How To Improve Your WiFi Signal At RV Parks
Internet access… it’s hard to live without it! Whether it’s through your smartphone, tablet or computer, 99% of us wish we had a better connection. We use it for email, zoom meetings at work, or just facetiming with the grandkids. For something we personally consider a commodity, a good internet connection can be hard to come by.
WiFi is usually the best and most cost-effective way to get on the Internet with your devices. Who wants to leave the comfort of their RV to go to a coffee shop and sit with strangers while getting nasty looks from the staff for ordering a small coffee, only to sit there for two hours taking up space?
When you connect to WiFi, whether at a campsite or at said café, there are two main components:
- Your connection to the WiFi
- Your connection to the Internet
You can have the best WiFi connection possible, but the Internet behind it can be very poor. Don’t confuse your ability to connect and the strength of that connection with the campground’s primary Internet connection. You can have a strong connection with slow speeds or a weak connection with fast speeds.
All other mobile homes connected to the system are share the basic internet connection. There is limited bandwidth that can be shared among all users, and the more users stream Netflix and Hulu, the slower the connection becomes. Your Connection be, even if it is a strong signal.
Internet speeds in the mobile home park
Before booking, find out if the campground even offers WiFi. Many do, but just as many don’t have it available. Always check RV LIFE Campground Reviews and the RV LIFE app to see what speeds visitors report. (And if you rely on your own cell service, be sure to check the breakdown of reported speeds by provider as well).
When an RV park does offers WiFi, you should be aware that sometimes there may be an additional charge for this, but not always. They may also charge extra for faster speeds or more download allocations. This type of service requires more specialized hardware and software in the office, and you pay for these features, if not directly, then indirectly through a higher price for the stay.
WiFi signal strength
At the campground where we are right now, the park is divided into two sections. Our section has 42 sites. There are six WiFi repeater towers in the area! This is an excellent number and ensures that every RV can receive a strong signal.
After we test the connection, it’s actually pretty strong. Unfortunately, the speed behind the scenes is not so great, although the campsite is not full, but we are a little outside the city in a rural location.
Improve your WiFi signal
Be closer to the router
The first and best option is simply to park closer to the WiFi router or repeater. Of course, this is rarely an option, as RV spaces are assigned by the office. However, you can inquire and the campground will know how it is set up. Maybe you work full time from the RV; share your needs and see how they can accommodate you.
Use a good antenna
Depending on your devices, adding a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna can greatly improve your connection quality. If you have a dedicated WiFi router in your rig (so you only need to connect to it instead of switching all your devices), you may be able to connect an external antenna.
Always try to place the antenna like this outside of the facility, and run the cables through a window or sealed roof access. Running them outside the facility ensures that the materials of your walls and roof won’t interfere with the signal, which is always an improvement. Remember that WiFi connection is not only about reception, but also about transmission.
MIMO antennas come in two basic types: low-profile, window- or wall-mounted types with only two cables to connect to a device, and larger antennas that can support six or more internal antennas and are permanently mounted. The multiple antennas support different types of connections such as WiFi, cellular and more.
Keep devices away from other electronic devices
Proximity to a running microwave, television, cordless phones, and/or speakers may cause signal degradation.
Use a WiFi booster
There are several excellent devices on the market that can boost a WiFi signal. These WiFi boosters amplify the existing signals and broadcast them further.
However, there is a downside: an amplified signal means more noise. If you turn up your music to a high volume, the music will be more audible, but at the same time the speakers will be overloaded and vibrations will occur. Any amplified signal causes the same on digital, but it might be good enough to improve your connection.
Bonus Tip: If you have a WiFi booster, you should have turn it off. Sometimes the WiFi signal can be improved by not try to strengthen them!