Wifi needed for working when camping - router recommendations please

Hi all,

I've searched the forums but the threads look pretty old.

Just wondering if anyone could recommend a router / setup that has battery life of one whole day and good signal.

I'd rather go down this route that tether from my phone, as I will get a Sim with unlimited data.

Don't want to spend an absolute fortune on the router - recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks

Dom

DOMINICGG1234 said:

Hi all,

I've searched the forums but the threads look pretty old.

Just wondering if anyone could recommend a router / setup that has battery life of one whole day and good signal.

I'd rather go down this route that tether from my phone, as I will get a Sim with unlimited data.

Don't want to spend an absolute fortune on the router - recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks

Dom

Click to expand...

Check this out



Verzonden vanaf mijn iPad met Tapatalk

Yeah I’ve been thinking about this too, but judging by their video, you’d have to spend a lot of money to get something that would be better than your phone. All the options pretty meh until the big bucks, that’s if you’ve got a good phone of course

I use a Netgear LTE/4G mobile router. Small enough for the campervan and with a standalone MIMO antenna the reception is rarely an issue.

Any solution is essentially a fancy phone, or a phone without a screen (small routers). They can be costly for what I would say are marginal gains. The signal is what the signal is and any unit is just trying their best to get hold of that signal.

We have a Dashcam unit with a LTE module on the window that allows us to hotspot and has 30GB a month for a fiver. When on EHU it stays on so we just use that with no issues. It's Vodafone so we use our phones (EE) in case the signal not great on Vodafone.

So far this has been more than enough, even on the NC500 in the wilds. Certainly more than enough to not buy a few hundred quids worth of equipment.

Was nice to see a video from Will that was not an advertorial though.

He makes a good point around a faraday box that I've noted before so the best option is always to just put your phone in the pop top. We just balance on the shelf.

Putting the ZTE unit on the dash and not the phone, given the ZTE unit is a phone without a screen was a little apples and pears. If the phone was on the dash or roof of the car the numbers would have been a lot better.

I did read an article a few months back of some other back to back reviews vs a phone with charts and virtually no difference. The fin of hope obviously was better, but IMHO if your signal is that bad you need that fin, pull out a book instead.

dspuk said:

Any solution is essentially a fancy phone, or a phone without a screen (small routers). They can be costly for what I would say are marginal gains.

Click to expand...

dspuk said:

Certainly more than enough to not buy a few hundred quids worth of equipment.

Click to expand...

dspuk said:

the best option is always to just put your phone in the pop top. We jsut balance on the shelf.

Click to expand...

Couldn’t agree more. We’ve stopped using all the fancy mifi, router and antenna stuff. It never gets better than 4/5G tethering.

If you need a router for actual routing purposes almost all of the Mikrotik SOHO stuff will run directly off 12V. Look for something with USB and plug in a supported LTE modem.

The things that can affect mobile speeds can only partly be fixed by fancy routers and accessories. They can improve your signal to the cell site mast, but they cannot do much else. If the signal is weak and it improves the signal by 50% you will see some signal improvement, but this might not translate into much bandwidth improvement. If you have 1 bar, a 50% improvement is 1.5 bars. If you have 2 bars, the 50% improvement is to 3 bars. Nothing is ever realistically going to get you a huge jump in signal unless you are able to place your antennae in a location where you can have better line of site to the tower.
Signal strength is correlated to bandwidth, but only to a degree. Each device trying to connect will get a certain "slice" of the available bandwidth pie with devices with a lower signal strength getting a smaller slice. But with so many devices attached to most cell towers these days, congestion will quickly become an issue. So even with the best signal you might not get much bandwidth. So the tests completed in the video above should be repeated many more times to get a true value. In addition, if you are using an application that is latency sensitive (live streaming video for example) then as your slice of the pie fluctuates, so does the performance of your connection.
5G delivers huge improvements but is slow to roll out in many areas, It will be accompanied by an explosion in the number of connected 5G devices (see IOT) which will in turn reduce the number of slices of this big pie available.
Conclusion, get a decent phone and an uncapped 5G sim and hot spot from it. The only thing you'll be lacking is an external antennae which as the video shows will only improve on the phone if it is big and expensive and connected to a big expensive router.

Or if you absolutely need raw performance something like this: https://mikrotik.com/product/chateau_5g_ax

Later LTE versions use multiple channels to improve throughput.

Mikrotik also do LTE kit with dish antennas if you need extreme range. Most (but not all) can be powered from 12V to 57V.

It's not consumer grade and the setup is slightly more complex than you might anticipate but you can also do very useful things like IPSec and Wireguard.

I own lots of these (but not the LTE ones). Never had one break. Don't generally have one in my van but might consider it if needed. Their wifi has traditionally been so - so. But on the whole rock solid hardware that still gets software updates 15+ years after release.

DOMINICGG1234 said:

Hi all,

I've searched the forums but the threads look pretty old.

Just wondering if anyone could recommend a router / setup that has battery life of one whole day and good signal.

I'd rather go down this route that tether from my phone, as I will get a Sim with unlimited data.

Don't want to spend an absolute fortune on the router - recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks

Dom

Click to expand...

We’re currently on a campsite in Northumberland and they’ve had an internet outage for the last couple of days, so no usable WiFi.
So, we’re using our Blackvue LTE dashcam as our WiFi hub. Working like a dream. Simultaneously streaming live TV and web browsing without a glitch.

Or if you have time on your hands….
I’m just waiting on the boondocker and Yaosheng then I’ll be installing it in the California.

Starlink internet. Dishy 2.
Starlink Ethernet cable adaptor.
Starlink pivot mount

Slate AX with NordVPN installed.
I can stream any UK TV (skyGo, bbc iplayer etc) as if I’m in the UK anywhere in Europe or further if I’m on the same continent.
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-axt1800/

BoonDockerIO 12v to 48v
Dishy dualie DC PSU
https://boondocker.io/
With 10% discount via the word
EVERLANDERS

Yaosheng Dishy cable to RJ45 adaptor without having to cut the end off your dishy 2 cable.
Order from US Amazon and use MYUS to get it to the UK.
https://yaosheng.io/consumer-products/network-equipment/YSNEACSLDV21A/

Some instructions on how it all fits together.
https://www.outsidenomad.com/how-to-power-starlink-satellite-internet-on-12-volt-dc/

Or

We had a 3G router in the Cali with the built on Aerial. There have many times when the WiFi it generated wadmuch better than the phone signal. From what I have read here, it is best to hotspot of our phones now?

Skylark2.0 said:

We had a 3G router in the Cali with the built on Aerial. There have many times when the WiFi it generated wadmuch better than the phone signal. From what I have read here, it is best to hotspot of our phones now?

Click to expand...

Best, not sure, but for marginal gains and to avoid a satellite dish on the roof and a 75 quid a month network charge from Starlink, perfectly adequate and more.

dspuk said:

Best, not sure, but for marginal gains and to avoid a satellite dish on the roof and a 75 quid a month network charge from Starlink, perfectly adequate and more.

Click to expand...

True. Horses for courses…..
It’s the engineering side I enjoy.
And if I can get internet where there is no phone signal. Brucie bonus !
With Roam I can pause and unpause for months at a time.

I have a question. I know that at some big temporary gatherings, such as Glastonbury, phone companies bring in extra towers to try to increase the bandwidth. But, if you are at a smaller gathering in the country where they don’t bring in additional towers, would that tower, that suddenly has an extra 200 people on it, increase the bandwidth? Having now read this thread, my new modem antenna probably isn’t going to help me stream the F1 from the closest tower but if I looked for a tower that is further away, and the phones can’t see it, maybe this will allow me to stream. My question is, would the towers in the area have reduced bandwidth to support the busy one?

Hi, we are using this one with an unlimited data sim

TP-Link M7350 4G LTE MiFi, Portable Travel Wi-Fi, SD Card Slot, Unlocked Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, 8 Hours Long Lasting Battery, Easy tpMiFi App Management, Black https://amzn.eu/d/eB2YjlS

2 macbooks 8-10 hours, parallel team calls
And streaming films etc in the evenings
We never had any issues

it‘s charged via usb - i normally leave it plugged in as i noticed it runs battery down quit quickly (i don’t believe it would hold battery for 8 hours)

You could argue that there is not much difference to a hotspot from an iphone. But we like the idea of having one stable wifi available without any issues. And we are travelling a lot to Europe so i put a European Sim into tp-link router.

I would be interested in 5g mobile routers, but still hope prices are decreasing at some point.

Iron Van said:

I have a question. I know that at some big temporary gatherings, such as Glastonbury, phone companies bring in extra towers to try to increase the bandwidth. But, if you are at a smaller gathering in the country where they don’t bring in additional towers, would that tower, that suddenly has an extra 200 people on it, increase the bandwidth? Having now read this thread, my new modem antenna probably isn’t going to help me stream the F1 from the closest tower but if I looked for a tower that is further away, and the phones can’t see it, maybe this will allow me to stream. My question is, would the towers in the area have reduced bandwidth to support the busy one?

Click to expand...

No. Everyone just gets slower internet as happens at most concerts and large gatherings.

cocodicoba said:

Hi, we are using this one with an unlimited data sim

TP-Link M7350 4G LTE MiFi, Portable Travel Wi-Fi, SD Card Slot, Unlocked Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, 8 Hours Long Lasting Battery, Easy tpMiFi App Management, Black https://amzn.eu/d/eB2YjlS

2 macbooks 8-10 hours, parallel team calls
And streaming films etc in the evenings
We never had any issues

it‘s charged via usb - i normally leave it plugged in as i noticed it runs battery down quit quickly (i don’t believe it would hold battery for 8 hours)

You could argue that there is not much difference to a hotspot from an iphone. But we like the idea of having one stable wifi available without any issues. And we are travelling a lot to Europe so i put a European Sim into tp-link router.

I would be interested in 5g mobile routers, but still hope prices are decreasing at some point.

Click to expand...

Our LTE unit for the BlackVue does the exact same with a EU sim and up to 5 connections.

Hi guys

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll have a look through the various options suggested

Californication69 said:

Or if you have time on your hands….
I’m just waiting on the boondocker and Yaosheng then I’ll be installing it in the California.

Starlink internet. Dishy 2.
Starlink Ethernet cable adaptor.
Starlink pivot mount

Slate AX with NordVPN installed.
I can stream any UK TV (skyGo, bbc iplayer etc) as if I’m in the UK anywhere in Europe or further if I’m on the same continent.
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-axt1800/

BoonDockerIO 12v to 48v
Dishy dualie DC PSU
https://boondocker.io/
With 10% discount via the word
EVERLANDERS

Yaosheng Dishy cable to RJ45 adaptor without having to cut the end off your dishy 2 cable.
Order from US Amazon and use MYUS to get it to the UK.
https://yaosheng.io/consumer-products/network-equipment/YSNEACSLDV21A/

Some instructions on how it all fits together.
https://www.outsidenomad.com/how-to-power-starlink-satellite-internet-on-12-volt-dc/

Or

Click to expand...

Cutting edge - Let us know how it turns out once you’ve gotten it all together and tested. Have you already tried Starlink and if so, what speeds were you seeing?

DevillBelgium said:

Check this out

Click to expand...

I concur with Will’s video. Using the same Poynting puck and a Netgear AC810 the improvements are minimal over a decent mobile phone. If going down this route as a solution its worth using a data sim on a different network to your mobile.

CaliBaba said:

Cutting edge - Let us know how it turns out once you’ve gotten it all together and tested. Have you already tried Starlink and if so, what speeds were you seeing?

Click to expand...

I’ll also be putting in a USB 5G dongal into the slate AX, so when on the move can still be connected to slate Ax with no interruption to internet.
Had Starlink on the house extension roof, and it’s around 3 feet from the side of the 1st floor part of the house.
I’ve had consistent speeds from 80Mbps down 11Mbps up.
To 241Mbps down & 23Mbps up
Pointing South.
Great internet IMO.

Have tested Starlink for 2 months on residential.
Bought Rural offer for £99.
And £75 a month for testing.
Changed 1 month ago to Roam (£85 a month) and tested for 3 weeks on the house. Good speeds up to 200 & 18.
Have paused Roam package now before I test on the road.
Would love to convert to a flat dishy2. But haven’t the bouncy balls to go through with that project yet.
I’d remove every time as well anyway, as it would increase height of California over 2m.

Californication69 said:

I’ll also be putting in a USB 5G dongal into the slate AX, so when on the move can still be connected to slate Ax with no interruption to internet.
Had Starlink on the house extension roof, and it’s around 3 feet from the side of the 1st floor part of the house.
I’ve had consistent speeds from 80Mbps down 11Mbps up.
To 241Mbps down & 23Mbps up
Pointing South.
Great internet IMO.

Have tested Starlink for 2 months on residential.
Bought Rural offer for £99.
And £75 a month for testing.
Changed 1 month ago to Roam (£85 a month) and tested for 3 weeks on the house. Good speeds up to 200 & 18.
Have paused Roam package now before I test on the road.
Would love to convert to a flat dishy2. But haven’t the bouncy balls to go through with that project yet.
I’d remove every time as well anyway, as it would increase height of California over 2m.

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Your Starlink’s (SL) lowest recorded speeds are slightly better than my best speeds with “traditional” broadband where I live! Hopefully as SL matures and more satellites are launched, the current price point comes down. Have you devised a storage/transport solution for your travels as part of your design?

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As an engineer I’m fascinated by its ability.
It’s like nothing else.
Although the wife had a strange symbol on her phone, whilst we were travelling back from Twywn yesterday. Halfway through some small backroad, she said what’s this symbol on my phone.
Instead of 4G it was a picture of a satellite.
She’s on EE, she said why is there a pic of a rocket lol.
We had to stop and google it, apparently Apple says “
There is no mobile and Wi-Fi coverage, but Emergency SOS via satellite is available in your location. Works with iPhone 14.

So that was pretty cool.

Re storage, I’ll just pop it in the carry bag that comes with the pivot mount and pop on the rear shelf.
I’m worried about converting to flat mount in case SpaceX sends a firmware update to brick the dishy2 if you have converted it.
A lot of talk on Reddit, but nothing to brick it yet….
I think Elon is enjoying the cash flow tbh.

GrumpyGranddad said:

We’re currently on a campsite in Northumberland and they’ve had an internet outage for the last couple of days, so no usable WiFi.
So, we’re using our Blackvue LTE dashcam as our WiFi hub. Working like a dream. Simultaneously streaming live TV and web browsing without a glitch.

Click to expand...

Please could you let me know which model you have. Tempted to go down this route