Wifi as internet for router?

[mjfreespirit]

I am a full time truck driver and rv'er and travel frequently utilizing various free and paid wifi along the way

I am looking for a networking device that would allow a broadcasted WiFi signal with working internet to be distributed across several devices similarly to the effect had when plugging your Ethernet from your cable modem into the router. The end goal of allowing all my devices to communicate with each other while also receiving the Wi-Fi signal


Many devices only work when connected to the same network, for example my LG phone will connect to my tv when both are connected to tyre same wireless network. Same goes for printers and other accessories. Most external wireless networks (aka, Wi-Fi) have limited router bandwidth per use, not to mention security considerations.

I hope I'm understood cause Google searches are coming up with Verizon jet packs and mobile phone hotspots which don't accomplish the goal I have.

Any solutions?

 

[kanewolf]

They make kits like this -- http://www.jefatech.com/product/RV-KIT-REPEATER/Long-Range-WiFi-Repeater-Kit-for-RVs.html That is intended to be used with RVs (or big rig trucks). It has the stick antenna that you mount outside to receive your internet from the RV park or truck stop. Then the router creates a local WIFI source (and wired ports) for your local devices. You could do the something similar if you wanted to. As a trucker, this might be a deductible cost.

 

[boosted1g]

The jefatech kits are the same kits they advertised in the early/mid 2000s (hence why they use old linksys wireless g routers).
These kits are inferior for many reasons:
1) single raido design splites the already limited bandwidth in half
2) Antenna cables are more delicate and suffer from loss, while 50ft of ethernet is more durrable, cheap, and no signal decay
3) using 2005 wireless equipment. If the park only uses AES then this system would actually not even work

So here is my suggestion:
1) Ubiquiti nanostation for wireless bridge: https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-NanoStation-locoM2-2-4GHz-Outdoor/dp/B004EGI3CI
This is what receives the wifi singal from park. If you KNOW that frequent places have high bandwidth hardware then you might find a higher end model, but the vast vast majority of parks do not even have 100 mbps bandwidth to split among their guests
2) outdoor grade ethernet cable: get this at your local hardware store or some electronics stores (places like fy's may have it, but a big no at places like best buy)
3) Your own router. If you stream from local storage or transfer files then it would be worthwhile getting a higher end router. Otherwise I would just get an n600 level router like an asus rt-n53 and try to use the 5ghz band on all compatiable devices.

 

[kanewolf]

I don't disagree that the jefatech kits are old tech. But they are turnkey. I would probably do an Engenius ENS202EXT with an ethernet cable down to another router. But, just like a commercial NAS vs roll-your-own, there is merit for some in a pre-built.