Android Tablets and Wi-Fi Booster

Motorhomer · Oct 19, 2013

I know that this must have come up before but I have done a search and found nothing, probably used the wrong terms! Apologies.

I tour Europe in my motorhome (MH) quite a lot and use a Galaxy S3 and a Windows laptop. When on campsites, our outside retailers offering free wi-fi I use my laptop with a wi-fi booster. This is a largish aerial-like device that clamps onto the outside of my MH using a suction pad and it pulls in wi-fi from a far greater distance than my Galaxy S3 can manage.

I also prefer the laptop for sending mail, using my banking app (Pocket Money) and web browsing as, obviously, larger is easier.

I'd like to buy a good-sized tablet to replace my laptop but want one where I can plug in my booster to a usb socket, just like my laptop.

Are they available yet? I know that I can buy a further attachment that my booster plugs into to create a wi-fi field that any device can use, but this is a messy business when first logging on to a source and it needs a 12v power input, which I can do but it's another complication.

When I first researched this I couldn't find a tablet that had this usb booster facility, or would take the necessary software.

Finally, stupid question I know but can I add printers to an Android tablet? I'm more concerned with Desk PDF Writer, which is installed as a printer and will allow me to convert documents to a pdf and email them.

Thom · Oct 19, 2013

For maximum exposure thread was moved to sub-forum where device comparisons are discussed.

... Thom

Motorhomer · Oct 19, 2013

On reflection I'm not sure that moving this post was a good idea. I'm no expert but from what I know my question doesn't relate to picking a particular model of tablet that may have a usb socket for a wi-fi booster.

The problem has always been Android in that, up to now, it hasn't the necessary configuration or whatever to accept the software that comes with this kind of aerial wi-fi booster.

So it's really an Android software query, aimed at those who have a programmer's knowledge of Android.

If I know that this has been solved I can then start looking for the right tablet.

Slug · Oct 19, 2013

Motorhomer said:
from what I know my question doesn't relate to picking a particular model of tablet that may have a usb socket for a wi-fi booster.

Tbh this is one of those questions that doesn't fit neatly into any one particular sub-forum. I'm leaning towards Computers & IT myself - let's try there.

The problem has always been Android in that, up to now, it hasn't the necessary configuration or whatever to accept the software that comes with this kind of aerial wi-fi booster.

If your laptop is wireless-enabled and using a recent version of Windows, you can connect it to the wifi booster as before then use it as a local wifi access point for a standard wifi tablet. In effect the laptop becomes a wifi router.

Rukbat · Oct 19, 2013

As far as an Android tablet that can run the software needed for the booster, the question is backwards. Does the booster come with (or does the company provide) Android software for its booster? That's how it would work. There's no Android tablet that can run Windows software, and probably never will be one.

As Slug said, your best bet is probably to use ICS in Windows to provide an internet connection to the tablet.

Motorhomer · Oct 20, 2013

Thanks but the point of my query is that I don't want to take my laptop. I just want to have my S3 for texts, calls etc. and when there's free wifi use a ten inch tablet.

In my post I do say that I want to replace my laptop with a tablet but only if I can use my booster.

As for the point about the booster manufacturers providing the right software they claim, up to recently anyway, that the problem is with the structure of Android OS.

I need this question to be read by a programmer as I think as it really is about nothing more than the basis of Android vis a vis Windows or Mac.

mikedt · Oct 20, 2013

Something that might work is a WiFi range extender, sometimes called a WiFi repeater, the type that does not require a physical connection to the device. Put it on the roof of your MH, and it boosts the signal for inside the MH.

Something like these perhaps...I assume you got mains hookup in your MH?
Amazon.com: Amped Wireless High Power 600mW Compact Wi-Fi Range Extender (REC10): Computers & Accessories

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/851724451/Net_gear_Universal_WiFi_Range_Extender.html

Motorhomer · Oct 20, 2013

Thanks but you'll note that in my OP I mention that I'm aware of these and I can even get a 12v one. However setup is time consuming and complex.

My current USB aerials are very simple and I can be online very quickly, important if I've just stopped outside one of the many retailers who offer free wifi.

I just need to know if Android has been updated in the last few months to accommodate USB boosters.

MLSS · Oct 20, 2013

Motorhomer said:
Thanks but you'll note that in my OP I mention that I'm aware of these and I can even get a 12v one. However setup is time consuming and complex.

My current USB aerials are very simple and I can be online very quickly, important if I've just stopped outside one of the many retailers who offer free wifi.

I just need to know if Android has been updated in the last few months to accommodate USB boosters.

Why don't you simply call or email the manufacturer of your booster and ask. I would assume they would know the answer.

Motorhomer · Oct 20, 2013

First thing I did! They didn't know if the latest versions of Android tablets due out soon, Nexus 10 2014 for example have the facility to take their booster software. Up to now it can't be done owing to the design of the Android platform.

I'm hoping this will be picked up by an ace programmer who might know.

Thanks anyway.

MLSS · Oct 20, 2013

Then I'm gonna say I doubt it.
I would venture to say that if it were going to be the manufacture would know and since they didn't know.....well I guess there is always a chance though.

Slug · Oct 21, 2013

I'm not sure whether it's a question of Android needing updating to support these, or the manufacturers needing to write the appropriate Android software.

Android supports USB tethering out-of-the-box so the basic facility required is present. You could try connecting the tablet directly to the booster using a microUSB-Type A USB receptacle adaptor cable and enabling USB tethering; I don't know if it will work without a software layer similar to that used by Windows, however.

Motorhomer · Oct 22, 2013

I'm not sure what tethering has to do with this problem. Tethering is the ability to create a wi-fi zone using your phone's 3G data transmission and would cost me a fortune in charges when in Europe.

My problem is simply trying to amplify an existing wi-fi transmission so that a tablet can pick up a signal from a greater distance.

Anyway, I've spoken with another aerial manufacturer and there are two problems, the first being power drain. My main wi-fi booster for my laptop (I have two) consumes five volts, not a problem for most laptops but enough to stop the average tablet from working!

The second is the nature of the Android platform and the installation of the necessary drivers. It appears though that even if the drivers can be made to work, the power consumption problem is currently insurmountable.

The only possible way is to buy one of the booster setups which have an external aerial and an inner transmission box, running off the 12v cigarette lighter socket. The aerial plugs into this box and creates a wi-fi zone into which any device can log in.

The problem here is the cost of between

Slug · Oct 22, 2013

Motorhomer said:
Tethering is the ability to create a wi-fi zone using your phone's 3G data transmission and would cost me a fortune in charges when in Europe.

That's one form, usually described as "portable wi-fi hotspot". That's different from "USB tethering", most commonly used to share a PC internet connection. This second form is what I was suggesting.

mikedt · Oct 22, 2013

Motorhomer said:
I'm not sure what tethering has to do with this problem. Tethering is the ability to create a wi-fi zone using your phone's 3G data transmission and would cost me a fortune in charges when in Europe.

My problem is simply trying to amplify an existing wi-fi transmission so that a tablet can pick up a signal from a greater distance.

Anyway, I've spoken with another aerial manufacturer and there are two problems, the first being power drain. My main wi-fi booster for my laptop (I have two) consumes five volts, not a problem for most laptops but enough to stop the average tablet from working!

The second is the nature of the Android platform and the installation of the necessary drivers. It appears though that even if the drivers can be made to work, the power consumption problem is currently insurmountable.

The only possible way is to buy one of the booster setups which have an external aerial and an inner transmission box, running off the 12v cigarette lighter socket. The aerial plugs into this box and creates a wi-fi zone into which any device can log in.

The problem here is the cost of between

Rukbat · Nov 7, 2013

There's one other way that might work.

Make (or buy) an Cantenna. (There are plans all over the internet. It costs a few pounds to make.) Get a few meters of good low-loss coaxial cable. Make a 2.45 MHz ground plane antenna. (Again, minimal cost.) Or find an amateur radio operator, buy him a few pints of Fuller's ESB and he'll make it all for you.

Mount the Cantenna outside the motorhome, aimed at the provider's router. (The range is well over a mile for a good solid signal.) Route the cable into the motorhome and mount the ground plane on the ceiling or somewhere high on a wall. It's very small at these frequencies, just over an inch, so it will be quite unobtrusive.

This is called a passive repeater. It's nowhere near as good as an active (with electronic components) repeater but, with the gain of a Cantenna, it should work pretty well to get the signal in and out of the shield that the motorhome creates. And it's cheap. Aside from the cable, which, even for a couple of meters, can cost a few pounds, the rest is scrap - a wire hanger, a couple of connectors and a used coffee can. You can even spray paint the cn to match the exterior of the motorhome (after you cut the hole but before you assemble it).

Android Tablets and Wi-Fi Booster

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