Bigger antenna for Sky3 - mod & results

[Spoot]

I had been digging around in here to see of this was possible.
If so, how and did it help.

Well, like many others, the answer from Rockwood is... "NO".

To me, that didn't seem good enough. I know a little about antennas, so I did some ordering and dug into it.

Here is what many folks have.

And here are my available connections (17 + mine), just sitting in my driveway - I scrolled a tad so you can see the lower signal stuff here.

[Spoot]

Now - TURN OFF the Sky3 !!!

Next, I took out the 4 screws that hold the lid on, found the connection.
The connection looks like it is covered in wax, so I gently cut into the wax, cleaned it up and unplugged the antenna.

This connection is a MHF (not an MHF4 or 3 or 2...just MHF).
I bought an MHF to RP-SMA bulkhead pigtail. I figured, if this worked, I would drill a new hole for the bulkhead SMA and seal it up.

But, for now, it is just to do a proof-of-concept.

[Spoot]

Now I hooked up a 9dbi wifi antenna that is rated for 2.4ghz & 5ghz (Dual band).
This would be to replace the OEM 3dbi ?

This antenna is an SMA. This allows it to screw onto the RP-SMA pigtail.

I propped it up with a little cardboard and powered the Sky3 back on.

[Spoot]

Here are the results of my testing.

Only 2 signals can be seen...and they are barely there.


RATS !

I guess this is really a NO.

[itat]

I’d suggest that the Sky3 is not a great package in its entirety. (the next generation Sky4 is a bit better.) The software and hardware of WiFiRangers older rooftop systems are not the greatest but at least they are free from the RV manufacturer. These days a simple wifi range extender really isn’t worth much. A system that can connect with cell towers and extend your range is much better for internet access.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by itat

... the next generation Sky4 is a bit better. ...

Not much. Besides which, both are limited by the Wi-Fi sources available which, in campgrounds, are generally poor.

[itat]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Not much. Besides which, both are limited by the Wi-Fi sources available which, in campgrounds, are generally poor.

Yes . Emphasis on “a bit”. The Sky4 has 2 antennas vs. the Sky3’s single antenna, and the Sky4 gets upgraded firmware. But it’s still limited by typically poor campground wifi.

[jimmarako]

Originally Posted by Spoot

Here are the results of my testing.

Only 2 signals can be seen...and they are barely there.


RATS !

I guess this is really a NO.

Are you sure the antenna you are using is actually screwed into the pigtail correctly? Both are the proper male & female RP-SMA? And is that little board side connector secure? They can be a pain to get in properly. I don't know if you should expect to gain much, but you certainly should not have lost almost all your signals. Something else is wrong.

Jim M.

[Spoot]

Originally Posted by jimmarako

Are you sure the antenna you are using is actually screwed into the pigtail correctly? Both are the proper male & female RP-SMA? And is that little board side connector secure? They can be a pain to get in properly. I don't know if you should expect to gain much, but you certainly should not have lost almost all your signals. Something else is wrong.

Jim M.

It did make a click\snap when I plugged it onto the MB. I guess its possible that it worked it's way off when I propped the antenna up?

I did meticulous inspection of the rp-sma and sma, male\female ends...everything was correct. (I know a little about sma\antennas as I work on squad cars with mobile cellular solutions)

It's also possible that the antenna was bad Or the pigtail? all made of chinesium.

I know these things aren't a magical device to give us internet where it doesn't exist, it only makes crappy wifi a tad easier to deal with as it is a single connection for a device.

I was thinking about trying again in the spring - triple check everything.
All I was hoping for was maybe a slight ~gain~ in signal strength.

psa = NO camper should look at these as a way to get streaming services * Like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney+, Youtube, etc.

Most rural campgrounds barely have 10Mbps service that feeds the entire campground that is now being shared across 50-300 campsites....making speeds for everyone less than 1990's dialup modem speeds !!

Campground wifi should only be used for:
How late is the store open?
How much is firewood?
Is there a storm coming?
When is the craft-thing for the kids tomorrow?

--As soon as YOU or your family streams anything, you ruin the internet for everyone --

If you are a full-time RV'er, cool, but please consider getting your own portable internet, so the other campers can have a tiny amount to sip on.

** Please be considerate of the other campers **