Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 52

MARINE ELECTRONICS

WiFi Boosters
More boat tiMe, less office tiMe
by Greg Nicoll

I am fortunate to have the ability to work
from just about anywhere. A cellular signal and a Wi-Fi connection is about all I
really need to put in a full day's work. The
ability to communicate remotely in real
time is a true gift that the electronic era
has given many of us. Unfortunately,
sometimes the Wi-Fi connection can be a
problem. This summer I purchased a
boat and put it in a marina in Georgian
Bay to take advantage of my unique position; work from the boat, live the dream!
Although the marina has spent a great
deal of time and money putting in a WiFi network, the 500 neighbours docked
along side appear to be competing for
limited 'pipe' space on the network. The
result was my Wi-Fi connection was not
up to the capacity that I needed to perform my duties. The poor service and
inconsistency turned my plan to convert
my boat's navigation station into a floating
office into wishful thinking.
Back in the office the online search
began. I listed my criteria for a successful
wireless solution for my boat, and the first
one was that it had to be marine grade
waterproof and capable of managing the
elements. Second, the system had to be
one that I could easily install myself,
being the frugal sailor. Next, it had to be
a robust, stable system that had the flexibility for 3G and 4G data and that had a
long-range adaptor. Finally, the most
important criteria, it had to be user-friendly.
Marinas and yacht clubs use their hardware to connect to an
AP (access point) to broadcast a signal. Connections to these
"hotspots" are often encrypted and require a password to enter.
Our personal devices search the surrounding area for an AP
that will provide a list of available networks for us to connect to.
The router helps your smart TVs, iPads, smart phones and
navigation systems, etc., find the best routes to avoid creating
network congestion.

52

Canadian Yachting

Sourcing the Internet has several options - Wi-Fi, cellular, or
satellite each have limitations such as signal strength, range, and
cost factors. Generally, Wi-Fi is cost effective, and the approximate range for a 5GHz is about 150 metres, at 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
is good up to 1500 metres. Cellular signals generally work up to
7-8 kilometres, and satellites are usable mostly everywhere, but
at a high cost. As technology grows, so does its demand on everyday devices. Having an internet connection has become a necessity, not just a novelty.

DeceMber 2017



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting December 2017

Vantage Point: Little Boat, Big Boat – Where Did You Start?
Club Profile: Gimli Yacht Club
Galley Guys: The Galley Guys Travel to Newfoundland
Travel Destinations: The Middens of Galiano Island
Profile of a Cruising Family: Redefining the Face of Yachting in Canada
Marine Electronics: Special Feature – A Guide to Maritime VHF Radio for Pleasure Craft
Marine Electronics: Special Feature – AIS - Peering Atop Islands and Around Bends
The Port Hole
Marine Electronics: Special Feature – WiFi Boosters
Sail Review: Dehler 38
Power Review: Cruisers Yachts Cantius 50
Power Review: Jeanneau NC 895
Summer Event Coverage: Poker Run 101
Crossing the Line: Flying Dutchman
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Cover1
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Cover2
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 3
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Vantage Point: Little Boat, Big Boat – Where Did You Start?
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 5
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Club Profile: Gimli Yacht Club
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 7
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 8
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 9
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 10
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 11
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Galley Guys: The Galley Guys Travel to Newfoundland
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 13
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 14
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 15
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Travel Destinations: The Middens of Galiano Island
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 17
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 18
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 19
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 20
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 21
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 22
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 23
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Profile of a Cruising Family: Redefining the Face of Yachting in Canada
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 25
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 26
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 27
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Marine Electronics: Special Feature – A Guide to Maritime VHF Radio for Pleasure Craft
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 29
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 30
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 31
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 32
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 33
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 34
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 35
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Marine Electronics: Special Feature – AIS - Peering Atop Islands and Around Bends
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 37
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 38
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - The Port Hole
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 40
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 41
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 42
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 43
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 44
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 45
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 46
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 47
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 48
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 49
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 50
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 51
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Marine Electronics: Special Feature – WiFi Boosters
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 53
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 54
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 55
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Sail Review: Dehler 38
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 57
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 58
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 59
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Power Review: Cruisers Yachts Cantius 50
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 61
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 62
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 63
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 64
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 65
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Power Review: Jeanneau NC 895
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 67
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 68
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 69
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 70
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 71
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Summer Event Coverage: Poker Run 101
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 73
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 74
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 75
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 76
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 77
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 78
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 79
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 80
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 81
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 82
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 83
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 84
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 85
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Crossing the Line: Flying Dutchman
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Cover3
Canadian Yachting December 2017 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-yachting-october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-yachting-june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-yachting-may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-yachting-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-yachting-february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/canadian-yachting-december-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/october2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/june2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/may2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/april2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/february2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/december2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/october2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/december2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/october2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/june2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/may2018
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https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/december2017
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https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/may2017
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https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/february2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/december2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/october2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/june2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/may2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/april2016
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https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/june2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/May2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/kerrwil/canadianyachting/april2015
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