Tag: Internet | SeaBits

Poynting OMNI LTE antennas

January 14, 2020December 23, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

I’m always on the lookout for new LTE antennas that could help improve my signal while on the water. Poynting has a couple of interesting marine antennas that I’ve been using for a while.

Low Data Mode helps boat WiFi use in iOS 13

January 3, 2020October 17, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

As of iOS 13, there is a Low Data mode for WiFi! For many years, you’ve been able to limit cellular bandwidth usage, but iOS has not had a way to control the same thing for a WiFi network, until now.

weBoost Drive Reach cellular amplifier installation and testing

January 16, 2020October 12, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

weBoost released the Drive Reach recently which is a more powerful and refined version of the venerable Drive 4G-X, the gold standard for cellular amplifiers since 2014. I have been using mine for a few months, and have some observations

Best boat Internet systems

January 16, 2020September 8, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

Below are my recommended system designs for getting high quality Internet on your boat. There are several different choices depending on your technical ability and budget.

Rendezvous internet setup

January 14, 2020August 17, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

Having a reliable setup has always been one of my top goals, usually leveraging several technologies. Rendezvous has a similar setup to some of my other boats, but with some modifications and improvements.

Managing internet usage on your boat

January 3, 2020June 2, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

Managing your internet data usage on the boat is important both for a quality experience, and because of limited WiFi and cellular networks.

Rendezvous initial networks

January 6, 2020April 2, 2019 by Steve Mitchell

In the last 4 months, I have been developing my overall network on board Rendezvous. I wanted a good WiFi/Ethernet network to connect me to the outside world, as well as a well developed NMEA 2000 network for marine equipment while underway. So far, here’s what I have…

MikroTik Groove step-by-step setup guide

January 3, 2020August 30, 2018 by Steve Mitchell

Setting up the MikroTik Groove to boost WiFi on your boat can be daunting. With a few quick steps you can get the Groove up and running quickly on your network.

Modular, cheaper boat internet solution via Netgear and MikroTik

January 3, 2020May 28, 2018 by Steve Mitchell

I’ve written a lot about my boat network, and in particular, Peplink products that offer a ton of functionality and features. For the last 6 months, I have been playing with configurations and hardware that cost less, but still provide flexibility and features that more expensive solutions offer.

Using an Intel NUC as a powerful boat server

January 3, 2020April 28, 2018 by Steve Mitchell

I use an Intel NUC as a boat linux computer to run Grafana, SignalK, Zabbix and many more tools.

Best LTE antenna and booster for the boat

January 4, 2020April 10, 2018 by Steve Mitchell

For almost two years I have been testing, re-testing, and re-wiring my setup on Grace in an effort to find the best LTE antenna configuration.

Mic on Wakespeed WS-500 regulator review: “Thanks for another great write up. I first became aware of Wakespeed back when it was first mentioned in the…”

Steve Mitchell on Grace’s redundant Internet setup: “For those looking for the MikroTik Groove setup guide, that can be found here: https://seabits.com/mikrotik-groove-step-by-step-setup-guide/ Note that a lot of…”

Maks on Best boat Internet systems: “hi Martin, yes, you are right. But you need to understand what is the benefit of second antenna. Modems like…”

Maks on Best boat Internet systems: “hi Alan. Actually Pepwave is a big cell phone which allow you to attach external antenna with big gain and…”

Maks on Best boat Internet systems: “almost nothing if you want to have access youtube online services etc. World is waiting oneweb and starlink which is…”

Steve Mitchell on Installing and using a Victron LiFePO4 energy system: “The Venus GX is a great product. I have one installed in a remote location on land controlling a solar…”

jan-kees on Installing and using a Victron LiFePO4 energy system: “One advantage a Venus has, besides the integration, is the digital inputs and the free VRM website. I connected my…”

Steve Mitchell on Victron + Wakespeed + Battle Born power system: “If you're using Victron batteries and their BMS, I could see how that might be more likely. The safe way…”

Steve Mitchell on Victron + Wakespeed + Battle Born power system: “I know a number of people who use DC to DC chargers specifically for thruster and windlass battery banks. In…”

GG1980 on Victron + Wakespeed + Battle Born power system: “reading victron website: they suggest not putting the thruster on the house with BMS and lithium as sudden disconnects can…”