Topic: Using WiFi in RV Parks (02.06)
Presenter: “Jeffrey”, representing RVWiFi
Ed Note: This captures the content of a presentation done by a commercial service provider, RVWiFi, to an audience at Voyagers RV Park in Tucson, AZ in February 2006. This summary does not address the separate issue of whether RV parks should provide WiFi as an amenity, as opposed to using an outside fee-based service provider. However we found of interest the presenter’s primary thesis – that WiFi cannot work effectively in RV parks unless additional equipment is purchased and used in order to boost signal strength. Although this is not consistent with our personal experience with other service providers, and in other parks, we think the points made deserve consideration. One caution: We would note that Leo Everitt’s WiFi presentation at Life on Wheels cautioned against using more “power” than absolutely necessary because of security considerations.
RVWiFi (www.rvwifi.com) is a commercial provider of WiFi services to RV parks. Through partnerships with other service providers, a subscription to RVWiFi can provide access (which may or may not incur additional roaming charges) to other commercial WiFi service providers. The service also includes nationwide dial-up service so subscribers can get modem access in areas where WiFi is not available. Based on its experience with installations at a number of RV parks, it is their opinion that the wireless capability of “original equipment” laptops is simply insufficient for use in RV parks. The wireless signal is intended for in-home applications, with power sufficient to travel (for example) from a home office area to other rooms in the same home – or perhaps to a front or rear deck. It’s really engineered to only travel about 50 feet -- or perhaps bit further if there is a clear line-of-sight between the laptop and the antenna transmitting the signal. For home applications it is not desirable to have signal strength greater than provided in laptops.
A typical wireless card in a laptop provides only about 30 MW. In RV parks the WiFi signal is skewed by aluminum surfaces such as found on park models and many RVs. Penetration is better through fiberglas units. Where there is vegetation (trees, shrubs), the signal is easily blocked by the moisture content. RVers are often misled by the signal strength meters in laptops. Initially the signal may indicate maximum strength; but as soon as data is transmitted, the signal can quickly degrade and become non-functional. This is attributable entirely to the fact that the 30 MW laptop cards are not strong enough to maintain reliable contact with the park’s transmitting antennas. Said otherwise, the “home application” laptop setups are simply inadequate for use in RV parks. RV parks require an “industrial application” -- and standard WiFi cards and antennas are simply not up to the task.
Often when a connection is established it becomes very “slow”. Most RVers think this is because the service provider has not provided adequate bandwidth. This “function of use” issue is actually caused by a number of weak laptop cards using up the available “signal spectrum”, and is not caused by a lack of bandwidth from the service providers. With a number of weak signals from laptops being transmitted simultaneously, this increases the signal “noise” – and only the strongest signals will get through. This issue is compounded by the fact that wireless signals use the 2.4 GHz band – the same as used by some wireless telephones – thus again increasing competition within the signal spectrum.
A separate issue is caused by the poor antenna system used in laptops. They are “directional”, meaning you often have to turn your computer in different directions to get the best signal strength. Simply adding an aftermarket omni-directional antenna can help considerably. However the only workable solution in the context of an RV park application (again, according to the presenter) is to purchase, install, and use a more powerful radio receiver/transmitter (see discussion below).
A separate issue frequently encountered by commercial service providers is related to the wireless routers used in RV parks. Because of changing electrical loads often experienced in the park, the router can easily be “thrown off”, resulting in disconnections. When that happens it is necessary to switch the router completely off for at least ten seconds, and then restart it. A similar problem can occur in laptop cards, which requires shutting down the computer (not just “restarting” it), waiting several seconds, and then powering it up again.
In the context of RV parks, the use of standard WiFi cards would require an antenna pole every three or four RV spaces to ensure adequate coverage. Since that is impractical, they prefer putting very high towers that are widely spaced, and contain both omni and directional antennas as required. These signals can only reliably be received in RV parks if more powerful laptop transmitters are connected to the laptop. These are separately powered units that connect to the laptop using either an eithernet or USB cable. The aftermarket products RVWiFi recommends are shown at their website (www.rvwifi.com) and can be purchased at a discount negotiated by RVWiFi for their subscribers. When an aftermarket antenna is used, it is essential that the laptop antenna be first disabled. There is also a configuration utility that needs to be installed and used in order to connect to each service provider.