Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 02/12/2022
I spent a small fortune on a 5G mi-fi package so that I could have a reliable internet connection for work related purposes.
I found there was not a lot anyone can do if there was no mobile signal coverage - the external antenna could not boost when there was not signal in the first place!
DK
Many people forget about that if there is no signal you cannot boost it.
Indeed, and I now check the mobile signal coverage as part of my due diligence when searching for new sites.
DK
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Thanks for all they great replies and very helpful.
Reading all they pros and cons of each, i have decided to have the same roof mounted satellite system fitted to the motorhome as I have to my caravan, which has worked well for the last few years in UK and Europe. Only on they MH I will also have the 4G/ 5G router system that some have, so that when the dish is obscured by trees, I can use wi fi or data.
We got a satellite with our van, it's being removed at the next service as it's a totally useless chunk of metal, it has connected twice in 4 years.
Our own personal solution is a Roku box connected to a phone WiFi hotspot, we have 100Gb per month on one phone for this purpose.
We also have a TV aerial so we can connect to the local TV channels, whether that's Ireland, Spain or France.
If we're at a site with no phone signal and no TV reception, no biggie, we have a book of DVDs containing films and TV series so we're not stuck. Anyway, we can survive without until the next site.
So all it costs us is £6 extra per month on one of our mobile phone contracts for the 100 Gb.
Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 14/12/2022
We got a satellite with our van, it's being removed at the next service as it's a totally useless chunk of metal, it has connected twice in 4 years.
Our own personal solution is a Roku box connected to a phone WiFi hotspot, we have 100Gb per month on one phone for this purpose.
We also have a TV aerial so we can connect to the local TV channels, whether that's Ireland, Spain or France.
If we're at a site with no phone signal and no TV reception, no biggie, we have a book of DVDs containing films and TV series so we're not stuck. Anyway, we can survive without until the next site.
So all it costs us is £6 extra per month on one of our mobile phone contracts for the 100 Gb.
must be something wrong with it if its only connected twice in 4 years or it needs a software update .
my automatic dish has worked virtually everywhere .
Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 15/12/2022
must be something wrong with it if its only connected twice in 4 years or it needs a software update .
my automatic dish has worked virtually everywhere .
what make is it
It's a Roadpro dome and yes, you're probably correct that it needs updated. However, when it did connect, it did so very rarely, and didn't need it's software updated then. I think it's because where I use it, Ireland, West France, North Spain, it just doesn't get a good signal.
Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 15/12/2022
Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 15/12/2022
must be something wrong with it if its only connected twice in 4 years or it needs a software update .
my automatic dish has worked virtually everywhere .
what make is it
It's a Roadpro dome and yes, you're probably correct that it needs updated. However, when it did connect, it did so very rarely, and didn't need it's software updated then. I think it's because where I use it, Ireland, West France, North Spain, it just doesn't get a good signal.
Ireland should be absolutely fine , North Spain and Western France its to small with only a 40cm dish
Also you have to remember you need a relatively clear line of site south for Astra 2
We bought a larger dish for Germany and even that struggled. As said though, Ireland should be fine with a normal dish, we have been all over with no problems.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 16/12/2022
We bought a larger dish for Germany and even that struggled. As said though, Ireland should be fine with a normal dish, we have been all over with no problems.
I was out in Germany as far west as Wurzburg and had no problem receiving BBC and ITV although we do have an automatic 85cm dish which aligns itself accurately to the satellite and automatically skews the LNB for optimal reception .
If your manually setting up a dish in fringe reception area's you need to be more precise in your alignment
Another of European vans have satellite dishes fitted on their roofs and many of them use hotbird for their tv reception whit has a really strong signal and is easy to receive. Because the British signals are recieved from Astra 2 which is aimed precisely at the UK it can be very difficult to get a decent signal as you travel south in Europe unless you have a massive dish which is impractical for roof mounted systems. So European trips may well be better for streaming TV (assuming the streaming services such as bbc aren't blocked from a non UK location) but nothing is 100% certain to give perfect reception. We always have a usb hard drive with loads of content and dvds too. That way at least the tv is useful!
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Personally, and please don’t think I’m being rude, with the absolute garbage on TV wouldn’t it be better to just go without the TV?
Saves a great deal of time, expense and faffing about!
We do have smart TV’s at home with Firestick and internet so we are not anti TV just rarely find anything we enjoy watching and if we missed something it’s not the end of the world is it?
Hi Bramidan
I think some would agree many not?
It’s like most things , it’s there if you want to use it any time, doesn’t mean you have too.
Also depends I think on how you use the caravan or motorhome.
We for example have trips planned year round.
Anyone who goes away in their caravan or motorhome between October and January , with cold dark wet winter nights that draw in about 4.30 in the afternoon from a ice day out , put the feet up and relax.
Some like to watch a bit of news or a film , some like to read or do jig saws etc.
We like to watch some television and read. Having said that the Tv hardly gets used in the summer months But we still have it in case we decide to watch a particular program in the evening that we particularly wanted to see ?
As they say each to their own, it’s what makes being away in the caravan / Motorhome so nice . It’s a home from home but with a different view as often as you want it .
you need to run via a VPN if going to europe otherwise your mobile roaming data is capped at 12gb. That is another service you have to pay for to get something decent and reliable, if you have a strong enough signal for streaming where ever you park up.
With a sat dish you are able to get something via hotbird or one of the other satelites if you are too far for the uks reduced footprint signal - the old footprint was great went right down into spain
The other alternative is dvds or record things you want/would like to watch onto memory sticks. Or download books onto a tablet via kindle app if you dont have a kindle so you can read or even download games you could both play
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Satellite or Wi Fi ?
via mobile 04/12/2022 at 1:16pm
