The Best Way To Get Mobile Phone Coverage

Rob Driver · Guru

The Best Way To Get Mobile Phone Coverage

Are We Lost · Guru

Slow internet at night is almost certainly caused by congestion on the network as that is the peak period. You can probably confirm that by leaving it running and comparing performance at say 8:00pm with after midnight. At my home, performance (on Telstra) is usually OK during the day, but slows in the afternoon (after school), and is dreadful in the evenings.

Also, I would not dismiss devices with internal batteries. Perhaps there is an explanation for battery charge appearing to affect performance. It could well be heat related. As a device is charged or discharged it gets hot. It will also get hot when using large amounts of data, made worse if the signal is not good. So maybe the device is slowing down because it is getting too hot, and going into a self protection mode. There was a reported problem with the early Nighthawk M1 getting too hot and doing just that, and a firmware upgrade was needed to fix the problem. if you have a device you suspect is not working correctly it's worth seeing if there is a firmware update available.

Or the modem could just be getting old. Internal components degrade. Often a reboot of the device is enough to reset it and get it performing again.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Wednesday 11th of August 2021 12:53:10 PM

Rob Driver · Guru

My speed is currently running at 33MBPS. 1.00 pm.

I will check it at 4 pm when the school kids are all on Facebook, Tic Toc, and other crap.

I will then try the speed at around 7.30 to 8.00 pm and see if it does the same thing again tonight.
I get a message on the dongle screen when the battery is fully charged advising me to disconnect charger. If I don't disconnect it I think that it senses the unneeded charge and slows the speed for protection. Anyway, I will test it again to see if this is in fact, true.

Ill be back!!

Rob Driver · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
My speed is currently running at 33MBPS. 1.00 pm.

I will check it at 4 pm when the school kids are all on Facebook, Tic Toc, and other crap.

I will then try the speed at around 7.30 to 8.00 pm and see if it does the same thing again tonight.
I get a message on the dongle screen when the battery is fully charged advising me to disconnect charger. If I don't disconnect it I think that it senses the unneeded charge and slows the speed for protection. Anyway, I will test it again to see if this is in fact, true.

Ill be back!!

Ok, so at 4.10 pm today it was running at 21MBPS.

At 8.15 there was a message on the dongle that the battery was fully charged and it should be disconnected. At that time I checked the speed and it was only 755 KBPS.

I took the power lead out and the speed remained the same.

I then switched the dongle off and after a minute or so I turned it back on and it recorded a speed of 29MBPS.

From this initial observation it appears that the speed is slowed down probably to protect the battery or even the dongle itself. This makes some sense because the original battery was swollen up like it was about to explode. We were probably lucky it didn't explode.

I intend to test this again over the next few days by charging it fully out of a peak period that might be late afternoon and early evening.

This all is beginning to make sense as we used to want to stream a movie at times in the evening and all we got was the *spinning wheel of death* yet during the day we could stream a movie or Sports Kayo without a problem.

If I do prove this to be the case I will be very interested in swapping my old dongle for one of those RV WiFi units that don't have a battery but have a 12 volt power source connected to the unit.

Bill B · Guru

If it is a NIghthawk modem take the battery out and leave it out.

Run it off the the 240v charger.

Having been using ours like that for over 12 mths without any problems.

Are We Lost · Guru

If it works with streaming a movie for a short while and then stalls, it indicates overheating. But that sort of conflicts with your comment about working OK during the day. Puzzling.

What is the dongle? As Bill asked, is it a Nighthwak? Was it hot when the speed was slow? Have you looked if there is a firmware update?

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Thursday 12th of August 2021 12:11:38 AM

Rob Driver · Guru

It is not a Nighthawk it is a unit from Telstra.

I am using an old (now) Netgear 4GX Advanced 3 since we started travelling.

I left it on the charger overnight and just tested the speed.
It was 5 MBPS.

Then I turned it of for a minute and back on and it is now 34MBPS.

I will try running it on just the 240 charger as suggested and get back to you guys.

Rob Driver · Guru

OK so I have removed the battery and it appears to be working ok and the speed is 34MBPS.

I am getting a message that this is not recommended

Here is a shot of the screen:

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Stop near a tower ? When we see one we often free camped in near the driveway . . In some places ( Stuart H.way). you can put your phone in front of disk like a sat disk . It works like a multiplayer!!

Bill B · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:

It is not a Nighthawk it is a unit from Telstra.

Nighthawk modem is also a Telstra unit.

I upgraded to a 3 amp smart charger ( https://www.bigw.com.au/product/buddee-dual-usb-wall-charger-black/p/497244/ ) instead of the Telstra supplied 1 amp charger.

Works fine and I leave it on 24 /7

Rob Driver · Guru

Bill B wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:

It is not a Nighthawk it is a unit from Telstra.

Nighthawk modem is also a Telstra unit.

I upgraded to a 3 amp smart charger ( https://www.bigw.com.au/product/buddee-dual-usb-wall-charger-black/p/497244/ ) instead of the Telstra supplied 1 amp charger.

Works fine and I leave it on 24 /7

Hi Bill B,

Thank you for your input and information.

I will run it on the charger that came with the unit for now to see how it goes.

Was there a reason not to use the standard charger?

I would imagine that without the need for charging the dongle would only draw milliamps.

I will keep the battery in a safe place in case I want to use the unit away from the van.

Thanks again Bill, you may have saved me $500.00 for the RV WiFi unit.

Bill B · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:

.
Was there a reason not to use the standard charger?

At the time someone on another forum said that it worked better with a 3 amp charger

Rob Driver · Guru

Bill B wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:

.
Was there a reason not to use the standard charger?

At the time someone on another forum said that it worked better with a 3 amp charger

Thanks Bill,

I will see how I go with the 1 amp unit. It may charge much quicker with the 3 amp unit if using the battery.

No matter what happens I will report back but up until now and from removing the battery, it is working fine.

I will leave it on 24/7

To the OP,

I may have dragged this thread slightly off topic but my thoughts if that I was using my dongle with the battery installed and it continually lost speed while I was trying to run a business I would not be at all happy.

Young fella · Member

Awesome replies everyone! A lot to go through haha but your wisdom is why I asked. Thank you again

peatop · Senior Member

These comments are very useful, thanks guys as I'm in this boat too, the one thing I had issues with on my last trip was coverage, I have been using my mobile (galaxy note4, but now s7 edge) for my modem for the last 6 years as I couldn't justify the cost of having 2 services to do the same thing but the drawback is I'm on a Kogan mobile account which uses vodafone and once I crossed into NSW service became hmmm virtually non existent and while free camping nothing, where as some places people on Telstra were fine, after reading about these (I forget what they are called) companies that use other providers, they don't usually get the whole system, however I believe "Belong" do get the full use of the Telstra system, I'm not sure I need internet 24/7 but it would be nice to get it were I'm camped rather than having to drive up the nearest hill to get a connection.

Clarky 1 · Senior Member

peatop wrote:
These comments are very useful, thanks guys as I'm in this boat too, the one thing I had issues with on my last trip was coverage, I have been using my mobile (galaxy note4, but now s7 edge) for my modem for the last 6 years as I couldn't justify the cost of having 2 services to do the same thing but the drawback is I'm on a Kogan mobile account which uses vodafone and once I crossed into NSW service became hmmm virtually non existent and while free camping nothing, where as some places people on Telstra were fine, after reading about these (I forget what they are called) companies that use other providers, they don't usually get the whole system, however I believe "Belong" do get the full use of the Telstra system, I'm not sure I need internet 24/7 but it would be nice to get it were I'm camped rather than having to drive up the nearest hill to get a connection.

Do plenty of research before choosing a Telco that actually does offer the FULL TELSTRA COVERAGE before signing up.

There are many old topics on this forum that have supplied many a long argument between members regarding the service available from various service providers.

Mike Harding · Guru

Clarky 1 wrote:
Do plenty of research before choosing a Telco that actually does offer the FULL TELSTRA COVERAGE before signing up.

Telstra operate wholesale and retail arms for mobile: the difference between them is hard to discern and Telstra won't make it public.

The only companies, that I'm aware of, who offer the full retail option are Telstra and Boost.

A number of companies offer the wholesale option: Belong, Aldi and other.

In my experience (and this is purely anecdotal) there is, generally, not much difference in geographic coverage between the two arms but these seems to be bandwidth differences at times of high demand with (higher paying) retail customers getting more of it.

I have had a Belong account for about three years and have found it quite adequate and excellent value for money. However Boost currently have a pretty good 12 month pay upfront deal which is similar value.

However I also have an Optus SIM because Telstra left some black holes in their bush coverage which Optus filled - this SIM only costs me money if I enable it then I pay $1 per day on a daily basis with, iirc, 1GB of data.

Vodafone is a waste of space outside the cities.

Edit:

Optus Flex - well worth having for travellers

-- Edited by Mike Harding on Friday 13th of August 2021 03:23:14 PM

Are We Lost · Guru

peatop wrote:
......... I believe "Belong" do get the full use of the Telstra system, ....

No. Boost is the only reseller to give access to the whole network. And when you call for support, it's Telstra that answers.

All other resellers use the wholesale network. This is fine if you are in populated areas, but if you travel to more remote places, the full network is the only option. Just go to their websites and compare the coverage. There is a huge difference in less populated areas.

For example, the reseller maps show about 1,000km with no coverage west from Ceduna. The same situation for many parts of the country. That could be very inconvenient if you are stuck somewhere.

Aldi coverage

Telstra coverage

dabbler · Guru

Don't forget if you plump for the modem solution over a CelFi solution, you need a SIM and a data plan also. You could take on a SIM sharing plan and associated extra cost (for a business operation this might actually be better option) or you could swap around your SIM. Another issue for cell-based Wifi users, regardless of trying to extend your range or just give Wifi to your campsite, is you need to take control over updates. The use method of restricting updates to WiFi (saving your data plan) will no longer be sufficient.

bomurra · Veteran Member

yobarr wrote:
Some interesting comments on this subject. Because I am not at all tech-savvy,much of it has gone over straight my head,but I would like to again say that my Cel-Fi Go has never let me down.When Midcoast NSW had the BIG storms in March,I was in the Taree and Wingham areas where all landline and mobile coverage was lost,but my Cel-Fi Go still worked.Friends travelled 20km through the bush to stand beside my car and make their calls.Don't ask me how that can be,but it happened.Cel-Fi Gi is HIGHLY recommended,but it MUST be installed by someone who knows what they're doing,and NOT by someone who only THINKS he knows what he's doing.Cheers

Hi Yobarr,

Good to hear of your positive results from the Cel Fi system.

Would you please let me have some info on the type of antennas you have fitted to your system and their locations in and outside your vehicle/rv.

I understand the placement of the antennas is critical the the efficient operation of the system so I am seeking as much feedback as I can get.

Telstra here in WA are currently selling and RV kit for $750.00 but i8t is self instal

Thanks

Bob

Mike Harding · Guru

dabbler wrote:
is you need to take control over updates. The use method of restricting updates to WiFi (saving your data plan) will no longer be sufficient.

I assume you are referring to Windows 10 updates:

That's easy - simply set your internet connection as "Metered" in Windows 10 settings and it will not automatically update. I have described how to do this in previous posts.

yobarr · Guru

bomurra wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Some interesting comments on this subject. Because I am not at all tech-savvy,much of it has gone over straight my head,but I would like to again say that my Cel-Fi Go has never let me down.When Midcoast NSW had the BIG storms in March,I was in the Taree and Wingham areas where all landline and mobile coverage was lost,but my Cel-Fi Go still worked.Friends travelled 20km through the bush to stand beside my car and make their calls.Don't ask me how that can be,but it happened.Cel-Fi Gi is HIGHLY recommended,but it MUST be installed by someone who knows what they're doing,and NOT by someone who only THINKS he knows what he's doing.Cheers
Hi Yobarr,
Good to hear of your positive results from the Cel Fi system.
Would you please let me have some info on the type of antennas you have fitted to your system and their locations in and outside your vehicle/rv.
I understand the placement of the antennas is critical the the efficient operation of the system so I am seeking as much feedback as I can get.
Telstra here in WA are currently selling and RV kit for $750.00 but i8t is self instal
Thanks
Bob

Hi Bob.Mine was professioanally installed,so don't know much.If you wish,I can give you Mark's details? The small aerial is in the cab of the car,right behind the main unit in the back of the car,with main aerial directly above that unit.Top of main aerial is 3400mm above ground level,and aerial folds down alongside cargo rack if necessary.Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

Got to say Yobarr, I would not like that much SHF RF being transmitted that close to me all the time I was in the vehicle, I don't know what power the Cel-Fi radiates but if you ever notice your vision begin to change or other more general health problems then, personally, I'd switch it off when I were in the vehicle.

dabbler · Guru

Mike, I'm referring to any updates on any device, they all need internet and that's metered against the plan used not the device. It's easily remedied but often forgotten especially where apps are configured to download whenever they see WiFi+internet.

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Got to say Yobarr, I would not like that much SHF RF being transmitted that close to me all the time I was in the vehicle, I don't know what power the Cel-Fi radiates but if you ever notice your vision begin to change or other more general health problems then, personally, I'd switch it off when I were in the vehicle.

Thanks Mike,for your advice,but fortunately I am enjoying excellent health so far.Bit heavy at 90kg,but I walk 6km most days,have 20/20 vision,blood pressure has for years been 118/75,resting pulse 54.However,I will keep your advice in mind if I notice any changes! However,I do realise that excellent health does not necessarily mean living a longer life.My partner enjoyed great health,but at a check-up she was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer,and she died 3 months later.You never know when your number's up! Cheers

"Live for today,and live in clover,'cos when you're dead,you're dead all over"

-- Edited by yobarr on Saturday 14th of August 2021 05:24:38 PM

bomurra · Veteran Member

yobarr wrote:
bomurra wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Some interesting comments on this subject. Because I am not at all tech-savvy,much of it has gone over straight my head,but I would like to again say that my Cel-Fi Go has never let me down.When Midcoast NSW had the BIG storms in March,I was in the Taree and Wingham areas where all landline and mobile coverage was lost,but my Cel-Fi Go still worked.Friends travelled 20km through the bush to stand beside my car and make their calls.Don't ask me how that can be,but it happened.Cel-Fi Gi is HIGHLY recommended,but it MUST be installed by someone who knows what they're doing,and NOT by someone who only THINKS he knows what he's doing.Cheers
Hi Yobarr,
Good to hear of your positive results from the Cel Fi system.
Would you please let me have some info on the type of antennas you have fitted to your system and their locations in and outside your vehicle/rv.
I understand the placement of the antennas is critical the the efficient operation of the system so I am seeking as much feedback as I can get.
Telstra here in WA are currently selling and RV kit for $750.00 but i8t is self instal
Thanks
Bob

Hi Bob.Mine was professioanally installed,so don't know much.If you wish,I can give you Mark's details? The small aerial is in the cab of the car,right behind the main unit in the back of the car,with main aerial directly above that unit.Top of main aerial is 3400mm above ground level,and aerial folds down alongside cargo rack if necessary.Cheers

Hi Yobar,

Thanks for that.

Much appreciated.

Regards,

Bob.

Rob Driver · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
Hi Young fella, welcome to the forum.

I have no experience with the newer CelFi Go as I have used an old (now) Telstra 4GX Advanced 3 since we started travelling.
It has worked well for our data and with phones connected to Boost (on the Telstra Network) we have enjoyed reasonable reception wherever Telstra service is available
The Netgear unit is now out of date and apart from replacing the battery has served us well.

I have been doing a bit of research on the newer equipment as I feel my time will come, and with that I have noticed some less than encouraging comments re the CelFi Go unit.

Read some reports here:

www.productreview.com.au/listings/cel-fi

My other thoughts have been recently directed toward the RV Wi Fi unit for < $500.00

Here:

www.mygenerator.com.au/rv-wifi-wifi-router-kit.html%20-%20Auto%20PLA%20-%20Rv%20Wifi%20-%20Generics&utm_term=4578641334985355&utm_content=RVWifi-Plus%20-%20Rv%20Wifi%20-%20Portable%20Caravan%20Wifi%2B4gx%201%20Year%20Warranty

Further to my post above and later posts I have been testing the Telstra wifi dongle by running it without the battery and I have found that is really no different.

It still slows right up at times to sometimes under 1 MB. If I turn it off and back on it reboots and beings the speed back up to around 30MB be it intermittently.

I also have left it on continuously.

I have tried moving the dongle and have tried a 2.4 amp charger. The bigger charger caused the unit to have a hissy fit and had the orange / blue light flashing rapidly. Although they look quite similar, the Netgear Unit must be different to the Telstra Advanced unit.

So with this result I have done a little bit more research on the RV WiFi unit and I find that apart from the standard exterior aerial which is available in the updated kit, there is also another 6db gain aerial that is available separately and this really looks the goods.

Here is a link to the aerial.

https://www.caravanrvcamping.com.au/rv-wifi-high-gain-antenna

Is there anyone on here with one of these RV WiFi units that may want to give a report or what do some of you think about it?

-- Edited by Rob Driver on Monday 16th of August 2021 07:18:48 PM

Are We Lost · Guru

If a reboot consistently fixes the problem, the device is faulty. Maybe a firmware update will fix it, as I suggested before. There is a small possibility it could be some setting or within the Telco, but that can tested by using a different SIM.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Tuesday 17th of August 2021 10:29:36 AM

Rob Driver · Guru

Are We Lost wrote:
If a reboot consistently fixes the problem, the device is faulty. Maybe a firmware update will fix it, as I suggested before. There is a small possibility it could be some setting or within the Telco, but that can tested by using a different SIM.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Tuesday 17th of August 2021 10:29:36 AM

Yes, sorry, I should have mentioned that I have done available updates and have reset the unit as well.

My unit is probably about 7 years old so I don't have a lot of confidence in it at all.

I have spoken to Telstra via their chat facility on the App and they claim it is not at their end at all and the service where I am presently is generally quite good.

We aren't planning to move in the near future due to travel restrictions and other circumstances.

Telstra advise that when it happens to just reboot by turning the device off and on. They did suggest I might want to consider buying a new unit (from them) but my research seems to lead to many people not having good results with any of the devices they supply.

The Cel Fi unit does not get very good reports either and from some searching there are other more expensive units out there which resemble the Cel Fi unit.

It was suggested I could get an aerial for my current dongle but if the unit has a fault then the aerial wont improve my internet service anyway.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am reluctant to spend the money for a new unit but now I am beginning to realise that this might be the only way to go.

I am leaning toward the RV Wi Fi unit but was hoping someone on here may have one as some RV and Van manufacturers are fitting them as an option and they might be able to report on how the unit works.

Thank you for your input Are We Lost.

Mike Harding · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
.The Cel Fi unit does not get very good reports either and from some searching there are other more expensive units out there which resemble the Cel Fi unit.

I may be wrong (I think it did happen once :) ) but I think the Cel-Fi unit is the only mobile phone booster which is approved for Australian use and my advice is do not even consider using an unapproved unit for this purpose because, almost certainly, it will be detected and recognised by the telcos and/or ACMA who have some *very* sophisticated equipment for this purpose and they *will* give you a very painful and expensive slap on the wrist. With the amount of licence fee the telcos pay for bandwidth they do not take at all kindly to people stuffing up their systems.