Replacing the WiFiRanger Pro in the NA

[turbopilot]

Originally Posted by redbaron73

I have seen smaller LTE antennas, similar in size to your wifi antennas. Are those not strong enough to be effective? I like the lower profile option, but dont want to go thru the hassle if it is already a proven failure.

I typically get my antennas from 3G Store. You can look for through the specifications. I have had a very bad experience with the expensive "all in one" antennas.

Neil, this is the antenna I am using for WiFi. It is simply a cheap general purpose high frequency antenna. So far I have not been able to find a dedicated outdoor, mobile WiFi antenna that is designed to handle both the 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz WiFi bands.

[SteveUpp]

Originally Posted by turbopilot

....
So far I have not been able to find a dedicated outdoor, mobile WiFi antenna that is designed to handle both the 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz WiFi bands.

Is there much 5Ghz WiFi in campgrounds these days? I'm planning on just keeping the WiFi Ranger SkyPro (2.4Ghz only) as my roof mounted WiFi solution for the foreseeable future. Seems very unlikely to me that a campground would have enough broadband bandwidth to actually see a significant benefit of an external 5Ghz solution. Every place is different but it seems to me to be unlikely that 2.4Ghz interference will reduce throughput more than the 5Ghz propagation attenuation in the typical outdoor environment.

[turbopilot]

Originally Posted by SteveUpp

Is there much 5Ghz WiFi in campgrounds these days? I'm planning on just keeping the WiFi Ranger SkyPro (2.4Ghz only) as my roof mounted WiFi solution for the foreseeable future. Seems very unlikely to me that a campground would have enough broadband bandwidth to actually see a significant benefit of an external 5Ghz solution. Every place is different but it seems to me to be unlikely that 2.4Ghz interference will reduce throughput more than the 5Ghz propagation attenuation in the typical outdoor environment.

In my opinion, the whole idea of "borrowing" WiFi sources of internet bandwidth for use in a coach is coming to an end with the current and projected coverage of cellular data. So WiFi as WAN is nice to have as an option but today I seldom use it. Most campgrounds simply do not invest in high quality WiFi equipment supported by a broad band pipe big enough to serve all the connections in the campground.

My goal is to provide a good WiFi cloud in and around the coach exclusively using the 5 Ghz band for use by my client devices that are talking to the cloud or talking to each other.

[docj]

Originally Posted by turbopilot

So WiFi as WAN is nice to have as an option but today I seldom use it. Most campgrounds simply do not invest in high quality WiFi equipment supported by a broad band pipe big enough to serve all the connections in the campground.

Having just returned from the ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Expo in OKC (ARVC is the largest campground owners association), where I was supporting campgroundreviews.com I can honestly tell you that this situation is fluid and changing. Over the past 3 years that I've been attending ARVC, I've noticed an accelerating change in the ages of the attendees. More and more older campground owners are being accompanied by their 30's and 40's aged adult children who, in some cases, have already taken over management of their family's parks.

One thing I can tell you is that this next generation of owners is far more attuned, in general, to the need for high quality wifi than their parents have been. They are sensitive to social media reviews of their parks and, as a result, they seek to avoid being dinged for having poor wifi.

IMHO changes are coming to this aspect of the RV business model, especially since high-speed broadband is increasingly available even in rural areas. With the advent of fixed point 5G, most parks will probably be capable of securing enough bandwidth to meet the need to supply high speed streams to most, if not all, customers. If high quality broadband is combined with park wifi software that limits users to bandwidth-controlled connections, there is no reason why every RVer can't stream video to his heart's content. It may not all be 4K quality, but it should be adequate for most customers.

Joel (AKA docj)

[NealC]

I've been to a few CG's that caught my attention, one even had GiGe speeds. Others I've seen in the 25-50 MBit realm. MOST though are not usable OR not secure and are emergency use only if I can't get cell working. If I didn't have the unlimited gold nugget Mobley then I would definitely be looking at more WiFi connectivity to ease bandwidth and use SafeSurf with WFR.

Turbo has a good idea of adding more 20/mo lines as needed if you rely on something like Verizon. It's cheaper to have an additional 20/mo hotspot sim/line instead of buying more bandwidth which I think is $35 for 5 GB (pass!).

For those reading and following, off topic, but to save bandwidth turn off wifi on your devices that have their own cellular connectivity so you don't eat up your hotspot bandwidth.

This is a fast evolving situation. We've come a long way, it's going to be interesting and exciting to see where this goes. Internet vital to everything now. CG's have to get on board and I think they will as providers and their access/reach grows.

[turbopilot]

Originally Posted by docj

Having just returned from the ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Expo in OKC (ARVC is the largest campground owners association), where I was supporting campgroundreviews.com I can honestly tell you that this situation is fluid and changing.

Joel (AKA docj)

Good to hear. Given the costs associated with installing modern wireless systems hooked up to internet pipes big enough to handle a campground full of "streamers", it is hard to see how the majority of parks can afford that capital expense.

I would much rather see these parks invest in the camp infrastructure (other than wireless) and I will bring my own internet.

Obviously, this applies to parks where cellular coverage is good. If there is no quality local cellular coverage (increasingly rare) these parks have to make the investment to be competitive.

[docj]

Originally Posted by turbopilot

Good to hear. Given the costs associated with installing modern wireless systems hooked up to internet pipes big enough to handle a campground full of "streamers", it is hard to see how the majority of parks can afford that capital expense.

I would much rather see these parks invest in the camp infrastructure (other than wireless) and I will bring my own internet.

As one of the administrators of RVParkReviews, I want to point out that there are (at least) two very different classes of RVers with regard to the wifi issue.

In one group there are those of us who are full-timers or other older RVers who usually carry their own cellular connections and don't particularly care about the quality of park wifi.

OTOH, there are lots of family RVers who travel with one or more children each of whom has one or more web-connected devices. When they're at home they probably have something like cable or fiber internet and don't have to worry about data usage. There's often nothing driving them toward unlimited cellular data plans. But when they going RVing for a weekend or an extended vacation, their limited cellular data allowances may not be enough for the entire family.

I can assure you, without exaggeration, that poor wifi is the single most common reason for complaints about RV parks.

As for parks being able to afford high quality wifi, consider for a moment the cost of installing and maintaining a decent CATV system. With more and more younger families "cord cutting" and doing away with cable the rationale for having it at an RV park is decreased. The money currently used for CATV could, therefore, be diverted to improve the wifi and internet connection.

[Fanukalum]

Originally Posted by turbopilot

Good to hear. Given the costs associated with installing modern wireless systems hooked up to internet pipes big enough to handle a campground full of "streamers", it is hard to see how the majority of parks can afford that capital expense.

I would much rather see these parks invest in the camp infrastructure (other than wireless) and I will bring my own internet.

Obviously, this applies to parks where cellular coverage is good. If there is no quality local cellular coverage (increasingly rare) these parks have to make the investment to be competitive.

As a part timer and non heavy bandwidth user, I am delighted with what the WifiRanger/SkyPro LTE has provided in speed, flexibility and simplicity. As more and more RV'ers have in some way or another address there own "internet access solution" depending on they need for speed, independent of their location (CG, Boondocking, or while moving). It seems to me there will be less pressure on CG to upgrade their WiFi to ever accommodate full time heavy users, nor should they. Just as most CG no longer include adequate cable hookup as satellite TV has become standard. The CG fee's are increasing enough as it is to provide the basic utilities (50 amp all electric Units) without adding another utility that might not be equally used across all sites. JMO and what doI know.

[PS95Bx]

Despite there prettymagenta maps I seem to find areas T mobile is weak or none existent.ever time I call they claim a problem. Frankly the lost their credibility. I know use Verizon in my pepwave

Unfortunatly I am not following the entire post and only use cellular although I do have an additional cellar antenna on my roof

[moosedriver]

So if I am having a new 5er built what is the best way to have them set it up for the future as far as this technology is concerned ?

[Fanukalum]

Originally Posted by moosedriver

So if I am having a new 5er built what is the best way to have them set it up for the future as far as this technology is concerned ?

Just my thoughts, exterior antenna with Wifi/cellular booster 5g (at least LTE A). Wifi 2.5 and 5.8 ghz, router for pvt. LAN to handle all your devices.
cellular modem should allow swapping of sims card for different carriers and usb tethering.
direct Tv seems to be moving away from satellite and more toward steaming, not sure how much longer Sat. will be a viable option. but this obviously makes you more dependent on internet and available band width.
not sure if one device does all is available yet, but the upper end WiFiRanger/skypro ( I think its called Elite/AC) comes close as a plug and play approach. Lots of other options if you piece meal systems as others have mentioned.

[Canuck53]

Here is a link with an explanation and an actual wiring diagram. I see it shows a wifi Ranger on the roof. I did not think you can purchase just the wifi Ranger outside antenna?

Comments or issues. Any software or hardware issues with running this system.

Any other choices and/or wiring and equipment options?


https://livinlite.net/connectivity/

[docj]

Originally Posted by Canuck53

Here is a link with an explanation and an actual wiring diagram. I see it shows a wifi Ranger on the roof. I did not think you can purchase just the wifi Ranger outside antenna?

As I have stated in other posts, the "outside" WiFiRanger is not an antenna; it is a fully self-contained router. This is true of both the SkyPro and the Elite devices.

The SkyPro can be used with or without an indoor router. The Elite is only sold in conjunction with an indoor router.

[Sipester]

Originally Posted by moosedriver

So if I am having a new 5er built what is the best way to have them set it up for the future as far as this technology is concerned ?

1. Start with cell booster to get mobile data: https://www.weboost.com/products/drive-4gx

2. Cell booster from step 1 will send data to a 4g hotspot such as this:
https://www.att.com/devices/netgear/...sku=sku8820339 (use hotspot of your preference based on carrier coverage, can even use multiple hotspots if you like from multiple carriers).

3. Get Wifi ranger: https://wifiranger.com/shop/product/65-eliteac-pack-fm
That will get cell data from the 4g hotspot(s) in step 2 and also from any other wi-fi sources you find.

That's about 1,500, plus installation, but I've yet to see any combination that has better overall features and ease of use.

Of course, if you really want internet anywhere, you can get this: RV Satellite Internet | RVDataSat but that is rather expense and the latency is an issue. Hopefully Starlink will be up and running soon to make internet everywhere a reality: https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-t...acex-starlink/

Either of those satellite options would just be other sources (in addition to mobile hotspot) to connect to the Wifi ranger, as the WiFi ranger can handle up to 4 sources of internet connectivity.