boosting wifi signal

stevejulie37
stevejulie37 Forum Participant Posts: 84
edited May 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

hi

 

just wondered if anyone uses any sort of device/ariel to boost or get a better wifi signal when in the van with the club wifi on most sites being shockingly bad. surely there is something you can buy to help this

 

cheers

 

Comments

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #2

    We decided last year that we would invest in a system to improve our chances of getting a wifi signal whilst on site.

    There were a couple of reasons, the main ones to enable us to watch TV when abroad using FilmOn or similar and to improve wifi access whilst on site for a number of devices. The TV bit was to enable the viewing of English TV channels for catching up on news etc, not prolonged viewing, and the devices bit was to enable the, often four, people in the van to access tinternet.

    We looked at the options and whilst it was possible to get cheaper we were impressed enough to purchase a Motorhome WIFI iboost system at the NEC last October.

    As we are BT customers we can access the FON network abroad IF there are hot spots in range but, even if it only allows us easier, and shareable, access to paid for site wifi then it will be a success.

    We have tried it out three times and the first two times had no luck but on a rally at Easter were able to pick up a sites free wifi service allowing us to gain high levels of coolness and cred as it meant that the two Grandchildren with us could get online!! 

    We are off to France later this month so hoping that I can post about what a success it was when back home.

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
    500 Comments
    edited May 2017 #3

    I have used  an Alfa AWUS036NHR V2  'booster' for many years both on the boat and with the caravan.   The improvement over using the built-in wifi of a laptop/tablet/phone is enormous.  A range of 0.5 mile is normal, and can be considerably greater if the antenna is well positioned.

    The AWUS036NHR  costs about £25.  However it is USB, so only works directly with laptops.  It is best combined with a router such as the Alfa R36 (about £40) which then allows you to share the connection with anything over wifi. You can also use the R36 with a 3/4G dongle.  A reliable UK supplier is crucialwifi

    I make very frequent use of BT Wifi/ BT Fon (totally free if you are a BT Broadband customer).  I have however yet to even see a FON signal outside the UK.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #4

    There's a similar thread here - 

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/welcome-hobby-talk/caravan-motorhome-chat/solwise-rocket-and-router-help-please/

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #5

    We have the Solwise but I suspect the Motorhome WiFi is better. Both have a router so you can use it with tablet, smartphone etc. and can have multiple users. Very useful in France where it is often the case that you are too far from the transmitter. Of course, it doesn't solve the problem of low bandwidth which is down to the site broadband capacity and the number of users.

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