Looking for hotspot range booster for camping / campsite coverage

[Dgephri]

My camping last summer showed a good speed (80) on the rivian Hotspot but almost zero signal outside.

Anybody found a good repeater unit to zip tie to a ceiling handle to boost the signal for campsite coverage?

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[SwampNut]

Are you trying to repeat the wifi from the car to devices far away? Or are you trying to boost the actual cellular signal? And what carrier if so?

 

[msaniac]

Could try a travel router like GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 or similar. I haven’t tried it with the Rivian but it works well repeating hotel wifi and such and had decent range but not sure how it will do inside a vehicle. It can be powered by a USB C connection.

 

[Cycliste]

I use Starlink

 

[ksujeff99]

Could try a travel router like GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 or similar. I haven’t tried it with the Rivian but it works well repeating hotel wifi and such and had decent range but not sure how it will do inside a vehicle. It can be powered by a USB C connection.

I second this. I have the $34 GL-SFT1200 and it's great for extending hotel wifi. It will connect to the Rivian WiFi and then set up its own WiFi network that you then connect to.

 

[Dgephri]

Are you trying to repeat the wifi from the car to devices far away? Or are you trying to boost the actual cellular signal? And what carrier if so?

Just trying to repeat the Rivian Hotspot 50-100 feet outside the cabin. Carrier signal to the Riv was fine.

I'll check those suggestions and read the manuals for features.

 

[SwampNut]

Those travel routers have fairly limited range. I use a long-range repeater in my travel trailer, which can take the car connection and extend it 300+ feet, maybe more. Size matters when it comes to antennas and radios, and a travel router is severely limited. (Source...I have multiple FCC radio telecom certifications, network tech.)

My answer would be something like this, attached onto a window which will have the least effect on signal compared to metal. Or stuck on the dashboard against the glass. Try to polarize the antennas vertically if possible, not a huge deal if not.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-MU-MIMO-Gigabit-EAP225-Outdoor/dp/B07953S2FD

The next thing is providing power. Nearly all these devices take 24v in and have a 120v power adapter. You can power it from the Rivian's inverter power, which is slightly inefficient (not a huge thing). Or you can get a 12v to 24v converter if your Rivian has the 12v outlets (I think they removed them in 2023, not sure exactly).

I'm curious however why you don't just use the cellular in your phones?

 

[Dgephri]

Those travel routers have fairly limited range. I use a long-range repeater in my travel trailer, which can take the car connection and extend it 300+ feet, maybe more. Size matters when it comes to antennas and radios, and a travel router is severely limited. (Source...I have multiple FCC radio telecom certifications, network tech.)

My answer would be something like this, attached onto a window which will have the least effect on signal compared to metal. Or stuck on the dashboard against the glass. Try to polarize the antennas vertically if possible, not a huge deal if not.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-MU-MIMO-Gigabit-EAP225-Outdoor/dp/B07953S2FD

The next thing is providing power. Nearly all these devices take 24v in and have a 120v power adapter. You can power it from the Rivian's inverter power, which is slightly inefficient (not a huge thing). Or you can get a 12v to 24v converter if your Rivian has the 12v outlets (I think they removed them in 2023, not sure exactly).

I'm curious however why you don't just use the cellular in your phones?

Great info, thanks a ton!
I do my own POE cameras and have properties with Ruckus pole mounted mesh devices but I haven't needed/wanted this particular networking thing.
I have the dash 12v, but not the Frunk 12v. So a 12v/24v converter might do the trick.
Once I verified the very short range of the Riv hotspot we used my GF's spare iPhone for hotspot but it tested slower on BW. "where did you put your iPhone?" and "is it charged?" were the tradeoffs.

 

[SwampNut]

I do my own POE cameras and have properties with Ruckus pole mounted mesh devices but I haven't needed/wanted this particular networking thing.

You are WAY ahead of the game than most people then. These need either real PoE or a straight 24v, either is fine. This is what I used in my RV for a permanent mount.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VTLLDQD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You might find an adapter with the plugs already, but maybe not. You could always splice that into something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Cable-Extra-Connector-Inflators-Equipment/dp/B08FCP2YSD

Thanks to your question, I'm probably going to make something like this to use the RV unit as a portable. Since the Rivian uses AT&T and we use T-Mobile, having both could help in some places.

 

[Thedude]

Seems a whole lot easier to just hotspot your phone. What are you doing while camping that needs 80mbps or faster speeds?

 

[Dgephri]

Seems a whole lot easier to just hotspot your phone. What are you doing while camping that needs 80mbps or faster speeds?

sorry, I can't resist: seeding Linux torrents.
Serious: my GF was able to do remote work, 3X screens, teleconference, etc. just fine with the iPhone speeds of 50Mbps. So I'm just exploring solutions that might reduce charging clutter or apply to yet unknown needs.

 

[SwampNut]

My job is such that I can work anywhere with internet, so I too want this everywhere. It means I can travel full time if I want. Starlink...sure, but that's $135/mo. Using the phone is my usual go-to.

sorry, I can't resist: seeding Linux torrents.

LOL

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