RV Wifi and 4G LTE Extender Antennas

[docj]

Originally Posted by reubenray

I am also one of the lucky one's that got the Mobley deal which my sim card is now in a Netgear Nighthawk. Per your description above it appears the Nighthawk can be boosted with an antenna. Would this one work?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J14YEHQ...v_ov_lig_dp_it

I will be using this temporarily at a new house until phone/internet services are available so I am not concerned that much about aiming it over and over. I am way out in the country so over populating the tower may not be the issue for a weak signal.

The Nighthawk has two antenna ports for its MIMO antenna system. If you add an antenna you need to add two of them. I suggest you take a look at the Mobile Internet Resource Center website to read their comparisons of MIMO antennas. https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

[reubenray]

Originally Posted by docj

The Nighthawk has two antenna ports for its MIMO antenna system. If you add an antenna you need to add two of them. I suggest you take a look at the Mobile Internet Resource Center website to read their comparisons of MIMO antennas. https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

Would this work instead of two antennas?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[docj]

Originally Posted by reubenray

Would this work instead of two antennas?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm not sure. All you really need is something like this:


https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[reubenray]

Originally Posted by docj

I'm not sure. All you really need is something like this:


https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have that already. I just want to be ready with something else in case it does not work.

[WagonMaster]

Deleted

[edegenhart]

Thanks to all whom responded. I've decided to stay put and do nothing. We're not full timers. We take our RV out in the summers to get out of the heat for 3-4 months. While we like the luxuries of home, we're camping. We'll have to go out and enjoy nature.

[DNKSprinter]

Look into mobilemusthave.com,
Just added to my sprinter

[EasyRVing]

THE INTERNET IS ON-DECK FOR MAJOR, MAJOR CHANGES! I have dumped the idea of the Winegard dome and such.

Reviews were mixed, at best, so I'm trying something else: A top-rated (YouTube & Amazon), first-class hot-spot, inside the RV (no climbing on roof to change SIM-Cards).

Via Amazon: a NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router MR1100-100NAS (unlocked, $270, for AT&T and T-Mobile) and a 7-day T-Mobile Prepaid SIM-Card with 50GB 4G/LTE Data ($15), along with antenna TS9 Connector (2 Pack, $20).

Given that we are not full time and have AT&T "smart phones" as backup and that with T-Mobile SIM-Cards, we can add 50GB more for 21/30 days for $31/$40, this seems like a reasonable short-term plan.

AT&T will make this an "AT&T hotspot" by simply adding this to our present plan and putting in the AT&T sim card.

Both AT&T and T-Mobile are in the forefront of internet development, so going with this seems like a good idea to us.

[mareca12]

I've had the Winegard for 3 years and wish I could get my money back. Don't bother with it b/c you need at least a 50% wifi signal and then, most of the time, extending the signal won't allow streaming. More importantly, it DOES NOT extend the cell signal.

[PLDieter]

Originally Posted by docj

With all due respect, I'll have to take issue with you on some of these points.

In today's cellular environment, amplification of signals isn't always the most important factor in getting a "better" signal. Like most digital systems, if you have a "strong enough" signal, making it stronger will have little impact.

Today, things like sophisticated MIMO antennas and more advanced modems can do a lot more for your signal than will an amplifier such as a WeBoost. In fact, the basic use of a WeBoost (or similar device) will negate the MIMO antennas built into most modern phones and hotspots.

The Winegard Connect 2.0 4G2+ discussed in this thread has a built-in 2x2 MIMO antenna but doesn't have any cellular amplification. But it only has a basic Category 4 modem which lacks any carrier aggregation capability. By comparison my new Inseego M2000 5G hotspot has 4x4 MIMO and a Category 22 modem with 6 level carrier aggregation capability.

Similarly, the popular Netgear Nighthawk M1 hotspot has a Category 16 modem and even my old Novatel 7730L has a Category 8 modem.

The bottom line is that you can get a pretty sophisticated hotspot for not all that much money; a lot less than you will pay for a high-end router. I got my M2000 for $7/mo when T-Mobile had them on an introductory special. Even off special I think it's only ~$14/mo.

I realize that this might sound like gobbledygook to many of you but this "stuff" really does matter with respect to getting a cellular signal fast and stable enough for you to stream video or run a business remotely.

IMHO the way to get a reliable cellular signal is to have reasonably decent equipment (but not, necessarily, the most expensive) combined with multiple cellular plans from several providers. I currently have contracts with all three major cellular companies. Not everyone will want to go that far, but IMO that's really the key to having reliable service.

I do second the recommendation that people who are just learning about all of this stuff spend some time getting familiar with the material Technomadia has posted on the Mobile Internet Resource Center website. It is accurate, well-written and unbiased. https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

I use a bulk 4G internet provider via hotspot. I had a Nighthawk router, and AT&T refused to serve it. I had to return it to the bulk company and settle for a much less efficient router. Apparently it's because the Nighthawk is TOO efficient, and sucks up the bandwidth, which motivated the carrier to ban it.

[R.E.D.]

Originally Posted by edegenhart

Looking for a good antenna to provide good 4G LTE and Wifi to our devices. My wife would like to stream movies on TV too but I don't know if that is possible. I've looked at WeBoost Drive Reach and Winegard Connect 2.0 Wifi and 4G LTE antennas and don't know which is best. There may be more I am not aware of. We have Verizon Cell Service with unlimited Data and Messaging on our cell phones. Would love to hear your recommendation and capabilities your antenna provides. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

Two good resources.



Complete Bundles and Data packages for purchase:


https://www.mobilemusthave.com


Excellent education and training on the technology


https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

[Zymurgest]

From what I've seen, the best combination is what works for your particular needs. In my case, that means a MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-SIM8-COMBO as my WiFi receiver, a WideAnt2-X Dual Antenna for signal reception, and an Easy Up 20' 9" Telescoping Mast -TV WiFi HAM Antenna Push Up Pole (which Collapses to 5') to give me the height needed to reach those few, and far between signals. As with all things, YMMV, but this is a very solid setup, and works like a charm.

[xbcsutter]

I 2nd docj’s recommendation to follow : https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/
Subscribe to their site, free version or membership, you’ll learn a ton. I’ve been a “student” there for about a year, and am spending $$ slowly as the tech is changing so fast and seems no solution is perfect. Good Luck!

[swilli155]

I use Weboost, I have a pole attached to our antenna, when I crank up the TV antenna the Weboost sits about two feet higher and does pretty well. We have verizon and use our Hotspot all the time