How can I improve wi-fi at rv parks?

[vandave]

Most, if not all, the rv parks I've stayed at have only intermitten wi-fi signals. These are private parks, KOA parks,and a FEW resort rv parks. How can I get better/more consistent reception? Would like your ideas. Thanks.

[Heisenberg]

If you are ever in the Durango area ... the Sky Ute Casino & Resort down at Ignacio has the best campground Wi-Fi that I have ever encountered. Netflix streamed without buffering. Whatever system they use is first class. No external antenna needed and we had three laptops surfing at times.

We did not go there for the Wi-Fi. We needed a layover for a reserved site nearby and made a great discovery. They also have excellent entertainment facilities easily accessed via your user key card, right by the hot tubs/pool, with easy access from your campsite. I paid $27 a night last June.

[Pirate1]

I have tried Jefa and an Alfa am309h. I have had great reception with the alfa unit.

[TragedyTrousers]

Im using a rouge wave antenna/amp. http://wavewifi.com/ Works good but expensive.

[gerrym51]

I use this jefatech system at rvparks to improve the wifi signal and more importantly make a secure connection

jefatech



i use a cell hotspot with weboost(formerly wilson) drive-4gs(formerly sleek).

if you can get a smidgen of a signal these 2 devices cover everything.

if there is no signal to improve they don't

[Executive45]

Depends on what you're trying to do. If your intent is to simply get a better signal, then an exterior antenna or a larger indoor antenna will help. If you're trying to improve the quality of the wifi you're out of luck. Most CG have basic wifi,usually several years old. Now with streaming movies, netflix, streaming music and computer games, these systems cannot keep up. Many have had to throttle their service to maintain their systems. I use about 3-4 gigs a week, sometimes more and use my phone since I have an unlimited data plan. We also have a mifi from AT&T but that's limited to 5g/month so it's gone pretty quickly....Dennis

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Does the Verizon MiFi have a monthly charge beyond your shared data?

I bought a $200 mifi from AT&T and got scammed. I shifted from unlimited data to a family plan the same day and the hotspot feature that had been greyed out on unlimited data became available eliminating the need for the wifi. Discovered it a month later and was out of luck on a refund. I still like the mifi because it doesn't drain my phone battery if I'm using it for more than a quick email check on my iPad but AT&T charges a monthly $20 fee on the unit AFTER I paid for the device itself. No contract but still stuck with the device I bought.

[sch911]

Naio wrote:
Use your phone to provide wifi to your computer. You don't need a mifi unless you are running more computers than you have phones.

Nah... the MiFi unit works stand alone. Don't want to tie up the cell phone with a hot spot, or drain it's battery. Uses the same data allowance anyway and much easier.

[westernrvparkow]

vandave wrote:
Thank you for all the quick replies. Does it make a difference by using an i-pad and not a laptop?

Your device absolutely makes a difference. All internet traffic is a two way conversation. Even when streaming downloads your device needs to constantly communicate with the website that is streaming the content.
Apple is notorious for having de-powered the radio transmitters in their devices in order to increase battery life. Smaller devices have smaller antenna, smaller batteries and almost always less radio transmitter power. It is common for a laptop to work when a handheld device right next to it cannot communicate. Testing is easy, just move closer to the access point and you will notice your device will suddenly connect, your speeds will increase and everything will just plain work better. Another big problem is interference from other wireless devices. They are all transmitting on one of 11 frequencies available for wifi. In reality, there are only three non-overlapping frequencies. It is pretty easy for your signal to get overrun by others. Wifi is wrought with problems beyond the control of even the best systems.

[dvitale300]

The problem is cost. It all depends on the individual(s), but verizon wireless internet is expensive, if, you're streaming, watching videos, etc. If all you are doing is checking email and a few short tasks - the RV park services should work just fine. Their bandwidth is very limited - oftentimes only a couple of times faster than the old dial-up.

[wa8yxm]

There are several devices such as the Wi-Fi Ranger,, TP-Link and such that will improve reception and range.

I use a home made version (Following instructions on Amateurlogic.TV episode 3 with the exception I did NOT re-cut or modify the antenna on the LInksys wi-fi Modem (Game adapter) I just set the can over it)

Hugh improvment.

They had other ideas in another episode later as well.

The easiest is to find out where the node is and how close can you park.

[eubank]

Smaller devices have smaller antennae don't have the range of devices with larger antennae, so, yes, it does make a difference in the end. I can see it pretty often just comparing phones, smaller devices like Kindles, and laptops.

As others have pointed out, though, getting a strong signal (vs. a weak one) does nothing about the bandwidth available on a given network. If too many folks are using the network for too many bandwidth-intensive purposes, then you might just as well hop in the car and drive to the local library.

🙂
Lynn

[corgi1]

vandave wrote:
Thank you for all the quick replies. Does it make a difference by using an i-pad and not a laptop?

No, that should make no difference at all.

[vandave]

Thank you for all the quick replies. Does it make a difference by using an i-pad and not a laptop?

[lhenry8113]

Yup--we have the Verizon MiFi and it works great. Not only for the RV traveling but also use it at our Mt cabin which has no land line. Lars