hot spots

We aren't full timers or anything like that. We travel, maybe 5 times a year for anywhere from a week to 4 at a time.
We found that ATT hotspot data plan works bests for us. I think it was $35 a month for 25gb of data which is great for us. We do not stream. Renew as we need it and only charged for the month we use it.
Tried Verizon but it would not hold a signal on the road. AND they charged $35 to connect it each time you start the plan.
We are are on cheapo phone plans with next to no data service.

austinjenna wrote:

With the proper support devices, cell booster, mimo antenna or yagi antenna on a 16' painters pole, I've never not had cell reception. Even out in the desert or miles from civilization in a forest. There is always a cell tower somewhere. You just need to reach out to it.

I should have mentioned that I did have my booster, 25ft pole with antenna on it as well and depending on what time of day I might be able to snag a little bit of signal for a short while. Dont forget in a campground its more than just you trying to get a signal, its everyone else too so reach out all you want too - these were my results

In my case the cell tower is sometimes 50 miles away or more. No booster, tall antenna and yagi is going to get a signal. I've tried. My campgrounds are often pretty remote FS campgrounds in mountains, in areas of the country where the population density is pretty low. Might drive 25 miles or more between ranches and kids go to grade/high school at a school with a dorm, coming home on weekends.

With the proper support devices, cell booster, mimo antenna or yagi antenna on a 16' painters pole, I've never not had cell reception. Even out in the desert or miles from civilization in a forest. There is always a cell tower somewhere. You just need to reach out to it.

I should have mentioned that I did have my booster, 25ft pole with antenna on it as well and depending on what time of day I might be able to snag a little bit of signal for a short while. Dont forget in a campground its more than just you trying to get a signal, its everyone else too so reach out all you want too - these were my results

Rbertalotto wrote:

austinjenna wrote:
We just got back from our trip and were up in Michigan UP and had plenty of areas with zero phone reception so no hot spot would work there. My advice is to see where you will be going a lot and if they have cell coverage, then you can go with what some of the other posters had mentioned. If there is no coverage then Starlink is about your only choice

With the proper support devices, cell booster, mimo antenna or yagi antenna on a 16' painters pole, I've never not had cell reception. Even out in the desert or miles from civilization in a forest. There is always a cell tower somewhere. You just need to reach out to it.

We have a cell booster, tall pole yagi antenna. Your results are different than mine. We often are camping where the nearest cell tower is 25-50 miles away and/or we are in a forested area in a valley long way from cell tower. No cell service no matter what.

Now in places where cell towers are closer, yes our booster has given us anywhere from full service including streaming to at least access to text and calls when others have zip service and no bars.

Lantley wrote:
Using phone as hotspot is often not the samae as having a dedicated hotspot in terms of data usage,throttling data, ulimited data, and casting to other devises.
Each carrier and each plan have different and varying restrictions. YMMV.

true, and it can work both ways. Some carriers unlimited plan applies only to the phone and the dedicated hotspot is limited unless you pay specifically for unlimited hotspot. Or using the phone as a hotspot isn't unlimited even if the phone is. Best to check your plan carefully to see what applies.

austinjenna wrote:
We just got back from our trip and were up in Michigan UP and had plenty of areas with zero phone reception so no hot spot would work there. My advice is to see where you will be going a lot and if they have cell coverage, then you can go with what some of the other posters had mentioned. If there is no coverage then Starlink is about your only choice

With the proper support devices, cell booster, mimo antenna or yagi antenna on a 16' painters pole, I've never not had cell reception. Even out in the desert or miles from civilization in a forest. There is always a cell tower somewhere. You just need to reach out to it.

Using phone as hotspot is often not the samae as having a dedicated hotspot in terms of data usage,throttling data, ulimited data, and casting to other devises.
Each carrier and each plan have different and varying restrictions. YMMV.

We just got back from our trip and were up in Michigan UP and had plenty of areas with zero phone reception so no hot spot would work there. My advice is to see where you will be going a lot and if they have cell coverage, then you can go with what some of the other posters had mentioned. If there is no coverage then Starlink is about your only choice

ralphnjoann wrote:
Calyx Institute offers a $400 a year plan, plus a one-time $100 payment for the hotspot. It is unlimited 4G using T-Mobile. They also have a 5G unlimited plan costing $500 per year plus a $200 one-time charge for the hotspot. The payments are made up front and then annually thereafter.

I've been using them for 6 months and have had no problems.

Normally I just use my phone as a hotspot, but when I'm out and about in the trailer I use my verizon hotspot. $10/month for unlimited data and 45/month for the hotspot added to my plan.

if your phone is readily available, using it as a hotspot is the least expensive way to go. %0/month additional,

Calyx Institute offers a $400 a year plan, plus a one-time $100 payment for the hotspot. It is unlimited 4G using T-Mobile. They also have a 5G unlimited plan costing $500 per year plus a $200 one-time charge for the hotspot. The payments are made up front and then annually thereafter.

I've been using them for 6 months and have had no problems.