can attest to the need for such a device after the many hours I've spent at anchor trying to balance my laptop on the dodger or hatch cover while trying to connect using my laptop's own wireless card. It just doesn't have the strength. So, what I was looking for was an external antenna and bridge to bring the signal to my laptop.

In the earlier blog, I examined the various pros and cons of the different devices, and I concluded that I wanted something that would have at least a 25-foot cable (with no signal loss) and would connect via browser-based firmware. That pretty much ruled out the USB products, and it put me in the market for something that used the Ubiquiti Bullet, the great single unit bridge that has become the base for most of the units that use ethernet cable to connect to the antenna.

I also decided I would not go the DIY route on something so critical to my work and happiness. I wanted to find excellent tech support. Several friends had told me that the AirOS firmware that shipped with the Bullet was not designed for non-professionals like me, and I took their word for it.

At the Dania Beach Marine Flea Market, I met Randy Nial from Land and Sea Wifi. He was there with a Boat Show Special on the Rogue Wave. When I heard that it used their own proprietary firmware with a super easy-to-use interface for connecting to hotspots, I was sold. As a Mac user, I am tired of being left in the cold when companies decide to stop supporting the Mac with their latest version of the firmware. And I know how frustrating it can be when new networks present new problems, and I don't understand all the various settings.

Randy gave me a great deal, but I would never recommend something if I didn't think it was a terrific product. I was prepared to turn right around and return it if the product was not up to par. The fact is, I couldn't be happier. I know Randy's not a Mac guy so he might not get this, but the highest compliment I can give to a tech product is that it is very Mac-like. And so it is with the Rogue Wave. Clean, simple, and it just works.

I also got one of their NetGear 12V wireless routers so that I will be able to use my iPad and iPhone on the boat's wifi network. Both the Rogue Wave and the router can be ordered with 12V cigarette lighter plugs – which I got – and now I have no use anymore for my small inverter. I am currently hooked up to the Rogue Wave and connected to my own AT&T U-verse network. Downloading a Netflix movie, I can't tell any speed difference by connecting through the antenna.

The set up of my new antenna and router could not have been simpler. Plug and play really is an exact description of how it works. Following the clear printed instructions, I screwed the 8.5 dB omnidirectional antenna to the top of the bullet-shaped bridge. On the bottom, there is a great split rubber plug that fits around the ethernet cable to keep it all weatherproof.

Finally, at the other end of the cable, I attached the PoE or 'Power Over Ethernet' cable by attaching one leg to my computer and the other to the power cord. I typed in the IP address of the device (as explained), and presto, there was the lovely user interface with WAAAY more stations visible than before – including the Starbucks up the street. I selected an unknown unlocked station, clicked on 'connect' to select, and presto–