USING AN EXISTING VISION PLUS AERIAL POLE FOR WIFI.

[Mtbcol]

Good evening friends. I'm in the process of transferring our WiFi set up from our campervan to our "new to us" motorhome. I don't want to drill any holes in the roof so I'm thinking of doing away with the current vision plus aerial, but using the pole to mount our WiFi aerial to, the feeding the twin WiFi cables down the existing pole. I would like to have some sort of TV aerial still and have read on a forum that someone had used a stubby magnet mount TV aerial and got good signal from it on a non metal motorhome roof, but obviously couldn't mount it permanently to the motorhome roof. My plan would be to use 3m vhb tape and Sikaflex to secure the magnet mount to the roof permanently then feed the cable along with the WiFi aerial cables down the vision plus mast. I'd then plug the mag mount TV aerial cable into the vision plus amplifier, then to the TV. Has anyone done this? What are everyone's thoughts?
Thanks. Colin.

 

[Boris7]

I use a Netgear 5g router and just keep it in a cupboard with a usb charging cable, works just fine.

Then I use an iPad mini to drive a screen for movies etc.

 

[mikejay]

Not done it but don't think them mag mount aerials are up to much unless near a transmitter. What's the wifi setup? I have had one of them that used to be sold by motorhome wifi and could pick up hotspots. Took it out a few years ago when fon stopped working. Maybe you could drill the plastic vision plus ad feed your wifi lead down with the coax and keep the vision plus with wifi antenna stuck to the top?

 

[Mtbcol]

Not done it but don't think them mag mount aerials are up to much unless near a transmitter. What's the wifi setup? I have had one of them that used to be sold by motorhome wifi and could pick up hotspots. Took it out a few years ago when fon stopped working. Maybe you could drill the plastic vision plus ad feed your wifi lead down with the coax and keep the vision plus with wifi antenna stuck to the top?

That could work

 

[trevskoda]

The idea of a magmount is so the metal roof works as a ground plain, on f glass this does not happen unless you open the roof and glue tin foil underneath.
However some dont require a ground plain as the reflection of the q wave is built in, so be carfull on what yoyu buy or install.

 

[Fisherman]

Or you could simply buy yourself a Netgear wifi router and simply don’t bother with a wifi aerial. I had one of these for my last van and they’re an amazing bit of kit. Try it without an aerial, if you’re not happy, then you could connect it to a roof aerial. But I think you won’t need one. The first model below is the 4G version, you can buy the M6 5G version which is an incredible router pre owned for £199. You can control them using the app

Pardon our interruption...

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Mtbcol]

The idea of a magmount is so the metal roof works as a ground plain, on f glass this does not happen unless you open the roof and glue tin foil underneath.
However some dont require a ground plain as the reflection of the q wave is built in, so be carfull on what yoyu buy or install.View attachment 147130

Thanks trev. How can I tell the one I need please?

 

[Mtbcol]

Or you could simply buy yourself a Netgear wifi router and simply don’t bother with a wifi aerial. I had one of these for my last van and they’re an amazing bit of kit. Try it without an aerial, if you’re not happy, then you could connect it to a roof aerial. But I think you won’t need one. The first model below is the 4G version, you can buy the M6 5G version which is an incredible router pre owned for £199. You can control them using the app

Pardon our interruption...

Pardon our interruption...

Thanks fisherman, that does sound simpler. I'm a total novice at WiFi so excuse my lack of knowledge. So do I just put my existing EE SIM in these, connect it to power and id get a signal to my TV via my fire stick, and my wife will be able to work on her laptop? Do they come with a power supply as it says battery power is good? Thanks. Colin.

 

[mistericeman]

I just left the TV aerial there (works fine and gives a metre or so extra loft...)

Xpol antenna was mounted to it....
Now our 3 network 5g receiver has replaced that.

 

[Mtbcol]

I just left the TV aerial there (works fine and gives a metre or so extra loft...)

Xpol antenna was mounted to it....
Now our 3 network 5g receiver has replaced that.

View attachment 147132

That's almost what I had in mind, but I'd still need to drill a hole for the WiFi cables?

 

[mistericeman]

That's almost what I had in mind, but I'd still need to drill a hole for the WiFi cables?

At first I just brought the cable in through the skylight....
Later I used a cable gland entry box drilled through the roof.

 

[Mtbcol]

At first I just brought the cable in through the skylight....
Later I used a cable gland entry box drilled through the roof.

Thanks mistericeman. May have to go with a hole in the roof in the end then

 

[Fisherman]

Thanks fisherman, that does sound simpler. I'm a total novice at WiFi so excuse my lack of knowledge. So do I just put my existing EE SIM in these, connect it to power and id get a signal to my TV via my fire stick, and my wife will be able to work on her laptop? Do they come with a power supply as it says battery power is good? Thanks. Colin.

It comes with a large battery which can run the router for several hours and is charged using a usb. It can also be left connected to a usb when in use. Yes simply instal your SIM card and it’s connects to your mobile network and creates WiFi. Then you can connect your firestick to the WiFi. I now have a 5G system installed in my current van, with a 5G aerial, and it’s not much better than what my Netgear provided. And I only had an M2, the M6 is far superior. I reckon you won’t need an aerial with a Netgear, but there are aerial connections if you wasn’t one.

But I would keep the tv Aerial it’s excellent bit of kit.
When you get a good tv reception it will give you tv without using data, and is a more convenient way to watch tv. Also we have been to places were the wifi is poor, but we get a good tv signal. Better to have both.

 

[YeoBlade]

The idea of a magmount is so the metal roof works as a ground plain, on f glass this does not happen unless you open the roof and glue tin foil underneath.
However some dont require a ground plain as the reflection of the q wave is built in, so be carfull on what yoyu buy or install.View attachment 147130

You're a Radio ham too trev.

 

[Mtbcol]

It comes with a large battery which can run the router for several hours and is charged using a usb. It can also be left connected to a usb when in use. Yes simply instal your SIM card and it’s connects to your mobile network and creates WiFi. Then you can connect your firestick to the WiFi. I now have a 5G system installed in my current van, with a 5G aerial, and it’s not much better than what my Netgear provided. And I only had an M2, the M6 is far superior. I reckon you won’t need an aerial with a Netgear, but there are aerial connections if you wasn’t one.

But I would keep the tv Aerial it’s excellent bit of kit.
When you get a good tv reception it will give you tv without using data, and is a more convenient way to watch tv. Also we have been to places were the wifi is poor, but we get a good tv signal. Better to have both.

Might be getting the credit card out, probably will only be able to afford an M2 though.

 

[Fisherman]

Might be getting the credit card out, probably will only be able to afford an M2 though.

The M2 will get you G4 which should suffice. And if you like it, then you could upgrade to the M6 which will get you G5 and even better coverage.

 

[wildebus]

I assume you have solar on the roof? if so, feed the wifi cable through the same hole that the solar cables go through.
It would mean changing the roofbox for one that can take an extra lead or two, but that is simple enough.

Now the question of do you actually need an external antenna for the Router? TBH I am in two minds about that. I have one as the kit I bought came with one and so it was fitted, but I am not convinced it really adds much. Bear in mind that in the UK, Mobile Phone antennas are passive and have no booster capability so the benefits are pretty limited.
If your Motorhome is metal skinned (a PVC or a aluminium sided/roofed Motorhome), then you could well see more benefit from an external antenna than if it was a fibreglass shell (such is mine is).

 

[alwaysared]

Good evening friends. I'm in the process of transferring our WiFi set up from our campervan to our "new to us" motorhome. I don't want to drill any holes in the roof so I'm thinking of doing away with the current vision plus aerial, but using the pole to mount our WiFi aerial to, the feeding the twin WiFi cables down the existing pole. I would like to have some sort of TV aerial still and have read on a forum that someone had used a stubby magnet mount TV aerial and got good signal from it on a non metal motorhome roof, but obviously couldn't mount it permanently to the motorhome roof. My plan would be to use 3m vhb tape and Sikaflex to secure the magnet mount to the roof permanently then feed the cable along with the WiFi aerial cables down the vision plus mast. I'd then plug the mag mount TV aerial cable into the vision plus amplifier, then to the TV. Has anyone done this? What are everyone's thoughts?
Thanks. Colin.

I'm sure Tezza33 (@Tezza33 ) has done this
Maybe message him?

Regards,
Del

 

[Mtbcol]

Well, that's given me lots to think about. I'll definitely keep the TV aerial in it's current setup now. Tomorrow I'll climb on the roof and see what options there are for using the solar "hole" and take it from there. Once again thank you everyone for your input, this is a great group

 

[Obanboy666]

Thanks fisherman, that does sound simpler. I'm a total novice at WiFi so excuse my lack of knowledge. So do I just put my existing EE SIM in these, connect it to power and id get a signal to my TV via my fire stick, and my wife will be able to work on her laptop? Do they come with a power supply as it says battery power is good? Thanks. Colin.

That’s exactly the set up I use.
Fire stick so I can watch Sky sports, YouTube etc etc and iPad for internet. To date never had to use my dedicated Poynting antenna I bought for the Netgear Nighthawk 5 and in 2 years of use never failed to get reception throughout England and Scotland.
I just leave mine permanently plugged into a usb port when out and about on my travels.