Looking for a router for use in a caravan.

Rorymax

Rorymax

Rorymax

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Joined
2 Aug 2023
Posts
14
Location
Ayrshire
(I think I made my last post rather over complicated and poorly explained, can I try again?)


Hi,

I'm looking for a mans powered 230\240v router that I can use in a caravan (basically an aluminium box) that I can attach an externally mounted antenna to.

I already have SIM with unlimited data.

Can I have any recommendations please, ideally under £100 for the router and externaly mounted antenna.

I am more than happy to receive advice as I readily admit that my knowledge of such devices is limited.

Many thanks,
Rorymax
 
Last edited:
Static or mobile caravan ?
Static caravan there's also the option
Of looking to see if you have a local
fixed wifi provider
They usually provide you a router
And external antenna
Actually still have the POE antenna they provided
Laying around somewhere
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Static or mobile caravan ?
Static caravan there's also the option
Of looking to see if you have a local
fixed wifi provider
They usually provide you a router
And external antenna
Actually still have the POE antenna they provided
Laying around somewhere
Click to expand...
Oops, my bad.

It is a mobile\touring caravan Mcnumpty2323.
 
Caged said:
Your budget is too low
Click to expand...
Caged,

I was looking at items like the ones below, and that is where I took my indicative costings from.

I am not familiar with reliable brands for such products, that is the reason why I came on here looking for recommendations.

If I am missing out on something obvious in terms of pricing and\or equipment then please advise, all advice is appreciated and I obviously wish to become more informed than I am.

Cheers.
Router

External Antenna
 
Ad_Augendae said:
You don't say if your Antenna requirements are Directional or Omnidirectional, how far will the masts be... how many masts are available at what distance?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I'm guessing I need Omnidirectional, the antenna will be mounted at high level on the side of the caravan ( this sort of thing ).

I have no idea how far away any transmitting masts will be as I will be travelling to various locations around the country.

Cheers for the reply.
 
Last edited:
What kind of expectation do you have regarding speed? If you just want something to work and get you around 40-50mbps - whatever came free with the sim (or would have come free if you opted for it) should do fine.

Are we looking at 4G or 5G?

What's the externally mounted antenna for, do you have low signal?
 
Rorymax said:
Hi,

I'm guessing I need Omnidirectional, the antenna will be mounted at high level on the side of the caravan ( this sort of thing ).

I have no idea how far away any transmitting masts will be as I will be travelling to various locations around the country.

Cheers for the reply.
Click to expand...
Soryy I thought you was being serious.... search for 285029975527
 
Rorymax said:
Hi,

I'm guessing I need Omnidirectional, the antenna will be mounted at high level on the side of the caravan ( this sort of thing ).

I have no idea how far away any transmitting masts will be as I will be travelling to various locations around the country.

Cheers for the reply.
Click to expand...
I've got the exact same thing. Complete waste of money.

What network is your sim? Is 5g available there?
 
Bug One said:
What kind of expectation do you have regarding speed? If you just want something to work and get you around 40-50mbps - whatever came free with the sim (or would have come free if you opted for it) should do fine.

Are we looking at 4G or 5G?

What's the externally mounted antenna for, do you have low signal?
Click to expand...

Hi Bug One,

Ideally speed to be sufficient to stream Netflix etc. to smart TV and for viewing Prime etc.
I have Smart SIM unlimited data.
4G is likely to be the most available to me, I won't be staying in built up areas as a general rule.

The external antenna is to improve signal strength as I will be inside what can be described as an aluminium box having a few acrylic windows, I was thinking along the lines of this for an external antenna.

Thanks for the reply.
 
The huawei b535 4g router
Seems to get some good reviews
Around £80 new
Or £40--50 used on ebay
As for external antenna
2 types of connectors rp-sma same as standard
Router
Or ts9
Though should be able to get an adapter
Are really cheap antennas any good
Is another question
Second hand poynting omni around £40--50 on ebay

There's a motor section of the forums
Not sure if that has a section for caravans/motor homes
Since you're kind of bridging networking and caravans/motor home
There may be people in motors who could help too

Lived in a few static caravans
So yeah basically a Faraday box except for the windows
Does make external antenna more necessary
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
The huawei b535 4g router
Seems to get some good reviews
Around £80 new
Or £40--50 used on ebay
As for external antenna
2 types of connectors rp-sma same as standard
Router
Or ts9
Though should be able to get an adapter
Are really cheap antennas any good
Is another question
Second hand poynting omni around £40--50 on ebay

There's a motor section of the forums
Not sure if that has a section for caravans/motor homes
Since you're kind of bridging networking and caravans/motor home
There may be people in motors who could help too

Lived in a few static caravans
So yeah basically a Faraday box except for the windows
Does make external antenna more necessary
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will look at your suggestions, cheers.
 
I Have a static caravan on the East coast. Family's phones are all EE. Signal is non existent.

I use a TP Link MR6400, and a Poynting omnidirectional antenna, mounted above the TV aerial on a pole.
Vodafone PAYG sim so I can top up when we are there.
Works great, and can use the Wi-Fi for calls.
 
Ad_Augendae said:
Soryy I thought you was being serious.... search for 285029975527
Click to expand...

Hi Ad_Augendae:,

I don't know what you mean by "Soryy I thought you was being serious...", can you explain please.

Your search item 285029975527 take me to the same router that I linked to in post #6, are you recommending said router?

Cheers.
 
Huawei are the brand to go to for good value 4g routers. The b535 being a good budget model that should do everything you're after.

If you want maximum speed, look out for a Huawei B818. It will deliver about double the speed of the b535.
 
I think I am going to go for the Huawei b535 4g router (thanks for the suggestions given on here folks).

Next is the omnidirectional Antenna, I am unsure what to buy as the Huwawei has 2 SMA antenna connections and I see some antennas that have only one connector.

I will look for a used Poynting if I can find one, do they have 1 or 2 connecting terminals?
 
Rorymax said:
I think I am going to go for the Huawei b535 4g router (thanks for the suggestions given on here folks).

Next is the omnidirectional Antenna, I am unsure what to buy as the Huwawei has 2 SMA antenna connections and I see some antennas that have only one connector.

I will look for a used Poynting if I can find one, do they have 1 or 2 connecting terminals?
Click to expand...
Poynting Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE Antenna 4G-XPOL-A0001 (XPOL-1)
2 x rp sma
Though not sure about suitability
For a moving caravan
Those tend to be more aerodynamic shaped
Or some even fold down I think
 
I wouldn't bother with an omni, get a small directional antenna that you can slide down in its mounting so it's tucked in when you're towing the caravan around, have a quick look at cellmapper when you park up, and point it towards the tower you're trying to hit.
 
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