Suggestions to enhance Cellular and WIFI

[gokayaking]

Looking for advice from experts. Seems like a lot of choices so looking for products that people are using to research. I am missing the basics first.

we have Caravel 22FB and would like to add temperature monitoring and enhance our cellular links. would be nice to have dedicated wifi using cellular signal like hot spot.

Assuming it is best to improve my cellular signal and not depend on WiFI from campground.

What do I need for this?

Seems like i would need
- antenna - something to grab the cellular signal and improve inside the airstream
- router - to have my own WIFI
- cell phone with active cell plan to leave in trailer.
- humidistat or temperature monitor

I have read somewhere that folks used the TV coax connection outside to wire into the trailer. We do not use the TV at all.

Also , We have AT&T but might move to T-Mobile , to get international roaming and cheaper bill.

appreciate any highlevel guidance on what type of products I need, and any specific products to look at.

[gokayaking]

For Temperature Monitor I was thinking of -> https://mocreo.com/product/st5-tempe...UnrhEa73z9buZI

Have used this brand MOCREO for humidity / temperature sensing in a crawlspace and they had excellent tech support and products worked very well.

[JeffKim]

There are a number of posts on this and it's a bit of a rabbit hole depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Simplest are cellular booster systems (like We-boost) that work ok for voice but are not as robust for data.

More elegantly and with better reception you can use the built-in Airstream Connected wiring and add a cellular modem (I did this). It requires an antenna mounted to the AC Connected hole in the roof and wiring the router at the point where the MIMO 5x1 cable terminates (not sure in the Caravel). Mobile Must Have is a good site for equipment and advice. My biggest problem was finding the right cell plan since we only camp in the summer and most plans are contracts and access fees. I'm still not settled on one although Mint (T-Mobile) worked pretty well last summer.

Last, you can consider Starlink and ditch cellular all together. I have a V2 connected to the cell modem. It is not good in trees in Minnesota but we use it exclusively out West. I've read a lot of good things on the Mini and being able to position it to avoid trees. The data rates are better than most cell plans.

[gokayaking]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

There are a number of posts on this and it's a bit of a rabbit hole depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Simplest are cellular booster systems (like We-boost) that work ok for voice but are not as robust for data.

More elegantly and with better reception you can use the built-in Airstream Connected wiring and add a cellular modem (I did this). It requires an antenna mounted to the AC Connected hole in the roof and wiring the router at the point where the MIMO 5x1 cable terminates (not sure in the Caravel). Mobile Must Have is a good site for equipment and advice. My biggest problem was finding the right cell plan since we only camp in the summer and most plans are contracts and access fees. I'm still not settled on one although Mint (T-Mobile) worked pretty well last summer.

Last, you can consider Starlink and ditch cellular all together. I have a V2 connected to the cell modem. It is not good in trees in Minnesota but we use it exclusively out West. I've read a lot of good things on the Mini and being able to position it to avoid trees. The data rates are better than most cell plans.

Thanks for reply. Yes, I have been researching and googling down a rabbit hole but learning a lot.

We have 2023 Caravel 22FB. Just learned about the pre-wire. how it is 5 wires and good for 4G but not 5G. I reached out to Colonial Airstream and got info on what they would do , for a fair amount of money.

We do not have to have internet, just mainly trying to improve it, and we do not want starlink at this time.

so I am thinking using the pre-wire is best approach.

what antenna and router would you suggest , to reuse the 5 wire pre-wire in the airstream.

I see these referenced a lot
antenna -> ???
router -> Peplink MAX BR1 MINI 5G HW3 Mobile Router w/ WiFi
cell plan -> some suggest roamlink? not sure

also have started email thread with MobileMustHave.com but just started that. Will report back what I find out.

[JeffKim]

I have the Pepwave 42G for 5G and pulled the 7x1 cable through using the existing 5x1 to connect to (2 with tape). However, if you don't need the campground Wi-Fi (I didn't) I have read in the forums (somewhere) where you can use a RP-SMA to SMA adapter on the Wi-Fi cable to get the four cellular cables and ditch the Wi-Fi cables from the antenna. I wish I'd tried that.

I opted for a MoFi 5G modem (this is their latest). It's not as fancy as the Peplink (the gold standard), but works. I fried my first one (don't do what I do) when I hooked up the input power wrong. They sent me a new one at cost and a DC-DC voltage regulator which I think is a good idea. In any case any 5G cellular router with antenna connections will work.

[Merlintiaga]

We use Insy Connect.
https://instyconnect.com

Been using it for three years without a problem. They have their own data plans now (we still use Verizon) that let you turn it on/off on a month to month basis. Tech support has been great.

For temperature monitoring, there are various solutions you can find on Amazon that will connect via Wifi to the Insty Connect.

[rhoatson]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

My biggest problem was finding the right cell plan since we only camp in the summer and most plans are contracts and access fees. I'm still not settled on one although Mint (T-Mobile) worked pretty well last summer.

I've been happy with Roamlink this year - even in Letchworth State Park (last week) we had usable 5G for my wife and I to both work remotely. Roamlink uses TMo, ATT, VZ, or USC automatically.


And they let you suspend service for $10/month, which I did from November to March.


I too am debating about external roof or pole mount antenna. I can get a pole mount and run antenna cables in through the battery cable inlet, mount the router under the bed, and then run an access-point via Ethernet anywhere inside - or I can let Colonial drill holes in the roof (no pre-wire on the 2019 FC 23fbq?) and run the cabling into the DVD cabinet or the cabinet over the bed. I'm undecided.

[rehitt]

Stick with ATT - get their latest hotspot with unlimited data it has two antenna ports for an external 4x4 MIMO antenna (Solid Signal website) - a PVC pole outside can get it up 8-10 ft - you will see your data rate go way up vs phone.

[O-side Jimmy]

A lot of good suggestions here for connectivity. IMO make the Leap to Starlink and have internet access all the time.

[Bradknapp]

Before we got Starlink 3 years ago we worked remotely using only cell, and we learned some hard lessons along the way. In the end, the mostly Starlink fee of $160 made up for the hassles, but YMMV.

Not all campgrounds are near cell towers, so you need a booster if there is signal so you can point an antenna at the closest tower and amplify it. The Weboost packages are the best for this, here's one that is similar to what I had>
https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/web...ooster-472059/

Warning: internet over cell eats a lot of data, check your account level

The other thing that was really helpful was a wifi booster in case there is wifi at the campground, this was excellent to us https://kingconnect.com/king-falcon-...ntenna-bundle/
A wi-

[WanderDome]

Originally Posted by gokayaking

Thanks for reply. Yes, I have been researching and googling down a rabbit hole but learning a lot.

We have 2023 Caravel 22FB. Just learned about the pre-wire. how it is 5 wires and good for 4G but not 5G. I reached out to Colonial Airstream and got info on what they would do , for a fair amount of money.

We do not have to have internet, just mainly trying to improve it, and we do not want starlink at this time.

so I am thinking using the pre-wire is best approach.

what antenna and router would you suggest , to reuse the 5 wire pre-wire in the airstream.

I see these referenced a lot
antenna -> ???
router -> Peplink MAX BR1 MINI 5G HW3 Mobile Router w/ WiFi
cell plan -> some suggest roamlink? not sure

also have started email thread with MobileMustHave.com but just started that. Will report back what I find out.

Curious why you say you don't want Starlink. I've been researching it and about to order. I appreciate any insights you may offer. Happy trails...

[uncle_bob]

Hi

At $15 a month and the ability to turn it off when you aren't out and about, Starlink is pretty tough to beat. Yes, the cost does go up from there and $50 a month is a more likely number. If you only are out and about 6 months out of the year ... the "turn off" part is a pretty big deal.

Bob

[pboomerx]

Originally Posted by gokayaking

Looking for advice from experts. Seems like a lot of choices so looking for products that people are using to research. I am missing the basics first.

we have Caravel 22FB and would like to add temperature monitoring and enhance our cellular links. would be nice to have dedicated wifi using cellular signal like hot spot.

Assuming it is best to improve my cellular signal and not depend on WiFI from campground.

What do I need for this?

Seems like i would need
- antenna - something to grab the cellular signal and improve inside the airstream
- router - to have my own WIFI
- cell phone with active cell plan to leave in trailer.
- humidistat or temperature monitor

I have read somewhere that folks used the TV coax connection outside to wire into the trailer. We do not use the TV at all.

Also , We have AT&T but might move to T-Mobile , to get international roaming and cheaper bill.

appreciate any highlevel guidance on what type of products I need, and any specific products to look at.

First off, if cellular then you should go 5G. You can get a virtually unlimited plan which is becoming difficult with LTE. Also, if you plan on boondocking then Band 71 support is important. Tmobile supports this, dont know if others do.

I use Peplink cellular equipment. With the right licenses, you can do some fairly fancy stuff.

The company Ive used is the 5G Store. Great support. Lots of antenna options they can help with.

You cant use the satellite or cable connections present in your AS. They cant support the frequencies needed for 5G.

Assuming you are handy and want to do the install.

Having said all this this is a $700-$1000 problem. You can get Starlink for much less. Particularly true if you plan on paying someone to install

Good luck

[gkmoffat]

I use starlink - solved almost all my issues (except dense forest cover) - you can suspend service or go to Roam 10GB Plan for $10/Mo. For $10/mo, get 10GB of data which is equivalent to a full day of normal internet use. If you need more, simply add it in your account for $2/GB. This is my solution for emergency off network services.

[JeffKim]

Originally Posted by rhoatson

I've been happy with Roamlink this year - even in Letchworth State Park (last week) we had usable 5G for my wife and I to both work remotely. Roamlink uses TMo, ATT, VZ, or USC automatically.


And they let you suspend service for $10/month, which I did from November to March.


I too am debating about external roof or pole mount antenna. I can get a pole mount and run antenna cables in through the battery cable inlet, mount the router under the bed, and then run an access-point via Ethernet anywhere inside - or I can let Colonial drill holes in the roof (no pre-wire on the 2019 FC 23fbq?) and run the cabling into the DVD cabinet or the cabinet over the bed. I'm undecided.

In order to user their plan Roamlink has their own equipment as far as I can tell.

You should have the Airstream Connected on the roof (I think it's been there since 2019 at least). Look for a round disk on the roof with a Wi-Fi symbol on it. You have to figure out where it terminates.

[JeffKim]

Originally Posted by gkmoffat

I use starlink - solved almost all my issues (except dense forest cover) - you can suspend service or go to Roam 10GB Plan for $10/Mo. For $10/mo, get 10GB of data which is equivalent to a full day of normal internet use. If you need more, simply add it in your account for $2/GB. This is my solution for emergency off network services.

I had the Starlink V2 and just got the Mini. I'm jazzed to try it out this weekend in Northern Minnesota where there are lots of trees. The V2 didn't do very well but I'm optimistic with more satellites and improvements in technology. At home I laid it out under pretty heavy tree cover and it worked as long as there was a bit of an opening to the sky. I have a 20' Harbor Freight pole which might make a difference as well.

We have the $50/mo plan. The 10GB/mo plan might make sense for once a month outings over a weekend but it's easy to use up 10GB. The break even is then 30GB.

[trikdacy]

I had the PepLink Mini BR1 with 4G. It made me frustrated and I always wound up using my phone as a hotspot for my PC or ROKU.

I switched to the PepLink 5G Pro router and Verizon as a carrier. I would have gone with StarLink, but I like to camp under the trees. Starlink Antennas are self heating in cold weather too. I am going to test my 5G this summer.

In my storage facility which is a General Steel building, an internet Speed-test using the 4G router gave me 14mbps. With the 5G router an internet Speed-test gave me 150mbps.

[rhoatson]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

In order to user their plan Roamlink has their own equipment as far as I can tell.

You should have the Airstream Connected on the roof (I think it's been there since 2019 at least). Look for a round disk on the roof with a Wi-Fi symbol on it. You have to figure out where it terminates.

I believe Roamlink is MobileMustHave's MVNO, and supports only Peplink - but you can bring you own device. And, since it's Peplink, I can connect my cell phone via USB as another "WAN" service, in addition to RV Park WiFi, in addition to Starlink.


I cannot find a pre-wire, so I may sacrifice the AM/FM antenna entry for a Poynting, Peplink, or other external antenna.

[Sailorjamie]

A Peplink 5G router is a really good option. I have paired mine with one of the extra data only SIMs from Google Fi. I like/use the Google Fi Unlimited plan which is international roaming and up to 3 additional data only devices per line. My wife and I are both on the plan and I have a data onnly SIM from each of our lines in the Pepwave 5G modem. I've set up the modem to automatically switch between the 2 SIMS halfway through the billing cycle. The plan gives each line 100GB of high speed data so each of us sharing our data with the Airstream seems to work out great. I've got a freshly wired antenna on top of one of my air conditioners and then run the cables down through the wall between the dinette and the frig and then to the router which lives under one of the bench seats of the dinette.

[Monoman]

We're using a GLiNet Spitz AX router with the MobileMark LTMWG 942 using the prewire and a few extra cables. We've used it with an AT&T SIM and as a WiFi repeater. It is not the cheapest or most expensive solution. We may augment with other carriers, Starlink, or Roamlink if they allow you to use your own hardware.