Wifi booster, cell phone booster?'s

As 2Oldman said, capacity is usually the biggest issue on campground WiFi.

That said though, pulling in a weak signal is another issue. We use Verizon for cell phones, but do not mess with hot spots unless there is nothing else available, then we activate it temporarily.

90% of the time we use park WiFi with very little issues by using a Bear Extender I have a Bear Extender Mini (which is no longer available) and the DW uses a regular Bear Extender. Both work great for pulling in what would be weak signals with the laptop antenna. Don;t really do anything for capacity issues though.

Booster Posts in Technology

Most of the time it's not a lack of signal to you, it's a lack of 'backhaul' capacity in the CG's wifi. That, and too many people streaming movies.

docj wrote:

RoyB wrote:


I am not a big fan for tapping into the various WIFI signals you find scattered all over the country side. This cannot be a very good thing to use especially in protecting your identity especially when you want to be paying bills online.

This is a common misconception often repeated on this and other forums. When you are connected to your bank, your credit card company, and many other websites your information is protected by the HTTPS encryption used by those sites and does not, in any way, depend on the encryption of the wifi access point you are connected to.

The "horror stories" posted on the internet about people being scammed almost always relate to people who connected to a scam wifi access point designed to collect information. Always make sure you know what the SSID (the name of the wifi you care connecting to) for your campground (or McDonalds, or Starbucks, etc) is and only connect to it.

I agree 100% but many folks refuse to be convinced so I've quit trying. More bandwidth for me.

What RoyB said. Verizon Mi-Fi with Wilson Sleek booster. Used it all over the US. Works great.

Jim-Linda wrote:
We use a directional WiFi antenna (14db) with excellant results, got it at Fry's.

You can get somewhat more range when connecting to WiFi access points if you use one of the amplifier/routers made by JefaTech, Cradlepoint, WiFi Ranger and others. They combine amplification with external antennas to provide several times the signal strength of an antenna alone.

RoyB wrote:


I am not a big fan for tapping into the various WIFI signals you find scattered all over the country side. This cannot be a very good thing to use especially in protecting your identity especially when you want to be paying bills online.

This is a common misconception often repeated on this and other forums. When you are connected to your bank, your credit card company, and many other websites your information is protected by the HTTPS encryption used by those sites and does not, in any way, depend on the encryption of the wifi access point you are connected to.

The "horror stories" posted on the internet about people being scammed almost always relate to people who connected to a scam wifi access point designed to collect information. Always make sure you know what the SSID (the name of the wifi you care connecting to) for your campground (or McDonalds, or Starbucks, etc) is and only connect to it.

...

We solved out problem with the Verizon MIFI Plan which becomes a WIFI HOTSPOT for up to five of your devices to connect to the internet with. This is secured usage unit and great for checking your emails, paying your bills on-line and chatting with your kids. We also do some limited surfacing of the internet with our grandfathered 3GB DATAPLAN.

This is stand alone device that does not tie up your cell phone.
being a small footprint and running on its internal rechargeable battery you can carry this in your shirt pocket and go hiking or sitting on the beach or whatever and have you tablets and other WIFI enables devices you.

Being on the VERIZON NETWORK it has probably the best SERVICE AREA of all of the cell phone/internet providers.

I think their smallest plan is a 5GB DATAPLAN for around $60.



We also use the WILSON SLEEK Cradle as our MIFI unit docking station so to speak. This unit has an external antenna which boosts your WIFI HOTSPOT better around your camp site as well as pickup the Verizon Signal better when in those weak reception areas.




If you want to downstream some TV STATIONS you can also get the MILLENICOM 20GB DATAPLAN unit which uses the VERIZON Network for great coverage. This cost around $80 a month I think...

I am not a big fan for tapping into the various WIFI signals you find scattered all over the country side. This cannot be a very good thing to use especially in protecting your identity especially when you want to be paying bills online.

Alot of folks however go to big extremes to use the FREE WIFI signals everywhere. Not for me...

Roy Ken

We use Wilson Sleek when in a low signal area, and HTC One smartphones for Hotspots. So far, this has been a good combination in two locations. SC & TX, where we have had very low signals.

One in the Bedroom and one in the Living Area.

A 20" magnetic antenna for the front and standard 4" antenna for the rear.

I use two sided tape and attach them to the highest point on the RV Roof.

They have made all the difference in voice and data access.

It works for us. Others mileage may differ.

If you have a phone with a Wi-Fi hot spot then the Wilson Sleek will give you better cell phone coverage as well as better hot spot performance.

What type of devices are you using? If you are using laptops then a usb Wi-Fi device with a long cord will allow you to place it where the signal is strongest.

If you are using ipads and hand held devices then a repeater will help. The built in Wi-Fi on these devices are designed for very close proximity use so a repeater will build your own umbrella around your rv.