WiFi on the road
SinglePoint Communications MAX Transit router and Roof Mount Antenna
Finding a good wifi connection while traveling is rarely easy and the vast majority of available hotspots are not that great. This is our approach to becoming self-sufficient when it comes to connectivity.
After a lot of research, I decided to go with SinglePoint Communications WiFi In Motion. A few emails and phone calls later, a new MAX Transit router and Roof Mount Antenna kit was enroute from Oregon. The friendly folks at SinglePoint were very easy to work with and provided answers to all of my questions without delay.
The MAX Transit router was designed for harsh road conditions. Certifications include Shock and vibration resistance (EN 61373:2010), Railway Applications (EN 50155), and Electromagnetic Compatibility. For the sake of our our Airstream we're hoping not to put these certifications to any real-world test.
MAX Transit provides simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi over two independent networks that work together to maximize throughput. The entire setup is easily managed through InControl 2 cloud-based management where you can monitor celluar use, location, individual clients and pretty much anything else related to internet connectivity on the road.
According to Singlepoint marketing, installing the WiFi In Motion is a breeze. Just stow the router inside your vehicle, mount the antenna, and go. The go part may be a breeze but from the looks of it, stowing and mounting may require a little more effort.
Our setup includes two SIM cards. One from Verizon with data cap of 10GB per month and a T-Mobile Unlimited. The default SIM has been set to T-Mobile but the unit automatically roles over to the Verizon SIM in locations where T-Mobile is not available. The rollover occurs very quickly with minimal interruption of service.
I mounted the MAX Tansit router in the overhead locker near the TV. The locker also houses the Blu-Ray player and is located adjacent to the fridge. The roof antenna cable was routed through the wall access, above the fridge and finally out the roof through the fridge vent. No holes in the roof required.
A few months after installation, we ordered a WeBoost RV signal booster. The WeBoost was mounted in the same locker and connected to the MAX Transit router. A second antenna for the WeBoost was installed during a warranty visit at the Airstream factory. With this configuration, we have cell signal boost for both the router and our phones while inside the Airstream.
The end result is just like being at home. Highly recommended.