You can pick up the old white sky routers on ebay for £10.
They have incredible 2.4g range.
Black one are dual band. FWIR.
They have incredible 2.4g range.
Black one are dual band. FWIR.
Mobile WiFi Recommendations
- Thread starter Mojo
- Start date
Yes that's true, the Sky router is about the only one with an internal power supply, any Netgear, Dlink, BT, Plusnet, Vodafone ones should be fine.
Looks like I could be set then
Hello Collective.
As we near the end of lockdown, I'm looking for a mobile wifi solution for the van as have two data hungry teenagers to entertain plus general access for work laptop.
There are a plethora of options, it's all down to recommendation if anyone has one?
As I see it there are two options;
1. Buy a standalone unit and separate data bundle
2. Invest in a 12/24 month plan
As we near the end of lockdown, I'm looking for a mobile wifi solution for the van as have two data hungry teenagers to entertain plus general access for work laptop.
There are a plethora of options, it's all down to recommendation if anyone has one?
As I see it there are two options;
1. Buy a standalone unit and separate data bundle
2. Invest in a 12/24 month plan
I’ve got this dongle and used to have a Virgin 100Gb contract sim for £20 a month, but you can get all you can eat data sims these days for the same money.
Huawei Unlocked E3372-LTE/4G 150 Mbps USB Dongle (Genuine UK Warranty stock... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0104LV06M/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_CAE4KD09Z5VG7H6E9DMG via @AmazonUK
But recently I’ve changed my mobile tariff to all you can eat/full speed `Voda sim and everybody uses my iPhone hotspot instead.
The VW Disco headunit will connect to my iPhone hotspot quite happily and use it for data, although now I have a Kenwood unit instead.
We absolutely cane the data when away, CarPlay, internet radio, Netflix etc, we used something like 120Gb in 7 days last year when the weather was crap.
Huawei Unlocked E3372-LTE/4G 150 Mbps USB Dongle (Genuine UK Warranty stock... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0104LV06M/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_CAE4KD09Z5VG7H6E9DMG via @AmazonUK
But recently I’ve changed my mobile tariff to all you can eat/full speed `Voda sim and everybody uses my iPhone hotspot instead.
The VW Disco headunit will connect to my iPhone hotspot quite happily and use it for data, although now I have a Kenwood unit instead.
We absolutely cane the data when away, CarPlay, internet radio, Netflix etc, we used something like 120Gb in 7 days last year when the weather was crap.
4G Shark Compact - Motorhome WiFi
Looking at fitting this, not really on topic as I will then need to look at the sim card situation (so jumped on this thread).
As a low data user I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
this is
EE do a bundle that gives me 200GB a month at home (rural issues so no cables to the house available) for £40, from memory it is an 18 month contract.
Anyway, back to my real reason for posting, anyone fitted one of these aftermarket kits with any level of success?
Looking at fitting this, not really on topic as I will then need to look at the sim card situation (so jumped on this thread).
As a low data user I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
this is
- Pre-loaded with 24 GB data
- Go Roam: Use your phone abroad in 71 destinations worldwide (up to 12 GB at no extra cost)
- Data lasts up to 24 months
- SIM fits any unlocked 3G or 4G mobile broadband device including tablets
EE do a bundle that gives me 200GB a month at home (rural issues so no cables to the house available) for £40, from memory it is an 18 month contract.
Anyway, back to my real reason for posting, anyone fitted one of these aftermarket kits with any level of success?
I live rural, fast fibre isn't fast, so I have unlimited data wifi from Three and a huawei router that came with it and get around 70-100 MBs (I pay 20 odd a month). I use it in the home as my main wifi but as it is 4G I can just unplug it and take it with me. If someone remains at home, then I would just tether from my iPhone. Of course I would be limited to Three reception, as you would be for any network.
Just got rid of Virgin Home Broadband, after another increase to £42 (100mbps unlimited) no phone line, no TV, just B/Band.
Have already got unlimited Data/Txt/calls with Three mobile £19pm.
So went down local Three store see what was on offer .
Unlimited B/Band with Wireless router £17. (4G Plus Hub)
So made sure the router provided had two SMA aerial ports (external).
14 day grace period. So signed up.
Router came next day. Of course signal strength not to good . Getting around 25-30mbps.
So bought a Directional 4g/5g aerial off ebay £145 inc cabling with SMA connectors.
Stuck it on my external TV aerial pole.
Used Open Signal app on iphone to find the strongest signal( Found it (1 mile away).
What a difference. After 2weeks checking speed, lowest was 40mbps, highest was 178mbps. Averaging bout the same as Virgin.
So because the Three wireless router is not tied to home address, I could use the wireless router in my T6 via the Victron 350w inverter ( used to charge my electric bike battery) .
Got back in touch with aerial guy on eBay, & he recommended a high gain omni-directional aerial (£39.99) that could be stuck to inside windows , or pop top roof.
Very pleased with the MBPS speeds around my home area, & test journeys on my local motorways. highest speed recorded was 270mbps.
So then cancelled Virgin. The “loyalty” team kicked in straight away(been with them 15 years).
A very “loyal customer”. even reduced price to £20pm
Told them no, cus now had a wireless router that could be home & away.
That the increase to £42 had awakened a slumbering pensioner, & fill him with a determined resolve.
That was the end of the “loyalty call”.
Will recover cost of aerials within one year , an still save.
I checked the price of a WiFi broadband package for Campervan. £419 . then you need sim package.
Of course all of this has worked out fine for me. If anyone thinking of doing the same, their first port of call is use Cellmapper to find your nearest LTE mast.
use your mobile phone for Open Signal app to find the best mast from your position, & ookla speedtest app to check the speed speed.
A directional Aerial (45degree sweep Hence the need to find the LTE mast) is a lot, lot stronger than a Omni-directional (360 degee sweep).
Have already got unlimited Data/Txt/calls with Three mobile £19pm.
So went down local Three store see what was on offer .
Unlimited B/Band with Wireless router £17. (4G Plus Hub)
So made sure the router provided had two SMA aerial ports (external).
14 day grace period. So signed up.
Router came next day. Of course signal strength not to good . Getting around 25-30mbps.
So bought a Directional 4g/5g aerial off ebay £145 inc cabling with SMA connectors.
Stuck it on my external TV aerial pole.
Used Open Signal app on iphone to find the strongest signal( Found it (1 mile away).
What a difference. After 2weeks checking speed, lowest was 40mbps, highest was 178mbps. Averaging bout the same as Virgin.
So because the Three wireless router is not tied to home address, I could use the wireless router in my T6 via the Victron 350w inverter ( used to charge my electric bike battery) .
Got back in touch with aerial guy on eBay, & he recommended a high gain omni-directional aerial (£39.99) that could be stuck to inside windows , or pop top roof.
Very pleased with the MBPS speeds around my home area, & test journeys on my local motorways. highest speed recorded was 270mbps.
So then cancelled Virgin. The “loyalty” team kicked in straight away(been with them 15 years).
A very “loyal customer”. even reduced price to £20pm
Told them no, cus now had a wireless router that could be home & away.
That the increase to £42 had awakened a slumbering pensioner, & fill him with a determined resolve.
That was the end of the “loyalty call”.
Will recover cost of aerials within one year , an still save.
I checked the price of a WiFi broadband package for Campervan. £419 . then you need sim package.
Of course all of this has worked out fine for me. If anyone thinking of doing the same, their first port of call is use Cellmapper to find your nearest LTE mast.
use your mobile phone for Open Signal app to find the best mast from your position, & ookla speedtest app to check the speed speed.
A directional Aerial (45degree sweep Hence the need to find the LTE mast) is a lot, lot stronger than a Omni-directional (360 degee sweep).
Thanks for posting this. Very interested as I have Virgin Home Broadband, not Tv and a phone land line I never use. However I do use virgin mobile and that is free for more than enough data that I use.
Wished you got a omni, you should gone for a poynting 3 v2 mimo, that has a wide band works (450-3700mhz) in the sticks and town. Also ready for 5G on upper frequency. Nettxl have good deals for this type of equipment. For 170 quid you could had a supper supper antenna, and comes with sma, and wifi connectors. It can, depending on router, catching wifi from far away. The wifi range from van to phone, tested by me line of sight, 150m plus with 3 bar signal. I use teltonika rutx12 router.
The thing I have found on campsites that we go to in Dorset, is that you can have full 4g signal, but struggle to get more than a few Mbps and sometimes not even enough to web browse.
No amount of signal strength can give you data where there is none. Bloody mobile companies are all shit one way or another.
No amount of signal strength can give you data where there is none. Bloody mobile companies are all shit one way or another.
A few years back whilst we owned a motorhome I made my own system, which we now use in the camper. When parked up it takes about 5/10 minutes to find/login wifi (free or campsite). A little knowledge to set it up first time is needed, but once done, that's it.
Parts:
Great bit of kit and I have connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot 3 km away.
To connect to above for 12volt supply to router below.
or https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Support-Extender-UK-TL-WR902AC/dp/B01NAYG15H
very small fit and forget router which gives me my own Wi-Fi shot around the van and the original Wi-Fi hotspot has no idea I'm sharing it.........
I can run phone, fire stick, computer etc etc all at the same time with this little router.
I got the idea from this chap:
I do use the phone wifi share, but find download speed sometimes slow.
Parts:
Great bit of kit and I have connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot 3 km away.
To connect to above for 12volt supply to router below.
or https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Support-Extender-UK-TL-WR902AC/dp/B01NAYG15H
very small fit and forget router which gives me my own Wi-Fi shot around the van and the original Wi-Fi hotspot has no idea I'm sharing it.........
I can run phone, fire stick, computer etc etc all at the same time with this little router.
I got the idea from this chap:
I do use the phone wifi share, but find download speed sometimes slow.
Last edited:
Hi all. Exploring the world of 5G/4G mobile routers / MiFi devices as a portable way of getting decent WiFi when out and about in the campervan, UK and Europe. So that as well as general browsing I can reasonably work ie Teams calls etc. I’ve seen 5G and 4G examples from the likes of D-Link, Netgear and Linksys but wondered if anyone has experience of using these types of devices and what you’d recommend if so? I have an older 3G MiFi from 3 but require an upgrade in terms of speed. And I know I can use the unlimited data on my phone as a hotspot, but have always found that a bit flaky when trying to connect.
I’m thinking 4G is more realistic coverage wise in the places we will typically take the van. 5G routers are also blindingly expensive.
The Netgear M2 is looking like a possible option for my requirements. A 4G mobile router that has the ability to connect external aerials if needed. Gets better reviews than some of the other options I’ve looked at. Also quite intrigued by this company GlocalMe - they do 4G and 5G mobile hotspots that require no SIM or contract (although you can put a SIM in if you prefer), but rather works on pay as you go basis, buying data packages via an app and works in 140 countries.
Any tips appreciated. I’m not wiring the van up, so it’s a mobile hotspot / MiFi device I’m looking for, so I can use it in other places too.
I’m thinking 4G is more realistic coverage wise in the places we will typically take the van. 5G routers are also blindingly expensive.
The Netgear M2 is looking like a possible option for my requirements. A 4G mobile router that has the ability to connect external aerials if needed. Gets better reviews than some of the other options I’ve looked at. Also quite intrigued by this company GlocalMe - they do 4G and 5G mobile hotspots that require no SIM or contract (although you can put a SIM in if you prefer), but rather works on pay as you go basis, buying data packages via an app and works in 140 countries.
Any tips appreciated. I’m not wiring the van up, so it’s a mobile hotspot / MiFi device I’m looking for, so I can use it in other places too.
You might find this interesting...
www.t6forum.com
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Van WIFI & Mobile Data -- How I Done It --
Van WIFI & Mobile Data -- How I Done It -- I keep on meaning to get this thread started . . . . Today is the Day. this all started from having to share my data with the kids on long drives so they could you there Tablets whilst on the move, or remote from our Home WIFI. We also used this...
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