Car's OnStar Hot Spot question

[rvcampdad]

I posted this question on another thread, but figured it may be better to post as a new topic.

My Car has the On Star WIfi Hot Spot. I camp every weekend and want WIFI for the RV. My question is, is there a WIFI booster I can plug into my RV, to extend the range of On Stars 50ft range. Has anyone done this?

[ThomBoles]

rvcampdad wrote:
Thanks for the Info everyone. We love the WIFI in the car, 20 bucks a month, up to 7 devices for unlimited data isn't expensive at all and provides better quality than a cell phone plan.

The car doesn't have to be turned on, just the key has to be clicked to keep the cars radio on position, which is ok and wont drain the battery.

I'm probably late to answer... I have a Pepwave Surf on the Go router that I use to connect to a ZTE Mobley over wifi. This allows the Pepwave to distribute the signal as long as the two are close enough for the router to get a signal from the car to actually distribute.

[ktmrfs]

rvcampdad wrote:
Thanks for the Info everyone. We love the WIFI in the car, 20 bucks a month, up to 7 devices for unlimited data isn't expensive at all and provides better quality than a cell phone plan.

The car doesn't have to be turned on, just the key has to be clicked to keep the cars radio on position, which is ok and wont drain the battery.

well it WILL drain the battery, it's just a question of how long it will take.

[rvcampdad]

Thanks for the Info everyone. We love the WIFI in the car, 20 bucks a month, up to 7 devices for unlimited data isn't expensive at all and provides better quality than a cell phone plan.

The car doesn't have to be turned on, just the key has to be clicked to keep the cars radio on position, which is ok and wont drain the battery.

[wa8yxm]

rvcampdad wrote:
I posted this question on another thread, but figured it may be better to post as a new topic.

My Car has the On Star WIfi Hot Spot. I camp every weekend and want WIFI for the RV. My question is, is there a WIFI booster I can plug into my RV, to extend the range of On Stars 50ft range. Has anyone done this?

You are talking about the distance from your car to the RV, not from the car to your tower right?

YES. Wi-Fi Ranger works great or so I'm told.. I have half of one (And another company's other half) and .. Well it works great. So far

I have long used a repeater system that consisted of a LInksys WGA-54G and a Belkin (or other brand) router. THe WGA (Wireless game adapter) Connercts to park or other Wi-Fi and the in-house router serves it up to all my internet hardware But things like VoIP connections were iffy, Streaming video likewise.

Got the Nanostation LocoM2 (Google it) to replace the now deceased WGA 54G This is the "Front" half of a Wi-Fi Ranger

Fantastic Works great Since getting it up and running I've made phone calls using VoIP.. I've watched live video, while streamign a 2nd stored stream. I've had Streaming audio run for hours on end without issue. Very happy.

[joebedford]

Just use whatever booster you have in your RV to connect to any access point. That's how I connect to the truck.

[ktmrfs]

CA Traveler wrote:
WiFi is a standard so any repeater should be OK. But with a 50' range the repeater will have to be able to use that signal. And a weak signal may reduce bandwidth.

So does the ignition have to be on for On Star to work like my car? That would be a nice way to run down the battery.

For me I saw very limited value to On Star vs a cell phone. But that's my take.

ignition doesn't need to be on. but then wifi will shut off after about 10 or 15 minutes. get in passenger side, turn key to accy, wait for wifi to come on, take key out of ignition, get out passenger side.

fine for us since when we are camping, other than maybe checking email or a quick message, don't use wifi or phones much. But if you want to stream video, well, not good.

Getting out drivers side will turn off wifi.

compared to some other options it may or may not be a better deal than the obdII dongle.

Onstar wifi and phone transmitter has a better antenna and higher power than a phone or the obdII dongle. So, if your in a marginal area it may give you coverage that other options won't.

We have several spots where GSM or CDMA phones give zip, but onstar gives good phone and decent wifi, course in these areas, it's usually 3G anyway even if you could connect with your phone.

But if you don't travel in areas with marginal coverage, doesn't give much advantage and the obdII dongle is probably a better solution.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

CA Traveler wrote:


For me I saw very limited value to On Star vs a cell phone. But that's my take.

Good observation! (The "value" is to OnStar's coffer$!)

Much better price for the data & "utility" of having the phone.

BTW - draining battery & "versatility":
You can set the time you want Mobley to stay on after the ignition is turned off. Including ON all the time (handy for 120V home/RV use).

Trivia - AT&T supplies the data plan (WiFi) for OnStar.
The cost of one (Mobley) sure beats the heck out of the cost of the other (OnStar data).
And of course, you still can have OnStar -without- their WiFi plan.

:C

[CA_Traveler]

WiFi is a standard so any repeater should be OK. But with a 50' range the repeater will have to be able to use that signal. And a weak signal may reduce bandwidth.

So does the ignition have to be on for On Star to work like my car? That would be a nice way to run down the battery.

For me I saw very limited value to On Star vs a cell phone. But that's my take.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

rvcampdad wrote:
I posted this question on another thread, but figured it may be better to post as a new topic.

My Car has the On Star WIfi Hot Spot. I camp every weekend and want WIFI for the RV. My question is, is there a WIFI booster I can plug into my RV, to extend the range of On Stars 50ft range. Has anyone done this?

Try your question/research on either the Howard Forums -or- Escapees
"Internet access on the Road" forum.

Observation: (IMO) - The cost for both OnStar itself, and the add-on for WiFi is overpriced.....compared to the AT&T $20 a month standalone unlimited data plan (see threads here and "everywhere").

You can use the AT&T ZTE Mobley in your vehicle, connected to the OBDII port -or- with a converter on 120V AC - in your home or RV.

BTW - my GMC has OnStar, which I don't use (or "buy").
Mobley works just fine inside the vehicle - and as my home WiFi Hot Spot...:C

~

[RoyB]

Do you see your ON-STAR name and login on your cell phone and/or laptop/Tablet like you do any other WIFI hot spot signal...

If so I see no reason why not... I've never seen a ON-STAR WIFI signal before...

The WIFi BOOSTER is just a repeater unit

Does the ON-STAR run down your truck start system... I know my truck has the SIRIUS Radio in it and I have to really watch listening to it without the motor running...

One of the golden rules when camping off-grid is to not do anything to run down your truck start battery - this is your only way back home...

Roy Ken