WiFi signal booster ?

[Poohbear]

All I want to do is strengthen a WiFi signal when Im using my RV set up in a RV park when traveling and they provide a wifi signal but is weak. I don't really need/want my own internet such as Starlink Mobil etc. Suggestions please. I need this for the few occasions my Son meets up with me when we go fishing and he sometimes needs a secure signal that isn't cell based if he has to do a little lawyer work
On my RV I have a Winegard 360+ that I can add a booster & internet BUT the add on module is close to $400 . The pro is it can provide an internet subscription (cell based ) if I later want that. Im happy as punch when traveling to only have OA TV as my Verizon cell plan has unlimited data but my Son cannot use my hot spot

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Are you wanting to boost your own WIFI originated signal or boost incoming WIFI signals from other providers?

 

[Mark_BX25D]

You may need a booster with a directional antenna.

Or any directional antenna (such as a Yagi) with a WiFi card and the appropriate connector.

A lot depends on how technical you are. With either solution, you'll need to be able to sweep the antenna while watching signal strength, so you can find the correct direction for the antenna.

 

[Poohbear]

Are you wanting to boost your own WIFI originated signal or boost incoming WIFI signals from other providers?

ALL I want to do is boost the wifi provided by the RV Park. When Im traveling alone I couldn't care less about internet but I have some guests occasionally that have to be online & my phones hotspot won't do.

 

[aaluck]

ALL I want to do is boost the wifi provided by the RV Park. When Im traveling alone I couldn't care less about internet but I have some guests occasionally that have to be online & my phones hotspot won't do.

I might be speaking out of turn here, but I am not aware of how to boost an incoming signal other than get closer to the source.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I might be speaking out of turn here, but I am not aware of how to boost an incoming signal other than get closer to the source.

Yea that's why I was asking.

You can't "boost" their signal, they would have to do that.
But you can repeater it.
Setup would be a little bit of a PITA but it can be done.

CC Vector Extended Long Range WiFi Receiver System 2.4 GHz (VEC3)

Works With All Devices!How it Works: Our directional antenna receives a distant available WiFi signal about 1/2 mile away (max. range is about 3 miles)* and connected with our CC Vector repeats a new WiFi signal in a dead zone, for use by all devices in your barn, shop, office, or other...

www.solidsignal.com

 

[Scm]

I use this for my extender.

NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender, 1.2Gbps, Wall-plug (EX6110)

The EX6110 boosts your existing network with AC dual-band WiFi up to 1200Mbps. FastLane Technology uses both WiFi bands for HD streaming and gaming. Easily plugs into any standard household outlet.

www.netgear.com

If you can find and outlet between you and the provider, even better

 

[Gaspasser]

You could use a Yagi hooked up to your modem aimed at the RV park's transmitter to "gain" more signal strength at the receiver ( your modem ).

 

[armylifer]

Here is the very inexpensive wifi repeater that I use. I put this repeater on the host network and then I connect whatever I want to this repeater. For $39.00 you cannot go wrong. I even sometimes connect this repeater to my cell phone hotspot and anyone can connect o my hotspot connection through the repeater. The repeater also has a built in VPN so it is secure. I have also used it to connect to a weak wifi connection in hotel rooms to boost their signal and I connect to the repeater for the stronger signal. This mostly lives in my travel trailer though because I almost always travel with instead of staying in hotels.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09N72FMH5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[Poohbear]

thanks . I think I will just go the Star link roaming plan and pause the plan when I don't really need it. I was avoiding this as when Im RVing I really don't care about internet but the Star link seems to be the easiest and most reliable way. Ive been set up where there is NO cell service or very weak provided wifi.
its just so when my kids are with me they still have to work some. My daughter has a cosmetic online business & Son is a lawyer. They actually still like to be around the Oldman . Also Im going to go back to school doing online classes so I can still travel and make class too. I don't lack that many hours to finish and is one of those things I need to accomplish just for my piece of mind which is a whole thread in itself.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

thanks . I think I will just go the Star link roaming plan and pause the plan when I don't really need it. I was avoiding this as when Im RVing I really don't care about internet but the Star link seems to be the easiest and most reliable way. Ive been set up where there is NO cell service or very weak provided wifi.
its just so when my kids are with me they still have to work some. My daughter has a cosmetic online business & Son is a lawyer. They actually still like to be around the Oldman . Also Im going to go back to school doing online classes so I can still travel and make class too. I don't lack that many hours to finish and is one of those things I need to accomplish just for my piece of mind which is a whole thread in itself.

You want Starlink roam.
It's setup with a phone, no signal required, and with roam your phone will work via Starlink.
I can tell you anything you want or need to know about Starlink.

 

[Poohbear]

You want Starlink roam.
It's setup with a phone, no signal required, and with roam your phone will work via Starlink.
I can tell you anything you want or need to know about Starlink.

I understand if I buy the gen X4 from a reseller then that can also be put on roam. New problem today as my IT provider, ETEX Telephone COOP, is stopping email service and Ive had the same email since when all they had was DSL., like 2000. So I'll get the big unit and get rid of ETEX since no email. I do have a Yahoo Mail but Ill go to one of the pay services.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You can get a Gen 5 and a roam for mobile stuff. You can turn the roam on and off as needed.

 

[mikester]

If you have crappy transmitters you will have crappy reception. WiFi is a two way street.

You are better off paying $$$$ for starlink instead of trying to improve reception from a poor transmitter.

The reality is that your RV park needs to invest in better equipment by using a commercial WiFi AP. That costs them $$$ so don’t hold your breath.

 

[Speed25]

Either way, using the RV park's WiFi is NOT secure, so definitely go with something like Starlink or wait until AST Spacemobile has more satellites up.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

You can't "boost" their signal, they would have to do that.
But you can repeater it.

That's boosting their signal. A directional antenna may be enough. If not, then a repeater.

But Starlink with the roaming plan is probably going to be a lot simpler and more effective, plus offers benefits in other places.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Either way, using the RV park's WiFi is NOT secure

That's what VPNs are for.

 

[Poohbear]

Well it just got better . looks like Im going to go Starlink and use both for my residence and traveling. My email that has been in operation since DSL 1st came to town is going away as the provider will no longer have email after 11-1. Price not coming down for less service so Ill switch to satellite. I do have yahoo & iCloud mail so now have to go thru and change a lot of contact info

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I do have yahoo & iCloud mail so now have to go thru and change a lot of contact info

There was a time when work had me moving a lot. I got tired of changing email addresses, so I registered my own domain and pay for a cheap web hosting service. Some day I might even put up a website, maybe for a family photo album.

Meanwhile, my wife and I have not needed to change email addresses in over 20 years. We have personal and business addresses, forum addresses, whatever we want.

 

[Poohbear]

for now Im going to go with a Ryoko cell based system $14.95 mo for unlimited since Starlink ,because my billing and physical addresses, are in a " high demand " area they want $500 greenbacks for the PRIVLAGE of getting to buy the equipment and start paying for a plan. WTF I live in rural East Tx, population about 10 more than Hooterville .
Im very retired and me personally just won't ever be able to justify that kind of expense for my RV time. Im on a vacation from my vacation