- Joined
- Jul 27, 2019
- Messages
- 11,582
- Location
- Midlothian, VA
- RV Year
- 2017
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana 4037
- RV Length
- 40' 10"
- Chassis
- Freightliner XCR
- Engine
- Cummins 400 HP
- TOW/TOAD
- 2017 Chevy Colorado
- Fulltimer
- No
I've been thrilled with my pepwave setup since installing it in the fall of 2018. I knew that about two years in I'd consider upgrading the technology which will likely be a 2-3 year cycle. I currently use a dual setup of a Pepwave MAX BR1 MK2 along side a Pepwave MAX BR1 MINI (with WAN license). I've explored various antennas such as my favorite panorama low profiles, panorama omni's, surecall omni's. Everthing remains working great to date but it's time for a technology upgrade. This is also inspired by my recent camping trip where I had the biggest struggles to date as I was in a fringe mountain location. Internet was still usable at an average of 2-5 MB download speeds but on Verizon prepaid as AT&T was not the dominant provider here. I considered calling Verizon to move to postpaid and see how that would work but I wasn't willing to spend what would be needed on those hotspot plans, it's crazy how much these companies are charging but we pay it so it's not going to end. Yes, starlink is entering beta, pricing for that is going to be about $99/mo after what I believe is a $500 equipment charge. That's for another day, for now it's still cellular for me as it's been working great and I still hold on to a Mobley plan which is gold. I am concerned with tickling AT&T with an equipment change on the Mobley but it has to happen someday.
It's time to explore CAT 18 and the Pepwave MAX Transit DUO seems to be the answer. I know Cradlepoint has their solutions but much more expensive and no way am I leaving the ability to set the TTL value which helps us I believe with cellular speeds to help avoid being identified as hotspot vs. phone. I ordered the CAT 18 version of the Pepwave MAX Transit which is the NON DUO model. CAT 6 and 12 cellular modem editions come with two modems as it has 4 antenna ports but the CAT 18 with 4x4 MIMO requires all four of those ports so it's a single modem setup. You have to contact 5GStore.com for princing, it is going to be around $700.
I am going with the pepwave PUMA 401 antenna which is a 4X4 MIMO cellular and a GPS antenna. The specs look good and I'm looking forward to exploring this antenna. The leads IIRC are about 6.5ft and I really don't want to put on extensions so I'm going to have to evaluate where I'm going to mount this. I'm likely going in the half bath electrical panel area and then up to the roof above that and will likely have to fabricate a mount unless I can reach the rear AC cover like I did with the panorama on the front AC. I can buy SMA extensions but ideally you want less connectors and less cable length for ideal connectivity so again I'll have to think hard on this.
I like the active/active setup I use now with two pepwave units but I'm a little tired of so many antennas on the roof and I will just deal with the 1 minute switchover as needed and pick a carrier and stick with it after testing at each location. AT&T is typically the winner for my travels so we'll see how this plays out. I could add another setup of the same to have an active/active dual carrier if desired but I don't see it happening. I also like the mid-ship wifi location and it's right on the patio side wall for Internet at the patio if needed but I haven't had any problems with my current setup at the front of the coach.
My order should arrive tomorrow as it was placed Sunday or Monday. I'm staying put until late December so I'm not sure when I'll install this and I really won't be able to compare against the former units as I don't plan on moving SIMS around but the MAX BR1 MK2 is likely staying, the BR1 MINI I'll likely sell. My current speeds have been great to date but I'm ready to give CAT 18 a go with Pepwave's latest offering and antenna.
Stay tuned...
It's time to explore CAT 18 and the Pepwave MAX Transit DUO seems to be the answer. I know Cradlepoint has their solutions but much more expensive and no way am I leaving the ability to set the TTL value which helps us I believe with cellular speeds to help avoid being identified as hotspot vs. phone. I ordered the CAT 18 version of the Pepwave MAX Transit which is the NON DUO model. CAT 6 and 12 cellular modem editions come with two modems as it has 4 antenna ports but the CAT 18 with 4x4 MIMO requires all four of those ports so it's a single modem setup. You have to contact 5GStore.com for princing, it is going to be around $700.
Pepwave MAX BR1 Pro Router 1x LTE-A 4G/CAT-20 + PrimeCare
The BR1 Pro CAT-20 uses a 4FF Nano-SIM (not 2FF like many other routers) This router includes PrimeCare for 1 year. PrimeCare includes InControl, warranty with standard RMA, FusionHub license, and SpeedFusion bonding and WAN smoothing and can be renewed for $249/year after the first year. If...
5gstore.com
I am going with the pepwave PUMA 401 antenna which is a 4X4 MIMO cellular and a GPS antenna. The specs look good and I'm looking forward to exploring this antenna. The leads IIRC are about 6.5ft and I really don't want to put on extensions so I'm going to have to evaluate where I'm going to mount this. I'm likely going in the half bath electrical panel area and then up to the roof above that and will likely have to fabricate a mount unless I can reach the rear AC cover like I did with the panorama on the front AC. I can buy SMA extensions but ideally you want less connectors and less cable length for ideal connectivity so again I'll have to think hard on this.
I like the active/active setup I use now with two pepwave units but I'm a little tired of so many antennas on the roof and I will just deal with the 1 minute switchover as needed and pick a carrier and stick with it after testing at each location. AT&T is typically the winner for my travels so we'll see how this plays out. I could add another setup of the same to have an active/active dual carrier if desired but I don't see it happening. I also like the mid-ship wifi location and it's right on the patio side wall for Internet at the patio if needed but I haven't had any problems with my current setup at the front of the coach.
Pepwave Mobility 40G 5-in-1 Dome Antenna for LTE/GPS - Black - SMA Connectors
Ideal for mobile healthcare, transportation connectivity, public safety and mission-critical connectivity applications, the Pepwave Mobility 40G (Puma 401) provides reliable signals you need to work effectively in the field. This 5G-ready multi-band dome antenna supports 4x4 MiMo LTE for high...
5gstore.com
My order should arrive tomorrow as it was placed Sunday or Monday. I'm staying put until late December so I'm not sure when I'll install this and I really won't be able to compare against the former units as I don't plan on moving SIMS around but the MAX BR1 MK2 is likely staying, the BR1 MINI I'll likely sell. My current speeds have been great to date but I'm ready to give CAT 18 a go with Pepwave's latest offering and antenna.
Stay tuned...
