DYI Airstream Connect

[kajmonty]

Our 2021 30’ Globetrotter came with a prewire option for WiFi and Cellular rooftop antenna for the Airstream Connect option offered at a great deal of additional expense. As I already owned a CradlePoint dual SIM cellular modem/router, I simply purchased the 5 in 1 Poynting antenna and installed it myself. Fairly easy and took less than an hour. Here are some photos I took during the effort.
Notice the ladder with the added support device, this is a great asset when working on the roof of any AS!

[steilkurve]

Thanks for posting. Planning to do the same on my upcoming GT. What did you do with all the extra wire that comes with the Poynting antenna? I believe it’s comes with 6 feet of cable.

[kajmonty]

I was able to carefully coil the excess cable into the cavity of the trailer ceiling under the antenna itself.

[mpsgolf]

Thinking about a similar solution.

How does it work when cell signals are weak? How does it work with weak wifi signals?

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by kajmonty

I was able to carefully coil the excess cable into the cavity of the trailer ceiling under the antenna itself.

Ok. Thanks. It did not tap down/move too much insulation out of the way?

[kajmonty]

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

Thinking about a similar solution.

How does it work when cell signals are weak? How does it work with weak wifi signals?

Better than without it!

[kajmonty]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Ok. Thanks. It did not tap down/move too much insulation out of the way?

Surely it moved some of it, but not to my worry.

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by kajmonty

Surely it moved some of it, but not to my worry.

Ok. Thank you. Did you secure it inside or just left it loose? Contemplating the same install. Appreciate your advice.

[kajmonty]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Ok. Thank you. Did you secure it inside or just left it loose? Contemplating the same install. Appreciate your advice.

It fit snuggly and orderly, no additional effort required to secure it.

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by kajmonty

It fit snuggly and orderly, no additional effort required to secure it.

Ok. Thanks again. I’ve been looking for an antenna with shorter cable right from the manufacturer. MobileMark has some but not on the most current technology. Looks like I’ll go your route.

[Ch47d1sg]

Did you seal it to the rooftop with flex seal or did you use the jam nut from the interior?

Thanks

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by Ch47d1sg

Did you seal it to the rooftop with flex seal or did you use the jam nut from the interior?

Thanks

I'll let the OP reply but I'll be doing a similar install with the Pepwave Mobility 22G antenna. My plan is to use the 3M tape provided to attach it to the roof and then a bead of Dicor all around it.

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

I'll let the OP reply but I'll be doing a similar install with the Pepwave Mobility 22G antenna. My plan is to use the 3M tape provided to attach it to the roof and then a bead of Dicor all around it.

So, to be clear, I won't be using the nut.

I was also able to find a Pepwave antenna on Amazon with a cable length on only 1 ft. This will be perfect to tie in to the pre-wire and not extend overall cable length too much.

[kajmonty]

Originally Posted by Ch47d1sg

Did you seal it to the rooftop with flex seal or did you use the jam nut from the interior?

Thanks

I did not use the nut, however, I did use a flexible sealant/adhesive around the base of the antenna in addition to the 3M adhesive that was provided.

[kajmonty]

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

Thinking about a similar solution.

How does it work when cell signals are weak? How does it work with weak wifi signals?

As to be expected, operational quality is relative to the signal quality. Having the antenna on the rooftop/exterior provides much better quality than a receiving device inside the trailer. After all, an Airstream trailer is a large Faraday cage when it comes down to it. The signal outside is stronger than the same signal inside, so of course it is better as a result. That applies to both cellular and to WiFi.

[COBeadlady]

Originally Posted by kajmonty

As to be expected, operational quality is relative to the signal quality. Having the antenna on the rooftop/exterior provides much better quality than a receiving device inside the trailer. After all, an Airstream trailer is a large Faraday cage when it comes down to it. The signal outside is stronger than the same signal inside, so of course it is better as a result. That applies to both cellular and to WiFi.

Agreed; for someone like me who needs a "Idiot's guide to setting up complete Wifi system," for a 201 Classic, any references you can give me?


Also agreed the Airstream wifi system is way too expensive.

[WP53]

I would strongly suggest the Mobile Internet Resource Center at https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/ as a source for information to help in navigating this area. They are extremely helpful and keep things up to date. It is very much worth the yearly subscription fee for their more detailed resources. They are recommended over and over on various threads on the Forums.

[kajmonty]

Originally Posted by COBeadlady

Agreed; for someone like me who needs a "Idiot's guide to setting up complete Wifi system," for a 201 Classic, any references you can give me?


Also agreed the Airstream wifi system is way too expensive.

The only references I can provide are to tell you to search and read online resources. I am a Sr. IT Systems Engineer with over 20 years of experience, so for me, this is rather simple. Good luck!