Internet where there is none

[billy1307]

I need some help! Well, technically my friend needs help, but you get the idea.

Situation: he is living in an RV park outside of town. The park itself has WiFi available, but it's a rather weak signal. We have both called as many providers as possible, but it seems as if nobody provides for that address. The company that provides the network only does commercial.

My question: I'm not too experienced with networking and internet services. My question is what would the best route be? Or what routes can be taken/learned and taken? Just something like a WiFi signal booster/extender for the provides service, or is there other options that would give better service and speeds?

I appreciate the help!

[Moredeath]

WiFi range extender/repeater. or get HughesNet satellite internet

[dzonidev]

A stronger AP could deal with the signal issue, but it also might be that there are a lot of clients connected. Since the friend is living in an RV I am assuming he is not in the position to spend a lot of money for this.

There are four options:

1. Find a Wireless ISP
2. Run an Ethernet cable from the RV Park access point (will require owner's permission) - cheapest option
3. Get 4G internet.

4. Buy a $50 USD Acess Point, like this one or this one. This will also require some mounting gear and a few ft of cable. - most expensive

 

I suggest you survey the RV Park for any other WiFI AP's and try to find their location, number of connected clients, etc..

[Dzzope]

a booster (or just better antena / nic) will help.. maybe just go mobile? 3/4g or some wireless provider?

[Mattrixx]

WiFi range extender/repeater. or get HughesNet satellite internet

Nononono. HughesNet sucks. We had it just to get away from Dial-Up. Then again I suppose all satellite internet sucks. My point is to not get satellite if you can help it.

[ShadowCaptain]

Is there any mobile data? could be a good option, also satellite internet etc

 

You could speak to the site owner and ask if you can help them install some wifi repeaters 

[billy1307]

A stronger AP could deal with the signal issue, but it also might be that there are a lot of clients connected. Since the friend is living in an RV I am assuming he is not in the position to spend a lot of money for this.

There are four options:

1. Find a Wireless ISP

2. Run an Ethernet cable from the RV Park access point (will require owner's permission) - cheapest option

3. Get 4G internet.

4. Buy a $50 USD Acess Point, like this one or this one. This will also require some mounting gear and a few ft of cable. - most expensive

I suggest you survey the RV Park for any other WiFI AP's and try to find their location, number of connected clients, etc..

Well, money's not an issue. You should see his trailer. He just has it because housing is ridiculously expensive here. Anyways, we'll see what we can do AP wise. He already has a hotspot from work, but it's pretty shoddy signal and not nearly the speeds he wants.

[Interfectorem]

Is there any mobile data? could be a good option, also satellite internet etc

 

You could speak to the site owner and ask if you can help them install some wifi repeaters 

The only problem with satellite internet is that the latency is atrocious (Which really affects gaming) and it most likely has a data cap.

[kevink817]

Are there any microwave towers nearby? If so, a line-of-sight shot might be possible...depending on the terrain and obstacles.

 

EDIT: Orrrrrr... If the RV park management will let you bury a cable.... possibly a couple media converters and a fiber cable run to the access point? Just food for thought.... Hmmm, I don't suppose there is any coax cables already run to the sites?

[ShadowCaptain]

The only problem with satellite internet is that the latency is atrocious (Which really affects gaming) and it most likely has a data cap.

 

Better than 0 interent 

[Moredeath]

Nononono. HughesNet sucks. We had it just to get away from Dial-Up. Then again I suppose all satellite internet sucks. My point is to not get satellite if you can help it.

funny, i've never had a problem with them. I'm a long time customer too

[dzonidev]

Well, money's not an issue. You should see his trailer. He just has it because housing is ridiculously expensive here. Anyways, we'll see what we can do AP wise. He already has a hotspot from work, but it's pretty shoddy signal and not nearly the speeds he wants.

 

For a start we could use a little more info, like the physical distance from work and trailer park Access Points, are the Access Points visible from the trailer (inside/outside/above), signal strength from the trailer (inside/outside/above), link speed and maybe the load on the access point.

Easiest way to test the last two, get within 20ft and line of sight, connect to the AP, check the speed and signal strength. And we'll go from there.

 

All of this is to basically figure out which AP is the best one for connecting.

[Mattrixx]

funny, i've never had a problem with them. I'm a long time customer too

Hmm.... well don't mind me then. I just remember iffy customer service (never got to fix the dish in a timely manner) and 200MB/day caps. They didn't even offer an unlocked data plan.

 

Maybe it was just my area though, and this was 4 years ago after all.

[billy1307]

For a start we could use a little more info, like the physical distance from work and trailer park Access Points, are the Access Points visible from the trailer (inside/outside/above), signal strength from the trailer (inside/outside/above), link speed and maybe the load on the access point.

Easiest way to test the last two, get within 20ft and line of sight, connect to the AP, check the speed and signal strength. And we'll go from there.

All of this is to basically figure out which AP is the best one for connecting.

I'll work on getting all that done, or getting the info from him. Once I have all that, I'll post what I've got. Thanks!