phone hotspot WIFI to overcome poor TV reception

Shadrian · Member

phone hotspot WIFI to overcome poor TV reception

Are We Lost · Guru

If you have some reception it will definitely be improved with an antenna. You can spend a small amount for a little improvement or a lot for much more. However, just raising your device higher helps a lot. I have an extendable pole to raise my mobile modem 2 metres or so above the roof and that often gets usable signal while others in the area do not.

While it's easiest with a mobile modem, you can do the same with your phone. If you have bluetooth earpieces you can still have phone calls while the phone is up there.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Monday 26th of June 2023 06:43:47 PM

Shadrian · Member

Thank you @Are_We_Lost for the great advice. Ive just put the mobile phone up into the skylight cavity and immediately get great reception on the iPad. Watching the Womens Ashes on Kayo as I write!

Only problem I have now is the Kogan TV we have doesnt see the mobile hotspot in the WIFI settings. I know the last TV we had didnt have this problem and Im pretty sure Ive chromecasted to this one before too. Any ideas?
Anyway we might go the dedicated mobile modem route in the short term and look-into your extension pole solution as a more robust solution.

Are We Lost · Guru

Shadrian wrote:
.... Ive just put the mobile phone up into the skylight cavity and immediately get great reception.....

.... the Kogan TV we have doesnt see the mobile hotspot in the WIFI settings.

In your case, it sounds like the alloy skin on the van is cutting most of your signal.

For the Kogan TV maybe it only supports 2.4Ghz wifi and not 5Ghz wifi, while the mobile only has 5Ghz enabled. There should be a setting on the phone for that. Note that this refers to wifi speed, and is not related to the 5G (5th generation) mobile network.

I did hotspotting a lot as well as using portable broadband modems. I recommend the

Telstra 4GX mobile modem for an inexpensive solution that works well. Although they are locked to Telstra you can buy unlocked ones for a little more on ebay and then use any SIM. From the notes I read it can be used with a Boost SIM but not other Telstra resellers like Aldi, Belong, etc unless unlocked. I found the performance noticeably better than a phone hotspot. It also has TS9 ports to attach an external antenna if desired.

5G is not supported by this modem, but 4G will be around for a long time.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Monday 26th of June 2023 11:37:29 PM

Gundog · Guru

A better option is to look at VAST TV, Vast Tv requires a decoder cables Sat Dish and a signal finder after you buy the equipment the cost then is zero as you receive free to air tv.

If you want to lower your base costs search the Gumtree, Facebook market place or Ebay for a 2nd hand setup.

Shadrian · Member

Thanks again @Are We Lost. The Telstra modem sounds like a good way to go. Unlocked option would be the go. I remember rolling into some outback towns to be greeted with big signs saying ?Optus Only available in this town?. One of our phones does hot spot ok but it?s mine and I use it for everything so can?t really afford to have it sitting up in the vent while SWMBO is watching her favourite soaps. Thank for the tip re 2.4 vs 5G setting in the phone. Ill look for that in the settings.

Shadrian · Member

Thanks for the advice Gundog. Satellite would be the right and sometimes the only option to at least get done FTA TV. our 2nd hand van has an outside co-ax point and face plate with the other end inside the cupboard where the van ariel point lives so might not need the wiring. If I can get a cheaper dish, decoder etc 2nd hand might be a good option. The prices I saw for a new kit Id rather read a good book instead.

SoloMC · Senior Member

I rarely stay in van parks and rarely used the terrestrial TV set up with the antenna. I used vast for many years but since getting starlink, I've sold the vast set up. All ph calls are via starlink, I stream all of my tv and I'll never go back, unless someone shoots the thousands of satellite from the sky

Shadrian · Member

SoloMC wrote:
I rarely stay in van parks and rarely used the terrestrial TV set up with the antenna. I used vast for many years but since getting starlink, I've sold the vast set up. All ph calls are via starlink, I stream all of my tv and I'll never go back, unless someone shoots the thousands of satellite from the sky

Thank you SoloMC. Ill look into starlink. Just wonder if its portable. Im loathe to invest much as this is our first (2nd hand) van and dont know how much life it has left in it for us. But if we decide to upgrade well get it in the next one for sure. Doesnt hurt as much when the outlay is included in an all new purchase.