This is triggered by the commentary in the thumbs thread...

IMHO (well, most of you know NSM H), something which will take boat
power is best. Mine is the Ubiquiti LiteStation2, and while I now use
a 48V POE, which requires a splitter up there with the bridge
(configured as a router), I have in hand, to install, a 12V POE, which
is a single very small box, takes the unused 4 data lines to put boat
power up the mast; Plug the cat5 into port one and the LS2 does the
translation to power and data.

A NEMA up top, and a cat5 running down, along with the needed pigtails
and antenna as discussed in the thread, is all you need to go to a
NIC; a router such as a Linksys WRT54GL (linux compatible) will allow
you to directly address the unit, as well as spread wifi for as far as
their little dux will allow. So, Lydia and her mom are on laptop, and
I'm on a 12 V (both the LS2 and the computer are happy with 10-16V)
computer built into my nav with a cat5 feed (though I could have
installed a wifi; the router's mounted right next to the computer so
there's no point), all from the same feed.

I've gotten house router signals as far as 3 miles out; Beacon and
similar commercial providers is available up to 5 miles out. I made a
call to my dad, also to Lydia's mom in England, and to Lydia's bank,
all in the same trip, from 3 miles out in Tampa Bay, during one of our
sea trials before we left on our first trip, on Vonage, the VoIP
service we have and use aboard when we have a good signal.

I have yet to be skunked for a signal in the cruising we've done,
other than anchoring in a totally remote location with no homes or
businesses. To my mind, putting your receiver at the top of the mast
is the only way to go unless you're tied up at a marina, in which case
the antenna may not see something really close. Case in point is my
router, Flying Pig (if you're anchored and ever see that SSID, we're
nearby, and you're welcome to use our signal), is only about a -65db,
even though it's right under the antenna...

Those of you who are longtimers here will recall the trials of the
damned I had with two Senao units provided by a clueless vendor who
clearly didn't understand my very specific instructions as to what I
was trying to achieve. A lurker here was kind enough to correct me
and lead me to what I have.

To avoid that agony, go directly to IslandtimePC.com, or drop Bob
Stewart
a line, and buy his setup. More expensive
than a plain $65 unit that you then have to figure out and further
equip to make work like you need it, but plug and play. I can't
recommend him strongly enough. He provided all the consulting I
needed before he received a dime from me; natch, I bought my 12V
computer from him...


For those who prefer an AC POE, I'll shortly have mine available (I
have to go up the mast and do the swapout with the 12V feed into the
LS2, and then install the POE to the ship's power) - it's a Linksys;
it works just fine - it's how I've gotten the power to the LS2 through
today - but needs AC. When I make that change, other than the printer
and the monitor, there will be no AC powered devices in my entire
computer system...

HTH...


--
L8R

Skip

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
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