Wingard Wifi

[Grumpy Grampa]

What is a good Wifi extender, that you can use different carriers, and not be locked into Wingard?

Thanks

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by smithgarnat@aol.com

What is a good Wifi extender, that you can use different carriers, and not be locked into Wingard?

Thanks

If you are thinking of a cell modem and WiFi router - Pepwave makes a bunch. I am happy with my Max Mini BR-1 LTE-A. It has slots for two FF SIMs and can switch between the two automatically as data rate changes. It does not have band n71 capability, which is its only drawback.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by smithgarnat@aol.com

What is a good Wifi extender, that you can use different carriers, and not be locked into Wingard?

Thanks

Winegard. Can use different carriers based on the SIM installed.

Topic has already been discussed. Try using the search feature

[atreis]

If you've already got the Winegard, just get a SIM for your favorite carrier and replace the one that's there. If your favorite carrier happens to be AT&T, you don't even need to do that. Just sign up for an AT&T plan for the one there.

[16ACE27]

Winegard just provides the equipment, they don't have a service to get "locked" in to.

BTW, cell based Internet service is not WIFI and a "Wifi extender" extends the reachability of a WIFI signal from a source such as a campground or McDonalds; not a cell tower.

[atreis]

Winegard does provide a cellular data service. You're not locked into it though.
https://winegard.com/plans/cellular-data

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by atreis

Winegard does provide a cellular data service. You're not locked into it though.
https://winegard.com/plans/cellular-data

Wow, no idea. So small they don't even make anybody's MVNO list.

[Bob Nodine]

We just purchased a new 2022 Quantum and it came with the Winegard Connect 2.0 on the roof. This is a three function device and provides the following:

1.A router for your cellular service retransmitting that service as a WiFi signal in your coach. You can connect all your devices to that single WiFi signal and only need to connect the Winegard to the cellular service. I currently have our laptop, Wally Satellite receiver, printer, and Amazon Firestick connected to the Winegard Connect. So far our experience with that has been good. For about three years we have had a Verizon Hot Spot with unlimited data. On a regular biases, sometimes more than once per day, we would have to re-start the hotspot to get it to work. When we got the Winegard Connect we simply removed the SIM card and installed it into the slot at the bottom and followed the instructions on how to get connected. Actually not simply because we had to purchase an adapter card for the SIM card because it was to small for the Connect. Since doing that we have not had to restart the system and having the cellular antennae on the roof is a big plus.

2. The Winegard Connect also serves as a WiFi extender with improved range because it has the antenna on the roof. Following the instructions you will get a list of all the WiFi signals within range and there signal strength. You pick one that is either open or you have the pass word for and connect. That WiFi source is now retransmitted in your coach thru the router. All the same devices you had connected to the cellular service are now connected to that WiFi source. Our garage is about 50 feet from our house where our home router is located. By connecting the Winegard Connect to our router in the house the signal strength is doubled.

3. The Winegard Connect also contains an Over The Air television antenna. This feature does not come any where near meeting my expectations. Yours may be different but we have tried many over the air antennas in the past 15 years and have never found anything that came close to the old Batwing except the King Jack. The Jack is not quite as good as the Batwing but considering you don't have to put up with the crank up mechanism and worry about putting the antenna down before travel, it is a good choice. The Jack is a directional antenna like the Batwing and does a decent job of pulling in distant stations. It helps to have a cellphone app showing the direction of the station you are interested in. It took me about 15 minutes using the Winegard built in Omni directional antenna in the Connect to know I was going to install a Jack and we did.