Truck Camper Wifi Setup

[aidwilli]

Hi everyone,
I'm going to post about my wifi setup in my 1999 Lance 1130. It works pretty well so maybe you can benefit from this or maybe you could add to my knowledge.
Here's what I've got (some prices have changed since october):

Asus RT-AC68U AC1900 router (amazon) $55
L-com HG2415U-PRO 2.4GHz 15dBi Omnidirectional Antenna N-Female (amazon) $102
WiFi Wireless Antenna Extension Cable (amazon) $22
19v dc-dc converter (optional)
(amazon) $20
N Male to RP-SMA RP SMA (amazon) $9

Total $208 plus the on/off switch for the dc-dc converter. I use the carbon monoxide circuit in the cabover to power it.

I bought the omnidirectional antenna because I thought I was going to use this setup as a wireless repeater bridge. That only works OK because the antenna will throw the virtual network's signal too far away to be used very well. If I did this again, I would try using a directional antenna.

I mounted the antenna to the existing TV antenna on the roof of the Lance using SS hose clamps. I haven't finalized the installation yet so right now i just pass the LMR-240 cable through the emergency exit. I will drill a hole and mount a box on the roof to coil the extra little bit of LMR-240 in eventually. I can monitor signal quality in DD-WRT while I spin the antenna mount slowly to find the best position.

The trickiest part of this set up is flashing the AC68U router with DD-WRT. This is an open source firmware that can be installed on many routers and will "unlock" the advanced features of the router. I followed this fellow's tutorial which made it quite simple. LINK TO TUTORIAL

Here's how to set up a client bridge with DD-WRT. DD-WRT Wiki

Essentially what I do is I use the 2.4ghz radio to talk to the gateway router. This could be your home or a public hotspot such as starbucks.
I set my router to a static IP and disable the DHCP server so that the gateway router still assigns IP addresses.

Then I use the 5ghz radio in AC mode (you can any 5ghz mode though) to rebroadcast a private network. So i have my own private 5ghz network from a 2.4ghz private/public hotspot. I can select which antenna to transmit/receive the 2.4 and 5ghz signals so the 5ghz doesn't try to use the 2.4ghz only L-com antenna.

Like I said, I would try using a directional antenna in a future build. This works well for me, though. The noise from an omni is the weak link in this system. I'm probably 150ft away and 25ft down (street level vs 3rd story house) from the gateway router (standard verizon MI424WR using N only on channel 1) and I'm getting an RSSI of -68dbm. There are a couple trees and a roof in the way.

No pics today, sorry. It's another noreaster here in Philadelphia so i'm not going on the roof!

Maybe there are less expensive alternatives out there? For less than $250 i have something that works well for me.

[AnEv942]

For the height and ability to rotate I mounted to the Winegard antenna. So that it wasn't having cable end into wind if mounted to arms I ended up making a mount for it that rotates with Winegard head staying vertical. Used its arm pins. Also made allowance so I can rotate the antenna either direction when TV ant down. Forward so cable isn't into wind on the road or back for storage. Offset is to place closer to AC so when camper covered doesn't poke into it.
Still want to add support when down so bouncing weight isn't seen by TV head. Round-toit but rain kinda put it all on hold. March isn't the time for outside project...
That and between USPS and amazon my Ethernet-net cable order got lost, twice. I did get it temporarily installed with an old cable, mostly to verify routing and TV ant still functioned. But with the TV antenna up, rotating I'm picking up half the town. I recognized few of the ssids, The range is simply amazing.
Couple of pics.



-showing the rotation lock holes

And antenna in lowered position

WiFi ant rotated down- this was before lock holes to hold up so over-rotated. Added pin lock holes in either store position to keep cable end lower when stored. Likely still seal once working.


Got the 'router' and power supply mounted in wardrobe. Removed bottom and back of cabinet for access. Cable will run thru upper cabinets and up into access box on roof. Added a switch and 5 amp fuse.
Just waiting for cable so I can button it up if rain stops.

[msiminoff]

AnEv942 wrote:
Devils in the details...How did you attach yours?

Most of the time I use a suction cup mount and stick the NanoStation to the inside of one of the TC's windows. This is especially useful when stealth camping 😉

When the access point I'm connecting to is further away, I'll attach the NanoStation to either the TV antenna (with velcro), or to a PVC mast I have on the ladder. When it's outside I use a flat ethernet cable and route it in through one of the jalousie windows.

Cheers,
-Mark

[AnEv942]

I'm currently in my little metal shed, pouring rain, Antenna laying on shelf 6'- randomly pointed toward skylight, picking up over 60 this morning, about a dozen hotspots and open ssids.
Set my phone connected to our home wifi network, set as hotspot. Connected the nanostation to phone, writing this on line. CPU connected to nanostation which is using phone hotspot which is using wifi of house.
Stopped about here, saved draft. close browser -turned off the phones WiFi connection- restarted, reopen this.
Finish and post with no WiFi internet connection!
Well computer is getting WiFi from new nanostation that's broadcasting phone that isn't receiving WiFi internet. Means with not a close internet signal- we both can use and get on line, but more that we can do it with laptops verses a 3" screen -whoowhoo!
Im just amazed

[aidwilli]

AnEv942 wrote:
Hokey smoke-just finished setting up the ubiquiti
Picking up 45 ssids, usually only see max of half a dozen, that's amazing

Cool, right?! You must be in a dense wifi area. Try playing with different channels and modes to increase bandwidth. Glad u got your setup working.

[AnEv942]

Hokey smoke-just finished setting up the ubiquiti
Picking up 45 ssids, usually only see max of half a dozen, that's amazing

[AnEv942]

Thanks Mark

msiminoff wrote:

AnEv942 wrote:
I do have a question though on the nanostation... it doesn't appear that it's all that weather proof.

The NanoStations are IPx5 rated and can be permanently installed outdoors. However they are designed to be in a upright/vertical orientation. I think that a horizontal installation with the ethernet cable facing into the wind/water would not be a good plan.

Agree, however easiest attachment would be to arm of antenna. In raised position would orient station vertically but when ant. laid down station would be horizontal, hence my concern. Unless I made attachment to arms similar to how ant head mounts, or mount to head.
Use existing arm pins-hmmm, Devils in the details...How did you attach yours?

msiminoff wrote:

AnEv942 wrote:
Also on cell antennas/repeater antenna I read placement and minimum distance between them is important but I've seen no mention of this on WiFi antenna and access/router point.

Absolutely do not point the NanoStation at the AirGateway! I'd suggest keeping as much distance as possible between them.
Here's a link to an informative video by David Bott showing how to set up these products from Ubiquiti.
Cheers,
-Mark

One of the reasons using the Ubiquiti, so many videos of how to setup. And your link/use to the 12v injector.. But none really mention the mechanical install-even Davids.

[msiminoff]

AnEv942 wrote:
I do have a question though on the nanostation... it doesn't appear that it's all that weather proof.

The NanoStations are IPx5 rated and can be permanently installed outdoors. However they are designed to be in a upright/vertical orientation. I think that a horizontal installation with the ethernet cable facing into the wind/water would not be a good plan.

Also on cell antennas/repeater antenna I read placement and minimum distance between them is important but I've seen no mention of this on WiFi antenna and access/router point.

Absolutely do not point the NanoStation at the AirGateway! I'd suggest keeping as much distance as possible between them.

Here's a link to an informative video by David Bott showing how to set up these products from Ubiquiti.

Cheers,
-Mark

[AnEv942]

Timely...been researching cell and eventually WiFi, getting signal inside of camper. Both relatively unknown areas for me. Trying to figure it out makes my head swim...

Phone was 1st priority, but just seems like what I expect/want it to do leads to 400-$500 range in equipment? Surprised me, kind of assumed pulling in cell signal would be fairly simple and inexpensive. So still looking- Just tired of climbing up on the roof to get a cell signal (if present).

Last 2 times we were out though, reserved mid-route stops at parks that had WiFi to recharge but couldn't reach signal without taking a walk. At minimum have to be outside.
Then this thread popped up. Hadn't really started looking at WiFi equipment, again because my assumption was higher cost, more complex.

Long term is getting cell to work, access via data, because a lot of the places we go simply no WiFi but may be cell service. However for under $200, accessing 'free' wifi without being on somebody's front porch (or parking lot), seems worthwhile.

The Ubiquiti system msiminoff outlined even more attractive (cost-wise), especially since Ive been saving gift cards for a rainy day. The Ubiquiti Nanostation M2, AirGateway and the replacement BeElion 12v passive POE injector, less cabling TBD, (111.28)for $46 out of pocket? - ordered. Looks like fun project. If I can get this to work, 1st time I can access 'free' internet without walking around with laptop in tow, money well spent. If doesn't work I've thrown away more for less a learning experience.

I do have a question though on the nanostation. Its supposed to be here tomorrow but looking at pics it doesn't appear that it's all that weather proof. I could pole mount, gain a bit of height, store inside when not using. But utilizing/attaching to the Winegard antenna seems the simplest as far as use, also wiring into camper. However it is going to put the semi open end right into the wind/water path when its laying down on the road.
My thought since I need to make a stand off to attach to Winegard arms is to place the antenna in a piece of capped PVC, or try to seal it up.
Has anyone addressed weather proofing on the nanostation or is it a non issue?
Also on cell antennas/repeater antenna I read placement and minimum distance between them is important but I've seen no mention of this on WiFi antenna and access/router point? Just bumbling along

[Bedlam]

You may have to use MAC spoofing for login pages. This will make it look like the device accessing the login page is the same as your repeater device.

[aidwilli]

mellow wrote:
Does your setup give you issues with wifi portal login pages? Or do you just only look for open ones with no portal sign in?

I believe if you set up mac filtering it won't be an issue. The splash page protected ssid will expect to see a consistent mac address. When that happens the splash page should appear on a browser.

[towpro]

no matter what you install in your camper, and no mater how much power your device has, the place you are stealing the WIFI FROM still needs to be able to talk back TO your device.

The campground (or other) device only has limited power.
If you have a High Power access point, you can send your signal a long distance, but the device you are talking to still needs to be able to talk back to you.

This weak transmitter on far end problem can only be solved 2 ways.

Very sensitive receiver: this is an expensive option, but you need to remember there is much competition for the same frequency band that is shared by all devices, so even a sensitive receiver has limited practicality because of the clutter of noise from all the other devices you can't connect to because they are running encryption.

Directional antenna: This is the best solution. this can be a Yagi or a flat panel directional antenna. This works because you can point at what you want to hear, but hopefully block out what you don't want to hear.

Repeaters: These can be a PITA. you need to figure this device is doing 2 things. A its acting as a client connecting to the campground system. B its also acting as a Access Point so your PC or phone (the clients) can talk TO the device. so every now the device has to do everything 2X, which cuts your speed in half.
Also every one I have seen, if your talking to an open WIFI system, your end will also be open, thus any of your neighbors will connect to it as well. You can name it "hacker" or something like that, but most users have there phone set to connect to "any open wifi" so the phone owner don't even see the name of your SSID.

2 unit repeater:
1 Access Point is talking to the remote device and its hard wired to another access point which is your local broadcast domain. you can use a password on your local AP to keep your neighbors off. But its too hard to setup.

Also remember most campgrounds might have 10mbps internet, and they share this across 100's of campers that each has 3 or 4 devices, and everyone thinks they will stream TV or watch youtube on the phone, by the time your done the service is really bad.

I decided its not worth it and just started using 4G hotspot. Because of what I do for a living, I carry both Verizon and ATT hot spots. On the East coast of USA I can't think of the last place I was that I did not have access.

[hedge]

I have a Ubiquiti Nanostation CPE + the tiny airgateway router. The nanostation is POE so I just run a cable outside and strap the CPE to one of my jack legs.

I've only used it at home lol, just don't frequent many parks that have wifi.

[mellow]

Does your setup give you issues with wifi portal login pages? Or do you just only look for open ones with no portal sign in?

[aidwilli]

mellow wrote:
Ahh, got some UBNT guys in here 🙂 Thinking about putting their new led lights in my camper and when the current controller and panels die I will switch over to UBNT's. Love their products.

I hadn't really heard about this company until this thread. I really like the motto on their website: "Democratizing Professional Network Technology". That's cool. :C I'm sure you can create very functional networks with their technology.

I'll always be the type of person to avoid the "canned" plug-n-play systems. Not always the wisest mentality! For me, democratizing technology is making it open source hardware and software, like the company 3D printing company Lulzbot.

I enjoy the sight of a router askew, dangling in the sunlight by an antenna cord like a bug captured in spiders silk. At least until we bolt it down to the wall and make it look nice.