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Old 06-28-2016, 09:47 AM   #1
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Looking for Canadian experience with WIFI and satellite

Hi, everyone - lots of great threads on here about modding for WIFI and/or satellite. However, being in Canada, we have far less providers of both services. So, I'm wondering what Canadians are doing in this regard?

I was looking at getting a WIFI Ranger setup, but now also reading about cellular antennas and such.

My Freedom Express appears to have a stationary "omni-directional" antenna, which I think is pretty much useless as virtually no channels are broadcast over air anymore, right?

We carry DVDs for the kids, but they would be totally psyched if we could get Netflix occasionally, and the wife would love to hit up Facebook at night As for me, I'd like to be able to catch Jays' games when not home....

Any help is appreciated.
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Old 06-28-2016, 02:43 PM   #2
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If you are a shaw cable subscriber you can get shaw direct for your RV at 1/2 the cost for any plan. I believe it is called "home away from home" plan. It is for those that go away to their cottage. You can suspend your account during non-camping season and re-enable before holiday season.
I had to provide my VIN of my trailer.
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Old 06-28-2016, 03:38 PM   #3
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I use Bell Tv Satellite in my trailer. My tv antenna also works in full Hd but I only get 2 channels, so that's why I have satellite.

I also got the alfa wifi camp pro system to help get wifi signals, I haven't got it up and running yet though.

Not sure if that helps or not,
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Old 06-29-2016, 06:26 AM   #4
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I have Bell TV at home so I got a Bell sat dish and tripod that stays with the TT and I bring a SD receiver from home. I used it all the way to Cape Breton back in 2013. If you want HD you just need the equipment. Automatic dishes like tailgater look nice but they are very pricey unless you full time. Dish Network equipment works for Bell satellite service if you want to go that way.

As for streaming, forget campground wifi. It's barely adequate for email. A cell service with lots of data and likely a cell signal booster would be the way I'd go.
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Old 06-29-2016, 07:23 AM   #5
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Thanks for the replies so far.

I currently don't have satellite service at home (I used to, but switched to FibreOp and sold the dish), so I guess I'll have to look into Shaw or Bell for this purpose and the equipment.

As far as internet access, yes cellular service of some type (rocketstick, etc.) might be the way to go, but maybe too pricey for the number of times used. Too bad my Iphone is on a corporate plan or I could use that as a hotspot to feed other devices.

Neither issue is really a deal breaker at the moment as we are just getting started in this camping thing, just would be another nice little thing to have.
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Old 06-29-2016, 11:20 AM   #6
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I've kept Bell satellite because I can take it on the road with me. (It has great picture/sound and the only negative is that you can lose the signal in bad weather). A hard wired system like Rogers/Shaw/Cogeco cable or Bell Fibe doesn't give you that flexibility.

For your corporate cell phone, is there any chance you can make a deal to pay for the extra data usage out of pocket? I have the same issue with my corporate BlackBerry that I have to use for internet connection when camped at provincial parks.
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Old 06-29-2016, 04:31 PM   #7
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My WiFi solution

I have this antenna setup:
ALFA NETWORK Inc.
+ ALFA NETWORK Inc.

on this router:
ALFA NETWORK Inc.

and I am more than happy with the outcome. We have been on the road for over a month in about 7 campgrounds and this has made all the difference. Mind you there has to be a detectable wifi signal available to grab the signal but it amplifies it to be very usable when you find one. We have data on our phone and only need it to update map data while driving. Hardly use any of our Bell data at all. In fact I reduced our monthly plan drastically (from 7GB to 1GB). Had 7 because my wife needs the internet and I had heard that wifi on the road sucked but that is not the case with this booster setup.
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Old 06-29-2016, 06:13 PM   #8
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I use a Nanostation M2 with router to hookup to wifi network in campgrounds. This is a directional antenna and it is very good. I use it all the times and sometimes when we travel with friends, we can share our network with them if they are within 100 feet.
What we like the most is that you can connect multiple iPad, computers etc. without wire!

I bought the kit at converbit-- Magasin sans-fil it is the "Kit snowbird sans fil avec routeur (router)". It sells for $150. +tax and delivery. It is already programmed and you get instructions. You can also buy it from Amazon but there will be some programming to be done not for everyone.
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Old 06-29-2016, 08:55 PM   #9
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Keep in mind that campground wifi is typically not supposed to be used for large data requirements like streaming.
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Old 07-01-2016, 11:42 AM   #10
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Bell does not work in the USA
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Old 07-01-2016, 12:33 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by selkirk awards View Post
Bell does not work in the USA
That's not 100% true. I have gotten my bell satellite to work in great falls Montana and kalispell Montana but no further south than that
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Old 07-07-2016, 07:14 PM   #12
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Anyone using either a Mifi or ZTE Turbo Hub with a data plan to get in-RV wifi hotspot? Interested in results (particularly in Atlantic Canada) and whether you also use/need a booster.
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Old 07-07-2016, 10:08 PM   #13
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Alfa is the key to wifi
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Old 07-08-2016, 06:00 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuba View Post
Alfa is the key to wifi

Thanks, but my concern is that we are/will be mostly in provincial campgrounds this summer, and most of them don't have much/any detectable WIFI signal. So for now I'm thinking a cell-based system is probably my starting point, and then adding a WIFI-catching setup later.
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Old 07-12-2016, 08:43 AM   #15
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Alfa questions

Okay, so the deeper I go into this, the more confusing it gets - so many products.

Let's start with basic wifi amplification (and distribution inside/around the trailer).

Looking at this Alfa kit: Wifi Camp Pro Kit


Wondering a couple of things:

1) Is there a better combination of parts (ie. stronger signal), if purchased separately? Thinking the tube receiver and omni antenna combo. Alfa sells other antennas/receivers.

2) Is anyone using an Alfa setup with just an indoor antenna? If so, how are the results? I'm just a little wary of mounting anything to the outside, both because of drilling holes but also if I buy something that I don't like and want to change out.
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Old 07-12-2016, 12:50 PM   #16
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Jefa tech XR

I've just read about this new model from Jefa tech, sounds like it has only been out a few months. Anyone using this? Can't find much on it for reviews, but did find a discussion on another forum that this is a similar idea to the WIFI Ranger Elite system, which uses 2 "radios" (indoor and outdoor) connected via ethernet cable which reduces/eliminates the signal loss inherent in RF cable that all these other systems use (Alfa, Jefa tech older model, Radiolabs, Ubiquiti).
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Old 07-12-2016, 05:09 PM   #17
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Here is a link to the Jefa Tech XR product web page.

JEFA Tech: JEFA Tech WiFi Repeater System XR

Sorry, I'm not knowledgable enough on this stuff to give you an opinion.
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Old 07-30-2016, 04:24 PM   #18
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Hi
I am going to the Canadian Rockies for a couple of months starting in mid August. I am an American citizen, with an RV registered in California.
I have a Dish Network account, and a Tailgater antenna and Dish receiver. Is there any way I can arrange for service in Canada with this rig?
Also, some on this thread some have mentioned cell phone signal boosters. I;m interested in people's experience with them. Are they worth it, which system is recommended, etc.
Thanks!
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Old 07-30-2016, 07:52 PM   #19
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Your Dish Network equipment should work in Canada. The Canadian company Bell TV uses the same satellites as Dish Network and exactly the same receivers, just rebranded.
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Old 07-30-2016, 08:24 PM   #20
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Thanks so much.
I spoke to Bell. They want me to buy a receiver from them.
I won't now.
Do you think i can use my Dish (US) subscription, or do i have to use Bell?
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