Wireless at Big4 Caravan Park - help needed

**jamesv** · 02-07-09, 11:05 PM

Current set up at caravan (country area) is pc with wireless g set up, which connects to the Big4 parks wireless net4, get 10 hours per month.

I basically open browser and it logs into net4 wirelessly seeking username & password etc.

Problem is connection is a little flaky and pc wireless card has only small antenna, which sits inside van.

At home I have billion 4 port adsl modem/router with FreeNet Antennas Ultra WAP N which connects to billion direct via lan cable and allows good wireless connection to shed through 3 brick walls and shed, over about 25 metres.

I am trying to improve connection at caravan to allow missus to video call (windows live) her parents in the UK. The picture is generally OK (little pixelated) but sound is awful. PC specs are ASUS mboard (recent) with E5200 dual core + 2 gig ram - onboard sound and video enabled.

Not sure if problem is signal or PC related. Questions are if I swap wireless card with freenet wap (with claimed 20k los connectibilty, how do I connect to Net4 and is it worth trying? Also will installing sound card / video card in PC help.

Really appreciate input, especially if someone has gone through this issue before. Thanks

**Keith** · 03-07-09, 05:03 PM

jamesv
Spent a week down at Batesman Bay in a Big 4 park, and the connection there wasn't the best either. I think you will find the problem lies with the parks wireless, not at your end. Sorry can't offer anything more. Just let you know I had difficulties also.
Cheers

**mtv** · 03-07-09, 07:28 PM

Having a weak signal with the antenna 'inside' a metal box (caravan) isn't helping.

Fitting an external (high-gain) antenna will help a lot, but if not possible, try using the lappy outside the van.

**jamesv** · 03-07-09, 10:24 PM

Thanks guys, I am at van now and still using internal antenna. Will have a go with the FreeeNet WAP tomorrow, but a little confused how to connect WAP direct to PC to see if Net4 can be found.

Will keep pluggin away

Cheers

jamesv

**Extradry** · 05-07-09, 09:48 AM

Hi James

Try a Alfa 500 mw USB wlan card, they are very good. Add a active usb extension cable to get the radio outside the van. Add a 9db rubber ducky and you will be beaming the signal in. Other guys are right if the big4 park isp provider has crappy bandwidth you will be waisting your time.

If the laptop is better outside the van the above will help. You get alfa's at rfshop.com.au last time i checked

Cheers

Extradry

**jamesv** · 06-07-09, 10:00 PM

Thks Extradry & others, only problem with lappy is crappy webcam and sound. Plus the missus will not be too keen when everyone can hear her conversation or sitting in the m/v when it is hissing down.

Still this weekend she had great sound but pics were freezing every couple of seconds. Connection shows up at 54 mbps (or whatever) and excellent and internet surfing is not too bad. I think the limitation may be the video and audion streaming.

Will keep on it, thks for your advice.

**mtv** · 06-07-09, 10:13 PM

jamesv,

You're not using internet explorer 8 by any chance are you?

If you are, that may be your problem, as I've seen numerous video/audio problems with IE8.

I reverted back to IE7, which fixed the issues I had.

**jamesv** · 07-07-09, 02:49 PM

Not sure mtv as I am back at work now.

Using Windows 7 (latest release) at van as the missus likes it. Think that comes with IE8 but unsure how to roll back.

Maybe try Firefox to see if that makes any difference.

Oops using Windows Live to connect which may need Internet Explorer ?