Quote:
Originally Posted by Packerbacker_TX
Just mulling around with the idea of some kind of internet solution for the camper. I've found that a lot of the time there's next to no cell phone reception and if you're in a campground that offers wifi, it's got a weak signal and/or slow connection. Anyone here decided to up the game a bit and do something unique? I'm thinking about some possibilities like..
* High gain directional wireless antenna for better long range WIFI reception.
* Cell phone signal booster.
* Satellite dish for Internet.
* HAM radio solution (packet radio).
Ideas?
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There are some issues that technology will help and some it will not help.
- Poor CG Wi-Fi signal due to MANY campers (bandwidth) - WiFi signal extender will not help you out
- Poor CG Wi-Fi signal (Cheap/Old CG AP equipment)- a Wi-Fi signal extender
MAY help you out, only as good as the AP signal quality
- Weak CG Wi-Fi signal - A Wi-Fi signal extender
WILL help you out
- Distance from CG's AP, A Wi-Fi signal extender will help (line of sight)
- Poor Cell Phone service (distance from cell tower) a Cell Signal will increase signal in most cases
- Using IE: MiFi with poor cell service will not produce acceptable Wi-Fi service in most cases. May work but very slow. I have one for a backup... have not used in at least 2 years.
- Satellite dish for internet- could be expensive if you use a lot of data
- Cell phone signal booster- can help cell service signal
With all that said:
I have the Wi-Fi signal Extender (around $100) and it works great in most CG's, or Big Store parking lots (Home Depot, Walmart...). Some CG's are using technology to block the use of Wi-Fi signal extenders because if not set up correctly, they try to lock on to the CG's AP and it causes problems for other users. Line of site my EnGenius ENS202EXT (external Omni directional antenna) is good for 1.5 miles (line of sight).
I just purchased a Uniden Cellular signal extender ($500). We are located in a valley with 4K' mountains around us, 4+ miles from the cell tower. Dropped calls, not able to send pictures, txt messages do not get sent/received. 1 bar max.
After installing the Cell Signal booster with Directional antenna, 4 bars, no dropped calls, send/receive all text and pictures. DW very happy. On point to remember, we are 4+ miles away from the cell site, on normal days we have 4 bars, I did notice that when the CG was filled for the fair, with all the extra phones (about 150 additional RVers in the CG) we dropped to 3 bars, but still GREAT connections. Wi-Fi (bandwidth) was affected by all the additional campers.
In either case use External antennas
HAM Radio, one of the experienced HAM radio members will probably let you know.
Wi-Fi Signal Extenders
Cellular Signal Boosters