That's how I have mine set up. You don't need to use the pi's built-in wireless, but it's a cheap way to get started and covers most use-cases where the users

That's how I have mine set up. You don't need to use the pi's built-in wireless, but it's a cheap way to get started and covers most use-cases where the users are very near the device. I've got an old Ubiquiti Bullet M2HP mated to a broomstick omni acting as the AP for my IIAB network, and you can hit it from halfway down the block. Further if I get some more height under the 'tenna. I wish 802.11ah was more common; a low speed long range option would be perfect for lightweight content like this. But until phones have the radios, the use-case just isn't there.