Campground WiFi Solutions

[DSL417]

Relatively new at this...fifth RV campground, park, and resort (including Disney). Totally flamed about WiFi claims and poor coverage in the campground or poor signal strength. Granted, bandwidth could be hogged by some, but when the signal is "in and out" or not at all...gotta be a different issue to be addressed.

Talked to a guy who recently ordered a NetGear WNR1000RP (called a WiFi booster). Netgear site says it extends WiFi for mobile device in home.

Has anyone tried this device in campgrounds to grab campground WiFi.

I am dubious to say the least. TG for a Verizon data plan that can be modified.

[vraines]

While I have not had personal experience with the NetGear device, I have read positive reviews. My experience with campground WiFi's has been at best spotty. Usually weak and slow and always not secure. We are not full-timers, but we do depend on Internet service enough to justify our own equipment and not depend on something that may or may not do the job. It has greatly made out travels more enjoyable and worth the additional cost. We use a Verizon data card and it works quite well. If I exceed my monthly limits, the just bill me for the extra data, and I like that better than larger limits that I might not need all the time. It is secure, and that is important.

[CoCoDave]

We have used the Wilson Sleek to improve 3G performance and it helped. That said, according to Wilson, it only works on 3G.

4G is another animal. Verizon recently expanded 4G coverage to include our home location and it's downright zippy.

We have traveled from western Washington to southern Arizona over the last 3 weeks and experienced 4G coverage essentially the whole way. No booster needed so far on 4G.

We're using Verizon's 4620L Jetpack hotspot which serves two laptops and a tablet while on the road with no problem.

FWIW

[gajd33]

Originally Posted by DSL417

Relatively new at this...fifth RV campground, park, and resort (including Disney). Totally flamed about WiFi claims and poor coverage in the campground or poor signal strength. Granted, bandwidth could be hogged by some, but when the signal is "in and out" or not at all...gotta be a different issue to be addressed.

Talked to a guy who recently ordered a NetGear WNR1000RP (called a WiFi booster). Netgear site says it extends WiFi for mobile device in home.

Has anyone tried this device in campgrounds to grab campground WiFi.

I am dubious to say the least. TG for a Verizon data plan that can be modified.

That netgear device probably wont help you as much as you would hope. Its what is called a "repeater". For it to work it must have a good internet connection to repeat. So unless your going to mount it half way between you and the wifi broadcaster at the park it probably wont do much for you.

I think you would be better served with a WIFI range boosting antenna. They are designed to grab WIFI signals from greater distances and improve your expierence. This option from crane is one example. You simply mount this somewhere inside or outside your RV and plug it into your computer. Its straightforward. If you are using Ipad or devices without a USB port you can plug it into a device like this instead .

I know others go the WIFI Ranger route and have a all in one system installed that boosts thier signal and switches seamlessly between "verizon" and the local park WIFI connection. But it takes a pretty good investment to get that done.

If you decide on an option there plenty of people around here that can give you guidance on how to get it working properly.

[Gorlininc]

Hi gajd

Great information. I'm going to look into the wifi ranger. Didn't know it existed. Just what I need.

I'm heading out west in a couple of months. You mentioned Verizon coverage was good. I have AT&T. I may also get Verizon so I always have coverage. I work on the road so the Internet is very important to me.

Thank you
Rick

[Angler3041]

Does anyone have any experience with FoxFi for smart phone? I think the service is free ( I have unlimited data) and app is like $6.00. I have tried it locally and it does well, but I want to travel with it this summer.

[docj]

Originally Posted by gajd33

I know others go the WIFI Ranger route and have a all in one system installed that boosts thier signal and switches seamlessly between "verizon" and the local park WIFI connection. But it takes a pretty good investment to get that done.

It's not necessarily true that a WiFiRanger system will necessitate a large investment. The basic WiFiRanger Go is only $109 and it will provide far more capability than will the Netgear product mentioned in the previous post. Adding a WiFiRanger Mobile to give you greater ability to connect to distant wifi access points can be done when you first buy the Go or it can be added later on.

It's important to understand that a lot of the time at campgrounds, the problem is not with the strength of the incoming wifi signal but rather with your ability to send a signal back to the access point. Products such as the Netgear are designed primarily on being able to receive the incoming signal and distribute it through a home or office building. They are not really focused on the second part of the problem which is having a higher power transmitter and external antenna for connecting with a wifi source at a considerable distance from you.

As was also noted, a WiFiRanger system gives you the ability to easily switch between internet options, such as the CG's wifi and your own phone's hotspot or your MiFi. The network in my MH consists of a couple of laptops, an iPad, a printer and a Roku and I can switch all of them from one internet source to another just with the Ranger. In fact, I can set up the Ranger to switch automatically from one source to another if the connection goes down or slows significantly.

If anyone has additional questions about WiFiRanger items feel free to ask me a question here or via PM. If you have an interest in purchasing anything from the WFR website store feel free to use my coupon code WFRAmb303 for a $10 discount.

[sfrantz]

We use a JefaTech WiFi Booster with success. We mounted the receiver on our crank up antenna and it helps us when we are not close to the WiFi source.

Great customer service too.

[firedoc]

Originally Posted by gajd33

That netgear device probably wont help you as much as you would hope. Its what is called a "repeater". For it to work it must have a good internet connection to repeat. So unless your going to mount it half way between you and the wifi broadcaster at the park it probably wont do much for you.

I think you would be better served with a WIFI range boosting antenna. They are designed to grab WIFI signals from greater distances and improve your expierence. This option from crane is one example. You simply mount this somewhere inside or outside your RV and plug it into your computer. Its straightforward. If you are using Ipad or devices without a USB port you can plug it into a device like this instead .

I know others go the WIFI Ranger route and have a all in one system installed that boosts thier signal and switches seamlessly between "verizon" and the local park WIFI connection. But it takes a pretty good investment to get that done.

If you decide on an option there plenty of people around here that can give you guidance on how to get it working properly.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, and I probably am! The Ranger boosts wifi signals but not cell signals? If you have a Jet Pak MiFi , as we do, the JP uses the cellular signal to 'piggy back' or transport the wifi signal? You must have a reasonable cellular signal ( at least a decent 3G) for the JP MiFi to do you any good ? Since the MiFi device is essentially right next to your computer (in your motor home) you don't really need a booster for the wifi what you really need is a cellular booster so that the Jet Pack MiFi can attach your wifi signal to the cell signal? So how would the Ranger help this?

We have had rather disappointing luck with a Wilson trucker antenna, booster and indoor antenna for getting a better signal for our Jet Pack MiFi and are searching for a better solution. And yes we know there has to at least be a semblance of a signal available as nothing amplified is still nothing.

[wa8yxm]

No experience with the Netgear device but many post comments on related products (competitors) most of them work though not always as well as you might like.

I have my own solution but alas it involves a product no longer made.

[docj]

Originally Posted by firedoc

Please correct me if I'm wrong, and I probably am! The Ranger boosts wifi signals but not cell signals? If you have a Jet Pak MiFi , as we do, the JP uses the cellular signal to 'piggy back' or transport the wifi signal? You must have a reasonable cellular signal ( at least a decent 3G) for the JP MiFi to do you any good ? Since the MiFi device is essentially right next to your computer (in your motor home) you don't really need a booster for the wifi what you really need is a cellular booster so that the Jet Pack MiFi can attach your wifi signal to the cell signal? So how would the Ranger help this?

No, no, no! Cellular signals and wifi signals have no interaction whatsoever. One does not "piggyback" on another.

You can use devices such as the Wilson sleek to help improve the signal received by a MiFi device but that is totally independent of anything you do to improve you wifi reception.

I dislike having to directly contradict another member of this forum but the previous post is simply wrong. (BTW, I do have a PhD in physics so I'm pretty confident of my answer; that's where the "docj" comes from. )

[justaroamer]

This works for me Dual Radio wireless-N Smart WiFi Repeater HOW2R1 Hi-Gain Outdoor Wireless-300N
Mounted to my Wineguard OTA antenna.

[docj]

Originally Posted by justaroamer

This works for me Dual Radio wireless-N Smart WiFi Repeater HOW2R1 Hi-Gain Outdoor Wireless-300N
Mounted to my Wineguard OTA antenna.

I agree that this would work well, but it lacks the functionality of the WFRanger devices to be able to connect to both wifi and cellular sources. And it is fairly expensive.

[vsheetz]

Search will show several threads on this topic. Lots of good info and differing ways to provide for Internet connectivity.