How Do I Improve Wi-Fi Reception in My RV?

by Anonymous
()

How to Improve RV WiFi Reception

How to Improve RV WiFi Reception

When we go to our campground membership resort, we have poor reception or signal in our trailer. Is there anything we can do to make it better or to buy? It is quite frustrating as I have set up a computer with recipes I want to use camping, and I can't see...

Important Update From RVing Al: Since I answered this question 2 new WiFi Boosters Have been released by Winegard the first one is called the WINEGARD ConnecT 4G1 WIFI Extender (Pictured at the top of this page) has been released. This WiFi Extender has 5 exterior antennas that do an excellent job of improving WiFi reception in RV parks and resorts. This unit also allows you to purchase 4G LTE data so you can use it going down the road or use it at campgrounds that do not have WiFi. For more information on this new product, you can read my WINEGARD ConnecT 4G1 WIFI Extender Review.

the second new unit is called the Winegard ConnecT 2.0 WiFi Extender. This is a dome unit (pictured above) that also does an excellent job of improving WiFi reception in your RV. It's available in two models, one that boosts the RV Park WiFi and the second that also boosts the RV park WiFi and has the option of using 4G2 to access the internet. You can read my review on it here: ConnecT 2.0 4G2 WiFi Extender Review.

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ANSWER: Hi, I feel your pain, and so do a lot of other RVers. Staying at a campground that provides free Wi-Fi is great except when you are too far away from the Wi-Fi transmitter. First, you need to understand that Wi-Fi is nothing more than a low-powered radio station that sends and receives your data via radio waves, just like the ones used by Radio and TV Stations, Except they are transmitted at a lot lower power.

Because the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) regulations require Wi-Fi signals to be transmitted at low power, receiving WiFi signals can be a challenge. On average, a Wi-Fi
signal can travel 300 feet line of sight outdoors if you use 802.11b or 802.11g with the stock antenna built into your laptop. If your computer uses 802.11n to connect via WiFi, then your range can more than double.

Now add in the fact that these Wi-Fi radio signals can be stopped from reaching you by objects such as walls, buildings, trees, etc., also consider the fact that you are sitting in a big metal box (your RV) trying to receive these faint Wi-Fi Radio signals with a tiny antenna built into your laptop. Even if the RV Park has a lot of WI-Fi Repeaters (range extenders) throughout the park, you still may not receive a good enough signal to swiftly browse your Camping Recipes.

The Solution

Believe it or not there is a relatively simple and cost effective way to greatly improve the Wi-Fi reception in your RV by using a Wi-Fi Reception Booster such as the Etekcity High Power 300M USB Wireless 1000mw Wifi Network Adapter with Dual Antenna (pictured at the top of this page). The Etekcity uses two antennas and an amplifier to receive and improve the Wi-Fi signals your computer receives. It plugs into and is powered by your computers USB port. It is highly rated by it's users and the even better news is that this unit costs less than $20.00.

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Just hook it up to your laptop or desktop computer and install the drivers on the included CD Rom, and your off and running. The best place to put the Etekcity unit in your RV is in a window facing the Wi-Fi Transmitter at the RV Park. The unit comes with about a 3 foot USB cable so you may want to buy a USB Extension Cable so you can put the antenna in an ideal location and have your computer where you want it.

I hope this helps.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

Comments for How Do I Improve Wi-Fi Reception in My RV?

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Wifi for Ring Security
by: AnonymousDW

I have an older camper,but would like to set up a Ring Camera for security while we're not there. We are about 50 out of range of the wifi signal. Moving closer isn't an option. Is there a way to get a signal just to run with the Ring? There's no router or modem in the camper. Also, not able to leave camper plugged into power while gone either.Any ideas are welcome.

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Wifi on Steroids
by: Anonymous


WiFi on Steroids

I was looking at the WiFi on Steroids unit that you were originally talking about. I have heard nothing but good reviews about the WiFi on Steroids unit in my campground were almost everyone I know has one and it works great for only $49.95 at Camping World. Thanks for showing me how much money I will save by purchasing the Wifi on Steroids device, that really does the exact same thing your more expensive Weingard system. I also don't have to cut a hole in my roof. Thanks again,

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WiFi problems
by: Sandy

Ina, also curious about phones and iPads. No one has answered this problem.

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Android user for Wi-Fi
by: Noreen Schaan

I am living in a RV /Campground that offers free Wi-Fi. The problem I have is : the RV park has installed an Netgear extender from their end to try and enhance my signal inside my trailer. It did extend it but the signal is unstable most times. Can I still use a Wi-Fi extender from inside or on top of my trailer to get a better signal that is more stable? Will it work for my android phone as well as my computer?

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Jefa tech repeater
by: Anonymous

I use a repeater xr by Jefa tech. Works great and really good assistance from tech. Cost about $200. For $25 more you get 12 volt adapter.

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Chromecast
by: Anonymous

can u help with getting Chromecast to work on the at RV parks?

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Bandwidth not wifi
by: Anonymous

It's usually not the Wi-Fi but its the bandwidth the campground has with its internet supplier. It's like having a 2 lane highway and the having 8 lanes trying to merge onto that two lane highway. You get a backup. Slow internet or a timeout.
It's it cost the campground money to increase that bandwidth.

Note from RVing Al For those of you that are really serious about improving the WIFI reception in your RV you might want to read my recent WINEGARD ConnecT 4G1 WIFI Extender Review. This is a solution that works very well, but you are going to have to spend some money.

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Ipad
by: Anonymous

How do you do this with a ipad?

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Winegard Connect
by: JamesD


I bought a Winegard Connect Wifi Extender a few months ago for my 5th wheel and I've been impressed. Having the system mounted on the roof seems to really help, we did a few tests with it inside the coach and didn't see much change, but after we had it installed on the roof we finally had a strong signal.

One of the things I enjoy is pulling into a spot, selecting the network on the connect, and all my devices auto-connect. I don't have to do each device which is saves a ton of time.

Editor's Note: Take a look at the video below to see how the Winegard Connect Wifi Extender works.


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Wifi On Steroids
by: Anonymous

I have found Wifi on Steroids works great and connects to any free wifi connection in all campgrounds. All I did was plug it in and connect the device to the free wifi hotspot at the campground and I got full bars. Google wifi on steroids to find website. Good luck and happy RVing,

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Wifi extender
by: Arden

Thank you for your suggestions for receiving wifi in our rv, however we use an IPad & Kindle for web search, games, bills. Everything I see here is for a computer. Anything for an IPad. Our rv (5th wheel) will be approximately 300 ft from the closest wifi, 2 small trees otherwise at straight view.

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Wi fi reception
by: Anonymous

Where we camp at, there is wi fi in a community building which is 300 ft away. I can only receive wi fi near or in the building. I would like to receive their signal in our camper on my IPad & Kindle.

Is there anything on the market to help me.

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Campground wifi
by: Anonymous

I am so happy to have learned about this gadget! I will purchase one asap! Here is a hint you may not know. Even with wifi, streaming movies was nearly impossible. If you use Netflix and have trouble due to low signal, or too many campers sharing the connection, there is help. Go into your account, click playback settings, and choose lowest quality. It uses less bandwidth, and allows the entire movie to play without buffering or re loading. I learned this tip at another camping blog. It works, and I can see no difference in the quality of the picture. Happy Camping!

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TV?
by: Anonymous

Hi there, What can we use for a TV?
Thank you

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Wifi for smart tv
by: JHud

What can I use to boost wifi to my smart tv? It has a USB port, would this booster work? Would I just unplug it to use my laptop?

Comment from RVing Al: No, the Etekcity Wireless N WiFi Dongle will not work on your TV because it is designed for computer use only as it requires the use of software drivers.

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WiFi Boosters
by: Tami

We use the Alfa WiFi Booster and Repeater from TechnoRV. It boosts the campgrounds Wifi and sends it to either your laptop or you can send it through a repeater so it can go to laptops and phones. We couldn't function without it! www.technorv.com gives better info than I can though.

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Boost your wifi connection
by: Kay

I bought an Alfa adapter on Amazon. It took me from two bars to five bars, and was able to get on much more often.

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Cell Phone Reception / Internet Access Improvement
by: Rose Sundermeyer

Can we expand this to picking up CELL phone signals? When there is no WI-FI (non-enabled campgrounds) - I can get access (and act as a WI-FI hotspot) on my cell phone. The problem is the cell phone booster I have which plugs into the cigarette lighter in my trailer requires the attennae to go outside - and my trailer is aluminum so there is nothing to attach the antennae to.

Looking for a good / trailer friendly way of boosting my cell phone reception inside the living quarters of my horse trailer.

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Ubiquiti
by: Jean-Luc

You can buy a Pico Station or Nano Station from Ubiquiti to improve your Wifi reception. They are more expensive but you can connect them to a router inside your RV. ideal fo iPad, iPhones that don't have Usb connection.

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Re: Idea Works extender
by: Bob G

i am curious which model was used in the experience by "anonymous ".

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Thanks
by: Whitt McKinneyAnonymous

Recommendations mean a lot.
This was very helpful. Thank you.

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Half mile wifi reception
by: Anonymous

I bought a wifi extender antenna by idea works

I have seen wifi signals from more than a quarter mile away that were usable.

The idea works antenna comes with a 20 foot USB cord and is indoor outdoor. I have used it in parks with poor and blocked wifi signals. I usually see a two bar signal increased to a full scale signal.

I would not be without my idea works wifi extender !!!

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wi fi issue
by: Anonymous

i want to get netgear will that work too ?

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iPad and iPhone reception
by: Anonymous

Yes is there anything that can b done to improve reception on the iPhone or iPad?

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Lacking USB ports
by: Anonymous

What about the IPad and the phones that do not have a USB port? Can the drivers be downloaded as an app?

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