LadyG

Its a lovely thing, but Id query the seaworthyness. A big wave over the stern, glug glug. There's a reason Dunston build tugs with a proper stern.

You know the obvious solution

Oh dear, just found a flaw in my plan. At the moment i have a sim card in my mi fi, i probably have one in my phone, i pay Three two contracts, but ive no idea which payment is which or about usage. If i now add a mains router, do i have to buy another sim. I think 1pmobile charge about £10 per month, so that would be three contracts, which has to be excessive.

Yes, im up North and usually have a signal on Three, though every so often it seems to crash for a few hours. I suppose the new router might need a new sim card, i did not think about that. I could maybe try out EE on one and Three on the other. Obviously it would be better to have good aerial eg Poynton, and i l ll probably try to get a magnetic mast sometime, that would be a solution. The fitter who was here yesterday did say i have 12v, but i dont really understand, did he mean the round pin sockets. I dont know if there is power to the round sockets, if the new router comes with round a round plug, and works that would be one step forward. I dont understand where i could plug in a DC to DC, the only thing i am sure of is the single 240v socket which is fed from the invertor, and the four usb sockets. There are also two round pin sockets and four square sockets, i thougt they might need shorepower.

I envisage using my invertor to power the new router. Not sure if the indoor aerials it comes with will cope. If the new battery will get the mifi working again, I would then have two systems. I think the fundamental problem is getting the Three signal inside the boat.

Ive got a reliable engine and have it serviced once a year by someone who knows about narrowboat engineering. I can change the oil myself if i have to, i cant check engine mounts or gearbox. I dont know enough to say my engine is well maintained, i expect the professional to do that I do the daily checks and always use a torch to inspect tbe engine and i clean the hoses etc.

I was envisaging drilling in to the steel. I ve ordered the router and will see if it works using my magnetic twin aerials. If not , I'll regroup.

Yes, i could do that, ty, but my current set up, mi fi (needs new battery £19), wired through open window to twin antenae (£19.99) and a monthly sub to Three seems to work without my intervention, which is what i want. I could try to get boat 12v usb stable , but it will either work, or it will die, in which case ill send it back. The usb sockets show some sort of rating, I assume tberefore that they have some sort of buffereing capability in order to output tbe rated output.

I have considered the Poynting but it requires tools and skills i dont possess. I should now have three options: mooring near good signal/new router/original mifi. I hope the new router arrives before the boat fitter who is due here this week, and should manage the internet stuff.

Ive ordered Huawei B535-232 which is about £87, saving £55 , aparently. (Amazon). Its supposed to be 12v and has twin aerials attached, not sure if i can replace them with my outdoor aerials. Ive got great internet from the pub next door ( they sell White Rat, a rather nice IPA style beer).

Yes, Im sure there are better gadgets, ill have a look at the one you recommend. I think its a matter of getting a better signal, not sure if it does that , its probably Three problem most of the time. I prefer not to have to use two gadgets to access one, if you see what i mean. I probablydont do downloading stuff or uploading stuff. Todays problem is getting a delivery to somewhere i can walk to, a lot of sellers wont clik and collect high value hi tech gadgets. I think the pub Im moored at is providing my internet, who knows ....... PS i tried to paste that number and it came uo with lots of items, maybe £600. My budget is £120 UPDATE I ve managed to order a replacement battery to be delivered to an amazon counter tomorrow. I still want to replace my huawei E5785 which is now about five years old, but its a nightmare. I need to use amazon due to ease of delivery. I am just guessing that if they cost about £120 they are worth looking at. I want a battery that will last for ten hours, and have twin Ts9.. I cant see how to google the difference between those that cost £600 and £60, i assume that the bigger ones can run an office and the little ones cant. I only have two gadgets, and use a usb socket. The first fatal flaw seems to be the female socket on the gadget. I think this is built in obselesence and very annoying. After all my recent problems i now need to buy new cables, must be a common probkem as the local Shell garage has a stand full of expensive options.

Or build a narrowboat with swivel lee boards (or a centreboard as found on the Mirror Dinghy). You could have wooden outriggers for crossing choppy seas. Its a pity horses are no longer allowed on the towpath, they would save the CRT a fortune in grass cutting costs if we all had one, it would save the cost of mining lithium.

I know, that is why i am replacing the router. Its not easy to replace things if i am out in rhe sticks Its impossible to get on the net without having it plugged in. Its faulty, that is why i am replacing it with an updated mi fi. Its not easy as it keeps dropping the signal.