I have been in the PC support end of things for the past 30 years. Been lucky to be employed by only two companys during those 30 years!Getting ready to pull the corporate America plug & hit the road!Now, Networks in a Motorhome...I'm thinking about some type of NAS server, with 2 to 3 terabyte drive in the front compartment along with the other electronics, would also like to add one of those Veerizon Hotspot/wireless router. I see models with a detachable antenna so I could mound a cell antenna on the top front cap & connect to the hotspot.Then I would have a wireless access point thru Verizon's 4G. Will also be able to connect items like a Morningstart MPPT controller to the mix.Any ideas, suggestions?What are others doing? Was thinking Satellite internet BUT I see a lot of bloggers ae switching over since Verizon's 4G is so fast.Robert

Our Verizon Jetpack router is very fast & reliable.

Sounds pretty elaborate. We are not fulltimers, but when we need access to internet will camping, I just turn on the mobile hotspot feature of my smartphone and everything in my trailer has access via wifi.Even if I fulltimed, I wouldnt have to do anything different as far as I can see. Your needs sound different though, including a NAS while travelling. I have one at home, that use for taking backup's but that is about it. I could do those same backup's via locally attached USB disk if I was "roughing it".

Can't answer the Morning Star question. I would not worry about detachable antenna on the Myfi. I'd consider a signal booster. Verizon devices are capped at .25 watt output. The Wilson Sleek is about 1.8 watts. The next step is more expensive. The Wilson Mobile Pro 4G is also more powerful and universal. The Mobile Pro 4G has an advertised 5ft range. This is being generous. I would place the Myfi directly on or next to the internal antenna. The Mobile Pro 4G is good for 5 device. I've only tested with 2 at the same time. The Sleek is good for about 18db gain. The Mobile Pro is advertised at 50db gain. I average 35db gain. Wilson SleekMobile Pro 4G

wcjeepThanks for the info!Forgot about the other options.

Robert, We travel a goodly number of strange places and I am rarely unable to get Verizon 4G. My repeater is old and only good for 3G, but that seems to make very little difference. If you look at a Verizon coverage map and the places you plan to go are not white (no coverage) that will be less expensive that satellite. When I last had anything to do with a MorningStar, it had both serial and ethernet ports. I would have to believe that you could connect it to your housenet. Matt

Mobile Networks | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

TechWriter
Explorer
Aug 11, 2014
mchero wrote:
. . . would also like to add one of those Veerizon Hotspot/wireless router. I see models with a detachable antenna so I could mound a cell antenna on the top front cap & connect to the hotspot.Then I would have a wireless access point thru Verizon's 4G.

I recommend checking out the 3gstore.

mchero wrote:

Will also be able to connect items like a Morningstart MPPT controller to the mix.

This is solar so you might want to start a separate thread.

mchero wrote:

Was thinking Satellite internet BUT I see a lot of bloggers ae switching over since Verizon's 4G is so fast.

Some folks, including me, still have sat units as a backup. However, though I've only been full timing for about a year, I have been able to get a Verizon signal no matter where I've camped. That said, I'm still keeping my old portable DataStorm unit around.

Verizon is the network of choice for full timers. I suggest you sign up for a Millenicom hotspot ($90/mon for 20 GB) as Millenicom resells Verizon bandwidth a lot cheaper than Verizon.

Finally, I would NOT plan on depending on campground WiFi for your Internet access. Campground connections are notoriously bad.
mchero
Explorer
Aug 11, 2014
No unlimited data on my Verizon account, no such luck. :(

hanks for all the great information!
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Wilson Sleek x2.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 08, 2014
I will describe my network...
Park Wi-Fi is picked up by a slightly modified Linksys WGA-54G (the mods are external.. I put a director on the antenna to improve range)

This feeds a common home router (Wi-Fi) on a non-confilcting channel (park is on 4, I'm on 11)

This feeds 2 DVR's. 2 laptops, 1 Desktop and a pair of 'droids.. At the moment

The real fun part has to do with the DVR's (Which share data) and how they get their program guides (The desktop) and such, but we won't cover that today.
mena661
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
wcjeep wrote:
Can't answer the Morning Star question. I would not worry about detachable antenna on the Myfi. I'd consider a signal booster. Verizon devices are capped at .25 watt output. The Wilson Sleek is about 1.8 watts. The next step is more expensive. The Wilson Mobile Pro 4G is also more powerful and universal. The Mobile Pro 4G has an advertised 5ft range. This is being generous. I would place the Myfi directly on or next to the internal antenna.

The Mobile Pro 4G is good for 5 device. I've only tested with 2 at the same time. The Sleek is good for about 18db gain. The Mobile Pro is advertised at 50db gain. I average 35db gain.
Actual measurements! Sweet! Great info and thanks much! To the OP, do you still have unlimited data on Verizon?
Clay_L
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
I use a Cradlepoint MBR95 wireless router with a Verizon aircard/modem connected to it. There are other wireless routers out there - WiFi Ranger for one.
We have two laptops and a wireless printer connected in a network all the time and once in a while a guest. The MBR95 has a "Guest' feature that will allow a guest to connect with their own password and access the Internet but not have access to our network.The MBR95 will handle up to ten wireless devices as I recall. Besides the printer and two laptops we have four Kindle devices and our TV connected to the internet through it.

You were going to stop by our site at the Coldbrook campground once when we were there in the summer but it didn't work out. Hope you can stop by our house in CO. We are off the road and settled down now.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2014
Robert,

We travel a goodly number of strange places and I am rarely unable to get Verizon 4G. My repeater is old and only good for 3G, but that seems to make very little difference. If you look at a Verizon coverage map and the places you plan to go are not white (no coverage) that will be less expensive that satellite.

When I last had anything to do with a MorningStar, it had both serial and ethernet ports. I would have to believe that you could connect it to your housenet.

Matt
mchero
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
wcjeep
Thanks for the info!
Forgot about the other options.
wcjeep
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Can't answer the Morning Star question. I would not worry about detachable antenna on the Myfi. I'd consider a signal booster. Verizon devices are capped at .25 watt output. The Wilson Sleek is about 1.8 watts. The next step is more expensive. The Wilson Mobile Pro 4G is also more powerful and universal. The Mobile Pro 4G has an advertised 5ft range. This is being generous. I would place the Myfi directly on or next to the internal antenna.

The Mobile Pro 4G is good for 5 device. I've only tested with 2 at the same time. The Sleek is good for about 18db gain. The Mobile Pro is advertised at 50db gain. I average 35db gain.

Wilson Sleek

Mobile Pro 4G
djousma
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Sounds pretty elaborate. We are not fulltimers, but when we need access to internet will camping, I just turn on the mobile hotspot feature of my smartphone and everything in my trailer has access via wifi.

Even if I fulltimed, I wouldnt have to do anything different as far as I can see. Your needs sound different though, including a NAS while travelling. I have one at home, that use for taking backup's but that is about it. I could do those same backup's via locally attached USB disk if I was "roughing it".