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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the range of The Wirie?

The Wirie has achieved connections of up to 4.75 nautical miles to on-shore access points. There are many variables that determine and influence the range of any WiFi signal. Though the quality of equipment being used on shore is undetermined when cruising, The Wirie, in conjunction with quality equipment on shore, has been able to connect from great distances, as long as there is line of sight with the access point. More info...

How high does The Wirie need to be mounted?

The Wirie should be mounted with the antenna in a vertical orientation approximately 4 - 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 meter) above the deck of the boat or clear of the roof of the RV. More info...

Can The Wirie be used on a Recreational Vehicle (RV)?

Yes. The Wirie can certainly be used by RVs as well. Although The Wirie was originally designed to be used in the marine environment, The Wirie can just as easily be used on an RV to allow greater WiFi range and signal strength from the comfort of your RV.

Can The Wirie be used on more than one computer?

Yes. The Wirie can be used on as many computers as you like. There are no limits to installing the required software. If you use Windows or a Mac, you can allow multiple computers or devices (like an iPhone or iPad) to all have access to The Wirie at the same time using Internet Connection Sharing. More info...

Is The Wirie built to be permanently installed outside?

Yes. The unit is completely sealed and waterproof (IP67/NEMA6). Some owners choose to install The Wirie once comfortably anchored and remove it while underway. Some owners install it permanently on the boat. The choice is yours.

How difficult is The Wirie to install?

Very easy. The brackets are designed to fit around any tubing between 1" and 2" or a standard antenna mount, and all marine grade hardware is included. There is only one USB cable (included) that needs to be run to the computer from The Wirie. No other power cables, Ethernet cables, or additional USB cables are required. More info...

Does The Wirie work worldwide?

Yes. The Wirie is being used successfully in all parts of the world at this moment (See our Testimonials and Map). The Wirie allows you to utilize all worldwide 802.11b/g frequencies in the 2.4GHz spectrum.

What is the difference between The Wirie and a Client Bridge?

The Wirie is a USB based WiFi solution designed to make installation and use as simple as possible, while giving you the ability to connect to shore-side access points from great distances. A Client Bridge is used to extend the range of an access point (what you connect to onshore) to allow an onshore facility to reach more area and distance with their WiFi signal. The Wirie was designed for an "end-user", Client Bridges were originally designed for permanent static installation by a network engineer. There are some Client Bridge solutions available for the boat and RV, however, these solutions are typically far more complex to install and manage than The Wirie. More info...

Does The Wirie use a directional or omni-directional antenna?

The Wirie uses an omni-directional antenna. For the marine environment, we strongly feel that an omni-directional antenna is the only choice. More info...

I have read that USB limits the cable length to 15 feet or 5 meters. Is that true?

No. USB cabling can be extended up to 79 feet with the use of USB Active Extension cables, with no signal loss for the entire length of the run.

I am starting to hear about a new WiFi protocol called N. Does your product support this?

Currently our product does not support N. The wireless N protocol has just been released as a standard in January 2010. N is backwards compatible and therefore any equipment purchased today will continue to work in the future, even with access points that support N. More info...

Alfa just came out with a new 2000mW WiFi adapter, the AWUS036NH, that also supports N. Why are you not using that unit?

We have extensively tested this new unit by Alfa, but have found that it does not have the same range as the unit we are currently using in The Wirie for b/g networks. More info...

Why do you feel the Ubiquiti Bullet2HP is not designed for marine use?

Ubiquiti describes the Bullet2HP as "weatherproof", not "waterproof". The Bullet2HP was designed for outdoor use, not marine use; most people agree it is rated at IP64 or maybe IP65. We have been unable to find any official ratings from Ubiquiti on this. We do not feel this is enough protection when used in the marine environment to truly protect the sensitive electronics and to be advertised as "marine grade". More info...

Why do I see claims of 7, 12, even 30 miles on competitors' WiFi products?

One word: Marketing. No company can claim or guarantee any results with a WiFi product unless they own and control both sides of the communication link (the access point and the equipment on your boat or RV). More info...

Do you sell The Wirie in white (or any other colors)?

No. Unfortunately the manufacturer of the waterproof cases does not produce them in white. However, you may paint the boxes any color you would like. We recommend Krylon: Fusion for Plastic ® paint if you choose to paint The Wirie.

How can I protect the end of the USB cable from The Wirie if I store the cable outside?

If the end of the 15' USB cable is run into your boat or RV, the terminal on the cable will be fine. However, if you store the cable outside, we do recommend treating the terminal with a product called CorrosionX ®. It will ensure that the terminal does not corrode in the elements while stored outside.