I live next to people that let me use their internet, my camper is on their property. Inside the camper, sometimes I get one or two wifi bars on my laptop if I'm sitting in the right area (and sometimes it suddenly cuts out for whatever reason).I'm hoping that I can get some type of antennae or something I could put in my camper or connect to my laptop that would make better use of the weak signal or at least make it more consistent. I see that there's plenty of gadgets but I don't know which one or if any would be what I'm looking for. I'm also NOT wanting to add a device that would take up space/energy in the property owners house. Thanks in advance to anyone that reply's!

Sometimes all you need is an antenna for your laptop or something at the end of a cable hanging out your window.Something like this...

Fizz wrote:Sometimes all you need is an antenna for your laptop or something at the end of a cable hanging out your window.Something like this...That's good advice. I have one hanging from my Rear view mirror. Some people make a tinfoil "dish" to put behind it so it's somewhat directional. Watch YouTube. There's a bunch of videos.

There are a LOT of variable that could come into play. Be sure to purchase from someone that can help you decide what's right for your situation and will take it back if it doesn't work. You might want to talk to the folks at Techno RV or The 3G storeBoth of these companies have good reputations for assistance.

How far are you from their router? How friendly are you with the owners? I recently “upgraded” my router which supports both 2.4 and 5.0 ghz bandwidths with the literature saying the 5.0 was faster. However I found out that the 5.0 mode did not go through walls as well as the 2.4. So I’m now running everything at the 2.4 rate and getting much better reception , further away.

Brettm, The practical matter is that you can't "Add an Antenna" because the modem is buried inside the laptop. You can use a number of USB WiFi modems that will do what you want. They do work. I happen to be a fan of the Alfa 036 units. But they are nothing all that special they just have better RF for both receiving and transmitting than other I tried.The on gotcha to the above is that you have to be sure that it lists a driver for your current operating system. It could otherwise be quite useless. Matt

WIFI Question | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

owenssailor
Explorer
Mar 30, 2018
I have had an Amped wifi external antenna for several years. It definitely boosts the signal. It uses 2 USB ports - one for signal and one for power. It shows up as a second wifi access on the computer. You simply connect to that choice.

The model is UA600

https://www.ampedwireless.com/ua600.html
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2018
Matt_Colie wrote:

The practical matter is that you can't "Add an Antenna" because the modem is buried inside the laptop.

You can use a number of USB WiFi modems that will do what you want.

Correct !

I keep hoping someone will post how they were able to disconnect the internal antenna and connect up an external one with the proper adapter cable. In theory this should not be hard.
jplante4
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2018
We just got this in the store. The owner used it on his recent trip and was very happy.
Janss
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2018
Have you already made sure your laptop gets consistently good wifi while inside their house? Many variables, as already noted. Their internet service may not be so good, their router not so good, your laptop not so good, etc.

I use my neighbor's wifi in an RV park inside my RV. Just as good as using my own router inside my RV. Both signals originate from the local cable company.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2018
Brettm,

The practical matter is that you can't "Add an Antenna" because the modem is buried inside the laptop.

You can use a number of USB WiFi modems that will do what you want. They do work. I happen to be a fan of the Alfa 036 units. But they are nothing all that special they just have better RF for both receiving and transmitting than other I tried.

The on gotcha to the above is that you have to be sure that it lists a driver for your current operating system. It could otherwise be quite useless.

Matt
wildtoad
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2018
How far are you from their router? How friendly are you with the owners? I recently “upgraded” my router which supports both 2.4 and 5.0 ghz bandwidths with the literature saying the 5.0 was faster. However I found out that the 5.0 mode did not go through walls as well as the 2.4. So I’m now running everything at the 2.4 rate and getting much better reception , further away.
jcpainter
Explorer
Mar 29, 2018
There are a LOT of variable that could come into play. Be sure to purchase from someone that can help you decide what's right for your situation and will take it back if it doesn't work. You might want to talk to the folks at Techno RV or The 3G store

Both of these companies have good reputations for assistance.
TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Mar 29, 2018
Fizz wrote:
Sometimes all you need is an antenna for your laptop or something at the end of a cable hanging out your window.

Something like this...

That's good advice. I have one hanging from my Rear view mirror. Some people make a tinfoil "dish" to put behind it so it's somewhat directional. Watch YouTube. There's a bunch of videos.
Fizz
Explorer
Mar 29, 2018
Sometimes all you need is an antenna for your laptop or something at the end of a cable hanging out your window.

Something like this...

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WIFI Question

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