Hi -- I've spend the last couple of days researching WiFi options for Winterlude. And all I get is more & more confused. I know there is extensive information out on the web, and I've read a lot of it, but would appreciate any updated experiences.

We've never added wifi other than in my Mac because where we were cruising, it didn't matter. This winter we're hoping to spend a few months in the Exumas/Bahamas. From what I've read, wifi is more available in the Bahamas than the offshore atolls in Belize. We have onboard e-mail via SSB,Pactor III and Winlink & SailMail FYI. If we wanted to add a better wifi antenna:

1. Is it your experience that wifi is available in the Bahamas - specifically Exumas? Why bother if there are no signals to connect to!

2. I'm reading about a few different options -- and it appears the choices are endless, but I'm comparing (or trying to compare)

A. We know it's an inexpensive solution... can someone tell me if the Alpha unit requires 2 usb ports to power and also give me some idea of range? Alpha's portable 1000 mz: http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUS036NHR-High-Gain-Wireless-N-Strongest/dp/B005ETA5K2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Cost: $35.00

B. WaveRVMarine, claims up to 7 miles???? but as I understand it it's good for Mac OS X 10.5 and below, but not 10.6 or Lion 10.7. So it would work with my current Mac, but it's 5 years old and may need replaced sometime in the not too distant future. From RadioLab it's $199.99 and gets power via a 12v plug at my nav station - no problem. Here's the link on the one I was looking at: http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/marine-wifi-antenna.php It claims up to 7 miles range - can someone tell me the real number? Sorry, not believing it...

C. The Wirie, basic version with a 8 dbi omni antenna. http://www.thewirie.com/ Cost $250 Looks pretty simple to use and doesn't require a power source other than the USB port. They claim up 1-2 miles range, but then get realistic and just say "if you're not able to connect The Wirie in your anchorage, we are fairly certain none of your neighbors are connected either.

D. WiFi for Boats. http://wififorboats.com/id81.html This option is $299 and features a 15 dp gain omni directional antenna, claims 2500-4500 feet -- also claims that those advertising range in miles are misleading people like me that just want a simple solution. It requires us to hook into power and looks much more complicated than say, the Wirie.

After all this, if the Alpha portable solution will get about the same 1200 feet as some of the most costly more difficult to install and use options, will I really get more for the money with the Wirie or others?

Thanks for any input and I apologize for re-introducing the subject, but with technology changing so fast, stuff I'm reading from a couple years ago may not be optimal now. Cheers! Jan