T&T: Look at wifi connections - also Cradlepoint Personal Hotspot

[Elliott Bray]

After steeling myself for the task of configuring my internet connections
multiple times, I finally attempted to run some benchmarks on the type of
devices we have (or are contemplating) for use as we cruise.

I have used a data network capable Verizion cell phone as one of my internet
access devices while cruising the loop since 2004. I have found that its
speed and general availability make it my device of choice over wifi. My
current phone is a Motorola Q smart phone with an unlimited data plan which
I tether to either my Dell GX260 desktop or my Dell D600 laptop, both
running XP SP3.

While the phone connection is usually more available, if free open wifi is
available (mostly,I have found, only in marinas). If we are beginning to
suffer withdrawal and phone service is not available we have been known to
purchase service. Hence I have another device I use, an EnGenius USB
wireless Lan adapter EUB-362EXT. This is an external 200mW device (about 40
times the internal card power rating). This device really outclasses the
internal Dell 1300 adapter in my laptop.

So. with all that, what am I trying to say?
Here in Austin I have a high speed cable connection from Time-Warner.
It is connected to a Linksys WRT54G 4 port wireless router with cat5 to most
of my 'stuff'.
Also availiable is Verizion Broadband.

Just made available to me is a Cradlepoint PHS300 Personal Wifi Hotspot.
This device is a wifi router (no cable connections) which will accept a USB
phone modem (or in my case a USB connection to my Moto Q cell phone) and
broadcast a wifi signal. The specs say it will support up to 16 users.
Configuration options look like most home routers.

I ran speed tests (www.speedtest.net) for the following:

Wifi Routers - Linksys, Cradlepoint, Verizion through the cell phone
  Note that both Verizion and Cradlepoint are going to be in the stream if
the CradlePoint is used.
Wifi adapters - the Dell internal, EnGenius external


     Speed Tests  results in kbps

                                      Ping Download Upload
  Router - Linksys WRT54G Router - Roadrunner Cable Modem
 1     Cat5 Cable to Dell GX260          26    10210   480

        All other test using Dell D600 laptop
    WiFi adapter
 2    Internal Dell 1300                 45     2390   343
 3    EnGenius USB adapter EUB-362EXT    25     6793   489

 Router - Motorola Q Smartphone (Verizion) tethered to laptop
 4    Just Verizion Smartphone          338     1288   125
 5    Just Verizion Smartphone          210     1363   122

 Router - Cradlepoint PHS300 Personal Wifi Hotspot
          tethered to Motorola Q using Verizion
 6    Internal Dell 1300                235     493     118
 7    Internal Dell 1300                215     437     126

 8    EnGenius USB adapter EUB-362EXT   345     735     111
 9    EnGenius USB adapter EUB-362EXT   286     466     121
10    EnGenius USB adapter EUB-362EXT   356     587     108
11    EnGenius USB adapter EUB-362EXT   245     429     119

Conclusions:

I will take the CP router along but will probably not use it very often. It
would let us use both computers at the same time but we usually have worked
any conflicts out. The performance hit looks great enough that 'peace at any
price' would have to be the order of the day.

OTOH. There are times I would really be glad to get 500 kbps.


Offered as an alternative to discussions about anchors, filters, and 'will
the ice ever melt'.


****************
Elliott Bray
M/V Letitia - Gulfstar 44 MC
www.loopcruiser.com
****************