RV Hardware Recommendations

[Woof.]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the whole using cellular carriers for home internet game and have been trying to rapidly gain knowledge in the area as my girlfriend and I are going to become full time RVers in mid May for a year while we work remotely. As such our internet needs are primarily focused around making sure we are able to work in most areas (we arent going to need anything that gets us service in super rural areas as we are just going to avoid those during the work week) and ideally I have good enough service that I can manage to do some gaming (I am fully accepting that my internet may not allow it in some places and that's fine).

After a couple weeks of trying to read up as much as I can, I think what we would like to do is have a couple of carriers so that we can use whichever one works best for us in the given area. The two carriers/plans I have been leaning towards is TMobile (magenta max) and Visible. I figure the TMobile plan will be nice to take advantage of where its available, and the Visible plan can kind of be our backup plan where we will have better coverage at the cost of much lower speeds.

So with all of that background, I am having some issues trying to figure out what hardware would work best for me and allow me to somewhat easily switch between the TMobile and Visible setups. I THINK I should be going with some sort of cellular router and it seems like most would allow me to have a TMobile SIM as well as a tethered Visible connection, but then I get kind of lost in terms of what sort of modem I should be looking for.

Any help/guidance is much appreciated, in terms of cost I would like to keep it under 500 for the total setup, just kind of looking for something that is nicely positioned on the value curve.

[Didneywhorl]

Welcome to the forum!

Do you want to have both carriers active at once? Or swap carriers when needed?

[Woof.]

Thank you! I think we would probably be okay with swapping when needed since well mostly be in the same spot during the workday so we should know what we are working with each morning.

[richj11]

I'm not full time in my RV but definitely LIKE to have good connectivity. I got the Calyx Institute sim, which will roam on T-Mobile when no sprint signal is available. Then I'm using Visible as a secondary/backup. Good luck!

[Didneywhorl]

Thank you! I think we would probably be okay with swapping when needed since well mostly be in the same spot during the workday so we should know what we are working with each morning.

OK. There are tins of options out there. A few are pretty much plug and play. But the most plug n play arent fully "plug n play" for all things, and usually have some deal breaking limitations for those who may need a little something more, that SHOULD be possible, but isn't. I won't get into a long rabbit hole as to why, but I will go into one of my favorite builds and why it could work well for you.

All links to the items will be at the end.

I have always defaulted to the WiFiX WG3526-P router because it just works, even with 5G modems (with adapters).
A GREAT modem to start out with would be the Quectel EM12-G modem. (Or Sierra EM7565, if the EM12G isnt an option for any reason)
The EM12G is a category 12 modem capable of speeds over 300Mbps in the real world (meaning I've personally tested speeds just over 300Mbps). It has 2x2 MIMO antenna in/output. and capable of 3x Carrier Aggregation.

Pop that modem into the router, with an adapter and replaced antenna pigtails in the modem, update the firmware if needed, make a few settings, and then you're ready to get connected. That easy.

The WG3526-P with WiFiX firmware, and Goldenorb/Rooter, allows iphone and Android tethering automatically, so if you need to use your phone for a source as a backup, it's built in.

you can install the router in your Camper/RV/Truck and wire it directly to the 12V.
NOTE: I would install a power regulator inline to the router to ensure its always getting like 12-12.5VDC, and no more. It can take it, but you don't want voltage fluctuations if you can help it. I would also use the full time power(not keyswitched). It's own battery would be even better, so that you don't use the vehicle battery. Just how I would do it. Keeps the connection steady and reliable. Just make sure you give it access to a circuit of at least 3A rating.

Most people need outdoor antennas mounted on the top of the vehicle when boondocking with internet connections. You can router the antenna cabling (Shortest possible) to an acceptable entry point, and seal it up. Mount your antenna where it makes sense for your vehicle. Some people put up the antennas, and take down, at camp make and break.

It's not real hard, just takes some confidence and willingness to understand new things. The forum is here for helping the first part. The second part is up to you.


Parts Links:

Router: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/routers/lte-routers/wg3526-p/

Modem: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/modems/quectel- ... 2-modem-2/ or https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/modems/sierra-w ... m-2-modem/

Adapters for the modem to work in the router:
Qty 1 - https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/pcie-m-2/mini-p ... card-slot/
Qty 1 - https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/cables/pigtail- ... ail-cable/
Qty 1 - https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/cables/pigtail- ... ail-cable/

Antennas:
Qty 1 -https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/wifi-a ... o-antenna/
or
Qty 2 -https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/4g-lte ... l-antenna/

Cables
https://thewirelesshaven.com/product-category/cab ... enna-coax/

For the cables choose ones with SMA male connectors on one end and Type N Male on the other, to match the antenna and router. The Shortest as possible. LMR200 up to 20' MAX. LMR400 for 20' and above. LMR400 for all lengths even 20' and under if you can afford it.

thewirelesshaven.com can get you any cable at any length with any connector, if they don't have it on the site. email them.

[baumat]

Pop that modem into the router, with an adapter and replaced antenna pigtails in the modem, update the firmware if needed, make a few settings, and then you're ready to get connected. That easy.

I'm new here but what is the point of putting in the modem in the router? Does that just allow the router to better transmit the data or something? Sorry for the dumb question. Also does this work for Verizon/Visible or ATT?

[Didneywhorl]

I'm new here but what is the point of putting in the modem in the router? Does that just allow the router to better transmit the data or something? Sorry for the dumb question. Also does this work for Verizon/Visible or ATT?

No worries. Welcome to the forum.


The router does not have a cellular modem in it. You get to chose which one you want. The items listed above need to be assembled to work on cellular networks without tethering a phone or tablet for their connection. Though the router CAN also use a tethered connection via USB.