Setup Houseboat Wireless Internet
and get Access on House Boats
How do I choose and setup houseboat Wireless Internet access while on a houseboat, is a question that I get asked often. As computers become part of our daily lives, the need for access grows. We use laptops and computers for emails, office, information, news, chat, VoIP, maps, and an ever growing number of reasons.
Common Houseboat Wireless Internet terms.
Internal cards, External cards, Antenna's, Line of Sight, and others...
Internal wireless cards are becoming a standard in most computers today. Laptops generally are pre-configured with WiFi cards (802.11), and allow the user to gain access to the web. The range is limited to a few hundred feet.
External, or add-on wireless cards, are an inexpensive option for computers or laptops. They can be purchased at your local computer stores, and prices range from $25-75 dollars. The advantage to certain external models, is that some have an option for a external antenna which can increases your range.
Antenna's on some wireless cards allow for connecting external antennas, thereby greatly increasing your range. Since "WiFi" means transmitting or receiving your signal via "line of sight" to the Access Point, an external
High Power antenna can double or triple your range (@ 2,000-4,000 ft).
Line of Sight, is used frequently. Think of this as, your using a flashlight, and sending the "beam of light" or wireless signal, to the house across the street. Now, try and reach your neighbor who lives down the street. The trees, cars, and obstructions are deciding factors for "Line of Sight".
Other common terms are:
Open/Closed Networks
WEP security keys
802.11 standards
MAC filtering
IP address
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