Beginner going on a road trip

[Dariusz]

Hi, everyone!

I am very new to this subject but I’m tech savvy so I hope I’ll get good results here. 
I am going on 5 week road trip across USA in suv with a girl who works from home. I have T-Mobile iPhone XR and she has Verizon unlimited plan iPhone XR. 
We will be a lot on the highway and then visiting national parks. 
her work is emailing, calling, texting and video conferencing. 
If I succeed with my connectivity project I will be able to extend my trip for a long time. That’s a lot of fun

What equipment or technologies should I explore to have reliable service? 

 

[TXiceman]

You need to invest in a WeBoost cell phone booster with the directional antenna.  Even with this set up you can easily be in areas with very weak to no cell signal.  Another expensive option is a satellite phone.

Ken

[Will B.]

Bear in mind that, as a general rule, "unlimited" plans rarely apply to hotspot data.  They almost always apply to "data from the phone".  (The phones know how you're using it.)

To spend the good money, this is what we used:
https://www.mobilemusthave.com/Ultimate-Road-Warrior-Bundle-with-Poynting_p_168.html
(Currently, we only have AT&T but are adding Verizon soon.)

Changing Lanes has a video on their installation, which very similar to ours. 

 

[Bill Joyce]

Check your plans for hotspot limits since it sounds like you will be using a computer in addition to the phones.  Video conferencing uses lots of data.  An iPad with its own unlimited data plan might be something to look at.

[Technomadia]

You have a difficult challenge here.  You have high bandwidth but critical needs (working remotely, video conferencing), but only setting out for a 5 week trip (at least to start).  

So it's not likely worth the effort to invest in a high end setup (such as the video above, which is also the setup we essentially use). Unless you are committed to a longer term adventure. 

Also keep in mind, National Parks are not known for having much connectivity. 

 

Here's our specific guide to your scenario - Part Time / High Bandwidth Needs

[Twotoes]

I volunteer in National Parks and most have very week cell signal or none at all in the camp grounds. Often you must park in the Visitor Center parking lot to even get any signal at all. 

[Dariusz]

With your advice I bought the full timer combo which is peplink max br1 mk2 and poynting 5 antenna .

It serves me as a  house WiFi with at&t 100Gb prepaid plan. For a single guy it’s a decent internet connection.

The amount of settings on the router is staggering but I am happy I got it. 
 

I also got weboost drive sleek booster with OTR antenna and directional antenna. 

I would like to have pretty good internet on the highway for my girlfriend to be able to work remotely and when in national parks at least be able to check email. 
 

this forum is really awesome. 
 

Thank you for replies 

[sandsys]

On 5/3/2021 at 5:35 PM, Technomadia said:

Here's our specific guide to your scenario - Part Time / High Bandwidth Needs

That link got me a "page not found" message.

Linda

[Dariusz]

I am getting 10-20 Mbps (sometimes 5) of download and 5 Mbps of upload in brooklyn NY. I went on a roof of the building with the equipment and that didn’t improve the speed. My cell tower is 2 blocks away but facing a different direction . 
how much speed is ‘normal’? 

[Dariusz]

I just got a Verizon SIM card and I am getting 60Mbps

Their tower is across my park. 

[Dariusz]

I just got 170Mbps on 5G iPhone when everybody else is asleep

 

[Dariusz]

[Dariusz]

I got over 2Gbps on 5G UW network