Mobile Internet

[Philnlyn]

We are thinking of installing an Internet system into our Burstner Quadro which we bought last week, but really don't want to spend megabucks! We are thinking of going with a Poynter Puck 2, or similar, antenna system with a router attached via TS9 cables (I think that's what they are called). Now I have done loads of internet searching and my brain is befuddled! I do like the read up of the Nighthawk but really don't want to throw that kind of money at it. I have also looked at the Globalme system. I think there is a Huawi unit which has 2 slots for the antenna but for the life of me cannot remember the model or find it. Any advice or recommendations please?

 

[dunnah01]

The Huawei E5577C has two inputs for antenna

 

[Kups]

I would recommend the Motorhome wifi units, 5G ready if you want. Well established and helpful family company with franchised fitters around the country. They use the Huawei E5577 with antenna ports mifi unit, ours works very well. Up to 10 devices can be connected.

5G Ready Packages - Motorhome WiFi

Using the latest in advanced antenna design with patented technology, our 5G Pro antenna achieves 20% greater gain across the 4G spectrum whilst also being fully compatible with all 5G bands. The 5G antenna is available with a choice of routers. Ranging from a small, discreet portable router to...

www.motorhomewifi.com

 

[Philnlyn]

Although in UK at the moment visiting family we actually live in Spain so the franchised fitters wouldn't be of any used to us. We had considered taking it back with us but it will take up too much space in handluggage so have discounted that so looking for an efficient but economically priced one but thank you for advice.

 

[Chod Jacqui]

I also would recommend Motorhome WiFi, ours was fitted by DMS who i would also recommend.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DBK]

I would avoid the Puck as it seems to come with very long leads and they really should be kept short and under a metre if possible . However, you may find a supplier who will shorten them for you.

I wrote up my experiences here: Broadband antenna: https://tinyurl.com/y2hobte8

They don't make that particular antenna any longer but they do a similar one instead. I have now connected it to a Teltonika RUT 955 router but this is probably overkill unless you want dual sim and one of the cheaper models will be fine. Alternatively use the Huawei E5577 MiFi shown in the link. This is what I used for quite some time and only went to a router as I wanted to leave it on permanently.

 

[Orion]

Like you I researched the subject until I fell down the MiFi rabbit hole!

The van isn’t coming until early(ish) 2022 but I want to get the components beforehand in case they have supply issues down the road.

Here’s what I’ve ended up with and the reasoning behind it: Poynting MIMO-3-V2-17 antenna and a Teltonika RUTX12 router.

The Poynting because it has 4x cellular antennas covering a very wide range of frequency bands (including LTE and 5G spectrum), 2x Wi-Fi antennas for a wide ranging ‘bubble’ around the vehicle, plus 1x GPS antenna to provide a tracking facility.

The Teltonika because it has dual modems, dual SIM slots to make life easy when travelling between networks/countries, Ethernet connectivity for direct linking to the van’s TV, and it has Bluetooth - which I can use for a security system for bikes, trailers, etc. by linking it to Teltonika’s Puck & Coin range of standalone sensors.

The idea is to get the best possible performance and future-proof the installation as much as possible, working on the principal of buy once, cry once.

 

[Philnlyn]

Wow, thank you for all that info. I will now start to research all of that. This is exactly the kind of info I’m looking for!!!

 

[Bobby-gg]

I've been running a tp link m7650 for the last few years and have been very happy with it, but I've just picked up a Huawei B535 4g router and the speed difference quite quite something

 

[David and Sally]

Can I ask please?
We have a mobile router device , like a phone but only data. On EE. It works really well and we run a laptop and iPads off it.

What difference or advantage is there to a plumbed in system?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Philnlyn]

Oops My posting is below but unable to delete this one.

 

[Philnlyn]

I would avoid the Puck as it seems to come with very long leads and they really should be kept short and under a metre if possible . However, you may find a supplier who will shorten them for you.

I wrote up my experiences here: Broadband antenna: https://tinyurl.com/y2hobte8

They don't make that particular antenna any longer but they do a similar one instead. I have now connected it to a Teltonika RUT 955 router but this is probably overkill unless you want dual sim and one of the cheaper models will be fine. Alternatively use the Huawei E5577 MiFi shown in the link. This is what I used for quite some time and only went to a router as I wanted to leave it on permanently.

Thank you so much. I have just had a quick scan through your link and definitely intend to read it more thoroughly.

 

[82125]

I went with the Netgear Nighthawk M2, sure its expensive but even without an external antennae ive not once been without 4G. (In England and Scotland)
No installation or faffing, just pop a sim in and away we go. I regularly go to off-grids spots where reviews state there's no signal and can easily stream media.

 

[Orion]

Can I ask please?
We have a mobile router device , like a phone but only data. On EE. It works really well and we run a laptop and iPads off it.

What difference or advantage is there to a plumbed in system?

A (decent) roof mounted antenna will give better reception, especially in rural locations where a phone may not even have a signal.

A dual modem, dual SIM router, well have a look at this (plus the GPS and Bluetooth capabilities I mentioned further up the thread).



PS His other videos are generally worth a watch as well.

 

[Lenny HB]

We are thinking of going with a Poynter Puck 2,

Forget about the Puck unless you only camp in towns or urban areas.
The Puck has has naff all gain in the lower 800 mhz bandwidth which is what most rual cell transmitters use.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[knickam]

Another one for the Netgear M2,
Went down this route as we did not want to drill holes in the roof of our van.

If it did not work we would have added an antenna or sold the M2 and got another system.

So far there has only been one site in Pitlochry where it has not worked
Just back from the NC500 and worked in every one of 10 sites.

 

[Catpirate]

Hi, I fitted this myself, needs a little bravery to drill hole (tip drill from cupboard up with pilot drill)

<Broken link removed>

 

[Boris7]

A (decent) roof mounted antenna will give better reception, especially in rural locations where a phone may not even have a signal.

A dual modem, dual SIM router, well have a look at this (plus the GPS and Bluetooth capabilities I mentioned further up the thread).



PS His other videos are generally worth a watch as well.

That's simply wrong, it MAY give better reception or it may NOT.

Its dependant on many variants, but the most important is the individual Motorhome, we bought a secondhand motorhome and it had mifi installed already with a data sim already in place (3 network) we've tried a number of sims from varying providers, we use a Teltonika 4g router (not MIFI) and its simply faster on any network.

MIFI is great BUT you may not need it, dont just spend the money test your options in your motorhome.

 

[dunnah01]

That's simply wrong, it MAY give better reception or it may NOT.

Its dependant on many variants, but the most important is the individual Motorhome, we bought a secondhand motorhome and it had mifi installed already with a data sim already in place (3 network) we've tried a number of sims from varying providers, we use a Teltonika 4g router (not MIFI) and its simply faster on any network.

MIFI is great BUT you may not need it, dont just spend the money test your options in your motorhome.

Disconnecting the external antenna on our Huawei unit drops the speed by a factor of about 10 so it must be doing something.

 

[Robb]

I use the Puck and the Nighthawk 2 in my Motorhome (EE Sim) and the 4g/5g download/upload results are amazing compared to my home BT internet! 20/5 mbps at home becomes 200/50 mbps in the motorhome on the drive! Now Alde have sorted my central heating, I think I'll be sleeping on the drive this winter!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PDrill]

I have a Poynting Puck-2 connected to a Teltonika RUT360 and I have only good to say about it. When I'm somewhere where the phone is constantly switching between 3G/4G and data doesn't actually move, the RUT may still show signal up to 3/5 @ 4G and the data flows nicely.

But still I think the best advice would be to use devices with threaded connectors (like SMA). My first version was the same antenna with TS9 adapters and some small chargeable router, and I have to say the external antenna made little to no effect to the signal. Might sure have been the device, but the TS9 connectors/adapter felt very weak mechanically.

Oh and! You will need a MiMo -antenna (two antenna cables) to get the best out of the external antenna.

 

[Philnlyn]

I have a Poynting Puck-2 connected to a Teltonika RUT360 and I have only good to say about it. When I'm somewhere where the phone is constantly switching between 3G/4G and data doesn't actually move, the RUT may still show signal up to 3/5 @ 4G and the data flows nicely.

But still I think the best advice would be to use devices with threaded connectors (like SMA). My first version was the same antenna with TS9 adapters and some small chargeable router, and I have to say the external antenna made little to no effect to the signal. Might sure have been the device, but the TS9 connectors/adapter felt very weak mechanically.

Oh and! You will need a MiMo -antenna (two antenna cables) to get the best out of the external antenna.

We’ve gone for the Netgear M1 I think it’s called plus the Poynting Puck2. I’ve just got 2 antenna cables with the TS9 adapters I think. They have only arrived this morning so as yet haven’t even looked at them. crossed everything will fall in to place.
Thank you for your info and advice.