The Wi-Fi signal from a customers Starlink Mini isn’t great, and I’d like to extend it deeper inside the ship. The problem is the installation: there’s no practical way to run a data cable between devices, and we can’t drill through bulkheads. So the only workable option is for an AP Enterprise to connect wirelessly to the Starlink Mini Wi-Fi, then rebroadcast that network further inside.
Ideally this would be seamless (same SSID, transparent roaming), but if double NAT is the only way, that’s fine too.
Does anyone know if either the old or the new AP Enterprise models support this kind of wireless repeater / wireless uplink mode (connect to Wi-Fi as WAN and re-broadcast)? If so, what mode/settings should I be looking for?
Have you tried just putting the Mini into Bypass and running a mesh capable router into the ship. Gives you lot more flexibility over the deployment in terms of traffic management and control. Bypass deactivates the minis WiFi…
Not saying you should but here’s an example of what I’ve achieved.
I’ve done this at my home network where I don’t have physical cable going from router to home office… I have Starlink residential in Bypass connected to peplink B One 5G. On the B15G I have enabled some VLANs and presented these as SSIDs to the B15G… . Fired up 2 x AP 1ax (courtesy of.Peplink Summit 24 lab kit) and configured for mesh. This pushes the selected B15G SSIDs to the AP1s. Did the obligatory wait 10mins…then deployed them about the house. I have one connecting a Samsung TV over Ethernet because Samsung WiFi clients are patchy. The other is connected to a switch in my home office.inking paper printers, 3D printers and other switches for my labs…
The B15G becomes the mesh termination device on the network. The B15G AP syncs with the deployed AP 1ax and if configured for it, presents the WiFi Access Point SSIDs that were defined on the router. I haven’t pushed multi hop as I only have 2 APs but if you do stand by for some performance drops…
Bulkheads in boats and ships are a tough challenge especially watertight bulkheads…
If you’re concerned about location of the router grab the Antenna Max S which can house a BR15G (and other small routers) together with the Starlink Mini and has all the antenna connections inbuilt.
Ps I’ve run ubiquiti Edgemax routers and UAP in mesh configuration together with starlink prior to stumbling onto the peplink ecosystem.
Thanks for the response. The problem is that the pole where the Mini sits only has a 12V cable I can tap into, there’s no data cable. It’s a leftover run from an old navigation light that used to be mounted there and that has since been moved and replaced.
I can’t run Cat5 through the pole because it sits on the watertight top bulkhead, and the customer doesn’t want any new holes drilled or any exposed wiring along the top deck. So I’m basically limited to a wireless repeater approach.
I can put a Peplink router (like a BR1 Mini) on the bridge deck, connect it to the Mini over WiFi, and repeat the signal from there. The issue is that the WiFi on the mobile Peplink routers is honestly pretty weak, and I really don’t want to add a third access point just to extend coverage.
I’ve done this successfully before using a BR1 Pro and an older Pismo Rugged HW1, and I was able to push coverage out to around 110 meters around the ship (those Pismo Rugged units were great). But if I rely on the BR1’s built-in WiFi, I’m lucky to get 20 meters of usable range, and it barely makes it through two bulkheads. That’s why I’m trying to confirm whether the APs themselves can handle the client/repeater role, without needing an additional router in the middle.
I tested the AP One Mini and Enterprise signal ranges and they do reach the furthest part of the ship from the bridge with good signal, so now its just a matter of seeing if i can avoid adding extra hardware (and cost) if at all possible
The Antenna Max idea would be great except the range on those BR1s … is less than stellar haha, it doesn’t even get through the top bulkhead without loosing 90% of the throughtput
Oddly enough the Enterprise HW2 reaches the whole ship and the Rugged HW1 reaches just fine even all the way to the marina gatehouse
Lol. Not surprised… Tbh I’m not a fan of using the standard antennas on any router or AP… And I’ve seen some crazy stuff as folks try and bend the laws of physics in an attemot to prove Maxwell Marconi and co had no idea what they were talking about. .
Higher or lower gain quality antennas that suit the application for me everytime with proper cabling make a. Significant difference…
