Combining multiple internet solutions

[nosebreaker]

After reading what others have posted on the forums here and elsewhere, I think I know which way I want to go to provide us internet as we travel around the USA. I plan to load balance multiple internet connections to ensure we have the best possible connectivity on the road. I plan to use at least 2 cell phone plans via tethering or hotspots, as well as wifi that automatically connects to known or open hotspots. Oh and of course it all has to run off 12V or be made to run off 12V (least of my concerns right now). Having reliable internet is valuable to us, I am willing to purchase commercial gear to solve this problem. I don't think it is worth it to go with satellite internet though, we will just avoid total boondocking areas on the trip and stay at locations where we can have connectivity in one way or another. Our trip is expected to last 3 months.

So my questions are:
1) What load balancing device would you suggest? I've heard a few people mention the TP-LINK SafeStream TL-R470T+ to load balance up to 4 connections, but it is ethernet-only. So then I would need to use wireless bridges to connect to hotspots or tethering sources (such as the TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Nano Travel Router TL-WR802N).

2) What wireless range extender would you suggest? I'd like an omnidirectional antenna without any kind of aiming setup, I don't want to have to aim it and I will get the highest gain (most powerful) antenna I can (at least 15dbi). I also want a setup where it will automatically connect to known (predefinied) access-points as well as any open access-points.

3) What wireless hotspots would you suggest? Ideally ones with antenna ports on them and not just little boxes with internal antennas so I can connect up a powered antenna for more range. We plan to get at least 2 providers for this.

We plan to use this setup even while driving, so I will likely disable the wifi part as we are moving to stop it from trying to use that, but we need a true mobile office.

[GordonThree]

Hmm I like the looks of that Max HD2 ... I'll have to see what my radio guys have to say about the brand. It's pretty much Sierra Wireless and Cradlepoint for me.

[johnhicks]

The Pepwave BR-1 Classic or Mk 2 https://www.peplink.com/products/max-cellular-router/single-cellular/ will do what you want in one box. For antennas look here http://www.wireng.com

[D_E_Bishop]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

nosebreaker wrote:
I appreciate the concern about connecting to open access points, we will be using VPN's to connect back to trusted networks, we won't be browsing directly via the connection. There is a mission critical need for internet, I have SLA's with my customers and need to be able to respond if there is an emergency. This is worth us spending several thousand dollars to ensure reliability.

You had better be willing to limit where you are traveling too ! Despite what you may have heard, not every square mile of the US has cell phone coverage ! Check to see what kind of coverage you get in Seney, MI, 49883.

You need a map showing all of the McDonalds, Starbucks, Paneras, etc !

You can't argue with this. Many National Parks and all of the Navajo reservation have "0" coverage. I too think if you're looking for the equivalent of 24-7 solid 100% service you're into some real big bucks.

[RoyB]

I have been using the Verizon MIFI 2200 box here which gives good SECURE internet through the Verizon connection. Allows us to use up to five of our devices. This is only for checking in with the kids and paying a few bills... Will allow us to surf the internet some. The speed however is too slow to do any serious downstreaming of HDTV or Videos etc...

I set my MIFI unit in a WILSON Cradle holder inside my POPUP trailer that has an outside antenna so I get a good coverage all around where we are camping. The MIFI unit is very small has has internal batteries so it can slip into your shirt pocket if you want to take it down to the creek or walk around some.

This is very low key for us and does what we need it for.

Our cell phones are too old and do not support HOTSPOT. Have recently just got the VERIZON 6620L JETPACK unit which passes faster internet. Haven't tried it out yet for camping. Works great around the house here when we loose the cable TV/Internet connections once in a while... This downstreams CBSN 24/7 Internet News channel just fine. Haven't tried it yet on downstreaming some missed TV shows like CBS NCIS or GOLD RUSH etc but think it will do just fine since it does the CBSN NETWORK like it does.

My MIFI box supports my Ham Radio Emergency Comms Ops when I setup on a high ridge somewhere and be a Weather watcher... ALl of these connections is over the internet anymore... ALso allows me to monitor many Radio Scanners using Broadcastify.com

We use our BATWING ANTENNA on our off-road popup and have great luck picking OTA HDTV from the local towns when camping. Being in a POPUP it is great having LIVE RADAR for those high winds approaching...


Gave up playing with WIFI signals from the camp grounds or local public places years ago. Just doesn't sound safe to pay bills on those connections...

Roy Ken

[theoldwizard1]

nosebreaker wrote:
I appreciate the concern about connecting to open access points, we will be using VPN's to connect back to trusted networks, we won't be browsing directly via the connection. There is a mission critical need for internet, I have SLA's with my customers and need to be able to respond if there is an emergency. This is worth us spending several thousand dollars to ensure reliability.

You had better be willing to limit where you are traveling too ! Despite what you may have heard, not every square mile of the US has cell phone coverage ! Check to see what kind of coverage you get in Seney, MI, 49883.

You need a map showing all of the McDonalds, Starbucks, Paneras, etc !

[valhalla360]

nosebreaker wrote:
I appreciate the concern about connecting to open access points, we will be using VPN's to connect back to trusted networks, we won't be browsing directly via the connection. There is a mission critical need for internet, I have SLA's with my customers and need to be able to respond if there is an emergency. This is worth us spending several thousand dollars to ensure reliability.

We will need higher-speed connectivity most of the time for streaming video/chat or remote desktop. There is also a need to download and upload operating system ISO's a few times per month. I would estimate 25G/month or more of usage.

We will be traveling around the continental USA. Moving locations every 3 days on average.

I didn't mean generic "I need internet" when I said mission critical. It was more about what are you trying to do and is there some specific need. If you are driving to a new campsite, will you have systems running in the background the whole time or some other specialty need?

Look up the provider coverage maps. Unless you plan to be in remote areas a lot, a single provider is likely the better option than using multiple carriers.

25G/month: Is that a wild guess or have you measured usage for a few months? Streaming video,you can burn thru a lot of data very quickly.

If you are doing cellular, not much need for range extenders in most cases...unless you plan to spend a lot of time in really remote areas.

[jcpainter]

Rover_Bill wrote:
From the questions you're asking, it appears that you need to learn a lot about the capabilities and limitations of WiFi and internet service before you start spending a lot on money on hardware that will be useless for you. I strongly recommend that you start reading at this website first.

RV Mobile Internet

Rover_Bill is absolutely correct. You should start with this site and learn as much as you can about mobile internet. Solutions that work well for stationery locations are very often not the best choice for mobile usage. Pay specific attention to MiMo enabled solutions.

If you identify your specific needs/tasks first, instead of your perceived solutions, we would be more able to help you. There are two separate issues here: cellular plans and appropriate equipment.

[Crabbypatty]

I use Hawkings Smart Repeater with an amplifier plus a Hawkings Marine Antenna on the roof. I also use a cellular booster as your sitting in a tin can which blocks the signal, also with a trucker antenna on the roof. After I hook up at the cg. is simply go up the ladder and raise the two antennas. Its not a perfect system for a variety of reasons, the main one being, distance to the signal tower or hot spot, or obstructions, ie woods at the CG blocking the signal. Sometimes I just take the trusty laptop to the nearest starbucks, walmart parking lot and just sit in the TV and work. So when I get a call and cant connect reliably, I just take a short ride, conduct business and couple that with sight seeing, shopping or eating out. If I had your kind of business I would also use a satellite connection. I see them at CG's on some rigs, and most state they work fine, unless you park under a tree. Keep in mind that CG's bandwidth isnt great as well as others streaming netflix etc, drawing down the signal.

PS we were just at an rv resort and the wifi wasn't very reliable. I was using my hotspot most of the time, until I needed to send a large file. The office had a business area where one could work. I simply went there had a fast wifi connection and conducted my business. So make sure that you plan includes a laptop that will do what you need as well.

[GordonThree]

I'd look at CradlePoint. They're a solid company and offer great support. I've spec'd their equipment in use in emergency vehicles (police, medical, etc.)

Of course, their price is nothing close to TPLink, which I don't have a high opinion of.

Get the Cradlepoint mobile router with the two LTE modems, pop in SIMs for ATT and Verizon, and then add a satellite modem as a wired third connection. Satellite modem should use a phased array in-motion antenna, auto tracking. You're talking low five figures here for this type of setup, but if it's a business expense, write it off 🙂 Don't mess with ATT and Verizon consumer level accounts, talk to their Enterprise divisions. Business class accounts get much better support, and less messing around as far as terms, and SLAs. You won't get any SLA on a consumer account.

Find out who your local first responders use for gear installation and work with them on the radio stuff. Don't mess around with open wifi at all IMHO, security issues aside even with VPN, park WiFi is so often awful or full of restrictions, it's not worth the bother.

You'll likely want a multiband cellular amplifier installed too. Pay an installer to do it, they have the tools to calibrate the antennas, so you get optimal performance and less cross-talk between RX and TX antennas for example. One thing I've never seen a DIY RV install has been a diversity antenna setup for cellular, they all go with a single antenna installed on the ladder. That's a mistake IMHO, as a diversity antenna array provides a much stronger signal for the modems, but you need experience to install one correctly.

This is just my 10 cents worth of advice, I don't do this stuff for RVs but do for police, fire, medical. So for me, getting a vehicle connected, I don't bat an eye spending $15k+ to get a mobile command trailer hooked up for example.

[nosebreaker]

I appreciate the concern about connecting to open access points, we will be using VPN's to connect back to trusted networks, we won't be browsing directly via the connection. There is a mission critical need for internet, I have SLA's with my customers and need to be able to respond if there is an emergency. This is worth us spending several thousand dollars to ensure reliability.

We will need higher-speed connectivity most of the time for streaming video/chat or remote desktop. There is also a need to download and upload operating system ISO's a few times per month. I would estimate 25G/month or more of usage.

We will be traveling around the continental USA. Moving locations every 3 days on average.

[valhalla360]

First question is how much data and at what speeds do you need?

Second question is where will you be traveling?

Having multiple phone plans is likely overkill unless there is some super mission critical need.

Using wifi when available (and functional) is a great way to limit cell data consumption.

[Rover_Bill]

From the questions you're asking, it appears that you need to learn a lot about the capabilities and limitations of WiFi and internet service before you start spending a lot on money on hardware that will be useless for you. I strongly recommend that you start reading at this website first.

RV Mobile Internet

[MitchF150]

Be careful of that whole connecting to "open wifi sites" deal... I turned that OFF on all my devices... WWW does not stand for World Wide Web anymore.. It's the Wild Wild West now...

Good luck!

Mitch