WifI

[Caravan_Upgrader]

Hey all. Just joined. Very happy to see so many people who share the same ❤️ and ideas as me.
I've been away many times now in parks where the wifi is pretty poor (to say the least). I have a Bailey Unicorn and have read I can install a roof mounted antenna and a 4G router to increase signal strength, but really don't want to start drilling holes in the roof myself.
I'm looking for some advice on how and where I can get this done proffesionally?

 

[otherclive]

Hi welcome to the Forum. Can’t help on the wifi installation front as I pre date wifi, and found sat dishes a challenge. There are Forumites who can find signals emanating from the time of the Big Bang 😂. So I’m sure you will get some good advice. If you give your locale it will help to identify any companies in your area.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Drilling a hole isn't anything to be frightened of doing, the manufacturers put multiple holes in new caravans.

The "trick" or rather the vital thing is to make sure any hole is correctly sealed against water ingress. A good application of a none setting mastic/sealant, on well cleaned surfaces (Sikaflex is the one used the most) is the favoured option.

I would imagine a WiFi aerial would come with a flat base plate with the cable being fed out of the bottom. So drill a hole where the cable is to go through the roof that's just big enough to take the cable. Use a sharp drill, and dont force it, let the drill cut at its own pace with slight pressure.

Place the aerial on the roof feeding tge cable through the hole without any sealant. Draw around it with a pencil and mark where any screws will need to go. Remove the aerial and drill pilot holes where the screws will go. Then apply a generous amount of sealant over the entire area you have outlined, place the aerial top having fed tge cable through the hole you drilled. Fut tge fixing screws and tighten them slowly and in sequence. Ensure tge sealant has squidged out around the entire perimeter. Use a putty knife or similar to remove the excess that's squidged out. Job done!
Any further excess can be removed with white spirit.

Or purchase a WiFi aerial with a suction mount and affix it to the side of the caravan as and when you want to use it. The cable will pass through the window and be compressed against the window seal so watertight.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Caravan_ Upgrader Welcome to the forum sorry I cannot help you but others will give you some great advice enjoy.

 

[Woodentop]

The poor wifi on sites is nothing to do with signal your kit, it is about long copper cables. Wifi on site is radiated on site, whereas what you are proposing is to get the Interweb from the cellular network, a wholly different thing and significantly more expensive. Also on site there will be many other users across which the source is shared so limiting your reception capabilities.

The best thing is to use your mobile phone as a hotspot (Google it). The signal that your phone radiates will be strong because its source is local to your laptop or tablet, you just need to find which network to use for your location.

A good starting point is to get a 4G mifi (i.e. mobile wifi) unit and some inexpensive SIM cards. Get maybe 10GB to start - won't cost too much - and find which works best in your location. You can also look at the OfCom signal coverage maps before you leave home for your destination(s). Then top up the card that gives the best signal.

For a used but guaranteed mifi or even a half reasonable used smartphone go look at the Computer Exchange (uk.webuy.com) - they have shops everywhere and you will get a 2 year guarantee.