Community Forums

vsheetz · 10-30-2016, 11:08 PM

Searched and googled, to no avail. Most all I find and see folks using are the rigid PVC housing antennas. But I want something that will take a whack from a overhead tree branch and recover.

Thx
Vince

cj_calva · 10-31-2016, 10:10 AM

As far as I understood, you would like to use Free-WiFi on the campgrounds and sometimes the campground-spot is where the free WiFi is weak. Therefore, an outside antenna would not change a lot because mostly the whole installation is weak due to technical reasons (mostly older WiFi-Installations with limited data transfers).

You can try amplifiers (costs: $20-$60 Netgear or 7Links or similar) which you plug into an 110V socket in your rv or in one of the outside service compartment of your rv. However, if the free WiFi is weak those amplifiers will not really boost your internet-connection. So you have to move your rv, go where the Free-WiFi works better or (what I suggest) create your own hot-spot to be independent from the campground’s WiFi installation.

Having your own hot-spot is more expensive than surfing with Free WiFi but if you want a secure and good internet connection this is the solution. After all, there are two possibilities and you do not need any outside antennas for it:

If the free WiFi is weak, use your smartphone (iPhone etc.) as a hotspot and run the laptops etc. with that smartphone-hotspot. Very easy and works great if you are not streaming too much data (watching movies etc.) with too many devices. The costs are reasonable (depends what you want from the internet… watching movies is more expensive, just browsing and reserve the next campground spot is less expensive). The range is limited (especially for different users), so having you smartphone inside the coach and like to write an email to your nephews from your laptop outside might not be possible. But for a normal internet user it’s ok. Let’s say that this is the “Volkswagen-Beetle”-Solution.

We have a 4G/LTE hot-spot device installed (like a Verizon Jetpack® 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot—AC791L). This is the “Cadillac”: the device costs between $100 and $200. The monthly costs are between $50 and $500 (that would be the “Rolls Royce”… unlimited and everything… you will certainly not need it….) per month depending your provider and the amount of data transfer you need, saying if you want to watch HD Movies etc. or if you are just browsing the State Parks website. Also possible is a prepay contract for those who don’t use the rv the whole year. The 4G/LTE device works great for up to 15 devices (like laptops, smartphones, tablets, printers etc.). The 4G/LTE offers you many possibilities, even quite a good range: if you want to give your neighbors the code, they can use your hotspot too. All this without any antenna outside.

If you want your own hotspot please visit different providers and get some more information about prices and possibilities.

vsheetz · 11-01-2016, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj_calva

As far as I understood, you would like to use Free-WiFi on the campgrounds and sometimes the campground-spot is where the free WiFi is weak. Therefore, an outside antenna would not change a lot because mostly the whole installation is weak due to technical reasons (mostly older WiFi-Installations with limited data transfers).

You can try amplifiers (costs: $20-$60 Netgear or 7Links or similar) which you plug into an 110V socket in your rv or in one of the outside service compartment of your rv. However, if the free WiFi is weak those amplifiers will not really boost your internet-connection. So you have to move your rv, go where the Free-WiFi works better or (what I suggest) create your own hot-spot to be independent from the campground’s WiFi installation.

Having your own hot-spot is more expensive than surfing with Free WiFi but if you want a secure and good internet connection this is the solution. After all, there are two possibilities and you do not need any outside antennas for it:

If the free WiFi is weak, use your smartphone (iPhone etc.) as a hotspot and run the laptops etc. with that smartphone-hotspot. Very easy and works great if you are not streaming too much data (watching movies etc.) with too many devices. The costs are reasonable (depends what you want from the internet… watching movies is more expensive, just browsing and reserve the next campground spot is less expensive). The range is limited (especially for different users), so having you smartphone inside the coach and like to write an email to your nephews from your laptop outside might not be possible. But for a normal internet user it’s ok. Let’s say that this is the “Volkswagen-Beetle”-Solution.

We have a 4G/LTE hot-spot device installed (like a Verizon Jetpack® 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot—AC791L). This is the “Cadillac”: the device costs between $100 and $200. The monthly costs are between $50 and $500 (that would be the “Rolls Royce”… unlimited and everything… you will certainly not need it….) per month depending your provider and the amount of data transfer you need, saying if you want to watch HD Movies etc. or if you are just browsing the State Parks website. Also possible is a prepay contract for those who don’t use the rv the whole year. The 4G/LTE device works great for up to 15 devices (like laptops, smartphones, tablets, printers etc.). The 4G/LTE offers you many possibilities, even quite a good range: if you want to give your neighbors the code, they can use your hotspot too. All this without any antenna outside.

If you want your own hotspot please visit different providers and get some more information about prices and possibilities.

Thanks for all this. I am aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly of CG WiFi. Also knowing of cellular hotspot devices.

What I am seeking is a flexible, rather than rigid, antenna to use with, for example, a ubuiqiti bullet WiFi booster. Mounted on the roof of a motorhome. Preferably with a N connector, but can adapt or change the connector.

Thx
Vince

Dr4Film · 11-01-2016, 04:12 AM

I don't think you will find a high gain flexible antenna for Wi-Fi use. Most of them are small with about 4-dbi which to me isn't worth the effort and would be very disappointing WRT performance.

I mounted my Rogue Wave 9-dbi antenna on the side of the Wineguard antenna which goes up when parked and down before travel.

Don't have to worry about trying to find and mount a flexible one.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Dr4Film · 11-01-2016, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj_calva

Having your own hot-spot is more expensive than surfing with Free WiFi but if you want a secure and good internet connection this is the solution. After all, there are two possibilities and you do not need any outside antennas for it.

3G/4G/LTE hotspots are great when you have an adequate cellular signal which is not the case ALL the time.

BTW, my free Wi-Fi that I use is just as secure as any cellular connection and frankly is probably better due to my custom LAN that is setup inside my coach.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

MRUSA14 · 11-01-2016, 04:24 AM

How can your free wifi be secure when it is going over an unencrypted link to the campground's wifi router? Are you using a VPN?

Dr4Film · 11-01-2016, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

How can your free wifi be secure when it is going over an un-encrypted link to the campground's wifi router? Are you using a VPN?

Not true!

Read THIS thread.

Also here is a good article about how to set up a secure Wireless Home Network. Plus there are many good articles on how to setup and secure a LAN.

VPN's work great for those that are paranoid but not necessarily needed ALL the time.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Triker56 · 11-01-2016, 07:55 AM

Here is a short antenna that I mounted on top of a Maxi vent cover.
It will pick up WiFi broadcast up to 2,500' away. It has worked at all campgrounds WiFi I have been in so far. It also has a Mini LAN port that I ran too a Ethernet 8 switch that has Ethernet Cables to my Genie, Blue Ray DVD player, 4K smart TV, and a laptop. Use the Mini Wireless to Desktop PC all at the same time.

It is still shorter then top of the AC's

vsheetz · 11-02-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

I don't think you will find a high gain flexible antenna for Wi-Fi use. Most of them are small with about 4-dbi which to me isn't worth the effort and would be very disappointing WRT performance.

I mounted my Rogue Wave 9-dbi antenna on the side of the Wineguard antenna which goes up when parked and down before travel.

Don't have to worry about trying to find and mount a flexible one.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Thanks Richard, yes I would do similar but I don't have a crank up OTA antenna.

vsheetz · 11-02-2016, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

How can your free wifi be secure when it is going over an unencrypted link to the campground's wifi router? Are you using a VPN?

Not applicable to my antenna question. Suggest to search and/or start another thread. Thanks.

vsheetz · 11-02-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56

Here is a short antenna that I mounted on top of a Maxi vent cover.
It will pick up WiFi broadcast up to 2,500' away. It has worked at all campgrounds WiFi I have been in so far. It also has a Mini LAN port that I ran too a Ethernet 8 switch that has Ethernet Cables to my Genie, Blue Ray DVD player, 4K smart TV, and a laptop. Use the Mini Wireless to Desktop PC all at the same time.

It is still shorter then top of the AC's

Nice setup. Interesting short antenna that claims 5dbi gain. I have similar configuration with my ubiquity outside booster and Ethernet connected inside access point. A short rubber duck antenna such as yours may be an option, mounted on a vent cover as you did. Thanks.