My challenge is to implement the most appropriate hardware and software solution to provide connection to campground/public wifi from my motorhome. Our itinerary is such that we move from one location to another almost daily. I am considering as a solution the combination of Groove 52 HPn and HAP ac. The Groove would be mounted with a 9db omni on a servo operated retractable mast atop the motorhome. The Groove would be I presume in Station mode. It is then connected via ethernet to a HAP ac inside the motorhome that I suppose would be in AP mode. The HAP ac provides wired and wireless connectivity for the clients. Is this an appropriate selection of hardware? Can you suggest more appropriate hardware? Is there a more appropriate software solution than RouterOS for this application? I must confess absolutely no experience with Mikrotik equipment. I was years ago a network administrator and have experience with Ubiquiti products. I am now a retired IT manager so I have a broad, if shallow, knowledge of all matters IT. Tell me, should I abandon the notion of growing my own solution and purchase a canned product like WifiRanger or some such? I am thankful for any guidance.
The hardware you’ve chosen sounds appropriate. Of course there’s plenty of ways to do it, but I think you’re on the right track.
I hadn’t seen WiFiRanger before, but it looks like it’s Mikrotik gear that’s pre-packaged and configured. If you’re comfortable configuring it yourself you’d save a bit by buying the individual components.
If you’ll be connecting it up to the park’s WiFi yourself, you shouldn’t have any trouble. If you want it to be simple so someone who doesn’t have an IT background can connect it up, you’ll either have to do a bit of work (WebFig skin, script or API call) to simplify it - looks like WiFiRanger has added their own web interface.
I have almost the exact same situation. I’m hoping that someone can help with the settings to be used on a GrooveA to access a new access point every time we move the motor home. I setup the GrooveA using the CPE settings in the quickstart and added DNS but it seems to lock a lot. Is there any tool I’m missing that may also save SSID name and password pairs in the GrooveA similar to what a PC client does?
I can top this - I need a similar solution, but also with a LTE USB stick as fallback.
I also would like to be able to make a list of SSIDs with corresponding encryption codes so that when I return to a known place the mikrotik automatically connects to the network I used there last time.
Many of the RouterBoards have USB so you can pop in a 3G or LTE modem. The Hap ac lite and the Hap ac both have USB ports and would fit the bill. Just check compatibility first and make sure you’re running a recent RouterOS version.
Mikrotik also produces an SXT LTE (https://routerboard.com/RBSXTLTE3-7).
If you’re looking for an all in one external unit and don’t mind going down the self build route then there is also the RB953GS-5HnT-RP (https://routerboard.com/RB953GS-5HnT-RP) to which you can add a 2GHz and an LTE MiniPCIe card. Pop it in an enclosure and stick on some antenna and you’ll be sucking in signals in no time.
With regards to compiling numerous WiFi connection credentials look into the Connect List feature (https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:Interface/Wireless#Connect_List)
Just keep adding each new SSID and password here and the 'Tik will scan through the list till it finds a match and connects.
No reason for servo to turn around with omnidirectional antenna…