Using the Winegard 360 as LTE antenna with Verizon hotspot

[ardvark16]

I have my RV in a mountain region for several months. The cellular signal is actually not terrible at the site. We need to work with a hotspot. I was going to use the Winegard GW-1000 but I already own a hotspot and discovered that you can connect to the internal antenna on the Winegard with a few simple adapters. Long story short. What is the best way for me to use a hotspot in a pay as you go fashion. I don’t want to use it when the RV is in storage. I am a VZ customer so I can add it for like 30.00 a month. Does anyone use a pay as you go service? VZ isn’t very forthcoming with this info

Thanks for any info.

I would also look into just putting a SIM card into a hotspot if I need to

 

[Soundsailor]

I have my RV in a mountain region for several months. The cellular signal is actually not terrible at the site. We need to work with a hotspot. I was going to use the Winegard GW-1000 but I already own a hotspot and discovered that you can connect to the internal antenna on the Winegard with a few simple adapters. Long story short. What is the best way for me to use a hotspot in a pay as you go fashion. I don’t want to use it when the RV is in storage. I am a VZ customer so I can add it for like 30.00 a month. Does anyone use a pay as you go service? VZ isn’t very forthcoming with this info

Thanks for any info.

I would also look into just putting a SIM card into a hotspot if I need to

If I remember correctly, there have been a few posts on the forum about adding cellular data to the Winegard 360. I don't think folks were too happy with the results. You might do better with an external antenna for your existing hot spot.

 

[Insist on live music]

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Campgroung internet in West Michigan was awful and we got economy Verizon hot spot they called "jet pack". It was okay. I wanna say unlimited data was $40/month. There was a 3 month commitment thereafter we could suspend it and activate in future. I HAVE heard about modem / routers that use SIM card to seek out available tower. We have acquaintances that use StarLink ($135/month?). I've seen DISH. I believe AT&T hot spots often used in rural areas too.

 

[ocbizman1]

I have my RV in a mountain region for several months. The cellular signal is actually not terrible at the site. We need to work with a hotspot. I was going to use the Winegard GW-1000 but I already own a hotspot and discovered that you can connect to the internal antenna on the Winegard with a few simple adapters. Long story short. What is the best way for me to use a hotspot in a pay as you go fashion. I don’t want to use it when the RV is in storage. I am a VZ customer so I can add it for like 30.00 a month. Does anyone use a pay as you go service? VZ isn’t very forthcoming with this info

Thanks for any info.

I would also look into just putting a SIM card into a hotspot if I need to

First, I didn't get the Winegard GW-1000. The reviews of that were bad. I ended up getting the WifiRanger Osprey. This router is designed to work with the 360 antenna. And Winegard actually bought WifiRanger a couple of years ago. The SIM card that came with the router was for the Winegard FreedomGO plan branded from AT+T. I had that plan for a month but it was SUPER expensive. I switched it to another AT+T pre-paid plan, but the FreedomGO AT+T SIM didn't work with the AT+T prepaid plan, so I had to get a new sim from AT+T. But it did eventually work, and gives us pretty good internet service so long as we are in range of a cell tower.

I looked into getting a Verizon SIM but while some users said it worked, others said it did not. I tried to order a SIM from Verizon but when I gave them my IMEI number Verizon said my device was not compatible. Which is why I went with AT+T.

All of that said, there are times when we are not near cell towers or you maybe get 1 bar, 2 if you're lucky. Which is why I also have Starlink. While it is $150 a month it works great. My only complaint is that it requires 15amp. So if I can't plug in I can't use it. Will be getting an inverter later but for now need to make sure that I can plug in to use it.

 

[gc250002]

First, I didn't get the Winegard GW-1000. The reviews of that were bad. I ended up getting the WifiRanger Osprey. This router is designed to work with the 360 antenna. And Winegard actually bought WifiRanger a couple of years ago. The SIM card that came with the router was for the Winegard FreedomGO plan branded from AT+T. I had that plan for a month but it was SUPER expensive. I switched it to another AT+T pre-paid plan, but the FreedomGO AT+T SIM didn't work with the AT+T prepaid plan, so I had to get a new sim from AT+T. But it did eventually work, and gives us pretty good internet service so long as we are in range of a cell tower.

I looked into getting a Verizon SIM but while some users said it worked, others said it did not. I tried to order a SIM from Verizon but when I gave them my IMEI number Verizon said my device was not compatible. Which is why I went with AT+T.

All of that said, there are times when we are not near cell towers or you maybe get 1 bar, 2 if you're lucky. Which is why I also have Starlink. While it is $150 a month it works great. My only complaint is that it requires 15amp. So if I can't plug in I can't use it. Will be getting an inverter later but for now need to make sure that I can plug in to use it.

There are options to run Starlink on 12volt but it does require an external router. A couple of links below give an overview of the process. I think others on this site have also converted to 12volt. I have Starlink but just got it this fall and only ran when plugged in and am in the process of planning to run on 12 volt. Our trailer is winterized now but will get this ready for spring.
https://www.starlinkhardware.com/tutorial-12v-dc-power-supply-for-starlink-rv/
https://www.outsidenomad.com/how-to-power-starlink-satellite-internet-on-12-volt-dc/

There are also alternatives to the poe injector that may allow powering the router from the same device.
https://boondocker.io/products/dishy-rv-power-supply

 

[Insist on live music]

A small inverter / generator will provide 15amps. Unsure whether they are allowed at your location. I purchased a Champion model 200951 in Nov 2021 for $490 though Amazon and weighs 39 lbs. Decibel level is 53 competitive with pricey Honda EU2200i at 48 dB and 48lbs. The Champion is advertised as 2500 watts but thats only STARTING - the effective "running" watts is 1850 which equates to 15 amp. Works great after break-in period. Hope this helps. Cheers!

 

[COGrandDes]

There are options to run Starlink on 12volt but it does require an external router. A couple of links below give an overview of the process. I think others on this site have also converted to 12volt. I have Starlink but just got it this fall and only ran when plugged in and am in the process of planning to run on 12 volt. Our trailer is winterized now but will get this ready for spring.
https://www.starlinkhardware.com/tutorial-12v-dc-power-supply-for-starlink-rv/
https://www.outsidenomad.com/how-to-power-starlink-satellite-internet-on-12-volt-dc/

There are also alternatives to the poe injector that may allow powering the router from the same device.
https://boondocker.io/products/dishy-rv-power-supply

Another vote for Starlink....and the 12v setup. I installed mine early this summer and we love it. With the 12v conversion....we run it off our batteries without the need for the inverter as we do all boondocking. We average 150-200 Mbps signals in the CO mountains. I have all my components up in the front compartment including the wireless 12v router. We can enable or suspend the service month-by-month.....no commitments. The conversion to 12v was super easy and costs about $200. Good luck!

 

[Captcolour]

I have the Winegard 360+ and the GW-1000 router with an AT&T SIM card. Has worked well for us. I have had both TVs streaming movies and a laptop connected without issue. The nice thing is that it is 12 volt so will still have WiFi even if the power goes out. This is good for remotely monitoring the temperature inside the RV with a WiFi thermometer.

 

[mrb188]

I made a post of using the rooftop antenna here: https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/sho...d-Air-360-antennas-for-other-cellular-devices
Another option that may be what you are looking for is here: https://travlfi.com/