Rock solid WiFi configurations, plans and equipment

[Boondock Saint]

Hello all,

I've been searching through the wifi chats on various boards, would still like to revisit my requirements and know what the best options are.

Does anyone know by what means I could access the Xfinity mesh of hotspots and connect / authenticate with my account?

Secondly, I have a Netgear WiFi router w 4 1GB lan ports and I would still like to use this. Obviously I can't provide an internet path to it via cable modem, but it does have 2.4 and 5gz so I might could use a DD-WRT AutoAP repeater type setup to connect to xfinity or open signals on one of the bands then NET on the other band for a home network.

I'm not really interested in paying for cell coverage but would consider this as a BU plan.

Most of the WiFi boosters and antenna things offered use a USB input to a single device and I would rather try to put that singal in to my Netgear router for multiple devices and wifi rebroadcast.

Bottom line - I'm looking for a way to use an external antenna to grep wifi long range and use free or paid internet in order to reliably work from home. If you are actually DOING THIS I'm very interested in your equipment and service. This is time sensitive and I need to test some solutions in the next week.

Please let me know about your successes or PM me if you don't want to state publically.

Thanks in advance!

[Scoob]

Cant help with the Xfinity because I have verizon. But I can tell you what we use as a rock solid plan for my wife to work from home (camper).

As stated we use verizon. So we have a pair of antennas on the roof that will pull in week signals. We also have a weboost booster but rarely turn it on because of the hit in download speeds. But when you are in a spot with really bad signal the thing is worth its weight in gold.

These two antenna's (that way we are running mimo) feed directly into our AC791L jetpack. Also if you are not a long way from the tower we found this little mimo antenna to do a really great job
https://smile.amazon.com/Netgear-600...1245872&sr=8-3


From there we go USB out to our Peplink surf soho router. This this is made for rv's and has a 12 volt dc input for power and uses the USB from the jetpack as the wan.

https://www.amazon.com/Peplink-SUS-S.../dp/B00ENUY568

got mine on eBay for much less

Some asus routers will also use USB as a wan but we found them to constantly be needing attention and would constantly drop the wan. The peplink is made to do this and in 2 years its never needed to be reset and gives really good range.

We have loved verizon for the last 15 years but may go to at&t for the better data plans next year. They also have some really nice routers that work with AT&T sims.

[Boondock Saint]

Thanks Scoob!

I appreciate the exacting description and applicability to my need. I own this Netgear R7500-200NAS Nighthawk and want to continue to use it.

I would use mine the same way you use yours.

The other equipment I've been looking at such as antennas are far more expensive.

You mention owning a AC971L Hotpsot

You're connecting the antennas to that device.

Would you mind PM something you suggest for rate plan, your experience with your provider etc?

Thanks in advance!

[Scoob]

I could not find a comcast jetpack, do they make one for Xfinity?

The AC791 jetpack has antenna ports right on it so you can hook up two external antennas. The two antennas on the top of our camper come right down and plug directly into the jetpack.

No need for PM. I have been on verizon for 18 years and love the coverage is the reason I have stayed so long. I currently pay about 150 a month for 2 phones lines with unlimited and a line for the jetpack

Off the top of my head the only way to keep that router and use verizon would be to get either an old netgear router with wrt on it and set it up as an access point. Asus routers with merlin installed on them are also very good with doing this. You could then come out of them with cat 5 in your router.

If I was in your shoes I would switch to AT&t. The plans are pretty much the same price once you start talking to them. With At&t you have many more equipment options to set up an rv. Their netgear nighthawk hotspot has rj-45 output you could go right into your current router Like This one

I only say switch to at&t because I cant find hardly anything for equipment that can use comcast. That and I have always had a hatred for comast
But if you know of jetpacks for them it might make it easier.

[Boondock Saint]

Thanks. I don't like xfinity either, and I've already cut the cord with the cable, I just need an internet provider and the more bandwidth and most data use the better. When most of these say unlimited it isn't really unlimited.

At $650 bucks for the hotspot, it better b
e all that and a bag of chips

[nayther]

FWIW I bought a TOGO. It uses ATT data plan for $300.00/year unlimited data, no chokes. It pulls in wifi or data and includes a router. Works well. We also have Verizon cell so if that is better I can link the TOGO to my Verizon hot spot and still have my network.

[Boondock Saint]

Sweet! Thx Nayther for the info. Like I say, I'll spring for the top mount TOGO etc but I insist on using my own router and configurations and working towards that means.

Is the AT&T plan you have also unlimited? That's a decent price for a year. Is there something I need to know to be able to ask for and get that plan and rate? THX

[Boondock Saint]

Thanks. I don't like xfinity either, and I've already cut the cord with the cable, I just need an internet provider and the more bandwidth and most data use the better. When most of these say unlimited it isn't really unlimited.


At $650 bucks for the hotspot, it better be all that and a bag of chips

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by Boondock Saint

Thanks. I don't like xfinity either, and I've already cut the cord with the cable, I just need an internet provider and the more bandwidth and most data use the better. When most of these say unlimited it isn't really unlimited.


At $650 bucks for the hotspot, it better be all that and a bag of chips

And now you see why I stay with my simple jetpack hooked to a Peplink

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by nayther

FWIW I bought a TOGO. It uses ATT data plan for $300.00/year unlimited data, no chokes. It pulls in wifi or data and includes a router. Works well. We also have Verizon cell so if that is better I can link the TOGO to my Verizon hot spot and still have my network.

To other keep in mind this unlimited plan was canceled by AT&T. Any new buyers of the togo have to buy a data plan.

https://www.att.com/plans/connected-car/togo-roadlink/

[Boondock Saint]

And this is why I want a WiFi first solution and cell as a get out of jail BU. That's not much data for a whole year = 100GB DATA$325/yr. You can't get a years worth of goat pr0n with a measly 100gb.

That's what I would use as I'm flying down the highway to go camping and needed live drive google map updates etc.

Who do I have to sleep with to get an unlimited plan up in this USA?

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by Boondock Saint

And this is why I want a WiFi first solution and cell as a get out of jail BU. That's not much data for a whole year = 100GB DATA$325/yr. You can't get a years worth of goat pr0n with a measly 100gb.

That's what I would use as I'm flying down the highway to go camping and needed live drive google map updates etc.

Who do I have to sleep with to get an unlimited plan up in this USA?

We found wifi to just be way to unreliable for it to even be an option. But here in the midwest there are very few spots where you can even get wifi in a state/county campground. Plus there is no way my wife IT department is going to let here hook up to an open wifi, even through their vpn

[Boondock Saint]

I hear you! But I live in the tech mecha full of wifi - it's a wonder I don't have brain cancer from the sheer amount just in the apt complex and neighborhood, insane. Also, I have a pretty secure and sophisticated VPN setup so not worried about my data per say, just attacks against the public facing hardware.

[TitanMike]

Won't be long the existing setups will join the old dial up modems.

Starlink (by Space X) is continually adding satellites to their constellation and expect to offer Gigabyte speed for around $80 per month. Target date for the US is "2020".

That will make it possible to have service even in the most remote sites as long as you can "see the sky".

Also enough bandwidth for everyone in the family to be streaming a different movie at the same time.

As for "free Wifi" isn't that like saying one got a free horse? Or a free car?. Last I heard those free items end up costing more than if they'd been purchased in the first place.

[aircommuter]

I use a Mofi router with an ATT sim from an iPad, for fringe areas I use a yagi on a surveyors shot stick clamped to the RV ladder, 2 yagi antennas could be used together if it’s really fringe, the Mofi has 2 antenna inputs. I setup one like that for my daughter at her house and she does video webcasting for a living.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Boondock Saint

I hear you! But I live in the tech mecha full of wifi - it's a wonder I don't have brain cancer from the sheer amount just in the apt complex and neighborhood, insane. Also, I have a pretty secure and sophisticated VPN setup so not worried about my data per say, just attacks against the public facing hardware.

If the WiFi is so plentiful then ask yourself where all those networks are connecting with to get the data. Couldn’t you just pay the money and get your own account?

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

If the WiFi is so plentiful then ask yourself where all those networks are connecting with to get the data. Couldn’t you just pay the money and get your own account?

I don’t know where ATT buys it from so I pay them. For me to get a wholesale account would cost a lot, that’s why we buy from retailers like them.

[Boondock Saint]

@aircommuter - would appreciate the list of equipment / model#s you're suggesting if it's not too much bother please. Thanks in advance!

[aircommuter]

Mofi router model MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-SIM4/7, there are more models that will work, this is the newest. As long as you get a 4500 4g SIM you can use it with ATT, check the variations to get what suits your needs. The antenna is a maxmostcom Mofi4500, cellular4g LTE External Wide Band Log Periodic Yagi Antenna. The dual configuration one can make themselves cheaper than the factory made one. But you can check it out on Amazon, WideAnt2-X Dual Antenna for Mofi.
There are other yagi style antennas that receive even better for stationary use because they are large with open elements (directors, reflectors and active) that would be difficult to haul around on RVs.
This router has a built in cellular radio to receive the towers, and sends out wifi, plus connections for direct LAN or to feed other routers. Mofi is an enterprise grade router. I have 3 of them and love them. They so many configuration capabilities it will keep you reading for a day or two. Let me know if that helps.
You can receive towers for miles wifi is very distance limited, due to power limitations for the system.

[Villagerjjm]

For Xfinity hotspots I downloaded the Xfinity Hotspot app that was on my app site for iPhone / Apple. There is also one on the Android app site. Check with Xfinity for special instructions. The sites work great for streaming video and surfing the web. You may have to connect and then use the Xfinity stream app to get your home DVR recordings. For local broadcasts in the area you are staying at you will probably have to have one of the network apps like ABC, CBS or FOX. Also, there are some restrictions on available channels.