Van Life 101: How to Get Internet on the Road 

Hey Bob, Steve here. I'm disabled and been living out of my car since 2012.i find your videos to be very informative! I was an auto technician for Toyota for 20 years also remodeled the entire house and re - roofed house until house was foreclosed on due to disability. I think we both could benefit from each other's knowledge and share our knowledge with the people.

I can attest the Wilson boosters work. My house is rural, we had to stand at the back door to make a phone call when we moved in. I installed a directional (Yagi) antenna , a booster and two indoor antennae , one at each end of the house. We can get 5-8MBps , Mamma is happy, and that's what counts.

To bring the cable into the rear of the van, I'd try to take advantage of the recesssed horizontal surface above the top of the rear license plate holder. Drill a hole for inserting the cable up and then through the black inside door panel. When in use, there'll be a drip loop formed in the cable on the outside and when not in use, you can tape or cork the hole. In this setup you can close your door.

Thank you for fully explaining things. I don't need to search a bunch of videos to see all the parts. You do it completely.

It was be REALLY terrific to get this updated with whatever gizmos are happening now,

Thanks Bob! I got the weboost based on another video you made earlier and we just love it! Thank you, for making such incredible videos explaining how to fix these common problems.

Bob, love your phrase toward end (at 26.00) re expense; ''Freedom is'nt Free'' , great saying! Best wishes from Alan, in England.

Bob I appreciate your interview skills and how you get the other person tell their story. VZ now has unlimited - but another plan and equipment to lock into another 2 years! You might be able to look at cell coverage maps to determine where the towers might be to point your booster.

For those of you whining about this video being too confusing, here's the deal. We are all used to the professionally outlined and scripted informational videos that go only one important step further than these two gentlemen have done. That step is simply Writing 101, A) You tell your audience what you are about to tell them. B) You tell them. C) You end the video by telling them what you told them. Basically, Mr. Cheap RVing inly gave you section B), He told you. You have to do the A) and C) yourself. This is accomplished by what we in our 50s, 60s, and beyond call "taking notes". If you are used to everything being handed to you on a silver platter, you might find Taking Notes rather inconvenient. But, this is the way life used to be back when public school was operated like home schools are today, and that is, teaching young people how to learn by introducing them to Communicating. Public school is very poor at teaching the most important basics in life, and one of those things is, How to Communicate. Communicating is a two part operation, and public school does not teach either part very well. So, you must play catch-up to the smarter parts of our society who DO know how to communicate. You must learn both parts of communicating that school failed to teach you. You must learn how to both receive and send information. Once you master these two functions, you will have reached parity (look it up) with functioning society, and will now be able to communicate. I have deliberately left out the formatting of written language called Paragraphing to be able to point something out. My long dissertation above is difficult to follow because it is one long paragraph. But, now that I have inserted the beginning of a new paragraph at this point, and thereby began using correct form, you might find my written dissertation easier to understand. Correct paragraphing encapsulates complete thoughts into paragraphs, so that one is able to see where the writer ends one thought and begins another. Thus is the importance of learning how to properly communicate. And the difficulty you may have experienced in watching this video is because of the absence of more communicative formatting. But, let me point something out, the video's host was actually handing you important note taking cues, not unlike a good lecturer in a college lecture hall. The host stopped to reiterate, ask questions, and give the guest an opportunity to answer. Those breaks in their conversation were attempts at making the important information easier to digest. Just like this dissertation of mine became easier to understand once I started using paragraphs, their video was actually easier to understand than you might have originally thought, because the video was simply two talking heads carrying on in conversational format without a lot of graphics and sound effects. So, I suggest going back and watching the video a second and third time, hovering your mouse over the pause button in order to stop and take notes when important words and phrases come up at those points. I hope this "comment" has helped you. This video is full of very relevant information for folks looking for solutions to their connection challenges when working on the fringes of Internet signals. See what I did there? I ended this dissertation with a closing statement that told you what I told you.

You two are fun to watch and listen to. I don't know how to do technical work, a man can be a real luxury !

Thanks for the very detailed video. This information, including costs, is very helpful for those of us who will need to make a living using the internet once we hit the road. Much appreciated!

Always good to see how someone else does these things. At this stage of my life I wished I lived in a van too. Thanks for the how to show~!!

Thanks Al for all the time that you have given, so kind of you. And as always thank you so much Bob!

Bob you explain things so well! So many things to get though. I wish you could work with the companies and make up a complete kit (called the Bob Wells internet kit) of everything you need and everything already put together. I think those kits would be very popular! I would also want to go through the drivers door window like you do. Thanks for the info. Hopefully I can figure it all out when I'm on the road since I will be traveling with my business and have to have Internet service.

I love my WeBoost, purchased in summer 2018 - I have it with Verizon phone, Verizon jetpacks, computers. An app called OpenSignal will also help find where the strongest cell signal is. I live on a farm in a RV in a rural area where the DSL isn't fast enough and Satellite is too expensive. Mine was $499 and came w the directional antenna (I taped to a tree for now), the controller (that has to be plugged in to regular electricity), and the antenna.

This video came through on my feeds tonight in Wpg.Manitoba. Cool devices that I wasnt aware of as Im "old school" at new tech. Thanks Bob for sharing.

I was really wondering how to keep up on communications once on the road and you've solved yet another problem of this modern age!! Thanks Bob !!!!!

There seems to be a lot of viewers that are commenting about their cell phone internet service that do not RV. It just adds to the confusion! This is about RVing - mostly in the western US. If there were a test of internet service, I would take the advice of those that live and use it in remote areas. Thanks Bob!

Great info Bob. I hope you do a video of Al's rig. What we could see of those industrial racks was intriguing

another very good video Bob! maybe if I watch it 25 more times then I will be able to remember all the stuff you have taught me in the video, I need to do all the things you have shown in this video. keep on trucking! Dave!

Great video! Thanks! I have family members who live in the 'boondocks' and have always had issues with cell phone/internet service but do have land lines. regrettably, the land lines often go down due to wind/storms/etc. sooo they have no cell phone service. :>( Now I'll have to check to see if your 'rig' will work for them and give them one more option for internet & phone service!!! Thanks sooo much for sharing this info with ALL of us even though we may not use the info for RV'ing!!! Save and Happy RV'ing to ALL of you from an ex-RV'er!!!

Thanks Al and Bob. Knew nothing about this subject and now I know it's pretty expensive but worth it. Best regards.

Thx Bob for another great video. I have Cricket cellular Unlimited phone text and internet for $50 a month Cricket uses ATT Towers yet I have been pretty lucky with it. After 22 gig of use if I'm in a high use area and high use time they will reduce my speed with the same effect as throttling. This hasn't happened to me yet and I go over 22 gig every month because I like watching RU-vid videos like yours Bob.

I've been wondering about this for quite a while, thanks a bunch Bob!

Great interview and information .. I have ATT and up/down east cost mostly .. But also go to Texas a lot .. And went to LA once ...With no problem .. But now I know if I go in the desert in Arizona .. I'll need a Verizon .. And a WeBoost 😊😊😊 Thanks again !!

Another video you have to watch backwards. Go to about the 17 minute mark to see the directional antenna he uses to get better cell signal in remote area. Great. Then go to beginning to hear their horror stories of wifi and cell access and the pricing from that time (2017). Bob does great job as anchorman.

Thanks for all your help and great advice. MY wife and I live in an apartment, but we are planning to change our lives and your video info is just Awesome! :-)

I'm glad you did this 'in detail' Exposé on cell/WiFi away from the cities. I have wondered about this since watching your first video. 😀👍

Hey Bob, when I was driving my work van, a Ford F-350, I used CB radio all the time, here is what I did. I got my radio and magy mount antenna matched up. Then I took off the roof brake light and took a round file to it until the cable would fit in the groove. The end fit easily through the hole where the light is , then I just siliconed the piss out of it. , every year or two I would get a small leak, not bad. I would get some fresh silicone in a tube and re caulk it.

Nicely put together. I will check devices again when I am ready to hit the road. A lot of folks currently in love with their Mobley.

You do the best informative videos. That's why I watch them, learning something. Not just spectating your life. You contribute information, unlike some.

Thank you Bob. Great information. The vid answered alot of questions. Been following for 2 years.

Great interview Bob, full of info I struggle to understand. Heck, I have my hands full operating and figuring out my "hand me down" used smart phone I got when my wife up-graded. But it sure would be nice to have all that available to you while living a peaceful life on your own away from people and all that aggravation.

Really appreciate the point in the right direction (so many options). I'm curious what wifi booster he'd recommend...or if he even uses that anymore.

once again, another great video with great info. thanks for sharing and happy trails.

I use the verizon hot spot when I'm working on the road living in my camper.

I spoke with a man who was on a plane when 911 was happening. He said the only people's phones who worked were those with Verizon and and T-mobile. I've been using T-mobile ever since.

Thanks fella's. It's funny how things work out. I've been racking my brains out trying to figure out what to do about this exact problem. This was a huge help. CU guy's this Nov.

"DRAMASTICALLY", Great new word, Bob, ;) Love it

awesome tips for reviving internet signals. thank you Bob and you friend too!

Hey Bob, Great video! I have a little different setup that works well for me. I use a weBoost Drive 4G-X with a spring mounted weBoost 4G-OTR Cellular Antenna (I had the non spring mounted antenna that came with the unit and it busted the first time I went off road). Also, I use an iPad Air 2 has my hot spot. The cool thing about iPad is that for full time internet access it has a Verizon SIM chip. However, sometimes AT&T actually has a better signal than Verizon. For that case, I carry an AT&T Go Phone SIM chip and swap it out in the iPad if the AT&T signal is better. I found this setup gets me a online 95% of the time. Anyway… Thanks for your videos. You are a true inspiration and are motivating me to get out there full time. Ray

very informative video again, Bob. great job, and thanks for sharing

Thank you Bob, Both of you, I was just asking about this!! have a great Easter!

Thumbs up, hearing you guys talk about it makes me wonder if it's better not to have internet at all. When I go into town I can just stop by the library.

lots of giggles going on around here! lol Thanks Bob~ Happy Easter!

that cost is OUTRAGEOUS. I am so GRATEFUL Bob's doing the "explaining" . thank you,Bob now I am clear....

Another great video Bob. P.S. T-Mobile just bought a BUNCH of new bandwidth. You will see BIG THINGS from them very soon. One Love.

👍, Great Demo & info. Thanks Guys for sharing. Happy Easter.

I live in Rimrock. Few miles further down is Sedona Arizona. I live in a hole. I have Sprint. Watching you in LTE. Was coming from ATT. Yes, they suck. But sprint has actually improved a lot

Great information. Have you made an updated video for the internet options? I know a few cell companies have merged with better services. Love all your videos!

Nice to see the comraderie making buddies over years. And thanks for the lowdown on internet connectivity out in The Boondocks

The only thing wrong with your videos is there aren't more of them. Thank you for your well balanced body of work. As your channel is a mainstay in nomad education, maybe you can spread a word of caution. The word is out regarding property tax free living in resort areas & expensive city neighborhoods. Some talking head bragged about it on youtube. Stealth? Dude. How long does Neighborhood Watch take? Not very at the beach. For urban nomads, smaller vehicles that only convert at bedtime are worth considering, especially if work is near e.g. the city's only beach. Nobody who likes houses enough to own one wants to look at a rusty rv in their window unless they own it.

Informative and excellent presentation. Bob, do you by any chance have a degree in journalism, education--or, are your skills organic? You're very skilled at interviewing, very comfortable in front of a camera and you always put your interview subjects at ease. I'm constantly impressed.

The timing of this video is perfect, I just got the weboost drive for GX OTR for my semi truck and it works great. Never mind that it cost me $500 for the entire system but it works !!! By the way we boost stands for Wilson electronics boost

Thanks for pointing us to the WeBoost Cell Amplifiers... I was looking for one that supported both Verizon and AT&T, as we use both. Thanks!

I Love Bob he is so detailed and right to the point and has so much information .

WOW, I learned some new today. .thanks for sharing.

thanks guys. great vid. I love how you bolted the booster adapter connection so as not to destroy your base. smart.

Great video, Bob - very informative! Thank you! I'm hoping that the same principles apply in Canada...? (We spend 6 months of the year here, unless we're abroad.) Love your tee shirt, by the way! Dapper! 😎 Love and All Good Things, Jess. 🌹

Great info, thanks. I can attest to the incredible signal strength of Sprint. I live in the middle of Las Vegas- so like 2 million people in the area- and I get 2 cell bars or even just one! Hopefully a upcoming merger will help...but likely not. I have unlimited data, but if I'm 'out of range', it's not really unlimited them.

Lmbo....I thought Bob's cellphone notifications were my phone. I kept looking and thinking where is the stupid msg I keep getting. .. hilarious.

Thanks for the Amazon links to the actual products. Will buy my setup soon. :)

Amazon part number 955822 is a direct connect cable for the sleek to the directional antenna. No adapters.20' Rg58u Coax Cable Assembly (N-male to SMA Male) A refurbished Sleek is $119, that makes the booster, cable and directional antenna under $200 on Amazon currently.

Funny I was thinking about this a couple of days ago and Wallah I see it right there on cheap RV living it just popped up I didn't have to search😁 thanks Mr Bob

Always wonderful to watch your vids. THANKS.

Bob, great video, good info, thanks. Is the we boost sleek only for use with one device? And, does it have to be physically be in the cradle. Thanks again.

I’m planing to do that living because the wages are not enough

Many Times when the cell signal comes and goes it can be because it's receiving a indirect signal Signal can bounce off of many objects including the atmosphere And as with many radio signals the time a day can make a big difference

Also, you should investigate a cradlepoint router...they support multiple SIM cards plus wifi connections (as a wan connection) and can bond all of that together for greater speed and redundancy. Love them.

i had a basic weboost phone holder back in the day and it doubled my cell coverage 👍

Great video! A little beating around the bush, but why not. It`s not only about giving information but also a little story of their experiences in life. Some people would have liked a 10 min video, but they don`t seem to get, that those dudes have all the time in their life & having just a nice chat. Look where they stand, in the middle of nowhere, they are not in some tight schedule with a boss breathing down their neck.

Use foam pipe wrap on the window lip for a weather seal. The foam will flex with the cable and reduce water and wind.

I’ve found if you know what areas your going to be in it’s best to talk to local law enforcement or emergency response and ask what they are using 😉

Thank u for the video!! Will this work with the new 4g 5g. Up grade that all the companies just did.

Thanks for the video! It would be nice to see his van build if possible. I think it would give me some ideas for mine...

You are good at asking 'pointed' Qs, Mr Wells very comprehensive , ,

Drill through the roof and install the base receiver into the roof connect at roof top and use some good silicon caulk . All heavy wire now inside van and door now is closed. thanks for the information, very informative guys.

I am a communications engineer. Avoid multiple adaptors and less efficient co-ax adaptors! Every one you place in the antenna lead when working at modern cellular frequencies causes about a 1/2 to 3/4dB loss of signal per connection point. Just so you "get it", a loss of only 3dB equals losing one half of the signal from the antenna. Losses in antenna lead in and adaptors is signaifcant. Better to order an all in one adaptor/low loss cable for your needs. Perhaps SMA on one end and "N" on the other. You may achieve an extra bar or two. Also an even higher gain antenna than the Wilson is available from a company called MFJ. The Enginator.

Great Tutorial. You guys make a great team....

Excellent information guys!

Very helpful Bob. You do cover things I have never heard from others. This is a 'real' nomad channel. This is *not* a "don't forget your mascara" channel. You are nuts and bolts guy, (and toilets on occasion) ;-)

Great video Bob.

Great video Bob! What app do you use for finding cell tower coverage? Thank you.

Very informative and well done -Thanks !

great info bob.thank you your the best in the biz.

Very informative Happy Easter God bless

So glad I jumped on the AT&T ZTE Mobley with usb adapter Connected Car Plan before it was ended. Grandfathered in at $23 or so bucks. There have been months when i put 200+ GB of data with no slow down.

Great video Bob. On the issue of the cable from the antenna coming from outside the van to inside the van, why not mount the adapter he has on the shelf in the ceiling of the van with some silicone sealant and then buy an N type weatherproof cap to put on it when not in use?

Absolutely great information!

Great information for now. Something to think about when designing your electrical systems and wiring so that you plan ahead for TV and internet antennas. It might be wise to have coaxial inlets for antennas and CB/ham radio and nuclear/alien detection technology (haha) all in one place.

thank you very informative I'll be watching a lot

We just learned a new word from Bob...dramatically and drastically equals "dramastically." lol

thanks for the info. have a bless day

Very informative. Thank you.

Awesome show. Do you have any rtr group's in Montana. I live in Montana and have been off grid in a 23 feet travel trailer. Need's some work any help on a group here would be awesome thank

Very helpful, Bob; thanks! I would really like to know more about that cabinet setup that Al has. Does he have a RU-vid channel or blog?

great video, gentleman. Thank you!!

I See the force! It's you two! Ty both

the part you cut off the antenna was basically the collector/reflector to help collect and concentrate as much weak signal into the antenna , kinda like the dish does for the LNB on a satellite dish

Great infomation to know...thank you!