Wifi and Cell Signal Booster Setups - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Modifications and Alterations
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-16-2017, 01:11 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
Wifi and Cell Signal Booster Setups

Working on my 17B build sheet and got a lot of useful info from the Nerd Pole thread about setting up an external antenna.
Would you advise me on the types of antennae you are using for cell and wifi boosting duty. And what type of wifi and cell boosters are you using now?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 06:26 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Only have a cell booster. Weboost Sleek 4G with a BoatAnt antenna.

I had heard the best reception is with the cradle style booster, can't really say if that part is true but it does work.

Using the phone in the cradle is a hassle if you don't have a headset.

I normally use a Verizon Jetpack hotspot in the cradle.

Went with the BoatAnt so I don't have to remove it to put on a cover, one that sticks up higher may well work better.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 07:26 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Coast, Florida
Trailer: None now
Posts: 1,266
We have a Ubiquiti Nanostation M2 and airGateway LR setup for Wi-Fi. Have not taken it on the road yet but around the house it can pick up way more AP's.
Here is a link to someone who set up a similar system.
Private RV Wi-Fi and Making a Better Park Connection for Under $100 | Outside Our Bubble
wetzk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 09:40 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
Many thanks!
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2017, 09:40 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
Thank you!
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 08:29 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
Great link to Outside the Bubble RV video. Seems like a knowledgeable guy. Ubiquiti is one of the industry standard providers of network hardware to big companies. I have one of their access points in my medical office as the hospital I work with required it to link to their servers. Never had a problem.

I plunked for the external mount for the M2 so that I could direct the antenna toward the office at a park even if my berth is farther away. Did you do that, or are you using a through-the-window set up? If you're using the external mount, how will you secure the antenna to it? Usually the M2 is a static mount device to bridge distance to remote installations and the like. The antenna's fastening is with two zip ties only. Would you pull the trailer at speed with that (even if the antenna mount is folded down against the roof) or take the antenna off the mount completely when driving?
Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 10:05 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Bobnjudy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: 78748, Texas
Trailer: 5.0 TA 2017 Taj MaSmall
Posts: 115
LAN to USB converter

Well, that was a good video. My Windows 10 laptop doesn't have a LAN input so I use a USB ethernet adapter one of these when needed.
Bobnjudy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 02:02 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Coast, Florida
Trailer: None now
Posts: 1,266
We have the window mount and hopefully it will be all that is needed. But in case it is not we also have a hitch flagpole mount and a 20 foot flag pole which we can extend 14 feet. This puts the M2 up about 16 feet which should be plenty. I mounted a piece of rubber foam to the back of the Nanostation and use 2 velcro straps to hold it to the pole. It seems secure enough. That way I can still use the window mount. To feed it I have 25 feet of flat white ethernet cable. I'm assuming the rear window is like the one on our previous trailer and the flat cable will fit. If not I'll have to look around and figure another path. I would not take a chance of exposing the M2 to rain at highway speeds.
wetzk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 10:35 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
Wifi and cell

Yeah, I'm taking taking down the ubiquiti when we're underway. Good idea about cobbling up some Velcro straps to attach it to the mount.

For Padlin and the cell booster, I got a used Wilson 4GM but also bought a Wilson trucker antenna and had it sent to Escape to install. Probably not such a great idea as appparently these require a ferrous plane where they're attached--that's why they're for trucks and not fiber glass trailers! So I've got a message in to Wilson for advice. How long is your boat antenna? Is it mounted with a suction cup so it can easily be taken down?
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 11:04 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Wilson trucker antennas have a built-in ground plane. Semi-Truck cabs are not made from sheet metal, which has is why these antennas were originally developed.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 11:18 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21 towed by F-150 with 2.7l eb, formerly Escape 17B 2017
Posts: 563
You guys might want to do a search on the forum as there have been quite a few threads on wifi/cell booster assistance.
Chris & Patricia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 05:40 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
That is great news. A (self-reported) knowledgeable purchaser on Amazon with a fiberglass RV had said all this. I'll keep on with the plan.
Thanks!
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2017, 12:34 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Daubsy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2009 Escape 19'
Posts: 242
Im deploying a new setup in my quest for cheap, unlimited data on the road. AT&T recently launched a new unlimited data plan at $20/mo for wifi-enabled cars. I have been using it for two weeks and it works great. Very fast dl speeds and I haven't yet experienced "network management" slow-downs. Of course, the only downside to this is that if you want to use it while your stationary, you have to keep the keys in the ignition on accessory mode. Not ideal if you don't have a way to recharge the car battery.

The other solution is to get a device called Mobley, which plugs into the OBDII port on your car. It can use the same unlimited data plan and no contract or current AT&T subscription required. There are 12V and AC adapters available to make it a mobile hotspot. If you have a cheapie cell plan like me, this is a great solution to stay connected on the road!

You can read more about it here: AT&T Unleashes Affordable Unlimited Data for “Connected Cars” – Chevy OnStar or ZTE Mobley
Daubsy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2017, 07:03 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
drjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Carmel, New York
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0
Posts: 256
Thanks for this tip! I've already ordered a Wilson 4GM cell booster and it would probably pair beautifully with the Mobley. Great price for a month's worth of data.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
drjp is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.