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Old 07-05-2020, 11:23 AM   #1
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Looking for advice on getting a booster for internet

I would like to get a easy to install equipment to boost CG WiFi and to boost my signal for my Verizon phone (hot spot) so we can use our Apple TV. Thank you.


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Old 07-05-2020, 11:39 AM   #2
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I use a MobileMark WiFi-4G/5G MIMO antenna and plug the cables directly into my Verizon hotspot. I find the antenna is the most critical part in improving reception.
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Old 07-05-2020, 11:49 AM   #3
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I use a MobileMark WiFi-4G/5G MIMO antenna and plug the cables directly into my Verizon hotspot. I find the antenna is the most critical part in improving reception.
We are using our phones as Hot spot. Thanks

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Old 07-05-2020, 11:51 AM   #4
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It sounds as if you are first starting out looking for your hardware. I strongly suggest you ignore the well-intentioned advice you will receive here and start your investigation by reading some of the materials provided on the Mobile Internet Resource Center website: https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

MIRC is a well respected resource that is not affiliated with any manufacturer. It's data is accurate and unbiased. What you are asking about is a complex subject and trying get a comprehensive perspective from individual posts on a forum like this is difficult.

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Old 07-05-2020, 01:18 PM   #5
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The MobileMark LTM antenna was one of their top
picks
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Old 07-05-2020, 01:29 PM   #6
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The MobileMark LTM antenna was one of their top
picks
The OP appears to have started the thread by saying he is using his Verizon phone as a hotspot. Add-on antennas won't be of assistance to him if that is the case.
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Old 07-05-2020, 11:34 PM   #7
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OP was a bit unclear whether they had a cell phone or a separate hotspot. Regardless, a MIMO antenna is the primary way to improve reception. How they get the signal from the antenna to their cell phone is another story.
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Old 07-06-2020, 08:09 AM   #8
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OP was a bit unclear whether they had a cell phone or a separate hotspot. Regardless, a MIMO antenna is the primary way to improve reception. How they get the signal from the antenna to their cell phone is another story.
Most current cell phones have either 2x2 or 4x4 MIMO antennas built in. For most of them, I'm not aware of any way to add external MIMO antennas.
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Old 07-06-2020, 10:34 AM   #9
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Yep, most phones don't have an antenna port. If KC has a regular cell phone, a router will also be needed. I've found my Verizon hotspot has better reception than my phone. And when I plugged the hotspot into a MIMO antenna I was able to stabilize weak signals and stream.
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Old 07-06-2020, 10:50 AM   #10
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Let's start at the beginning.

Wifi - "boosting" campground wifi will do nothing for you. The problem is cg wifi is lousy and boosting lousy wifi doesn't make it better.

Cell - Since you're using phones as your broadband source you don't have much choice to improve on their signals.

Apple TV - Your TV streaming will use between 1 and 2 gigs per hour of TV watched so you will use up all of your phone's data plan over one weekend and will not have any more high speed data for another month.

It's OK that you are asking about these things - but the sorry truth is this is a HUGE subject and one that will require you to do a lot of learning about devices, plans, antenna's and such.

The suggestion that you start at www.rvmobileinternet.com is spot on. They answer every question you can come up with. Here's the rub... they don't sell anything nor have any advertising, they just provide expert info and so they charge a yearly membership free. You can see about 30% of their info for free, so start there. But if you pay to join you'll find them an invaluable resource.
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Old 07-06-2020, 11:12 AM   #11
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Let's start at the beginning.

Wifi - "boosting" campground wifi will do nothing for you. The problem is cg wifi is lousy and boosting lousy wifi doesn't make it better.

In my experience, these days more and more CGs and RV parks have usable WiFi. However, the low power transmitters on laptops, iPads and phones can have trouble "talking back" to park APs which might be some distance away. Boosters can help with this task.

Cell - Since you're using phones as your broadband source you don't have much choice to improve on their signals.

You could add a WeBoost or similar amplifier to improve cellular signal strength.

Apple TV - Your TV streaming will use between 1 and 2 gigs per hour of TV watched so you will use up all of your phone's data plan over one weekend and will not have any more high speed data for another month.

Quite a few RVers have found a variety of unlimited cellular plans that can provide data for streaming. My wife and I stream all our video.
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