Ubiquiti Bullet - WIFI Repeaters

PMC

PMC

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2009
1,454
Long Island, NY
Boat Info
2001 40 Sedan Bridge
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Cummins 6CTA
I know the topic of WIFI and bosts have been discussed before, but im curious on some specifics. I'm currently running a 2.4ghz Ubiquiti M2 Bullet (outdoor titanium model) with a 4' 12db omnidirectional antenna. I've had this runnign for a few years, and it is good. I'm thinking of extending my network to support the 5ghz signal. Is anybody running the 5ghz version? What antenna are you using? Even if it is the 2.4ghz, what antenna?


I will eventually mesh the 2 WIFI sources to my boat network in order to choose which receiver has the strongest signal, but that will be after installation.


Not to go on a tangent, but I temporarily repaired my existing antenna with shrink wrap tape (it is what I had onboard). It is ok for outdoors, but overall, the antenna will not hold up to the vibration and movement in a marine environment. The point where the fiberglass antenna meets the metal has a really shallow matting surface. If you found a good antenna, I would be interested in a model number.

Calling all techies!

20190727_150711.jpg
 
Ubiquiti has a new 2.4/5.0 bullet, the BulletAC-IP67 so you could easily replace the bullet to get this functionality, but the trouble with the 5 Ghz spectrum is that while technically "faster" it sacrifices distance, and on the boat we really need distance. It just like a fishfinder...lower frequencies work better in deeper water (more distance). I doubt its worth updating the bullet itself.

However, for you local network, you might want to consider a UniFi access point that allows both 2.4 and 5.0 in case you have some 5.0 Ghz only items.

As far as the Bullet antenna, I bought one off ebay for $20 and it works great. I think its a 9db version. I picked up a Starbucks signal about 1/2 mile away with it (but not useful signal). I think a 3 or 6 would be better on a rocking boat. I think it was or is similar to this...https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alfa-9-dB-...JMAAOSwda1axnHH:sc:USPSFirstClass!30004!US!-1

The one I have has a brass ferrule on the top as seen here...https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alfa-Tube-...346&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

Also, Shakespeare has the jellyfish...http://shakespeare-ce.com/marine/?s=jellyfish. I've never tried it, but might be good in a marina.
 
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This is my set up I'm going to install over the winter. Just trying to decide on how best to mount the antenna, so I'll be watching and posting.

Should be able to use Wifi as the main input but will fail over to LTE data when need be.

20190802_151035.jpg
 
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dtfeld said:
Ubiquiti has a new 2.4/5.0 bullet, the BulletAC-IP67
Click to expand...
I saw this last night and the reviews did not look good. It seem to ONLY be compatibility with Ubiquiti AC WIFI devices. This sounded very limiting to the remainder of the world.

I understand the short range distance of 5ghz (the reason i went with 2.4 years back). There is one marina I frequent that has ONLY the single 5g band. I'm burning through my cell data too fast.....

The end user device side of my boat network will support both 2.4 and 5, and I'm very familiar with the AP (great device). I'm running all Ubiquiti at home, and like the equipment. I can seperate kid and adult content with multiple SSIDs in one AP.

dtfeld said:
Also, Shakespeare has the jellyfish...http://shakespeare-ce.com/marine/?s=jellyfish. I've never tried it, but might be good in a marina
Click to expand...
Have not seen this and will check it out. Thanks!
 
dtfeld said:
Just trying to decide on how best to mount the antenna
Click to expand...
What I like about the TP anetnna was thst it had a collar thst allowed the wire to run inside to the antenna. I was able to mount it to the arch and detach the bullet with an extension cable.

I like the antenna you have and if there is a way to retrofit it to a 1-14 thread (standard vhf antenna thread) it would work great. Looks like it supports both 2.4 and 5
 
I haven't read any reviews, but I'm surprised only compatible with other Ubiquiti equipment. I would expect better performance or limits on performance with 3rd party equipment,but no connection at all?? I'll have to read up on that.

I would expect it to at least to connect up and work decently on 2.4 or 5.0 networks...hmmm.
 
I have the Edge X SFP. It has the fail over, but cannot power directly from PoE, hence the 12-24 VDC converter It does power the Bullet and my LTE modem via PoE though.

Im looking to have an adapter made to couple the bullet base to a standard 1"-14 antenna mount. Havent had time to draw it up. Need the bullets thread specification.
 
PMC said:
I know the topic of WIFI and bosts have been discussed before, but im curious on some specifics. I'm currently running a 2.4ghz Ubiquiti M2 Bullet (outdoor titanium model) with a 4' 12db omnidirectional antenna. I've had this runnign for a few years, and it is good. I'm thinking of extending my network to support the 5ghz signal. Is anybody running the 5ghz version? What antenna are you using? Even if it is the 2.4ghz, what antenna?
Click to expand...

What did you use to interface the base of the bullet with the standard 1” x 14 mount? This has been a real challenge for me....
 
Wow reading this sounds exactly what I have been through. Even the antenna issues. I had to re-epoxy the same antenna as well. I had to re-tap the threads to match the mount. I could have used the extension tube with different threads but chose to re-tap the threads on the antenna instead, cleaner install.

I am also about to upgrade to the M5 bullet or possibly the Shakespeare Web Watch. Any better reception with that?

I mounted my bullet inside. I ran an extension wire ~15' into the cabin. Much easier to mess with when needed.

EDIT: Apparently the M5 and Web Watch are discontinued now.
 
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I as well as several others in our marina installed the Coastal Marine WiFi system. The antenna/bullet mounts to a standard antenna mount and has given me no issues over the last three years and we have been in some rough conditions. What I really like is the App on my Iphone to configure the system.
https://www.coastalmarinewifi.com/
 
ttmott said:
I as well as several others in our marina installed the Coastal Marine WiFi system. The antenna/bullet mounts to a standard antenna mount and has given me no issues over the last three years and we have been in some rough conditions. What I really like is the App on my Iphone to configure the system.
https://www.coastalmarinewifi.com/
Click to expand...

Looks like they may be out of business? Their store website is very broken. I think probably the best bet would be to use a Shakespeare 5239 Galaxy World Band Cellular/Wi-Fi Antenna, which comes with the threaded base mount. Mount the bullet inside the arch, and then run coax up to the antenna mounted outside on top of the arch. Seems like that would offer some better weather protection for the bullet as well...
 
pirate703 said:
Looks like they may be out of business? Their store website is very broken. I think probably the best bet would be to use a Shakespeare 5239 Galaxy World Band Cellular/Wi-Fi Antenna, which comes with the threaded base mount. Mount the bullet inside the arch, and then run coax up to the antenna mounted outside on top of the arch. Seems like that would offer some better weather protection for the bullet as well...
Click to expand...
That's too bad if so. Because, programming the bullet to each and every WiFi signal then to adjust the transmit strength would be super laborious and difficult without an App or other easy means. Does Shakespeare provide SW or an App to connect to the WiFi hot spot?
 
ttmott said:
That's too bad if so. Because, programming the bullet to each and every WiFi signal then to adjust the transmit strength would be super laborious and difficult without an App or other easy means. Does Shakespeare provide SW or an App to connect to the WiFi hot spot?
Click to expand...

Ubiquity has an app UNMS that works the same way. The only thing I do now is select the SSID I want to connect to, enter the password and done, works awesome. The issue is now the M2 is getting out of date and I have access points I cannot connect to (other marinas) because of speed supported (I think) like N or AC. The M2 is only b/g for the most part. It supposedly supports N but I have no luck in that.
 
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