Wi-Fi

[DonH81]

So, I just bought a Fuzion 419 - my first brand new RV - and it came with a Winegard antenna on the roof. I gather all new campers do now.

I’d like to be able to get online and stream when we have no cell service. Is this useful for that? It came no instructions or explanation for how to use it or even exactly what it’s supposed to do.

[Camping family]

If it’s the new one then yes. You can install a SIM card and buy a plan so you have wi fi. It’s not cheap.

[bobbecky]

We just added a hotspot from our cell phone service that provides wifi . No special wiring, and there are many optional plans that can be had.

[jsb5717]

Assuming that you have a 360+ antenna then you have cell capability. However, if you have no cell service then the antenna likely won’t find any either. If it’s just a WiFi antenna then it will only help if a WiFi signal is available from another source, like the park you’re staying in. And that usually isn’t very good signal strength but might be better than nothing.

[NH_Bulldog]

Typically, Keystone units are prepped for adding a gateway, but do not actually include the gateway (plan on an additional $300). Then you have to add a data plan for a monthly cost of around $60/month for 10 GB and $90/month for 20 GB.

After all that, it isn’t a booster and will not create or improve a cellular signal if it isn’t there in the first place. There are many better options out there for a lot less money.

We already have two phones with unlimited data plans and each has 40 GB hotspot data, so paying extra isn't realistic for us. I do have a separate WIFI hotspot that can easily be connected to the Winegard 360+ to take advantage of the rooftop antenna array, and I also have a Wilson WeBoost Drive cellular booster to amplify weaker signals. Between all of that, we can always find a way to connect where and when we need to.

[flybouy]

No cell service or poor cell service? The Winegard system will do nothing if there's no cell service. It may or may not perform with poor cell coverage. If the cell signal is weak, then a cell signal booster can help with amplifying the signal however, nothing can create the signal if it's not there at all.

Without cell service, the only alternative is satellite service or DVDs or other memory devices such as USB jump drives etc.

[dutchmensport]

You are better off to use your cell phone hot spot than the Wingard 360+ plan. The Wingard 360+ antenna works great for over-the-air television (free), but if there is no phone signal, then the wifi won't work either on it.

If you want a truly unlimited internet connection, then check into Visible. Enough said. If you want more information, I'll share with you. Just ask.

[wiredgeorge]

I like to stream while camping. I have an older camper with no Key TV or such. Here is what I did for my streaming pleasure, be it WiFi or Cellular. I have Consumer Cellular service using AT&T towers and have a 5G hotspot phone. I have a 20 gig data plan for $42.75 @ month. If I exceed the 20 gigs, the plan automatically jumps to $47.50 @ month for unlimited data (and hotspot use). I use Consumer Cellular because it uses AT&T towers which are most common in our area where we live/camp. You can also select T-Mobile towers but need a different phone. IF Verizon towers were the main ones in our area, I would use Visible as they have a great plan as well. Here is my setup in our camper:

https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=50959

[jxnbbl]

I use the Winegard 360+ gateway and found it useful as I could toggle between wifi and cellular depending on which was available to back my network. Many here have gotten frustrated with the gateway as it doesn't boost signal, etc, etc. My only complaint was that the cell service was expensive and only supported SIMS that additionally were expensive. I switched to Visible through talking with people on this forum and have stuck with that for our standard cell service.

Last year I replaced the Winegard gateway with the osprey gateway as they were bought out by Winegard. What is different about this gateway is that it allows a cellphone to be tethered to it. So I integrated my cellphone service in the following manner. The Winegard osprey provides a common network for the trailer. When I want cell service I switch to a spare cellphone that is tethered to the osprey and supported in a 'car cradle' from WeBoost and connected to a weBoost RV antenna/booster setup.

It really works great.

The only time I have a problem with it is when Verizon is good in the particular area...which I do have a solution for.

When going to Europe late last year I wanted cell service - Visible does not provide it. But Google FI does and has eSims. So I took my "extra" phone that I mentioned above that allows multiple sims (eSim) and used Google FI for the European trip. this is backed by T-Mobile and Visible when in the US. Both phone numbers would work in the US and can be active at once on the phone. The bottom line is that both Visible and FI have unlimited streaming/data and can work on one physical device....so you have access to both networks.