WiFi Ranger (on the cheap)
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URL: https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10119
Printed Date: 28 May 2026 at 4:53pm
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Topic: WiFi Ranger (on the cheap)
Posted By: fwunder
Subject: WiFi Ranger (on the cheap)
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2017 at 5:09pm
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This was really just a proof of concept thing, but it worked out surprisingly well. I have a bunch of Mac stuff (MacBooks and iDevices), a Google Chromecast, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc., etc. I just wanted to see how far from WiFi source (sans phone Hotspot and cheaply and easily) I could make everything usable. I'm sure https://www.wifiranger.com - WifiRanger is very effective, but for the few times I want to use it, it's currently way out of my budget. I also didn't want to make a "pringles can" antenna or paperclip Yagi. I wanted something that worked out of the box. My MacBooks (2015+) actually have very good built in antennas. My MacBook's usable WiFi connection maxes out at about 200 feet from my primary home router (Airport Extreme) with little obstruction. To share the MacBook's WiFi connection I use a https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQEX8BO/ - TP-Link N300 Travel Router . It works very well, is USB powered and all my devices have no problem connecting to it, sharing my MacBook Wifi connection. In this simple scenario, the MacBook is the WiFi extender for all the other devices. I wanted to see if I could (cheaply) push that further. I ordered a https://store.rokland.com/products/alfa-awus036nh-802-11n-wireless-n-usb-wi-fi-adapter-2-watt - Alfa AWUS036NH 802.11n WIRELESS-N USB Wi-Fi adapter- 2 watt . It came with a small omni directional antenna which could easily be changed. I figured I would test it out to see how it compared with MacBook antenna. Not bad. My tests indicated it increase my bandwidth usability about 20-30 feet. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it encouraged me that the drivers and basic functionality was worth exploring. I then ordered a https://store.rokland.com/products/alfa-7-dbi-gain-rp-sma-directional-panel-antenna-apa-m04 - Alfa 7 dBi gain RP-SMA directional panel antenna . I walked to neighbors barn and pointed antenna back towards my home router. Doing some tests today, I have to say I was surprised. At a measured distance of 375 feet and through a bunch of trees I measured 10Mbps+ download and easily watched full screen streaming video. So, for less than $60.00, I significantly increased my WiFi capability (including router), all USB powered. Pretty cool. I'm convinced I could add a Yagi antenna and really stretch it out! Yes, I know that campground WiFi is mostly dependent on the campground bandwidth, how many campers are using it, what's in the way, etc. But, for $60.00 I figure I got a better chance than most and it's fun! fred   ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: M0tl3y
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2017 at 8:04pm
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Great idea, thanks for testing it out. I've wanted to try something similar to extend my WiFi while traveling so I've ordered this from Amazon to try out. ------------- The 178 club |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 2:50pm
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It looks like you may have a USB to Ethernet converter in the picture to get the signal from the MacBook to the Travel Router? If so, is this a separate purchase? ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 2:56pm
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Yes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M77HMU0/ - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M77HMU0/ My MacBook doesn't have an ethernet port. If you don't mind sacrificing a USB port, this inexpensive adapter works fine. Otherwise, use a https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Thunderbolt-Gigabit-Ethernet-MD463LL/dp/B011K4RKFW/ - thunderbolt to ethernet adapter . fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 3:15pm
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I just realized I also should have noted that in the picture above I have the travel router plugged into a https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z9QVE4Q/ - 13000mAh USB charger . I always carry a couple of these for energy storage. Of course, if your laptop has an ethernet port and two USB ports, you would not need these additions. Hope that helps. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2017 at 8:23pm
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panel antennas are great for gain, just keep in mind that they are very directional. ------------- Doug ~ '98 Coleman ('05-'09) ~ '10 171 ('09-'15) ~ 2008 Salem ('14-'23) ~ 2019 Keystone ('23-now) ~ 
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Posted By: podenvy
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2017 at 8:13am
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Wanted to thank you for posting this because sometimes have to work from the pod and we use a travel router too. I didn't think of using a TB dongle for ethernet! I mainly use my phone as a hotspot but it drains the battery way too quickly. ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2017 at 9:07am
Have you wired a USB charging port into your R-Pod? If so, you could plug your phone in when using it as a hotspot to keep from draining your battery too quickly. They, along with standard 12V power outlets, are easy to install. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2017 at 7:54pm
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I don't think the 179s had the factory installed USB ports until 2017, but Belkin has a nice plug-in unit that I use as well the factory USB port in my 2017 179. I show this in my top 5 tech video (see link in signature). Also at Amazon search for: Belkin Surge Protector with USB Ports BST300 if you are interested. I really like the product. J.M. ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2017 at 9:29pm
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Our 179 is a 2016 model that was built early enough on that it is more of a 2015.5 model since it lacks some of the 2016 changes such as the flip foot and the stainless steel sink. I had to install my own 12V outlets and USB charging ports. It was nice that Forest River incorporated these into the newer models, much as they did a window in the door of the new ones which is also something I had to install myself.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: podenvy
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 11:29am
Yes, but the 80 AH from dual deep cycle batteries we have is needed for more important things like a CPAP machine so I use an external 10000 mAH to charge the phones. Once we have solar panels and a pure sine wave inverter, it will be easier. ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: Kiddo and Baca
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 11:15pm
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Stephen: Where did you get your window "kit". We are looking for the privacy glass like the new R-Pods have and are interested in the size, thickness, and where you got your materials for your door. Kiddo and Baca |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 7:19am
Once you have solar panels, extra USB and 12v ports are still better then an inverter. Why change 12v to 120v and then back to 12v or 5v.. when you can just pull 12v or 5v straight from the system without doubling or tripling the conversion losses? ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 4:06pm
The usual place--Amazon. It was this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B013TFWWW6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - R-Pod RV Tear Drop Trailer Camper Windows New 14" x 21" for 1-1/2" Walls . Amazon does have the privacy glass models available, but the ones I looked at do not specify door thickness. Also, they seem to have plastic instead of metal frames. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 4:14pm
I use a CPAP machine. That is why I went with dual 6V batteries for 215 AH. I do not use the humidifier if I am running on battery power. I only have water in the tank but the heat is turned off for passive humidification. It seems to work okay and ensures the draw on the batteries is not excessive. I could have sprung for batteries with a higher AH rating, but the ones I got at Batteries and Bulbs were at a reasonable price. The brand is https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc110 - Duracell . ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: podenvy
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 10:15pm
How are you running your MacBook Pro off 12v? I need 110v to charge its battery and that's not possible without an inverter. ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: podenvy
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 10:21pm
I don't have dual 6V batteries -- I have 2x Group 24 deep cycle. We don't use the humidifier either and we try to make what we have work until we can upgrade the system's capacity. This requires managing our power consumption to that 80AH and figuring out how long we can stretch it. ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 7:45am
Well, first of all, you couldn't give me a macbook, but that's a different forum.  BUT... I do charge my Alienware using a step up DC transformer. Here is the first random link from my web search, I did not buy from here, but from Amazon. http://www.powerstream.com/ADC-p006.htm - Linky. ------------- |