Part 2 – Internet for a boat
This is part 2 of “Internet for a boat.” In case you missed it and want to follow along in order, be sure to check out part 1 here.
The first piece of the puzzle is to determine how to effectively extend the range of any available WiFi network. Using WiFi as a provider of internet connectivity is the optimal choice in most scenarios. If the WiFi connectivity available is reliable, it is likely the cheapest, fastest and lowest latency source of access. Many marinas, restaurants, bars or shops have WiFi which is often complimentary or included for customers. If the WiFi network is open or authorization can be obtained, this source of internet can be an ideal candidate for use as an internet provider for a network.
Frequently though, public WiFi networks have a relatively short range and/or a weak signal. If one could amplify and re-broadcast the weak radio signal coming from a distant WiFi hotspot to connected devices, one could “see” that hot spot from much further away. Conversely if one could take a weak signal from an onboard device like a phone or computer and amplify it out to a remote hotspot, one could establish 2 way communication just the same as if one were sitting in that marina or restaurant. This radio based technology is similar to what already exists in a phone, tablet or computer with one key difference – it can transmit at a much higher power. This can be very useful not only in connecting with WiFi which is very distant, but also in scenarios where your device can see the access point, but the access point cannot see you.
Tangent: Keep in mind, using an external network as a provider of internet connectivity still carries all the same security risks as using that network in any other way. Discussions about security at that level go beyond the scope of this article. However if one practices proper internet security behavior, the risks can be minimized. For example, although most modern websites already enforce this, one should always use transport layer security (TLS). This is evident by a web address beginning with https and not http. Also, there is usually an icon such as a lock which designates that although the network may be vulnerable, the connection to that site or service is secure.
There are a number of companies out there who attempt to provide this service in a variety of ways. Some try to package everything together into one unit by combining the WiFi booster along with a router, network, configuration etc. This seems to offer simplicity in its approach and might be the right solution if that bundle were the only equipment desired. However, these all-in-one units are actually restrictive or at least more cumbersome if the goal is to have one unified network available to serve as the central access point to all other systems – as is the goal of this exercise. With this in mind, it’s preferable to choose a company which provides a system that specializes in the WiFi booster and bridge itself. The optimal solution abstracts away as much of the underlying complexity as possible (configuration, networking etc.) and provides internet access in a straightforward manner. In an ideal scenario, the unit terminates in something as simple as an Ethernet cable which can be plugged into the network and serve as a primary source of internet access. In this configuration, the unit not only boosts the signals which are being transmitted but also acts as a WiFi bridge to supply internet access downstream for use by a centralized network. Given the specific setup we are trying to achieve and my desire for simplicity and flexibility, I purchased a unit from a company called Coastal Marine Wifi.
Tangent: Keep in mind the booster should be suited for a marine environment. Certain components will need to be exposed to the elements, so they need to be shielded as much as possible from UV rays, saltwater, and corrosion. Also, consider how the device will be powered 12 volt or 110 / 220 AC as this will potentially restrict models as well. Any stand alone booster that fits these requirements is likely suitable and I make no particular recommendation about which booster is the best nor do I receive any sort of compensation. That being said, we did have some initial trouble with the unit from Coastal Marine WiFi and they had very responsive support and even sent an expedited free replacement part that we believed was damaged. The booster system has worked well in our trial periods of using it.
The package I purchased includes 50 feet of outdoor or underground direct burial ethernet cable, a WiFi radio, an antenna and housing for the WiFi radio and a POE (Power Over Ethernet) device. Please note that if you are following this guide to build your system, you do NOT need the optional router offered from Coastal Marine Wifi as the desired outcome requires a slightly more sophisticated router to be detailed later. To support the antenna assembly, I purchased a standard 1” marine antenna mount and we had it fabricated onto an aluminum mounting bracket which is attached to the top of the dinghy davit. This custom fabrication was very small, but it allowed the unit to be mounted in the best possible location on our vessel given the locations that were available. In other scenarios, different mounting procedures may apply. The Wifi radio named Ubiquiti BULLET-M2-HP Outdoor 802.11 B/G/N M2HP attaches to the outdoor antenna and is enclosed in a sturdy plastic housing, which screws into the custom mount. The housing for the WiFi radio has proven to be a useful differentiator as it has weathered the intense sun, salt water and various cleaners used on the boat and provided a durable shield for the inner electronics. The outdoor ethernet cable is attached at one end into the WIFI radio. It then runs down through the mount and the supports for the dinghy davit and eventually through the inside of the boat to the back of the DC panel, where it plugs into the power over ethernet (PoE) controller. I chose to have direct 12 volt DC for the controller which is mounted behind the DC panel to allow for an easy connection to a dedicated network breaker. Having a PoE controller is very valuable in this setup as it means no separate power lines need to be ran back out to the externally mounted radio. To complete the setup, I purchased another 50’ ethernet cable which snakes its way through the boat and connects to our router’s WAN (Wide Area Network) port at our networking hub on the boat.
Coastal Marine WiFi has an app for IOS or Android which allows you to interact with the controller and WiFi radio. With the WAN activated on the network via the router admin (more on that in upcoming posts), you can log onto the WiFi radio via the app and scan for available networks. Once you find a suitable network, the controller and radio attempt to connect at targeted power settings which try to deliver the most stable connection and minimize signal loss. This simple to use app and the basic controls it defines have been enough to use the booster successfully. This is important, because I have read that trying to interact with the Ubiquiti BULLET radio directly can be tedious, difficult and confusing. If a good connection is made, the LAN (Local Area Network) and any WAPs (Wireless Access Points – think your own wireless network name you join at home) will use that WiFi as the gateway to the internet. With this setup and working properly, one could come aboard our boat, open their phone and scan for wireless networks. Upon seeing the network SeaMonster (naming things is hard), they could enter the passcode and use our internet (really the internet provided by the WiFi radio via our router).
While this is great for certain scenarios like staying at marinas with spotty WiFi (I think that’s about 99% of them) or anchoring relatively close to a WiFi access point that is available to you, this will not help cover the myriad other times where WiFi is simply not an option.
This leads to the next piece of the puzzle which I will detail here – Internet for a Boat – Part 3
