I need internet and wifi but it's complicated

[katoomer]

I would like to put wifi with my own internet connection in our coach. But it's not that easy for me. I need at least 2 LAN ports for my Sonos music system and a NAS to store music.
I also need the capability to change out wifi providers. I need one for Canada ( I use Telus)
and then maybe Verizon or whomever for U.S.A.. Must be capable of handling numerous devices. The bit of research I've done has me looking at a Cradlepoint Router that will connect to a MIFI hotspot. I'm just not sure if it will allow me to change hotspots back and forth when I cross the border. I'm had enough of RV park wifi and data roaming fees.
Any suggestions?

[katoomer]

Some very helpful responses so far. Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted

[Bill_Satellite]

Your phone doesn't have LAN ports and that is a requirement of the OP. I would suggest that the Cradlepoint MBR95 (there are more expensive models if you think you need any of the additional features) would do the job best. I use the WiFi as WAN in the few parks we find that have usable WiFi where our RV is parked and it's a simply 1-2 minute process to change from the previous to the current parks connection. When that's not available I use a cellular air card in the same device to maintain my internet connection as well as my in-house network. The Cradlepoint can also use your phone's hotspot feature as "just another wifi network" for those times you can find park wifi.

[bluwtr49]

Another Verizon user here. My phone supports at least 5 devices. That coupled with campground WiFi seems to give me coverage 99% of the time. Data speed with a 4G signal has been more than adequate and even with 3G an watch streaming video as needed. Of course I'm still on the unlimited data plan which is a boon.

[bigdogger]

whistlebritches wrote:
Imho, the telecommunication giants are really ripping people off on this internet service. $70/mo, that's ridiculous. Has anyone read the articles about how we have the slowest internet and pay 3 to 4 times more for it, than other countries overseas?

Sounds like a great business opportunity for you. Just set up a few wifi or cellular towers so you can cover the 3,870,000 or so square miles that is the United States. Get yourself a company to supply you with compatible phones and the like and start making your fortune $20 or $30 dollars a month, one customer after another. I mean it is estimated that Verizon has only invested $80,000,000,000 or so in it's cellular network and they only re-invest a few billion a year to maintain and upgrade services, so it is really no step for a stepper. It's a great business idea, cheap cellular and data. The world is your oyster, open up your checkbook and start building that competing network. We will all thank you when it's up and running.

[wa8yxm]

Humm, let me describe what I use two different setups depending on park Wi-Fi.

I have two ReplayTV units (Lan ports only, no Wi-Fi) a printer, 3 computers one acting as a server running WiRNS (Windows Replay Network Server).

I have a router and a modem (Wi-Fi modem) This is a Linksys WGA-54G. It is a hen's tooth as it's no longer made (Means hard to find) and it has a few quirks but it works fairly well when I'm in a park with Wi-Fi. Oh, and I have a smart phone with Wi-Fi ability (Both ways) and a tablet.

All the comptuers have Wi-Fi ability, even the WiRNS box.

Now... Here, there is no park Wi-Fi so the WGA is not connected sitting in the chair across from me as I type.

The 3 computers and the tablet connect to my smart phone's hot spot The printer is USBed to this laptop since it is the only thing that will likley need to print (if I need to print on the other comptuers I can print to PDF and re-configure as needed) (Turn router Wi-Fi back on).

Wi-fi on the router is turned off

Since the WiRNS box only needs to see the net for like 5 minutes every week or two.. The rest of the time it serves program data to the Replays, it can download shows from the replays it can stream videos to the replays and tell them what to program and so on... This is its primary function (I do check E-mail with it from time to time but that's 99% of what it does, it also serves as a back up of last resort to the other 2 computers).

I also start the internet run manually on that machine. It downloads program info from Schedules direct, modifies it as needed to feed the vintage DVRs which do not understand things like 7-1 (It changes it to 71 and the adapters change it back to 7-1 when they decode it). so it all works great.

In the other park I stay at good Wi-Fi. so I shine the Linksys on the roter (It has a directional antenna modification, more on that in a bit) from atop a 25' pole (or less) and get a nice strong signal from the land of "you are too far away". It feeds my belkin router (I turn the WI-Fi back on from the hard wired WiRNS box) and all the hardware is happy.. Even the Wi-Fi enabled printer.

The fun part is I let a few of my neighbors (The ones who have not ticked me off) connect to the router.. They can, via a web address I give them, watch TV shows I have recorded!!!!. (Thanks to the WiRNS box).

I can tell you,, It was fun to set up and even more fun working out all the quirks in the system and learning how to link it all up.
But it is truly amazing what it does.

[1492]

This TP-Link TL-WR710N or similar router is all you really need. It has two LAN ports and connects to your mobile MiFi device via WiFi in client mode. Amazon has it for $26. Don't know how much the CradlePoint costs?

[jhilley]

katoomer wrote:
I would like to put wifi with my own internet connection in our coach. But it's not that easy for me. I need at least 2 LAN ports for my Sonos music system and a NAS to store music.
I also need the capability to change out wifi providers. I need one for Canada ( I use Telus)
and then maybe Verizon or whomever for U.S.A.. Must be capable of handling numerous devices. The bit of research I've done has me looking at a Cradlepoint Router that will connect to a MIFI hotspot. I'm just not sure if it will allow me to change hotspots back and forth when I cross the border. I'm had enough of RV park wifi and data roaming fees.
Any suggestions?

Your CradlePoint router solution will work fine. Just make sure it is one that has Wifi as WAN capability. I do the same thing and use a CradlePoint CTR-35 and a Novatel 4620LE Jet Pack from Millenicom on the Verizonwireless network. The CTR-35 only has one Ethernet port, but you could connect a small switch to it.

[1492]

Not really that complicated. You need a separate router that's capable of client bridge(CB) mode. Basically, the CB router is connecting via WiFi from your mobile MiFi or hotspot device. It's acting similar to a USB wireless adapter on your laptop, but allows you to connect other computers or devices via Ethernet cables.

You just go into the CB router setup, and input your MiFi's SSID, encryption type, and password so it will auto connect. It has to be on the same network(sub-net) but different IP address. Then just connect your other devices using Ethernet cables to the CB router. You can always change the CB router setup to accommodate different MiFi or WiFi hotspot devices.

You can buy CB routers which make the process fairly straightforward. Many of the newer routers use wizards for configuration. Or recycle a compatible router and flash with third party ROM such as DD-WRT. In fact, I've picked up numerous Linksys routers from Goodwill for $4.-$6. and just flash the ROM. A little intimidating the first time, about 30-minutes, but not really that difficult.

[SCVJeff]

whistlebritches wrote:
Imho, the telecommunication giants are really ripping people off on this internet service. $70/mo, that's ridiculous. Has anyone read the articles about how we have the slowest internet and pay 3 to 4 times more for it, than other countries overseas?

And your point is?

[whistlebritches]

Imho, the telecommunication giants are really ripping people off on this internet service. $70/mo, that's ridiculous. Has anyone read the articles about how we have the slowest internet and pay 3 to 4 times more for it, than other countries overseas?

[donn0128]

Milencom. 20 GB a month on a month to month plan for around 70 dollars. All on the Verizon network.

[PastorCharlie]

I use a Secure Wireless Verizon USB Aircard/Wifi that allows up to 5 connections and I am grandfathered with unlimited data and time. Although my plan is no long available to purchase they do have different levels of data service offered with Wifi connection.

Works great for me coast to coast.