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Old 06-02-2018, 11:09 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Don Houtz View Post
What you are trying to do should work just fine. I have a cellular hotspot from AT&T similar to your MiFi. I can log into the Winegard WiFi Extender and select WiFi as my source to the internet. Then I select scan to see what available WiFi sources are present. I can see many of them in my home neighborhood as well as my AT&T Hotspot. Some of these are several blocks away, so I know the Winegard is boosting the signal.
Once I connect the Winegard to my AT&T Hotspot, I am able to get
access to the internet by connecting any other device to the Winegard WiFi connections. Even if I power down the Winegard, and then power it back up, it will automatically connect to my AT&T Hotspot.
I suspect you may have some type of IP address issue with the configuration of your Winegard. Can you log into it and then go to the Advanced Setting page and tell me what your IP addresses are for both the WAN connection to your MiFi as well as the local LAN address range for it's WiFi connections? You can also connect an ipad to it's WiFi and then see what IP address the Winegard assigns to the ipad. This might help us see what is going on but what you are trying to do should work ok.


Thank you! I won’t have time to check the IP address today but I should be able to do it tomorrow. Stay tuned please!
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Old 06-02-2018, 01:53 PM   #16
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We have the Winegard ConnectT with the 5 antennas. Here is my theory - can someone explain why it would not work (in simple terms please) - once you log into the Winegard you can select LTE or WiFi. The Winegard sees the MiFi as a wifi network and will connect. If the purpose of the Winegard is to strengthen a campground wifi by allowing you to get a better signal through the antenna on the roof (having a clearer shot and able to grab a better signal), why wouldn't it do the same for the signal coming into the MiFi? If you're telling me it won't work - can you explain what the difference is between the Winegard and the cellular antennas sold by the wireless companies?

I think I figured out that I can't treat the Winegard as I would the wifi service coming from my router at home. I can't turn off the MiFi and then turn it back on a day later and expect the Winegard to connect again. I have to start over and connect to the system again. I'm able to use the Winegard connection at that point but it does seem to slow the processing speed of the signal. I can connect 15 different users to the MiFi so I don't have to use the Winegard to run everything I want - I just am trying to figure out if I have an additional resource should I end up in an area without a decent cellular signal. It does sound like I could still use the Winegard LTE if all else fails. I'm just not good with being completely off the grid if I can avoid it.
Simple terms is IF you have good cellular signal your MiFi will work fine regardless if connected to Winegard or not.
Think of it this way. You antenna on the roof has a better chance of connecting because it's higher and not in a box.
You MiFi is in a box that has a bit of interference.
You can connect it but the cellular signal is going into the box to connect to the MiFi then transmitting through metal to get to the roof antenna, then back into the coach to your devices.
It would be more efficient to just use the mifi and skip using the Winegard in that instance.
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Old 06-02-2018, 03:34 PM   #17
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Your WiFi extender will provide a stronger signal but will slow your speed by 50-75%, just like any WiFi extender, whether you paid $29.95 or $1295.95. I know from experience by using mine since last October. We used a $29.95 Netgear extender in our Anthem, got a better signal but slow speed. We currently use a higher end Netgear for some of our security cameras in our home. I can do a speed check independently on our main router or our extender, the extender slows speed by at least 50%.
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Old 06-02-2018, 04:26 PM   #18
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Wi-Fi Extender

The advantage might be to move your SIM card from the MiFi to the Winegard. You really just move the card and it will then be the hotspot .. the card is the account. You don’t need to call anybody. This eliminates the MiFi and uses the Winegard larger and better antenna array. With your cell service Boosting signal strength( I’d avoid Winegard in house offering as it is high priced!).
The way your trying works also , at least it should. It would be the same as repeating campground WiFi .. but it does nothing for your cell signal to the MiFi. If it’s poor it will just repeat the poor signal , and there is some cost to the WiFi “transfers” .. not sure it’s 50% but it’s there.
The main reason to do the Winegard ( or much better similar devices ) is all devices computers etc connect to your secure ( Winegard ) router one time ...... then using the Winegard you switch sources .. like campground , MiFi, internal cell sim Netflix etc ... only one log in and all are now on line without the hassle of logging ea device in to a new source
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Old 06-02-2018, 05:04 PM   #19
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Your WiFi extender will provide a stronger signal but will slow your speed by 50-75%, just like any WiFi extender, whether you paid $29.95 or $1295.95.
Actually, that's not necessarily true. If you're using a device with a single radio that has to "talk" to the internet access point and to all the devices on your internal network then, yes, there can be a significant slowdown. But if you're using a system like a rooftop WiFiRanger connected to another Ranger inside your RV, then each device has its own radio and there is no sharing. There will still be a modest slowdown but nowhere near the numbers you cite.
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Old 06-02-2018, 05:29 PM   #20
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Actually, that's not necessarily true. If you're using a device with a single radio that has to "talk" to the internet access point and to all the devices on your internal network then, yes, there can be a significant slowdown. But if you're using a system like a rooftop WiFiRanger connected to another Ranger inside your RV, then each device has its own radio and there is no sharing. There will still be a modest slowdown but nowhere near the numbers you cite.


The slow down I cited was for the devices I mentioned. There is an exception to everything.
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Old 06-02-2018, 05:39 PM   #21
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Wi-Fi Extender

Entegra has not started installing ConnecT 2.0 as of 2 weeks ago. The option I got, which is the same installed 2 weeks ago, is WiFi and 4G/LTE but the only option for 4G/LTE is to purchase 4G/LTE time from Winegard at an exorbitant rate. No SIM card exchange is possible. Winegard techs even agree the prices are outrageous. It’s an AT&T SIM but Winegard will not release it so we can purchase data from AT&T at a reasonable rate. Not well thought our by Entegra or Winegard, maybe it will change when Winegard realize they aren’t selling any data packages.
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Old 06-02-2018, 07:23 PM   #22
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Entegra has not started installing ConnecT 2.0 as of 2 weeks ago. The option I got, which is the same installed 2 weeks ago, is WiFi and 4G/LTE but the only option for 4G/LTE is to purchase 4G/LTE time from Winegard at an exorbitant rate. No SIM card exchange is possible. Winegard techs even agree the prices are outrageous. It’s an AT&T SIM but Winegard will not release it so we can purchase data from AT&T at a reasonable rate. Not well thought our by Entegra or Winegard, maybe it will change when Winegard realize they aren’t selling any data packages.
One last point from me. I have the Winegard WiFi/LTE extender version 1.0 and I like it. The cellular service is not really meant to be the primary connection to the internet. It is only used as a backup if you do not have access to any nearby WiFi hotspots. The Winegard Data Plan is 3GB for $35 which I don't consider unreasonable for a backup with no contract. We normally use WiFi, but occasionally there are no hotspots nearby and we can use the cellular to get our email or something quick from the internet. Version 2.0 may be better if it allows you to use your own SIM card some with unlimited data. Really just a user preference in my opinion. Just think, it has not been very many years since it was impossible to get internet data access from a mobile location. Now we have all kinds of options.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:22 PM   #23
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Entegra has not started installing ConnecT 2.0 as of 2 weeks ago. The option I got, which is the same installed 2 weeks ago, is WiFi and 4G/LTE but the only option for 4G/LTE is to purchase 4G/LTE time from Winegard at an exorbitant rate. No SIM card exchange is possible. Winegard techs even agree the prices are outrageous. It’s an AT&T SIM but Winegard will not release it so we can purchase data from AT&T at a reasonable rate. Not well thought our by Entegra or Winegard, maybe it will change when Winegard realize they aren’t selling any data packages.
Very interesting. I'm at the FMCA rally and have told a Satellite company here, that I want to buy and have the Connect 2.0 installed. Got the SIM card specs from them and went to two different Verizon stores in Gillette. Neither said they could give me a SIM card for the Winegard Connect 2.0. I thought they were crazy ... and then did a bit more "research" and I think I will stick with my jetpack and TechnoRV CampPro set up. They both work, just not quite as easy as I would like. Guess I will wait and see what comes down the road in the future.
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Old 07-19-2018, 04:48 AM   #24
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Lynn, If you are still thinking of the RV Mogul, the installers, Precise Satellite are there at the rally doing installations.. I was hoping they would be in GA to install mine at delivery, but timing has them in your location.
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:35 AM   #25
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Originally Posted by hdgoldie View Post
We have the Winegard ConnectT with the 5 antennas. Here is my theory - can someone explain why it would not work (in simple terms please) - once you log into the Winegard you can select LTE or WiFi. The Winegard sees the MiFi as a wifi network and will connect. If the purpose of the Winegard is to strengthen a campground wifi by allowing you to get a better signal through the antenna on the roof (having a clearer shot and able to grab a better signal), why wouldn't it do the same for the signal coming into the MiFi? If you're telling me it won't work - can you explain what the difference is between the Winegard and the cellular antennas sold by the wireless companies?

I think I figured out that I can't treat the Winegard as I would the wifi service coming from my router at home. I can't turn off the MiFi and then turn it back on a day later and expect the Winegard to connect again. I have to start over and connect to the system again. I'm able to use the Winegard connection at that point but it does seem to slow the processing speed of the signal. I can connect 15 different users to the MiFi so I don't have to use the Winegard to run everything I want - I just am trying to figure out if I have an additional resource should I end up in an area without a decent cellular signal. It does sound like I could still use the Winegard LTE if all else fails. I'm just not good with being completely off the grid if I can avoid it.

IMHO you don't need to connect your Mifi to the extender it just makes a weaker signal stronger with the roof outside antenna your mifi is in the coach and no need to amplify a signal that is near you already plus you have to use a tablet or PC to connect your extender to the mifi then the extender to your pc or table
dont think you can make it stronger than direct to the mifi
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Old 07-19-2018, 07:03 AM   #26
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Very interesting. I'm at the FMCA rally and have told a Satellite company here, that I want to buy and have the Connect 2.0 installed. Got the SIM card specs from them and went to two different Verizon stores in Gillette. Neither said they could give me a SIM card for the Winegard Connect 2.0. I thought they were crazy ... and then did a bit more "research" and I think I will stick with my jetpack and TechnoRV CampPro set up. They both work, just not quite as easy as I would like. Guess I will wait and see what comes down the road in the future.
Lynn, Just tell Verizon that you need a sim card for your hotspot but you don't have your hotspot with you.
Tell them you need the Mini-SIM/Standard SIM 25mm x 15mm x 0.76mm size.
I used to own multiple Cellular Stores and can tell you that most people that work there can't think out of the box.
Or, measure your SIM that is in your current MiFi, if it's the same size just load it in the Wingard 2.0.
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Old 07-19-2018, 07:12 AM   #27
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Lynn, Just tell Verizon that you need a sim card for your hotspot but you don't have your hotspot with you.
Tell them you need the Mini-SIM/Standard SIM 25mm x 15mm x 0.76mm size.
I used to own multiple Cellular Stores and can tell you that most people that work there can't think out of the box.
Or, measure your SIM that is in your current MiFi, if it's the same size just load it in the Wingard 2.0.
Kevin,
I don't want to slow down what I get already .... if I put my mifi sim card in the Wineguard on the roof, will it slow down our speed?
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Old 07-20-2018, 07:48 AM   #28
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UPDATE

Just had Winegard Connect 2.0 installed yesterday. I'm on a Verizon plan that is unlimited, so it took me a bit, but I did get it attached to my plan ... cost will be $20 per month. Anyway ... works like a charm right now. My suggestion for anyone who wants to get this and add it to their Verizon or AT&T current plan as a hotspot ... is to take the SIM card that is in the unit (Winegard) and take the instruction booklet that has the device ID number on it to a Verizon or AT&T store. I tried doing it all without those two things, and it did not work well ... so much so that I was going to cancel my purchase/installation. A friend said I really needed to keep trying as it is a great system. So ... taking the above to the store helped tremendously. Then when you do get the system set up on the roof and the new Verizon or AT&T Sim card installed .. you may (I did) have to call Verizon or AT&T and activate the card.

So far, it is working perfectly .... much faster than my JetPack. If it continues, I will cancel my JetPack.
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