camp ground wifi

[wiredgeorge]

I know there are high buck wifi set ups for RVs but I ain't got much money.

I bought a wifi receive antenna for my shop that picks up signals from an extender down at my house that pulls a wireless wifi signal from the router near it.

This is the antenna I used and it provides far better signal than the Card-King flat (directional) powered antenna it replaced. The new antenna has a USB cable that I connect to my workstation in my shop office (same as the Card-King set up). You have to install a driver.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Alfa-T...72.m2749.l2649

Anyway, if I hung one of these antennas on my RV; probably zip tied to the ladder of similar, ran the USB cable inside, what type of gizmo (router?) could I connect it to so that it would bounce the wifi around inside my camper? I have a wireless adapter on the old lap top we use and could connect it direct but I also want the phones to take advantage of free campground wifi and the signal is typically less than stellar otherwise. Is there such a thing as a USB input (antenna input) router type gizmo for pushing out the received wifi signals?

[Frank G]

Look at the Alfa R36 Router. About $36.00 I have one with a similar antenna and it works well. A little challenging to set up, at least for me, but I figured it out. It picks up the signal of your choice and you create your own privet wifi complete with security. You can connect all your devices, like printers, and they work. I really don't know what I am doing but it works.

I think I meant to say "Network" not wifi

[77cruiser]

If we have bad wifi at a campground I use my tablet for a hot spot, works for movies on a smart TV too. Providing you enough data.

[KSH]

A directional antenna would be better since it sounds like you want to get Wi-Fi from the house.
A couple of these would be fine
https://store.ui.com/collections/wir...nanostation-m5

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by KSH

A directional antenna would be better since it sounds like you want to get Wi-Fi from the house.
A couple of these would be fine
https://store.ui.com/collections/wir...nanostation-m5

Building on that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGLwwREDzNQ

This setup can be had for about $100 total. I strongly recommend getting the M2 and NOT the M5 as the M5 is for the 5 GHz band which is far less used in the wild (although many of your WiFi clients will use it if available). 5GHz has a higher data rate but much shorter effective range and does not penetrate materials nearly as well.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

If we have bad wifi at a campground I use my tablet for a hot spot, works for movies on a smart TV too. Providing you enough data.

We use the Verizon Jet Pack, it's worked all across the country. Basically if you have cell phone service you'll have your own private wifi.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by KSH

A directional antenna would be better since it sounds like you want to get Wi-Fi from the house.
A couple of these would be fine
https://store.ui.com/collections/wir...nanostation-m5

Probably... but fixed on an RV ladder it would be pointed in the wrong direction about all the time. A marine omni directional seems a better choice to me but I am asking for advice so thanks for sharing! wg

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Probably... but fixed on an RV ladder it would be pointed in the wrong direction about all the time. A marine omni directional seems a better choice to me but I am asking for advice so thanks for sharing! wg

You can turn it.....a mast to raise it higher than your (and other) RVs would be ideal

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

We use the Verizon Jet Pack, it's worked all across the country. Basically if you have cell phone service you'll have your own private wifi.

Didn't ask about hot spot use or changing to the expensive Verizon network. We just switched to Consumer Cellular using the AT&T network and we do have hotspot capability. I use the hot spot in my work office in the event the internet goes down for awhile (it hasn't in a year). We went from about $140 a month for two lines unlimited talk/text with 20 gigs or data to $65 a month with Consumer Cellular with the same unlimited talk/text and 10 gigs or data; we probably didn't even need 10 gigs but my wife is a Facebook addict.

I was just looking for campground wifi augmentation.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Didn't ask about hot spot use or changing to the expensive Verizon network. We just switched to Consumer Cellular using the AT&T network and we do have hotspot capability. I use the hot spot in my work office in the event the internet goes down for awhile (it hasn't in a year). We went from about $140 a month for two lines unlimited talk/text with 20 gigs or data to $65 a month with Consumer Cellular with the same unlimited talk/text and 10 gigs or data; we probably didn't even need 10 gigs but my wife is a Facebook addict.



I was just looking for campground wifi augmentation.

Watch the YouTube video I linked, for strict campground wifi augmentation that is your best and simplest solution I think.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

You can turn it.....a mast to raise it higher than your (and other) RVs would be ideal

I am aware; the antenna I am using for my shop to pull in distant wifi is 8 dbi gain and works great so I think that part of my set up routine at a new park will not be optimizing a directional antenna but I get what you are suggesting.

[77cruiser]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

We use the Verizon Jet Pack, it's worked all across the country. Basically if you have cell phone service you'll have your own private wifi.

Do you use it to stream movies on your TV?

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

Do you use it to stream movies on your TV?

I think the Verizon "unlimited" plan lets you download at full speed then throttles the speed back at 20 or 22 gigs of data so binge watching is probably out. When the throttle down the speed, I guess it goes from 4G LTE to 4G or 3G?

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Didn't ask about hot spot use or changing to the expensive Verizon network. We just switched to Consumer Cellular using the AT&T network and we do have hotspot capability. I use the hot spot in my work office in the event the internet goes down for awhile (it hasn't in a year). We went from about $140 a month for two lines unlimited talk/text with 20 gigs or data to $65 a month with Consumer Cellular with the same unlimited talk/text and 10 gigs or data; we probably didn't even need 10 gigs but my wife is a Facebook addict.

I was just looking for campground wifi augmentation.

I have been thinking about switching our two Pixel phones to Consumer Cellular requesting AT&T sim. I think you have a choice between T-Mobile or AT&T.

T-Mobile worked well two or three years ago when be got a hotspot with them. Lately it has gotten really slow and we blow thru 20G a month, so I had to get a second sim/account.

Last fall be switched our Pixels phones to T-Mobile and service is not good. Would like your input on Consumer Cellular service.

For a hotspot I ordered a MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-SIM4_COMBO router/hotspot, which I am going to try on T-Mobile and then move it to OTR Mobile which is $60 / mo for unlimited service on AT&T network.

If that all works out well I will dump Mediacom cable internet in Arizona this winter for our park model. And run LTE Cellular internet all the time. If the MoFi internet/OTR/AT&T works out well then the phones will not need much on a data plan. 10G would be much more than we use, but I will start at that.

I just have to unlock our credit files for Consumer Cellular sign up, OTR does not require a credit check and is no contract month to month service.

So many ways to skin the cat. I use the Nanostation WiFi stuff noted earlier in the thread. His video helped in setting it up. As a retired network engineer, I would say it is not for everyone.

Chris

[wiredgeorge]

You are correct; if you switch to Consumer Cellular, it uses either a SIM card compatible with AT&T or T-Mobile. Having been on AT&T for years and knowing how it works, we stayed with the AT&T network after switching to Consumer Cellular. Google "AT&T unlock form". This brings up a form where you put in your IMEI which you can find on your phone and submit the form online and at that point they will unlock your phone. Either go to a Target store or request they mail you a SIM card for Consumer Cellular. Stick it in and you may have to check network settings (they have these outlined on their website) and that is about it. Only problem I continue to have is blocking spam numbers. My phone was purchased at an AT&T store and they have an integrated program for blocking numbers and now it doesn't work. Can't figure out how to rid myself of this feature and will have to call Consumer Cellular. I can use my phone as a hotspot (if a backup to our current internet is ever needed).

[Snoking]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

You are correct; if you switch to Consumer Cellular, it uses either a SIM card compatible with AT&T or T-Mobile. Having been on AT&T for years and knowing how it works, we stayed with the AT&T network after switching to Consumer Cellular. Google "AT&T unlock form". This brings up a form where you put in your IMEI which you can find on your phone and submit the form online and at that point they will unlock your phone. Either go to a Target store or request they mail you a SIM card for Consumer Cellular. Stick it in and you may have to check network settings (they have these outlined on their website) and that is about it. Only problem I continue to have is blocking spam numbers. My phone was purchased at an AT&T store and they have an integrated program for blocking numbers and now it doesn't work. Can't figure out how to rid myself of this feature and will have to call Consumer Cellular. I can use my phone as a hotspot (if a backup to our current internet is ever needed).

Our Google Pixel phones are not locked to a carrier. They were on VZW and switched to T-Mobile without an issue. On the Southern Oregon coast we had NO coverage with T-Mobile. Traveling if you are on the interstates it is not an issue. T-Mobile 50/50 Web site is not good, down about as much as it is up. Same with their android app.

[GeekSquadOfUn]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

Building on that:
This setup can be had for about $100 total. I strongly recommend getting the M2 and NOT the M5 as the M5 is for the 5 GHz band which is far less used in the wild (although many of your WiFi clients will use it if available). 5GHz has a higher data rate but much shorter effective range and does not penetrate materials nearly as well.

Did exactly that. Used the M2 for the 2.4GhZ.

My M2 is on a suction cup with a 25ft CAT5 cable and I mount it on the best window in my coach as needed.

Works fantastic. And it only shows up as ONE device to the campground wifi. All my devices connect to MY wifi. So much easier to use.

[Surferbill]

the KING router with a bridge is what you are looking for to receive campground wifi with one access code for all your users. the price was around KING KWM1000 WiFiMax Router And Range Extender
$89.99 with an external antenna the price is about 199.00

[Mainer]

Our mobile network setup:
1. Nanostation m2 zip tied to the rotatable TV mast,
2. Cat 5 cable down to the roof
3. Winegard CE1000 cable entry plate on hole in roof - most difficult part was locating a suitable location,
4. 12 volt poi (power over internet gadget),
5. Old router with 12 volt wall wart (leftover from upgrade at home).
6. tied #4 and the cut wall wart wires from #5 to a switch next to the switch I spliced into the "ignition" wire of the "intertainment center" (cut it's power draw drastically when we aren't using it)

Got most of what I didn't have from Amazon I believe. Almost any cheap router will do, most free WIFI is fairly slow. Hid the inside stuff in the cabinet behind the TV.

I was a network supervisor at one time, but read the directions and you too can be an expert.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Finally got to test my system in the wild today. Previously had only used it in my driveway attached to my admittedly very good home WiFi (UniFi APs and Gigabit FiOS). So I am at Camp Hatteras RV park in Rodanthe, NC on the sound side, and their WiFi is garbage! At least what I can see from my spot. Maybe a mast will help, currently have the Loco M2 inside on my board over the microwave. After trying a couple different directions and hot spots....I am currently getting WiFi from my phones hotspot which was roughly 100x faster than the park WiFi haha