Mobile Internet Simplified
Content is still being created, if you see this sentence then “it ain’t done!”
Mobile Internet Simplified can be by dividing it into three segments. By doing this you will be able to know what is the most appropriate choice for your needs in each segment. To begin, a signal is sent from cellular towers that broadcast that signal in every direction. Think of ripples in a pond, the further away from the source of the splash the ripples diminish in strength. The same thing applies to the cell towers sending a signal, the further away from the tower the strength of that signal diminishes.
Reasons For Mobile Internet?
People will want to have a good mobile internet setup for a variety of reasons. Many people will want a good mobile internet set up so they can stream their shows on a TV, tablet, etc. They want to watch Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many other streaming services. Some will want to have mobile internet for laptops and tablets so they can check emails, surf the internet and watch movies, etc.
Others will want a little more out of their mobile internet and want it for their computer, laptop, gaming system, etc. These people may need to work from the road and want the best possible setup for their needs. So you can see how all of these people have different needs that would require different setups.
Which Mobile Internet is the Best?
This question is very easy to answer, the one that is the best fit for what your needs are is the right answer. Mobile Internet Simplified will make sure you understand the way mobile internet works.
Breaking Mobile Internet Simplified Down
Below is a good example to make Mobile Internet Simplified. In the diagram, you will see an example of a tower sending a signal and an RV wanting to capture that signal. The cellular tower is represented by the graphic of a tower, 1 is the exterior antenna, 2 represents the signal booster, 3 represents the interior antenna and the various devices are pictured throughout the RV.
Exterior Antenna – Mobile Internet Simplified
The Exterior Antenna is needed to receive the signal that is being sent from the cellular tower. There are a variety of types of antennas but to keep Mobile Internet Simplified we will start with the two main types, omnidirectional and directional antennas.
Omni Directional Antenna
The omnidirectional antenna receives a cellular signal by looking in every direction for that signal, think of the ripple in the pond again, that is how the omnidirectional antenna looks to find a signal. These antennas will come in all shapes and sizes as well as prices but generally speaking, the omnidirectional antenna is best for populated to medium populated areas where cellular service is considered to be good when using a cell phone.
Suggested Products:
Poynting 7 in 1 MIMO Omnidirectional Antenna
Puma 401 Antenna 5 in 1 Omnidirectional Antenna
Directional Antenna
The directional antenna is as it sounds, it is looking for a signal from one direction. The purpose of the directional antenna is to point directly at the cellular tower that is producing the signal, so instead of a ripple in a pond, it is more like the rock skipping along the water leaving a trail of splashes pointing in one direction. Because of this, the directional antenna is more suited for areas that are less populated and possibly not getting good cell service through the cell phones.
Suggested Products:
MIMO Log Periodic External Antenna Kit
Exterior Antenna Location
The location of your external antenna is important, this is why you will see all exterior antennas above the roofline. You can get some antennas that mount to the side of the RV permanently or temporarily but it is not a good idea to have your exterior antenna on the side of your RV. You want your exterior directional cellular antenna a good few feet above the highest point on the roof. You don’t have to go too high with it though, just be mindful of your surroundings. You have to consider the things around you, if you are sitting in the middle of trees or buildings that will have an impact on you receiving the cellular signal. Ideally, you want to be in the open as much as possible or have your antenna extend high enough to get above the obstructions.
Signal Booster – Mobile Internet Simplified
The Signal Booster is optional if you want to boost the signal that you just brought in from outside using the exterior antenna. Keep in mind that this step is popular but it is optional, you can go without a booster. To keep mobile internet simplified we will keep away from the technical side that comes with the varieties of signal boosters that have different strengths and prices. Generally speaking, the signal booster receives the outside signal from the exterior antenna, amplifies that signal, and then delivers that amplified signal to the interior antenna so it can then distribute that signal out to your devices.
Suggested Products: weBoost Drive Reach RV Booster Kit
Signal Strength versus Signal Quality
Keep in mind the signal strength is what is being amplified, not the quality of the signal. To be more detailed it doesn’t amplify the quality of what is being sent. Think of it as being on a call with somebody that is quietly mumbling and you have to strain to hear them, which is very annoying. The signal booster will make that call louder so you can hear them better and don’t have to strain to listen, but they are still mumbling so it doesn’t help with that. Maybe with them being louder, you can make out the mumbling easier so that helps, but having them talk somewhat clearer would help much better.
Data versus Voice
Let’s stay with the example of the mumbling talker above since those calls are so awesome! If your mumbler is a voice call then it is not as big of a deal and the voice call should be fine and better suited for using a signal booster. If your mumbler is data then you are more likely to notice an impact. Let’s say you are barely getting a signal because you are outside a populated area and are using an omnidirectional antenna, so you use the signal booster to boost the signal being sent with the interior antenna but the signal you are getting from the setup you have is not that great so you are boosting a weak signal. Ideally, for data you want a stronger signal going directly to your interior antenna without the use of a booster.
Interior Antenna – Mobile Internet Simplified
The Interior Antenna will distribute the signal captured from outside the RV using the exterior antenna. Just like outside, there are a variety of interior antennas but to keep Mobile Internet Simplified we will start with the two main types, omnidirectional and directional antennas.
Omni Directional Antenna
An interior omnidirectional antenna is typically a desktop type of antenna with a shorter range for distributing the signal for your devices so you want to have those devices as close to the interior omnidirectional antenna as possible. That is why many of them have been marketed as desktop antennas to give people a better understanding of how they are used. With it being on a desktop it is best suited for devices being used at the desk, like a computer, laptop, tablet, game system, etc. You can have an omnidirectional antenna that is stronger and will cover a larger area than just the desktop area, the desktop style is just the most popular.
Directional Antenna
The Directional Antenna will come in different sizes and strengths but the idea is you can mount it on a wall or cabinet and have it face the open space where it will distribute the signal with more strength to cover the area allowing it to supply internet to more devices like your TV, laptop, gaming devices, and any other devices that need internet through a signal (commonly referred to as wifi). Don’t think of the directional signal as direct as a laser, think of it as a flashlight being used to light an area in one direction. Behind the flashlight is dark but everything in front of the light can be seen.
Directional Antenna Location
The ideal location to mount the interior directional antenna is in the area with the largest amount of space, which will be your living room and dining area. This area will receive the strongest parts of the signal while the bedroom area will receive a weaker signal but will still get a signal. Considering most of your time will be spent in the living area that is why it makes it the better choice.
Wildcard Time!
A Wireless Router can also be an option to distribute the interior signal, you will have to have more of a customized setup but it is a very realistic option. The wireless router acts as an omnidirectional antenna because in most cases it sends the signal in every direction, thinking of the wireless router in this way will keep the mobile internet simplified. With many wireless routers, you are able to have more control of the router in regards to technical settings, some of your cheaper wireless routers may give you less control. As with the other options, there are many to choose from.
These are Pepwave Cellular Routers, each serving a different need. Just remember when looking at Cellular Routers you need to keep stability and speed in mind, the faster the speed means you may be sacrificing stability.