Internet?

[FrankTJ]

I’m new to the site. I’m actually new to rving. What does everyone use for internet while camping? I understand campground WiFi is not that great so I want something a little bit better without spending a lot of money. Are there good signal boosters out there that don’t cost too much? I just want to know what all my options are before I make the investment.

[wiscampsin]

I use my cell phone (unlimited data) as a mobile hotspot.

[PaulB12]

Ya can't boost what isn't there, you can use things that grab a weak signal.
There was a fairly recent discussion on this very subject.
Search for: "unexpected results of remote internet access" on this forum.
PaulB12

[Kim Gass]

Depends on where you want to go camping. Much of Maine has limited cell service and no good Internet service. South of Portland is different( that is called Massachusetts in Maine by us)

We plan things that will allow us to do without. Preloaded books and movies..

[CAG]

I think you will find a number of discussions on the site about wifi and how to improve it but the bottom line is what was said earlier, campground wifi signals are usually poor at best and the fact that 50-200 other campers are using the same wifi make it very, very slow. Top that off with it is probably a very unsecured system. Your own hotspot is probably going to be the best. That is all I use.

[pconroy]

Big question - discussed a lot, as technology changes. First off - share your budget, second share your needs (what will you be doing? working? watching movies? light surfing and email?)


Three big categories:
- public WiFi sites
- cellular
- satellite


Next tell us where you're camping and how close to a public wifi or cell tower you'll be. Then we can zero in on some recommendations.

[JimD]

X2 on using a cell phone as a hot spot. Works very well every place I have gone, so far.

[CrowCross]

Right now I go with the iPhone hot-spot...Believe it or not it out performs a lot of the RV Parks WIFI.

[norty1]

Now days many have ROKU or similar devices that allow streaming video from Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. No way the poor cg wifi can even get email barely.

We use or Verizon hotspot primarily.

[RogerR]

We switched to TMobile a month ago and I have used my phone as a hotspot. We get 3 gig a month at 5g or best available and then we go to a slower speed over that. But the slow speed is still faster than campground wifi, even if you sit outside the office.

This costs $70 a month for 2 phones, unlimited data on phone, no tax or fees, month to month, no contract.

I also started using TMobiles wifi service, $50 a month, no fees, no limits, they provide the modem/router at no charge, just send it back. Only works if there is good cell service.

[rccs]

When we go camping our internet stays home. To many things to do at the campground that we usually don't do. If we do get board there is always something to do near the campground. I find I do not miss the internet at all while camping.

[CrowCross]

Originally Posted by rccs

When we go camping our internet stays home. To many things to do at the campground that we usually don't do. If we do get board there is always something to do near the campground. I find I do not miss the internet at all while camping.

I understand....good idea, but we use google maps to search for RV Parks.

[Jagiven]

If I have to work while out and about I to use my cell phone as a hotspot.

I really like the idea of this post by SloPoke. If I needed cell coverage to work, I would look in to it. It uses your sim card.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ess-77061.html

[CAG]

Originally Posted by rccs

When we go camping our internet stays home. To many things to do at the campground that we usually don't do. If we do get board there is always something to do near the campground. I find I do not miss the internet at all while camping.

Yes but there is still the contact that most keep with family, and a few hours of TV in the evening while cooking or having a sundowner, so having a method to do that is important.

[Rongbrown]

We usually boon-dock & go camping to get away from that crap for a while. If I need a signal to ‘check in’ I’ll go into a town to use my cell.