Here's where to buy the kit: www.telcoantennas.com.au/remote-data-setup-for-caravans-campers-trailers-mi and here is the Link to the discount code: overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-get-internet-anywhere-in-australia-remote-internet-guide/
Hi and thanks! I'm building a camper and I'm not sure where I can fit the swivel type antena set up. I did speak with Telco Aerials and they recommend a celfi setup. But after watching your video, I'm unsure. If I went with the M5 Netgear, what other antena options will give me the most powerful system and better chance of internet connection? Thanks in advance!
@@tonyslegg not high jacking, but this is the response I got from telco It really depends how far out you are planning on going, if its really remote places then the directional antenna setup would offer a much better chance of the connection, if its mainly staying around the highways then the omni setup is certainly suitable. Cheers, Brent Pukallus Operations Manager I recently got the M6 Pro, amazing results over the M1 I had, but when I buy an antenna I'll get the Omni, as I don't go off the beaten track or remote all that much
Hi @coco gem, thanks for reaching out. Could the mount go on the A-frame. We've also seen it put on a bullbar on a bus and the mast and antenna removed for travel for these options. As you know we really don't recommend the celfi and have extensively tested it.
Hi, great article, I have been using this type of setup for several years and it is very successful. A minor note though, to save phone battery life and interruptions caused by the phone switching between wifi and the tower in marginal areas we set our phones to airplane mode then enable bluetooth and wifi when at camp and when mobile. The Nighthawk does the trick. Phone is set to WiFi preferred for phone service. SMS comes through as per normal.
Thanks Nickelrick2033 - I'm a solar+battery contractor in regional SA, and I kept getting dropped calls even though I had the Nighthawk on Optus with 2+bars signal but my phone had almost no optus signal. Today I tried the airplane mode + just wifi+bluetooth - the Nighthawk now gives me faultless calls. I'm often talking to solar tech support and installing firmware updates for inverters etc - it's always stressful with unreliable reception. Now a lot less stress - everywhere that I take that nighthawk I find minimum 2 bars of Optus - even though my phone shows almost no bars. The nighthawk;'s internal antenna is sensational - I haven't yet needed an omni external antenna. So thanks for the airplane mode tip
As an IT guy, that is the most technically excellent vlog I've seen from any of the travel caravanner brigade bar none. As I am watching this nearly 2 years later I had a good chuckle whilst you were dealing with the elephant in the room (Starlink). Slowly catching up on all your travels. Looking forward to the Starlink one in the future when I catch up :)
Thanks David! Glad you thought so highly of it 😁 Starlink has definitely changed the game since this video, but this is also still relevant for those that don't need starlink 😆 I hope you continue to enjoy our vids 😁
I'm looking to work remotely and use Citrix which is super sensitive to interrupts. Starlink seems to be defeated by trees so I'd be looking at using both options.
Starlink is always improving as they are always launching more satellites, in saying that trees can still cause some issues. I suggest, maybe buy starlink and the mast kit and do some testing with trees and putting starlink on the mast too, and if it is still dropping out under trees, buy the nighthawk and Sim (which are both generally easily available) and add it on. 😁
Thank you so much for that valuable information, I already had the Nighthawke and nearly changed until i came accross this. Have now purchased the arial for my Nighthawke :)
Thankyou so much for your information. I am a communications technician myself and am always interested in good information people are sharing. With planing to travelling around Australia in a caravan and with lots of stuff out there to use. I will be for sure using your products
Thanks for the info, after seeing your vid a year ago I got a mimo panel antenna with a 7m mast and secondhand nighthawk and it worked great for our recently completed lap of Aussie(20000klms). We used our existing 2x Optus plans with shared data with extra sim for the NH along with a 12 month 280gig sim ($300) for when there’s no Optus.
Very informative. We have Telstra via a Woolworths SIM and didn’t know that there was any difference to normal Telstra (incl Boost). I now know why we didn’t have mobile reception in a lot of outback areas. Keep up the good work! Really enjoying your videos.
Hi Daniel, re nighthawk tip for anyone, we both use boost mobiles and when range is needed, I forward my phone to the bride and my sim, goes into nighthawk (Just need the extra sim spacer). One advantage of the nighthawk is my sms messages will now appear on the Nighthawk router display of all things so you do not miss anything. Saves us having third account. Boost switches phone to router and back without issue.
Thank you so much for this info.Its greatly appreciated.I have a friend who has a celfi and I was not impressed with the performance.Very poor and they are so expensive.
Thanks for your great video about the internet We never miss seeing your videos on your travels I went to order one about they are on back order so will keek checking
Thanks guys, just catching up. I bought a Cel-Fi Go in 2019 and it worked 'well' on a 15, 000 Km trip from Canberra, up the WA centre to Broome via Carnarvon, Gibb and back down via Wiluna. This VLOG has got me thinking about making the Cel-Fi Go 'portable' and 'boosting' my phone near the van, and pulling my MiMo NightHawk out of the cupboard. Telstra gives me 375Gb of 4G LTE on my phone ($96 pm) with fallback to HSPCA, 2G (might be turned off now) and 3G but I know that the NH has better antennas while driving. So, I think that what I'll do is 'boost' the phone at the van with the CFG, NH while driving and use my Starlink sparingly (understanding how the on/off plan works). Wifey has VodaNoPhone (which does, surprisingly, work in some of the most remote areas that we've been to) and put an Optus SIM into the NH. We live on the road and I work on the road. Interestingly, our adult son and I did a two week SA Peninsula fishing trip about 6 weeks ago - he got T 5G mostly and I got mostly T 4G nothing! And we left the Starlink behind on his porch while we were packing :( What do you think of my plan using what I already have? Thanks, Stu
Sad to hear from your last blog. The caravanning has ended, but your instagram with your new direction travelling Europe lools exciting i can't to see your new blogs my question is our carvan has a Winegard on the roof is this a RV wifi or a different system
Thanks so much! Europe and the UK are wonderful adventures, we are really looking forward to sharing them on TH-cam soon and really look forward to taking you along with us! In relation to your Winegard, it depends on the model - some are just TV and some have 4G too, so unfortunately can't answer specifically for your one.
@OverlandExposure Sorry, it's a Winggard Connect 2.0 4G, and it sits on top of our van under a black dome. It has a small slot to fit a sim card, are dose units any good as it comes with the van
Hi mate, it will be better than nothing! Give it a try and see how it goes for you, worst case it doesn't do much and you don't use it. Best case it works well :)
Great explanation. I am a mobile tech and agree with what you have presented. I usually suggest the Nighthawk as well. On the topic on directional antennas, I give a torch as how a directional antenna works. Omni works like a candle.. I also tell people to use a Telstra TV box for free to air and Netflix on mobile network instead of an expensive Satellite setup.. TV box does the same thing
Great channel and contents mate. What are your thoughts on the Nighthawk M6 Pro. Can't get the M5 anymore, Telstra saying its been replaced with the new M6. Would we have the same or even better internet paired with your antenna kit? Thanks in advance
I am getting a RV bus and was searching for this information, Great info. With your set up can you also use the 360 antenna on the move and when you stop put up your directional antenna.
I've been using a 10-12dBi 2xMIMO omni with a second-hand Netgear AC790S ($65) for my mobile data needs for about two years now. It lives in the canopy of the ute and is connected to auxiliary battery permanently, while the antenna is up on the roof rack. I does well, but having a good mast with that RFI MIMO you have will be better than my set up by a fair way. Antenna gains are about the same on paper, but as you say, the higher the better with a mast, and the RFI unit has better VSWR than my MIMO, so there's that. Still, I like your thinking with the directional antenna with picking a better tower, and the Nighthawk M5 is a cracker unit. I like the kit you've made available. Subscribed while I was here.
Hi Michael, thanks so much for watching, taking the time to comment and subscribing! Glad you've got a system that works for you, glad you think ours is a good option too! :)
G'day, love your show especially about the Netgear Nighthawk WiFi. I have purchased the netgear 5100 and an Rfi CDQ 8195 5g antenna so what do I need now to hook the antenna to the Netgear and make it all work in the car? Cheers Keep up the good work, maybe we'll meet on the road.
Hi, we have bought the Nighthawk and your setup, thanks for the video, straightened out our thinking. Testing it in a couple of weeks. In the video you mentioned showing how to setup to use Optus as well. I have Optus with lots of data on my phone and wanted to swap between the two as needed. Thanks
Hi Steve, thanks for watching and purchasing, we appreciate it! On our website we have a blog article with instructions on how to alter the settings to open up all the Optus bands (it is in the gear section). Your Optus Sim may just work fine once in the nighthawk, but if it doesn't you'll need to follow the steps. 😁 www.overlandexposure.com.au
For months I've been looking at this subject and trying to find something like this video, well done!👍 I however before finding this video I made my purchase 2weeks ago and chose the Nighthawk M2 based on price over the CelFi. My first weekend away I meet up with a friend who had a CelFi with him. We ran some speed test in the remote location and I found the Nighthawk on it's own had way faster data than the CelFi on it's own. I am wrapped with the Nighthawk. I'm using it on the move as WIFI calling with a small roof mounted 7dBi antenna ($49 magnetic base) and drove through an area where I'd definitely experience dropouts. The Nighthawk only went digital twice with no dropouts. The only problem with the Nighthawk, the TS9 connectors. Way too fragile. I wish it had SMA connections.
Hey mate, glad to hear! You can always upgrade the antenna too :) Ts9 connectors, yeah they aren't amazing, but we have found they are generally ok and last pretty well! You can also use small pliers to squeeze the connectors back together slightly to make it tighter again
Hi Thanks for a grate vid, lots of useful info . I am retiring this April and starting to get the bits and pieces i need to be on the road . Do you still do the netgear package for price and delivery. Cheers for now Steve.
Hi Steve, glad you found the vid helpful. I believe telco antennas still has the package available. The link should be in this article. overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-get-internet-anywhere-in-australia-remote-internet-guide/ Enjoy your preparations & time on the road.
Really interesting. I've been so unimpressed with the Celfi and omni antenna. I was considering purchasing a telescopic mast and directional antenna for it, but after watching this I think I'll reconsider.... Am i understanding your speed test correctly - the Nighthawk with NO antenna is still significantly faster than the Celfi WITH a directional antenna????
Hey guys! Thanks for watching and reaching out! In answer to your question - generally yes, but it depends where you are. We've tested it a couple of times and it has been the case if there's any more than 1 bar of reception on your phone.
@Wild Touring This setup is the way to go. We traded in our hotspot/omni directional antenna for this and we are yet to find somewhere we haven't been able to pull reception. Very handy. @Overland Exposure - thanks for this video. We purchased your kit from Telco Antennas last year and used it extensively across the High Country and the Murray. Has been amazing!
Excellent video with great information. as i am deaf, the captioning was really clear so much appreciated. What would be the setup (in lieu of jockey wheel type thingy at back of caravan to mount antenna) for a canopy with roof rack? Thanks in advance
Hi Michael, glad you enjoyed it. You could look at the Telco Antennas towball mount instead? Or possibly you may have to drill and bolt a mount to the canopy? If you do buy the antenna and mast together mention Overland Exposure in the comments section of the order :)
@@OverlandExposure Hello, I went to Telstra and put an order in for the Nighthawk M5. Telstra texted me this last night "Hi Michael, unfortunately we're unable to provide you with the Nighthawk M5 you recently ordered as it is no longer available from the manufacturer." I wonder what options I have to purchase the M5 or even M6 (which Telstra says they dont have). Not keen on the M1 or M2. Thanks
Hi. I have watched your video on the best internet set-up for travelling...very good. Are the items you recommended back when making the video still your current recommendation? I am sitting in our van now. Outside we have 4G. Inside the van - zero, until I hold the phone to the window. We recently did 13,338km with the van QLD/NT and so often had nothing so I have to do something and your recommendation appears good to me. Starlink seems good too. Do you have recommendation on TV reception for travelling? Kind regards, Dan
Hi Dan, no changes in the equipment, although if you check out website we have an updated article on Starlink. Don't worry about TV reception just get awesome internet and stream :)
@@OverlandExposure Hi Dan, I was going to ask the exact same question as Daniel Kemp here. I would just like to add..... what are your thoughts on the Nighthawk M6, its what Telstra has available now that the M5 has been superseded? I was actually going to originally go with the RV-Wifi setup but also felt it didn't cover all our needs having two young boys, after looking into the nighthawks M6 and how to adapt them with long range antennas I stumbled across this vid. Great video I must add 👍 I'm a sparky so do appreciate and enjoy the in-depth technical side of it.
@@OverlandExposure is there a difference in Australia with the 2 versions of Nighthawks M5’s MR5100 and MR5200? Also I have liked and subscribed to the channel mate so looking forward to seeing more 👌🏻
Hey guys, very informative vid cheers. We have the nighthawk m5, with a, what I now know from your video is a omni directional antenna. We have been looking at the outhereinternet solution, however this comes with a modem. Is this system similar to the package you guys have put together? Cheers
Hi mate, I have nothing against OutThere Internet, I haven't tried it personally though. Our package is essentially a directional antenna to replace your omni antenna, a mast to get it up high (the higher the better) and a way to mount the mast to a caravan or trailer. Since you already have a Nighthawk M5 you are halfway there, the antenna in our kit simply plugs into it. I believe OutThereInternet includes the modem, as you mentioned, so you would be doubling up on that component if you went with it. I believe the performance is comparable to our kit, but I haven't tested it personally so can't comment. The concepts are similar.
Good video thank you. But I just use a mobile phone booster on a long mast with an antenna outside of my caravan and a small antenna inside of the caravan and it works very well and no SIM card needed just the SIM card in your phone. If you have one bar outside you will get 5 bars inside .
Hi Stephen, just so you know that doesn't really do much. You don't actually have 5 bars inside, just 5 bars to your booster. If it works for you that's fine, I don't care, but there are much better solutions that are more effective as you get more remote. Starlink being the best right now.
Hi Guys. Great video and great information. Just what I was looking for. Just wondering if the aerial can be fixed to the bottom of the Winegard tv aerial? I know it won’t be as high as your solution, but easy up easy down and it has the directional ability from inside the van. Will it affect the TV signal being so close to the tv aerial.
the best video I've seen on the subject - I came home from a remote trip more battling with the x-wave than adding to my internet, and intended going back to the same place in a few months with the nighthawk and connectors for my yagi setup - this filled in the blanks that things will be much better in the same spot - out of interest - on the app - i assume open radiation pattern is the handiest indicator for this type of setup? I'll also take an optus sim with me, as there's an optus antenna closer on the island pointed right at it in 180degrees to where I was shooting with telstra only - great job - thanks :) Anyone in the market for a barely used x-wave for Telstra?
@@OverlandExposure another thing that isn’t advertised is the limited band that the xwave boosts. An if those bands are present - your xwave starts a fight with your phone.which is why I came back looking for something for an external antenna and compatible with all relevant bands. The net gear covers it. I believe the towers also dump you - so the ability to hop within multiple bands will help
Very informative, thank you. I'm going to take a good wild guess here and guess your ex AJ tech or one of the other services. Ex RaSigs Operator myself and mainly dealt with crypto and frequencies so thanks heaps for the update. I've been using a older Netgear modem plugged into a G spotter omni directional antenna for the last few years but wanting something better for outback NSW. I previously haven't bothered with comms outside an Iridium and PLB for emergencies and HF. What antenna do you use for comms on the move? I don't have a caravan, just the fourbie. Just wanting to improve internet and voice services and update what is basically on my vehicle an older and reaching used by date system.
Hi Liam, you can update to a higher gain MIMO omni and a newer Nighthawk if you wish, however just the new modem should give you most of the improvement you are after.
Hi Dan, thanks for this information Very helpful! We started with the RVWifi and it definitely did not do the job. We managed to return it and get a refund. However we went into JB hifi to buy what we thought was the Nighthawk M5 but when we got home we found they sold us the Telstra MU500 wireless hotspot! Yes very dum from us not to notice! However my question is what’s the difference between the two? Is the Telstra one as good as the Nighthawk? Thanks
Hi there, I found this video very interesting and we were considering buying the kit you mentioned. However, with Starlink now on scene, and with your knowledge as a RAAF techo, I was wondering if I could ask you a question on this subject please, which may also be of interest to other watchers of your channel. We are thinking that Starlink might be best for us as an older couple wanting to travel maybe 4 months in a year. We see Starlink has a special ending 26 Sept where one can buy refurb hardware at half price. However, when I try and buy RV option online it does not offer refurb hware, but does when I click residential. From what we can tell the hardware is all the same whether rv or residential? As such, tempted to buy the residential refurb kit and activate rv account when we travel, but not sure why Starlink is not offering refurb kit on rv option. Want to buy before special ends on 26 Sept, but don't want to make a mistake in getting wrong thing - would appreciate your advice - thanks for your entertaining videos!
Alot of intersting information and food for thought. We have been looking into a product called "out there internet", do you have any thoughts on it and how it compares to the nighthawk?
Hi Scott, I haven't seen or used one in person. I believe it doesn't have 5G and might be more expensive than our solution? It sounds like it's an effective product from their website though.
A very informative video. We have the Nighthawk M5 and use it both at home in our apartment for our internet and in the caravan when we travel. Would a 'stick' antenna help with reception in both settings, even if just a little bit? Would plugging 2 small antennas directly into the unit make a difference? We are retired so don't need great capacity but sometimes reception on the unit is poor, both in our unit and in the caravan. We are not permitted to fix an external antenna to the outside of our apartment hence why I'm asking about a portable set up. TIA.
In your Ausphonetowers app, I noticed that the frequencies were written around the edges of the blue radiation patterns and also that you could click on a tower and it would tell you how far you were - is there a particular setting to switch this info on? I can't seem to find it in my app (iphone/ios).
Hi, we are waiting on delivery of our new caravan and I have been researching options for internet and phone signal boosting while on the road. Your video was very informative and I am keen to purchase the kit. I already have a Nighthawk M2 modem. As your video was published back in Feb 2022 just want to check that there is no recent new technology to consider before I purchase.
Hi Glenda, pretty much Starlink is the only new option, and it's good and bad. I have an article on my website about it for travellers if you want to check it out.
Hi Marco, If you look at when this video was made, Starlink wasn't an option. I have since done an in depth Starlink review :) th-cam.com/video/KDqp8b8eGMo/w-d-xo.html
I think the RV wifi now come with 5G great blog very interesting How far from a tower can you be and still get reception But the end of 2023 should have full coverage around Australia
Thanks, glad you found it useful! Interesting about RV wifi. 5g still doesn't help it though, it's lack of antennas etc are the problem. And yes Starlink should be Aus Wide around the end of the year/early 2023! We are continuing to test it. 😁 And for distance our record has been 110km on a very flat terrain, but we've picked up a connection at all different distances (all depends on the terrain) but have barely been without internet for 1.5yrs. (less than 10 days).
Thanks for this vid. Informative. Not knowing any better, we went with RV Wifi. Disappointing performance. My iPhone does better in the van on straight 4G v connected to the RV. 6mbps v 21 megs when I tested it yesterday. I have an early version of the Telstra mobile device. Used it at work to get a signal for my laptop. Might look at the M5 if RV can’t sort out why my unit is performing so bad.
You're welcome! A lot of people went with the RV wifi as that's what the caravan industry was recommending - people trust them. If you have an M2 that will work with our kit and unfortunately the M5 is no longer available and has been replaced with the M6 which will also work. Hope that helps. 😁
@@OverlandExposure I have an older "Netgear AirCard 810S", one of Telstra's first broadband devices to run on 4GX. Yep, it's old. But it did the trick at work where reception wasn't good. Has the two antenna ports which will work with the gear that you've shown on the videos. I'll wait to see what RV Wifi has to say about mine and its poor performance before I go spending any more dough on this. They have it now to do an upgrade on it. To their credit they suggested that I hold off on buying their high gain antenna before I see how the upgrade goes. Thing is, it works, all devices connect but overall internet performance is down, even in populated areas. eg. Cowes, Phillip Island, The Entrance, NSW, Wagga Wagga, NSW and Bairnsdale, Eastern Vic, the main places that I've been with the van so far.
Hi there. Love your video and thank you for taking the time to explain everything so well. I'm in the process of buying this kit, and was wondering if you can explain whether the Nighthawk M6 will be suitable as telstra don't have stocks of the M5 atm.
Great video mate! Now that Starlink has full coverage in Aus have you been using it more? I am interested in using RV starlink plan with standard hardware modified to run off 12v. Rumours that Star link will disconnect you if you are moving without the very expensive fixed flat panel.
Hi Dan, Great video. I just bought the kit and am setting up on my van. I see Starlink RV is out and wondering if that has changed any of your opinion or recommendations in the video? Cheers
Hi mate, Thanks! I've got a writeup here - overlandexposure.com.au/starlink-for-travellers/ At the moment it's a both situation unfortunately, not an either or.
Thanks mate. I've been searching different sites for info and you've been able to pull it all together in the one place backed up by your technical knowledge. We have a Cel-fi with an omnidirectional aerial but I'm starting to lean towards the Netgear Nighthawk. I can't really justify the full system that you have for just a few months a year so I was wondering if it's possible (or even worthwhile) to connect a Nighthawk to the Cel-fi aerial?
Hi mate, I wouldn't, but if you end up with a Nighthawk you can plug the omni into it. The differences will be marginal though and probably not worth the cost.
@OverlandExposure Update: Thanks to your tips, I found that our phones' 5G hotspot is giving us better speeds than our satellite service here at home. I've already arranged for it to be disconnected while we take the van away at the end of the month. I've now ordered the Nighthawk for our trip as I found that including it on our Telstra account allows us to use the data from our phones too through data sharing. This was the clincher as we presently only use a fraction of this data but get great service at our rural location. We will probably keep using the Nighthawk at home after our trip instead of the satellite service as it appears to be better and actually works out cheaper. Thanks again for your help.
Hi. Great info you have put together. My question is I’ve noticed Nighthawk M5 have 2 models. MR5100 and MR5200. I’m about to order one but unsure which would work the best in remote areas in OZ. Cheers Brett
Great informative video and easy to understand for tech illiterate - thanks for the info. Can you ellaborate on that plug system that someone sent you pics of to get the aerial cord inside the van. Where would you go to get that sort of thing? Thanks
Hi Mate, No worries. They just bought a 240V outdoor wall outlet and basically drilled holes and put the SMA connectors into it. It's not the easiest way, we still recommend just putting the cable through the window haha.
@@OverlandExposure that does sound the easiest. One more question - does the nighthawk automatically recognise when you plug in the external aerial cables or you best to reboot it after plugging in??
Hi, many thanks for this useful video! One question please: Does the Telco Antennas package include the pivot base of the antennae which allows you to change the position from horizontal to vertical?
Hi, great information, I'm interested in getting your setup for our caravan! we using RVWifi and we are not happy with it! could you please send me the information how we can order it from? I can get the Nighthawk from Telstra.
Thanks for watching and reaching out! Scroll down a little on the link below, it will have the link to the package in Telco website and out discount code to use. :) overlandexposure.com.au/faqs-for-internet-travelling-australia/
Great article and cleared up a lot of my concerns. Looked at purchasing the Nighthawk M5 and is no longer offered by Telstra, they will be offering the 5G wifi pro when available. Have you had any experience or views on this product? The alternative is to get the M2 and stay with the 4G network Just when there’s a great product available, they replace it, must have been to good.
Dan, such an awesome video full of high quality info. Thank you. I’m about to travel from Melb to Broome along the coast. We don’t have 4x4 access but need coverage for work purposes both on the road and when camping. Wondering if Omni antenna will do the job with my nighthawk? Or do I maximise my chances of better reception and catch up at camp once I reach our camp with a directional antenna. If the latter, what directional antenna would you recommend?
Hi Sam! Thank you! We use our nighthawk without any external antennas in the truck while driving (eg rightt now replying to you 🤣) and then put the panel up when at camp. We find this works well, we get enough while travelling for what we need and then catch up while at camp. Our internet kit on our website is the best antenna etc option. overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-get-internet-anywhere-in-australia-remote-internet-guide/
@@OverlandExposure I’m leaving Monday so wondering if you or anyone knows any stockists in Melbourne?? Will try and research myself but not having much luck.
Ah, no sorry, we only have this contact in Brisbane for the kit. Best best would be to ship to a location ahead of you and pickup. If you're going to a caravan park they are usually good with holding packages for you if you call ahead and have a booking. Of not a Parcell collect on Aus Post app works brilliantly too.
Love this video thanks very much. Now question, where do we buy all this gear from. I understand that the night hawk id get from Telstra or maybe HBHIFI but what about the other gear? Can you name a place in Brisbane that would set it up for me please?
Hi many thanks for your in depth video on the nighthawk answered a lot of my questions I bought your aerial kit yesterday and picked it up direct also got a stick aerial to use for the nighthawk in the car with one question which port on the nighthawk do I connect the aerial or doesn’t it matter
Thanks for a great explanation! I will purchase a nighthawk m5 if i can find one and your current set up is out of stock at moment and probably a bit much for me to navigate Can you suggest a smaller simpler easier to use antenna?
No worries, glad I could help! Stock of our kit should be back next week and any telstra store should have the M5. Maybe consider a small MIMO omni antenna, just note that it won't get the same results as our suggested one. Telco Antennas have a great selection, just tell them we sent you :)
Hi will this solution also help to watch streaming service like Stan etc ? We have small TP thing our son suggested but buffering drives wife mad and me a little.
Hi Guy's, a great explanation and food for thought, speaking of food.. did anyone else notice the disappearing bananas?? Disappeared at 24:41, reappeared at 36:28, disappeared at 42:21 and finally reappeared at 43:06?? Not to mention the fruit in the bowl above! Bloody hilarious.. tnx..
Hey mate excellent video thank you we now have this setup. I am wondering how you display the line with direction of the tower on the Aus Phone Towers App?
@@OverlandExposure any idea how to get direction from an iPhone? I am playing with Hema 4x4 maps that may give a rough idea. I gather you only have to be in the ball park?
I use terrain features and the map in the Aus Towers App to get it roughly right. It has a pretty wide beam so nope it just needs to be roughly in the right direction :)
@@OverlandExposure would be handy if Aus Phone Towers had a compass in the app. Still have not found an easy solution with iPhone as yet to find the direction of a tower.
Hi, was recommended to watch your video, just have and only wish I had seen it sooner! It by far the best video I have seen on the subject . Can I just clarify - I run the Telstra Wi Fi 5g data modem, the MU 500. From your comment below, I take it this is not suitable coz the antenna ports are not in use?
Hi Rob, I'm looking into this again as I recently ran into a guy using my setup with the MU500 modem and it looked like it works, I'm guessing they have updated the firmware so the external antenna ports actually work. I've asked for clarification about this.
@@Tiderock Like the Netgear M1 and M2 (and possibly M5) Nighthawk units, the ZTE MU500 external antenna connection may only work on selected telephony bands so would be dependent on which band the "connected to" telephony tower is using. Unfortunately ZTE doesn't appear to provide much support and the Google searches I made didn't provide the answer.
Hi, love the video i think im going to turn away from RV WIFI brand now. Just wondering if you have any experience with the Cowfish VanConnect or heard anything about it?
Hi mate, thanks, glad it was helpful. I've had a look at it, and it just looks like a normal 4g modem to me. If you don't want the batteries and 5g of the Nighthawk, I would recommend the TelcoAntennas X1 Pro.
Really useful video thank you (and easy to understand for a non techie!) I already have a nighthawk but no antenna to boost it. I have a sprinter campervan your exact mast setup won’t work for me, but thinking I might try find a mast/ antenna attachment I can put on the roof via the skylight... have you seen any other good mast setups for sprinter type vans?
Hi, thanks for the compliment! I can't say I have, bit I know Telco antennas do have a magnetic mount system for vehicles to mount a mast. I'm not sure if this will work?
Thanks, I’ll give them a call as I reckon a magnetic temporary solution that I can put on the roof as and when I need it would be ideal. Thanks for the reply!
Hi there, Thank-you for your video, very informative. A couple of points/questions if I my: 1) NIGHTHAWK ONBOARD BATTERY SAFETY & LONGEVITY. It is NOT a good idea to leave your Nighthawk PERMANENTLY and CONSTANTLY plugged in being charged - WHILE THE BATTERY IS INSTALLED. Fortunately, when connected to an external power source, I BELIEVE ALL versions of the Nighthawk models DO NOT REQUIRE their battery to be installed to operate. (I HAVE NOT TRIED THIS ON THE NIGHTHAWK M5 as I don't have one. Maybe you could test and confirm this.) 2) TELSTRA & BELONG I believe Belong is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telstra. Do you know if Belong uses the Full Telstra Retail Network? 3) TELSTRA BUSINESS PLANS I was advised by a Telstra technician that the Telstra BUSINESS plans have more priority to the Telstra network than consumer plans. Do you know of this to be true? (If true, it may significantly help when in a congested area.) Many thanks again
Hi mate, Battery - yep, we unplug ours regularly though to use it in our vehicle, so it's not an issue for us, it gets regularly cycled. Belong - Only use Telstra wholesale not retail, unlike Boost. Tesltra Business - Pretty sure this is Baloney told by a Salesperson, I've never ever heard of Business and getting any sort of network priority.
@@OverlandExposure Hi there, if your M5's battery is removed, BUT PLUGGED INTO ANOTHER POWER SOURCE, doe it still work? (I believe this can be done on all other models) As for Telstra Business, what I was told be the tech, might be true. All Telstra clients current are not even on the same billing platform as the consumers are. I believe there is a change planned, but currently they are not on the same billing system. I'm a Telstra Business client, I even have to use a different support team from Telstra. Thanks again - I hope your travels are going well.
Have only found out about you and your products recently. Have ordered a van with a celfi go, however have not finalised yet. It will be finalised on 2 April 22. Therefore I can delete the celfi from the order. My question to you is if I buy the complete kit that you are promoting. Can I use the same in/out antenna wires and maybe have a plug on the back of the van for the external antenna. Would be good to get this done during the build of the van. Can you supply any simple wiring diagrams for connection to the nighthawk unit so I can show the van people. The van is a crusader Excalibur serenity full composite van. Ie no frame work in walls or roof . They seem to be very open to any ideas that I have. Thanks Doug.
Hi Doug, The external setup we recommend requires 2 x SMA inputs, and then shielded cable inside the van to 2 x SMA outputs. (This supports the MIMO antenna) The Celfi would have required the same except a single SMA connection to an external antenna. Just remember that every connection you add into the circuit will decrease it's effectiveness, it's one reason why we recommend simply running the external cables from the antenna into the van, and then connect via the adapters into the modem.
I have been using the Nighthawk M1 with just the single 6dB single stick type antenna , which works pretty good most of the time but do like the Omni directional setup you guys have . But recently have noticed my Nighthawk seems to go offline for no reason ! Do you know what is the difference between the M1 and the M2 Nighthawk ? Also which Nighthawk model supports 5G ?
Hey guys I am looking at the nighthawk set up with both Omni (car) and directional(van) antennas. Your video was great, but just wondering if there are any updates or considerations I should take into account since the video was made?
If you have already tried the Nighthawk on the move and not happy with it, grab a MIMO omni antenna that suits your vehicle. It will only marginally improve performance over the internal nighthawk antennas though.
We have just ordered a new build a Caravan. Would you suggest getting a fixed point installed for the aerial cord to enter into the van? If so is it and aerial in / aerial out points needed? When traveling where do you put the mast? How do you get the nighthawk 6 to use other non Telstra sims? Is is just a case of plug and play?
Hi Karen, we wouldn't actually, it's something else to go wrong, and every connection reduces the performance of the antenna. If you really want to, it's 2x female SMA in and 2 X male SMA out. Our mast stays on the back of our van permanently, other people unbolt it and store it inside or in a tunnel boot, as it isn't always needed. The bolts are the same size as your stabizers. Nighthawk M6 - we are testing it at the moment and not 100% sure it works with other carriers yet, We will release some info on this soon.
Got our setup today except they didn’t send the extension pole will have to sort that out 👍- how do you get your distance to come up on the aus phone tower app ?
Hi mate, it's usually 2 packages, but if it doesn't come be sure to check with TelcoAntennas. I've worked out the distance thing is only on Android, not sure why :/ I think the app can get more data from Android
Hi, great video. It's been 2 years since. I love to watch Fox sports, AFL especially. I have a telstra mobile phone 50gb month. I have satking box and sat dish. I don't have a smart tv at moment. I'm no tech head either. I watch netflix too. Can you please tell me a simple way of watching netflix and foxtel without the satking box and dish. Thankyou
Thanks Wendy, sorry for the delay. I Netflix & I believe Foxtel you'll need an internet connection. If you want internet for these ALL the time you'll need to get Starlink and pay the monthly cost plus have the power set up. If you are happy to have internet most of the time then our internet kit you watched here will be great, with a Telstra data sim in the Nighthawk modem. If you just want internet when you can a nighthawk modem with telstra data sim will work too. We have more info on our website here which may help, plus links to buying our Overland Kit. overlandexposure.com.au/australia/australian-travel-resources-and-info/ Hope that helps!
Thanks for your informative video. What about the Telstra 5g Wi-Fi Pro could you also add an external antenna and get similar results? I got a second hand nighthawk m2 and found it to have really poor performance max 20Mb/s even with great coverage compared to other devices in the same location
Hi Andrew, no worries, thanks for watching! The Wifi pro has external antenna ports however they don't actually work (i.e. not connected in the device). The M2 should definitely have better connection than thatm we have travelled with people who had a M2 and were getting upwards of 100mb/s on their device. I'm thinking your M2 might be faulty.
Can you please share your advice on mobile plans you use for calls? I love the idea of data for my work, but sill need to talk with family, friends and conduct general business. Thank you.
Hi John, if you have Telstra on your phone, when you have internet via the modem, your phone will automatically do Voice over Wifi and will just work as per normal, even with no phone reception, only internet.
Hi Dan, Awesome video with great information! Thank you for taking the time to put this together. We are having a caravan built later in the year with composite roof and panels and would like to setup all the wiring we need for the future during build. The manufacture has a pre-wire for Satellite option for a Satking type setup. We don't know if the wiring for a Satellite TV type solution and the Starlink solution would be the same, so not sure if this is worth doing. I see you have been trialling Starlink in the video, so thought you may be able to answer this question?
Hi, thanks for putting the time into making this video. I am planning to travel and work remotely but I need to teleconference 8 hours a day to paying clients. I plan to park and work for three days at a time when doing so, so I will be able to research places with reasonably good tower coverage. I am concerned about speed dropping when the towers are being heavily used (I will be working from 8am to 5pm). Do you think I need to be concerned, are there other issues I should consider and do you think my plan is workable?.. I don't want to let down paying clients. I've considered purchasing a second antenna and modem and then using Speedify to bond the connections to try and get a faster connection at peak times, is this something you would recommend? Thanks again
Hi Will, There is the possibility of congestion which is what you are talking about, it's one of the reasons we carry our directional antenna, and also an Optus Sim. Between these things we can generally get a pretty good connection in most places. I would just do this for now, and look at adding Starlink in the next 6 or so months for a 100% solution.
@@OverlandExposure thanks, that makes sense. Do you think it would be worth placing an order for Starlink at this point considering they are yet to provide support for those who move frequently?
Will. Internet data through put is only as fast as the slowest bottleneck between you and what you are interfacing with regardless of what medium/s (dialup modem/ADSL/NBN/fibre/telephony/etc) you are using. Thus it can vary from location to location. For example, last year whilst we were in a caravan park in Ross (suburb of Alice Springs), every day the data throughput was great in the morning and deteriated as the day progressed even though the 4G telephony signal strength was still the same (4 bars) - this was using Telstra service on both a Netgear M2 and Oppo Android devices.
@@terryhaebich6262 yep, I'm a communications technician, I'm well aware :) That's what I'm saying, the CelFi will only limit the bandwidth, not ever increase it more than just the same antenna plugged into the Nighthawk. What you are talking about in Alice Springs is likely to be Network Congestion.
Thanks so much for this video - I'm a car camper and looking at some options as my favourite spot has crappy reception. Probably a silly question, but I have saved up the data on my phone (Amaysim/Optus - I'm home alot on my home wifi). If I put a new sim in the Nighthawk, does it use the data from nighthawk sim, or my phone sim?
Hi, great video - thanks for sharing. Setup we're looking to use when working remotely from the van. Q1. Do you discuss anywhere the 'little bit of fiddling' to switch between Telstra and Optus SIMs? Q2. A parts list would also be a great helpful addition if able to add it. (ie down to individual components). Where are you now? .... TF.
Q3 . Also explaining the connections a bit better and showing them would be really helpful - bit difficult to follow for those of us who dont know the connector terminology. ;-)
Q4. You may have answered this below - will the M5 work correctly with a phone SIM inserted (not data SIM)?. ie. Without changing the IMEI? Reason being - I can see how for your use (travelling continuous) having a data sim is the way to go. Our intended usage is more short trips where we might in preference 'sacrifice' a SIM out of one of our phones for the time we have it inserted in the nighthawk. (Still thinking about it.... depends on whether it works readily too.) Troy.
@@OverlandExposure Thanks Dan, appreciate the detail. At face value looks do-able. Did you notice someone had recently commented the M5 apparently not available any longer at Telstra in preference to the M6? Any knowledge on the M6? (Particularly to features or whether remains unlocked to Optus - I guess in particular). Thx, Troy You didnt answer the most important (for those of us stuck at home)..... where are you now?? ;-)
Hi Anthony, you get both the mast and antenna in our package here www.telcoantennas.com.au/remote-data-setup-for-caravans-campers-trailers-mi There's also an extra 5% discount code on our website overlandexposure.com.au/faqs-for-internet-travelling-australia/
Really great video, and your kit looks to be a fantastic option. We're currently looking at a system for our Canter and until now had been thinking about the CelFiGo, but the directional antenna appeals a lot. Our Canter already looks a bit like a porcupine when set up to camp, so another antenna (particularly a folding antenna) won't hurt. The one question I do have is: Are the modems linked to a specific service number? Like many people we have a home internet package, and mobile data on our phones and iPads. We mostly use the iPads on the road. Can we pull a SIM from an iPad with mobile data to put into the Nighthawk modem and then connect via WiFi, or do we need an additional specific SIM for the modem too?
Advice please! (Love your work!!!) Will the new Nighthawk M6 Work with your system (I am hoping so), I have already purchased the package from Telco Antennas and now need to get the modem. You mention having an OPTUS sim card for some areas. Is the Telstra Nighthawk easily unlocked to enable this to happen? Is so can you please direct me as to the best way to unlock it (perhaps a link to a TH-cam)? Thanks in advance.
@@OverlandExposure Thanks for your prompt reply and please excuse my lack of knowledge. By putting the OPTUS APN into the modem, will that let the M6 select the OPTUS or Telstra network automatically depending on the sim card installed? Again thanks in advance 🙂
@@BrettDargue yep! Although it's better to manually select the APN and network so it doesn't get confused. You just select Optus or Telstra in the network settings tab
Here's where to buy the kit: www.telcoantennas.com.au/remote-data-setup-for-caravans-campers-trailers-mi
and here is the Link to the discount code: overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-get-internet-anywhere-in-australia-remote-internet-guide/
Hi and thanks!
I'm building a camper and I'm not sure where I can fit the swivel type antena set up. I did speak with Telco Aerials and they recommend a celfi setup. But after watching your video, I'm unsure. If I went with the M5 Netgear, what other antena options will give me the most powerful system and better chance of internet connection?
Thanks in advance!
@@tonyslegg not high jacking, but this is the response I got from telco
It really depends how far out you are planning on going, if its really remote places then the directional antenna setup would offer a much better chance of the connection, if its mainly staying around the highways then the omni setup is certainly suitable.
Cheers,
Brent Pukallus
Operations Manager
I recently got the M6 Pro, amazing results over the M1 I had, but when I buy an antenna I'll get the Omni, as I don't go off the beaten track or remote all that much
Hi @coco gem, thanks for reaching out. Could the mount go on the A-frame. We've also seen it put on a bullbar on a bus and the mast and antenna removed for travel for these options. As you know we really don't recommend the celfi and have extensively tested it.
@SLP we've tested adding an Omni to the nighthawk and didn't see much signal improvement.
I’m about to order the kit I have a nighthawk do I need any other adapters or are they all incl in the kit ? Great video mate
Hi, great article, I have been using this type of setup for several years and it is very successful. A minor note though, to save phone battery life and interruptions caused by the phone switching between wifi and the tower in marginal areas we set our phones to airplane mode then enable bluetooth and wifi when at camp and when mobile. The Nighthawk does the trick. Phone is set to WiFi preferred for phone service. SMS comes through as per normal.
Thanks for watching and the tip about the phone battery!
Thanks Nickelrick2033 - I'm a solar+battery contractor in regional SA, and I kept getting dropped calls even though I had the Nighthawk on Optus with 2+bars signal but my phone had almost no optus signal. Today I tried the airplane mode + just wifi+bluetooth - the Nighthawk now gives me faultless calls. I'm often talking to solar tech support and installing firmware updates for inverters etc - it's always stressful with unreliable reception. Now a lot less stress - everywhere that I take that nighthawk I find minimum 2 bars of Optus - even though my phone shows almost no bars. The nighthawk;'s internal antenna is sensational - I haven't yet needed an omni external antenna.
So thanks for the airplane mode tip
Glad I found this solution myself 3-4 years ago, never looked back👍
Great job mate, ive been trying to explain this stuff to family and friends for ages now and your video basically sums it all up
Thanks Kieran, glad to help 😁
As an IT guy, that is the most technically excellent vlog I've seen from any of the travel caravanner brigade bar none. As I am watching this nearly 2 years later I had a good chuckle whilst you were dealing with the elephant in the room (Starlink). Slowly catching up on all your travels. Looking forward to the Starlink one in the future when I catch up :)
Thanks David! Glad you thought so highly of it 😁
Starlink has definitely changed the game since this video, but this is also still relevant for those that don't need starlink 😆
I hope you continue to enjoy our vids 😁
I'm looking to work remotely and use Citrix which is super sensitive to interrupts. Starlink seems to be defeated by trees so I'd be looking at using both options.
Starlink is always improving as they are always launching more satellites, in saying that trees can still cause some issues. I suggest, maybe buy starlink and the mast kit and do some testing with trees and putting starlink on the mast too, and if it is still dropping out under trees, buy the nighthawk and Sim (which are both generally easily available) and add it on. 😁
Thank you so much for that valuable information, I already had the Nighthawke and nearly changed until i came accross this. Have now purchased the arial for my Nighthawke :)
You're absolutely welcome Chrisy! Glad you found it useful 😁
Thank you for posting this video. I was looking at the RV -wifi but I am sold on the nighthawk system now! 👍🏻
You're welcome Andrew! Happy to use my knowledge and experience to help others😁
Thankyou so much for your information. I am a communications technician myself and am always interested in good information people are sharing.
With planing to travelling around Australia in a caravan and with lots of stuff out there to use.
I will be for sure using your products
Thank so much Paul 😁
Thanks for the informative video. I was looking to buy an external antenna for our van and bought the setup you recommended. It works a treat! Thanks.
Amazing, so glad to hear that!! 😁
Thanks for the info, after seeing your vid a year ago I got a mimo panel antenna with a 7m mast and secondhand nighthawk and it worked great for our recently completed lap of Aussie(20000klms). We used our existing 2x Optus plans with shared data with extra sim for the NH along with a 12 month 280gig sim ($300) for when there’s no Optus.
Glad I could help!
Well done Dan ! Thanks for sharing your RAAF training and expertise . I am just about to order telco antenna to go with my M5 .
Thanks BadDog!! Welcome! 😁
@@OverlandExposure I did 12 yrs in . Mirages and F111s . Goid times .
@@baddog7589 Both good and bad :)
Very informative. We have Telstra via a Woolworths SIM and didn’t know that there was any difference to normal Telstra (incl Boost). I now know why we didn’t have mobile reception in a lot of outback areas. Keep up the good work! Really enjoying your videos.
Thanks so much! Glad you learnt something new 😁 and glad to hear you're enjoying the videos!
Hi Daniel, re nighthawk tip for anyone, we both use boost mobiles and when range is needed, I forward my phone to the bride and my sim, goes into nighthawk (Just need the extra sim spacer). One advantage of the nighthawk is my sms messages will now appear on the Nighthawk router display of all things so you do not miss anything. Saves us having third account. Boost switches phone to router and back without issue.
Hi Geoff, that's a good idea too! If you both have nano sims you won't even need the extra spacer either.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and explaining it so clearly. We’re looking for exactly that solution.
No worries John, worry you had to listen to my voice for that long!
Thank you so much for this info.Its greatly appreciated.I have a friend who has a celfi and I was not impressed with the performance.Very poor and they are so expensive.
You're welcome. Thank you for watching 😁
Awesome video mate. Thanks for your time and info.
You're welcome, glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching and leaving us a comment!
Great useful video!! Well done mate👍
Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful 😁
This video is so good and helpful... THANK YOU
You're welcome 😁
Awesome video. Thanks a bunch!
Do any we have any tools to tell if a tower is saturated, or is it all up to experience?
Thanks! It's just experience, after a while you will get a feel for it. When you have higher upload than download is a good sign.
Thank you Daniel very comprehensive and informative video, cheers
You're welcome Tim! Glad you enjoyed it. :) Sorry again about the audio issues originally!
Thanks for your great video about the internet
We never miss seeing your videos on your travels
I went to order one about they are on back order so will keek checking
No worries mate. I suggest ordering straight away as it's first in best dressed when stock arrives.
Thanks guys, just catching up.
I bought a Cel-Fi Go in 2019 and it worked 'well' on a 15, 000 Km trip from Canberra, up the WA centre to Broome via Carnarvon, Gibb and back down via Wiluna. This VLOG has got me thinking about making the Cel-Fi Go 'portable' and 'boosting' my phone near the van, and pulling my MiMo NightHawk out of the cupboard.
Telstra gives me 375Gb of 4G LTE on my phone ($96 pm) with fallback to HSPCA, 2G (might be turned off now) and 3G but I know that the NH has better antennas while driving.
So, I think that what I'll do is 'boost' the phone at the van with the CFG, NH while driving and use my Starlink sparingly (understanding how the on/off plan works).
Wifey has VodaNoPhone (which does, surprisingly, work in some of the most remote areas that we've been to) and put an Optus SIM into the NH.
We live on the road and I work on the road. Interestingly, our adult son and I did a two week SA Peninsula fishing trip about 6 weeks ago - he got T 5G mostly and I got mostly T 4G nothing! And we left the Starlink behind on his porch while we were packing :(
What do you think of my plan using what I already have?
Thanks,
Stu
Hi Stu, sounds ok, and you can always just move the Nighthawk around.
Sad to hear from your last blog. The caravanning has ended, but your instagram with your new direction travelling Europe lools exciting i can't to see your new blogs my question is our carvan has a Winegard on the roof is this a RV wifi or a different system
Thanks so much! Europe and the UK are wonderful adventures, we are really looking forward to sharing them on TH-cam soon and really look forward to taking you along with us!
In relation to your Winegard, it depends on the model - some are just TV and some have 4G too, so unfortunately can't answer specifically for your one.
@OverlandExposure Sorry, it's a Winggard Connect 2.0 4G, and it sits on top of our van under a black dome. It has a small slot to fit a sim card, are dose units any good as it comes with the van
Hi mate, it will be better than nothing! Give it a try and see how it goes for you, worst case it doesn't do much and you don't use it. Best case it works well :)
Great explanation. I am a mobile tech and agree with what you have presented. I usually suggest the Nighthawk as well. On the topic on directional antennas, I give a torch as how a directional antenna works. Omni works like a candle.. I also tell people to use a Telstra TV box for free to air and Netflix on mobile network instead of an expensive Satellite setup.. TV box does the same thing
Thanks for watching Greg! I like your candle and torch analogy! :)
Hi Greg, I have a Fetch tv box...can I use that instead of Telstra's?
Great channel and contents mate. What are your thoughts on the Nighthawk M6 Pro. Can't get the M5 anymore, Telstra saying its been replaced with the new M6. Would we have the same or even better internet paired with your antenna kit? Thanks in advance
Hreat video mate. Been usi g a cel-fi for a couple of years, wish I'd seen this two years ago.
Ahh bummer! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍😁
Very informative great work , with your advise ,I purchased the M1 and directional mimo , yet to try it out but I’m confident
Thank you! 😁
Hi, great video! Now that the Nighthawk M6 is available, do you still recommend the M5? Thanks!
Hi Yep the M5 is better if you can get one. Otherwise the M6 is ok.
I am getting a RV bus and was searching for this information, Great info. With your set up can you also use the 360 antenna on the move and when you stop put up your directional antenna.
My bad you answer this question - as I said great information
Haha no worries! Thanks for watching and commenting! Any other questions just ask 😁
I've been using a 10-12dBi 2xMIMO omni with a second-hand Netgear AC790S ($65) for my mobile data needs for about two years now. It lives in the canopy of the ute and is connected to auxiliary battery permanently, while the antenna is up on the roof rack. I does well, but having a good mast with that RFI MIMO you have will be better than my set up by a fair way. Antenna gains are about the same on paper, but as you say, the higher the better with a mast, and the RFI unit has better VSWR than my MIMO, so there's that. Still, I like your thinking with the directional antenna with picking a better tower, and the Nighthawk M5 is a cracker unit. I like the kit you've made available. Subscribed while I was here.
Hi Michael, thanks so much for watching, taking the time to comment and subscribing! Glad you've got a system that works for you, glad you think ours is a good option too! :)
Great write up. Thanks for the heads up I wish I had have found this before I purchased a CelFi Go
Any special set up tips for the M2 ?
Thanks! Nope, nothing special, it will just work when you plug the antenna in.
@@OverlandExposure thanks 🙏
G'day, love your show especially about the Netgear Nighthawk WiFi. I have purchased the netgear 5100 and an Rfi CDQ 8195 5g antenna so what do I need now to hook the antenna to the Netgear and make it all work in the car?
Cheers
Keep up the good work, maybe we'll meet on the road.
Hi Hans, you will need a ts9 to SMA adapter or pigtail :)
Hope this helps!
Thanks Dan, done.😊👍
Hi, we have bought the Nighthawk and your setup, thanks for the video, straightened out our thinking. Testing it in a couple of weeks.
In the video you mentioned showing how to setup to use Optus as well. I have Optus with lots of data on my phone and wanted to swap between the two as needed. Thanks
Hi Steve, thanks for watching and purchasing, we appreciate it!
On our website we have a blog article with instructions on how to alter the settings to open up all the Optus bands (it is in the gear section). Your Optus Sim may just work fine once in the nighthawk, but if it doesn't you'll need to follow the steps. 😁 www.overlandexposure.com.au
@@OverlandExposure thanks, appreciate the response. I’ll try first and checkout the blog as needed.
Thanks again.
Welcome! 😁
Very informative, thanks.
Thank you, you're welcome 😁
If I’m using a night Hawk 5 g and using a iPhone through the night hawk does that mean I’m using 5 g
If the iPhone is 4 g
Yes if your plan supports it
Hi. Great video. I have a nighthawk and celfi. I thought the celfi was a booster only but the way you talk it is portrayed as a modem.
Hi Murray the Celfi isn't a modem, but I am saying that it won't do any better job as a booster than just plugging the antenna into the nighthawk.
For months I've been looking at this subject and trying to find something like this video, well done!👍
I however before finding this video I made my purchase 2weeks ago and chose the Nighthawk M2 based on price over the CelFi. My first weekend away I meet up with a friend who had a CelFi with him. We ran some speed test in the remote location and I found the Nighthawk on it's own had way faster data than the CelFi on it's own. I am wrapped with the Nighthawk. I'm using it on the move as WIFI calling with a small roof mounted 7dBi antenna ($49 magnetic base) and drove through an area where I'd definitely experience dropouts. The Nighthawk only went digital twice with no dropouts.
The only problem with the Nighthawk, the TS9 connectors. Way too fragile. I wish it had SMA connections.
Hey mate, glad to hear! You can always upgrade the antenna too :)
Ts9 connectors, yeah they aren't amazing, but we have found they are generally ok and last pretty well! You can also use small pliers to squeeze the connectors back together slightly to make it tighter again
I'm really happy with my Nighthawk. I have used it successfully all over Austalia.
So glad to hear this Shirley!
Hi Thanks for a grate vid, lots of useful info .
I am retiring this April and starting to get the bits and pieces i need to be on the road .
Do you still do the netgear package for price and delivery.
Cheers for now Steve.
Hi Steve, glad you found the vid helpful.
I believe telco antennas still has the package available. The link should be in this article. overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-get-internet-anywhere-in-australia-remote-internet-guide/
Enjoy your preparations & time on the road.
Ok Awesome i will keep that in mind, the antenna looks like a good idea. Again thanks 👌🇦🇺
No worries 😀
thank you for sharing a great detailed video as great watching
You're welcome, thanks for watching and commenting!!
Thank you Daniel Great share.
Cheers Gerard.
You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment, really appreciate it! 😁
Really interesting. I've been so unimpressed with the Celfi and omni antenna.
I was considering purchasing a telescopic mast and directional antenna for it, but after watching this I think I'll reconsider....
Am i understanding your speed test correctly - the Nighthawk with NO antenna is still significantly faster than the Celfi WITH a directional antenna????
Hey guys! Thanks for watching and reaching out! In answer to your question - generally yes, but it depends where you are. We've tested it a couple of times and it has been the case if there's any more than 1 bar of reception on your phone.
@@OverlandExposure maybe wait for starlink ?
@@adamj1299 hi Adam, we have Starlink actually and are testing it. It's not really mobile suitable yet though. Probably by the end of 2022!
@Wild Touring This setup is the way to go. We traded in our hotspot/omni directional antenna for this and we are yet to find somewhere we haven't been able to pull reception. Very handy.
@Overland Exposure - thanks for this video. We purchased your kit from Telco Antennas last year and used it extensively across the High Country and the Murray. Has been amazing!
@@scruiser80 thanks heaps guys, great to hear. We were recently at Perlubie and pretty chuffed to see 4 caravans with our setup along the beach :)
Excellent video with great information. as i am deaf, the captioning was really clear so much appreciated. What would be the setup (in lieu of jockey wheel type thingy at back of caravan to mount antenna) for a canopy with roof rack? Thanks in advance
Hi Michael, glad you enjoyed it. You could look at the Telco Antennas towball mount instead? Or possibly you may have to drill and bolt a mount to the canopy? If you do buy the antenna and mast together mention Overland Exposure in the comments section of the order :)
@@OverlandExposure Hello, I went to Telstra and put an order in for the Nighthawk M5. Telstra texted me this last night "Hi Michael, unfortunately we're unable to provide you with the Nighthawk M5 you recently ordered as it is no longer available from the manufacturer." I wonder what options I have to purchase the M5 or even M6 (which Telstra says they dont have). Not keen on the M1 or M2. Thanks
All good now, Telstra have updated their website to include M6 & M6 Pro.
Hi. I have watched your video on the best internet set-up for travelling...very good.
Are the items you recommended back when making the video still your current recommendation? I am sitting in our van now. Outside we have 4G. Inside the van - zero, until I hold the phone to the window. We recently did 13,338km with the van QLD/NT and so often had nothing so I have to do something and your recommendation appears good to me. Starlink seems good too.
Do you have recommendation on TV reception for travelling?
Kind regards, Dan
Hi Dan, no changes in the equipment, although if you check out website we have an updated article on Starlink. Don't worry about TV reception just get awesome internet and stream :)
@@OverlandExposure Thank you! Dan
@@OverlandExposure Hi Dan, I was going to ask the exact same question as Daniel Kemp here. I would just like to add..... what are your thoughts on the Nighthawk M6, its what Telstra has available now that the M5 has been superseded? I was actually going to originally go with the RV-Wifi setup but also felt it didn't cover all our needs having two young boys, after looking into the nighthawks M6 and how to adapt them with long range antennas I stumbled across this vid. Great video I must add 👍 I'm a sparky so do appreciate and enjoy the in-depth technical side of it.
@@shaungalea1713 all good Shaun, the M6 is ok and does the job, we find it a bit more finicky to find the external antennas sometimes.
@@OverlandExposure is there a difference in Australia with the 2 versions of Nighthawks M5’s MR5100 and MR5200? Also I have liked and subscribed to the channel mate so looking forward to seeing more 👌🏻
Hey guys, very informative vid cheers. We have the nighthawk m5, with a, what I now know from your video is a omni directional antenna. We have been looking at the outhereinternet solution, however this comes with a modem. Is this system similar to the package you guys have put together?
Cheers
Hi mate, I have nothing against OutThere Internet, I haven't tried it personally though. Our package is essentially a directional antenna to replace your omni antenna, a mast to get it up high (the higher the better) and a way to mount the mast to a caravan or trailer. Since you already have a Nighthawk M5 you are halfway there, the antenna in our kit simply plugs into it. I believe OutThereInternet includes the modem, as you mentioned, so you would be doubling up on that component if you went with it. I believe the performance is comparable to our kit, but I haven't tested it personally so can't comment. The concepts are similar.
@@OverlandExposure ok awesome, thanks for the honest reply. We will see how we go. 👍
Good video thank you.
But I just use a mobile phone booster on a long mast with an antenna outside of my caravan and a small antenna inside of the caravan and it works very well and no SIM card needed just the SIM card in your phone.
If you have one bar outside you will get 5 bars inside .
Hi Stephen, just so you know that doesn't really do much. You don't actually have 5 bars inside, just 5 bars to your booster. If it works for you that's fine, I don't care, but there are much better solutions that are more effective as you get more remote. Starlink being the best right now.
Well done, thanks for the info.
You're welcome! Thanks! :)
Hi Guys.
Great video and great information.
Just what I was looking for.
Just wondering if the aerial can be fixed to the bottom of the Winegard tv aerial? I know it won’t be as high as your solution, but easy up easy down and it has the directional ability from inside the van.
Will it affect the TV signal being so close to the tv aerial.
Hi Peter, no idea sorry mate! Most of the places we can get internet with our kit we can't even get TV reception, so it probably won't be an issue?
the best video I've seen on the subject - I came home from a remote trip more battling with the x-wave than adding to my internet, and intended going back to the same place in a few months with the nighthawk and connectors for my yagi setup - this filled in the blanks that things will be much better in the same spot - out of interest - on the app - i assume open radiation pattern is the handiest indicator for this type of setup? I'll also take an optus sim with me, as there's an optus antenna closer on the island pointed right at it in 180degrees to where I was shooting with telstra only - great job - thanks :) Anyone in the market for a barely used x-wave for Telstra?
Haha. Yeah we have ours just as a tester unit now :/
@@OverlandExposure another thing that isn’t advertised is the limited band that the xwave boosts. An if those bands are present - your xwave starts a fight with your phone.which is why I came back looking for something for an external antenna and compatible with all relevant bands. The net gear covers it. I believe the towers also dump you - so the ability to hop within multiple bands will help
Very informative, thank you. I'm going to take a good wild guess here and guess your ex AJ tech or one of the other services. Ex RaSigs Operator myself and mainly dealt with crypto and frequencies so thanks heaps for the update. I've been using a older Netgear modem plugged into a G spotter omni directional antenna for the last few years but wanting something better for outback NSW. I previously haven't bothered with comms outside an Iridium and PLB for emergencies and HF. What antenna do you use for comms on the move? I don't have a caravan, just the fourbie. Just wanting to improve internet and voice services and update what is basically on my vehicle an older and reaching used by date system.
Hi Liam, you can update to a higher gain MIMO omni and a newer Nighthawk if you wish, however just the new modem should give you most of the improvement you are after.
G’day fella, great video. I have a rv wifi installed, with an Omni directional, how can I get the directional antenna with the pole?
Hi mate, check out the link in the description.
Hi Dan, thanks for this information Very helpful! We started with the RVWifi and it definitely did not do the job. We managed to return it and get a refund. However we went into JB hifi to buy what we thought was the Nighthawk M5 but when we got home we found they sold us the Telstra MU500 wireless hotspot! Yes very dum from us not to notice!
However my question is what’s the difference between the two? Is the Telstra one as good as the Nighthawk?
Thanks
Hi mate, I'm not sure sorry :/
Excellent information 👌 👏
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful. 😁
Hi there, I found this video very interesting and we were considering buying the kit you mentioned. However, with Starlink now on scene, and with your knowledge as a RAAF techo, I was wondering if I could ask you a question on this subject please, which may also be of interest to other watchers of your channel. We are thinking that Starlink might be best for us as an older couple wanting to travel maybe 4 months in a year. We see Starlink has a special ending 26 Sept where one can buy refurb hardware at half price. However, when I try and buy RV option online it does not offer refurb hware, but does when I click residential. From what we can tell the hardware is all the same whether rv or residential? As such, tempted to buy the residential refurb kit and activate rv account when we travel, but not sure why Starlink is not offering refurb kit on rv option. Want to buy before special ends on 26 Sept, but don't want to make a mistake in getting wrong thing - would appreciate your advice - thanks for your entertaining videos!
No worries, you should be fine with that plan :)
Alot of intersting information and food for thought.
We have been looking into a product called "out there internet", do you have any thoughts on it and how it compares to the nighthawk?
Hi Scott, I haven't seen or used one in person. I believe it doesn't have 5G and might be more expensive than our solution? It sounds like it's an effective product from their website though.
@@OverlandExposure thank you for the response. Definitely a positive having the 5g with yours.
No worries at all :)
A very informative video. We have the Nighthawk M5 and use it both at home in our apartment for our internet and in the caravan when we travel. Would a 'stick' antenna help with reception in both settings, even if just a little bit? Would plugging 2 small antennas directly into the unit make a difference? We are retired so don't need great capacity but sometimes reception on the unit is poor, both in our unit and in the caravan. We are not permitted to fix an external antenna to the outside of our apartment hence why I'm asking about a portable set up. TIA.
Hi Kevin, in my experience the small antennas are no better than the internal antennas on the M5. Sorry!
@@OverlandExposure Thank you. Appreciate the reply.
In your Ausphonetowers app, I noticed that the frequencies were written around the edges of the blue radiation patterns and also that you could click on a tower and it would tell you how far you were - is there a particular setting to switch this info on? I can't seem to find it in my app (iphone/ios).
Hi mate, unfortunately these functions don't seem to work in iOS :/
@@OverlandExposure Ah, I wondered about that. Many thanks!
Hi, we are waiting on delivery of our new caravan and I have been researching options for internet and phone signal boosting while on the road. Your video was very informative and I am keen to purchase the kit. I already have a Nighthawk M2 modem. As your video was published back in Feb 2022 just want to check that there is no recent new technology to consider before I purchase.
Hi Glenda, pretty much Starlink is the only new option, and it's good and bad. I have an article on my website about it for travellers if you want to check it out.
Hi Thanks for the video presentation. Just wondering why you didn’t mention Starlink?
Hi Marco,
If you look at when this video was made, Starlink wasn't an option. I have since done an in depth Starlink review :) th-cam.com/video/KDqp8b8eGMo/w-d-xo.html
I think the RV wifi now come with 5G great blog very interesting
How far from a tower can you be and still get reception
But the end of 2023 should have full coverage around Australia
Thanks, glad you found it useful! Interesting about RV wifi. 5g still doesn't help it though, it's lack of antennas etc are the problem. And yes Starlink should be Aus Wide around the end of the year/early 2023! We are continuing to test it. 😁
And for distance our record has been 110km on a very flat terrain, but we've picked up a connection at all different distances (all depends on the terrain) but have barely been without internet for 1.5yrs. (less than 10 days).
Thanks for this vid. Informative. Not knowing any better, we went with RV Wifi. Disappointing performance. My iPhone does better in the van on straight 4G v connected to the RV. 6mbps v 21 megs when I tested it yesterday.
I have an early version of the Telstra mobile device. Used it at work to get a signal for my laptop. Might look at the M5 if RV can’t sort out why my unit is performing so bad.
You're welcome! A lot of people went with the RV wifi as that's what the caravan industry was recommending - people trust them. If you have an M2 that will work with our kit and unfortunately the M5 is no longer available and has been replaced with the M6 which will also work. Hope that helps. 😁
@@OverlandExposure I have an older "Netgear AirCard 810S", one of Telstra's first broadband devices to run on 4GX. Yep, it's old. But it did the trick at work where reception wasn't good. Has the two antenna ports which will work with the gear that you've shown on the videos. I'll wait to see what RV Wifi has to say about mine and its poor performance before I go spending any more dough on this. They have it now to do an upgrade on it. To their credit they suggested that I hold off on buying their high gain antenna before I see how the upgrade goes.
Thing is, it works, all devices connect but overall internet performance is down, even in populated areas. eg. Cowes, Phillip Island, The Entrance, NSW, Wagga Wagga, NSW and Bairnsdale, Eastern Vic, the main places that I've been with the van so far.
Hi there. Love your video and thank you for taking the time to explain everything so well. I'm in the process of buying this kit, and was wondering if you can explain whether the Nighthawk M6 will be suitable as telstra don't have stocks of the M5 atm.
Hi Gavin, the M6 is a suitable replacement, I'm doing testing on it soon to confirm.
@@OverlandExposure cheers mate, appreciate the reply👍
Thanks for the time and effort.
Any word on the 'new' M6 from Telstra yet?
Hi mate, testing it at the moment! Preliminary, it'll do the job.
Great video mate!
Now that Starlink has full coverage in Aus have you been using it more?
I am interested in using RV starlink plan with standard hardware modified to run off 12v.
Rumours that Star link will disconnect you if you are moving without the very expensive fixed flat panel.
No worries mate, yep using it a lot more now. Check out our updated article here overlandexposure.com.au/internet-while-travelling-australia-update/
Great video. Will a Telstra 4gx hotspot work the same please?
Hi Adam, I don't have personal experience with it, but apparently the Telstra Wifi Pro works.
Hi Dan, Great video. I just bought the kit and am setting up on my van. I see Starlink RV is out and wondering if that has changed any of your opinion or recommendations in the video? Cheers
Hi mate, Thanks! I've got a writeup here - overlandexposure.com.au/starlink-for-travellers/
At the moment it's a both situation unfortunately, not an either or.
Thanks mate. I've been searching different sites for info and you've been able to pull it all together in the one place backed up by your technical knowledge. We have a Cel-fi with an omnidirectional aerial but I'm starting to lean towards the Netgear Nighthawk. I can't really justify the full system that you have for just a few months a year so I was wondering if it's possible (or even worthwhile) to connect a Nighthawk to the Cel-fi aerial?
Hi mate, I wouldn't, but if you end up with a Nighthawk you can plug the omni into it.
The differences will be marginal though and probably not worth the cost.
@OverlandExposure Thanks for your quick reply. Again you've saved me more research. I'll give the Nighthawk some more thought though. Cheers.
@OverlandExposure Update: Thanks to your tips, I found that our phones' 5G hotspot is giving us better speeds than our satellite service here at home. I've already arranged for it to be disconnected while we take the van away at the end of the month. I've now ordered the Nighthawk for our trip as I found that including it on our Telstra account allows us to use the data from our phones too through data sharing. This was the clincher as we presently only use a fraction of this data but get great service at our rural location. We will probably keep using the Nighthawk at home after our trip instead of the satellite service as it appears to be better and actually works out cheaper. Thanks again for your help.
You're welcome 😁 glad you've been able to sort it out!
Hi. Great info you have put together. My question is I’ve noticed Nighthawk M5 have 2 models. MR5100 and MR5200. I’m about to order one but unsure which would work the best in remote areas in OZ.
Cheers Brett
Hi Brett, thanks. I don't have my devices with me at the moment, I believe it was the 5200 that Telstra sold.
Thanks very much for getting back to me. Will order one now 👍
Great informative video and easy to understand for tech illiterate - thanks for the info. Can you ellaborate on that plug system that someone sent you pics of to get the aerial cord inside the van. Where would you go to get that sort of thing?
Thanks
Hi Mate, No worries. They just bought a 240V outdoor wall outlet and basically drilled holes and put the SMA connectors into it. It's not the easiest way, we still recommend just putting the cable through the window haha.
@@OverlandExposure that does sound the easiest. One more question - does the nighthawk automatically recognise when you plug in the external aerial cables or you best to reboot it after plugging in??
@@gregluke3058 hi Luke it auto recognises it.
Hi, many thanks for this useful video! One question please: Does the Telco Antennas package include the pivot base of the antennae which allows you to change the position from horizontal to vertical?
Hey, no worries, thanks for watching!Yes, the package comes with the rear bar mount, which is what rotates it and holds the base of the mast. 😁
Hi, great information, I'm interested in getting your setup for our caravan! we using RVWifi and we are not happy with it! could you please send me the information how we can order it from? I can get the Nighthawk from Telstra.
Thanks for watching and reaching out! Scroll down a little on the link below, it will have the link to the package in Telco website and out discount code to use. :) overlandexposure.com.au/faqs-for-internet-travelling-australia/
Great article and cleared up a lot of my concerns. Looked at purchasing the Nighthawk M5 and is no longer offered by Telstra, they will be offering the 5G wifi pro when available. Have you had any experience or views on this product? The alternative is to get the M2 and stay with the 4G network
Just when there’s a great product available, they replace it, must have been to good.
Haha. I believe the M6 is launching soon?
I bought Nighthawk M5 from a Telstra shop today. I know they have available in Southland Melbourne and Warragul.
Thanks for letting us know!! 😁
Great info guys, appreciate it! 🤘😁
Welcome! Glad you found it useful! 😁
I would be interested to hear your opinion on the telco antennas dual sim modem router in combination with the kit you have mentioned in your video.
Interesting, I haven't actually looked at Telco routers.
Dan, such an awesome video full of high quality info. Thank you. I’m about to travel from Melb to Broome along the coast. We don’t have 4x4 access but need coverage for work purposes both on the road and when camping. Wondering if Omni antenna will do the job with my nighthawk? Or do I maximise my chances of better reception and catch up at camp once I reach our camp with a directional antenna. If the latter, what directional antenna would you recommend?
Hi Sam! Thank you! We use our nighthawk without any external antennas in the truck while driving (eg rightt now replying to you 🤣) and then put the panel up when at camp. We find this works well, we get enough while travelling for what we need and then catch up while at camp. Our internet kit on our website is the best antenna etc option. overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-get-internet-anywhere-in-australia-remote-internet-guide/
@@OverlandExposure I’m leaving Monday so wondering if you or anyone knows any stockists in Melbourne?? Will try and research myself but not having much luck.
@@samhoath get overland to ship to where you are going, they ship fast.
Ah, no sorry, we only have this contact in Brisbane for the kit. Best best would be to ship to a location ahead of you and pickup. If you're going to a caravan park they are usually good with holding packages for you if you call ahead and have a booking. Of not a Parcell collect on Aus Post app works brilliantly too.
Thank you 😁
Love this video thanks very much. Now question, where do we buy all this gear from. I understand that the night hawk id get from Telstra or maybe HBHIFI but what about the other gear? Can you name a place in Brisbane that would set it up for me please?
Hi Mervyn, check the link on the video description.
Hi many thanks for your in depth video on the nighthawk answered a lot of my questions I bought your aerial kit yesterday and picked it up direct also got a stick aerial to use for the nighthawk in the car with one question which port on the nighthawk do I connect the aerial or doesn’t it matter
Thanks for the kind words mate, the stick aerial doesn't matter, I'm fairly sure.
@@OverlandExposure thanks for that all working in the car watching your van swap happy travel’s
Haha, awesome! No worries mate, let me know if you have any Q's.
@@nigelread9113 Primary antenna connection is next to the USB socket. See my post on 23Mar22 regarding external antenna support
Thanks for a great explanation! I will purchase a nighthawk m5 if i can find one and your current set up is out of stock at moment and probably a bit much for me to navigate Can you suggest a smaller simpler easier to use antenna?
No worries, glad I could help! Stock of our kit should be back next week and any telstra store should have the M5. Maybe consider a small MIMO omni antenna, just note that it won't get the same results as our suggested one. Telco Antennas have a great selection, just tell them we sent you :)
Hi will this solution also help to watch streaming service like Stan etc ? We have small TP thing our son suggested but buffering drives wife mad and me a little.
Hi mate, yes it will.
Thanks so much. We will consider the set-up asap.
Hi Guy's, a great explanation and food for thought, speaking of food.. did anyone else notice the disappearing bananas?? Disappeared at 24:41, reappeared at 36:28, disappeared at 42:21 and finally reappeared at 43:06?? Not to mention the fruit in the bowl above! Bloody hilarious.. tnx..
Hahaha busted!! He forgot to record a bit in the middle so had to do that bit when we realised 🤦🤦
Hey mate excellent video thank you we now have this setup. I am wondering how you display the line with direction of the tower on the Aus Phone Towers App?
No Worries mate, I think it might be Android only.
@@OverlandExposure any idea how to get direction from an iPhone? I am playing with Hema 4x4 maps that may give a rough idea. I gather you only have to be in the ball park?
I use terrain features and the map in the Aus Towers App to get it roughly right. It has a pretty wide beam so nope it just needs to be roughly in the right direction :)
@@OverlandExposure would be handy if Aus Phone Towers had a compass in the app. Still have not found an easy solution with iPhone as yet to find the direction of a tower.
Will the night hawk work in South Africa if so we’re can it be obtained
Hi, was recommended to watch your video, just have and only wish I had seen it sooner! It by far the best video I have seen on the subject . Can I just clarify - I run the Telstra Wi Fi 5g data modem, the MU 500. From your comment below, I take it this is not suitable coz the antenna ports are not in use?
Hi Rob,
I'm looking into this again as I recently ran into a guy using my setup with the MU500 modem and it looked like it works, I'm guessing they have updated the firmware so the external antenna ports actually work. I've asked for clarification about this.
@@OverlandExposure Much appreciated!
@@Tiderock Like the Netgear M1 and M2 (and possibly M5) Nighthawk units, the ZTE MU500 external antenna connection may only work on selected telephony bands so would be dependent on which band the "connected to" telephony tower is using. Unfortunately ZTE doesn't appear to provide much support and the Google searches I made didn't provide the answer.
@@terryhaebich6262 Hi Terry, ta for looking into it, very much appreciated.
Hi, love the video i think im going to turn away from RV WIFI brand now. Just wondering if you have any experience with the Cowfish VanConnect or heard anything
about it?
Hi mate, thanks, glad it was helpful. I've had a look at it, and it just looks like a normal 4g modem to me. If you don't want the batteries and 5g of the Nighthawk, I would recommend the TelcoAntennas X1 Pro.
Really useful video thank you (and easy to understand for a non techie!) I already have a nighthawk but no antenna to boost it. I have a sprinter campervan your exact mast setup won’t work for me, but thinking I might try find a mast/ antenna attachment I can put on the roof via the skylight... have you seen any other good mast setups for sprinter type vans?
Hi, thanks for the compliment! I can't say I have, bit I know Telco antennas do have a magnetic mount system for vehicles to mount a mast. I'm not sure if this will work?
Thanks, I’ll give them a call as I reckon a magnetic temporary solution that I can put on the roof as and when I need it would be ideal. Thanks for the reply!
Welcome! Hope it works out and make sure you tell them we sent you 😁
Hi there,
Thank-you for your video, very informative.
A couple of points/questions if I my:
1) NIGHTHAWK ONBOARD BATTERY SAFETY & LONGEVITY.
It is NOT a good idea to leave your Nighthawk PERMANENTLY and CONSTANTLY plugged in being charged - WHILE THE BATTERY IS INSTALLED. Fortunately, when connected to an external power source, I BELIEVE ALL versions of the Nighthawk models DO NOT REQUIRE their battery to be installed to operate. (I HAVE NOT TRIED THIS ON THE NIGHTHAWK M5 as I don't have one. Maybe you could test and confirm this.)
2) TELSTRA & BELONG
I believe Belong is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telstra. Do you know if Belong uses the Full Telstra Retail Network?
3) TELSTRA BUSINESS PLANS
I was advised by a Telstra technician that the Telstra BUSINESS plans have more priority to the Telstra network than consumer plans. Do you know of this to be true? (If true, it may significantly help when in a congested area.)
Many thanks again
Hi mate,
Battery - yep, we unplug ours regularly though to use it in our vehicle, so it's not an issue for us, it gets regularly cycled.
Belong - Only use Telstra wholesale not retail, unlike Boost.
Tesltra Business - Pretty sure this is Baloney told by a Salesperson, I've never ever heard of Business and getting any sort of network priority.
@@OverlandExposure Hi there, if your M5's battery is removed, BUT PLUGGED INTO ANOTHER POWER SOURCE, doe it still work? (I believe this can be done on all other models)
As for Telstra Business, what I was told be the tech, might be true. All Telstra clients current are not even on the same billing platform as the consumers are. I believe there is a change planned, but currently they are not on the same billing system.
I'm a Telstra Business client, I even have to use a different support team from Telstra.
Thanks again - I hope your travels are going well.
Have only found out about you and your products recently. Have ordered a van with a celfi go, however have not finalised yet. It will be finalised on 2 April 22. Therefore I can delete the celfi from the order. My question to you is if I buy the complete kit that you are promoting. Can I use the same in/out antenna wires and maybe have a plug on the back of the van for the external antenna. Would be good to get this done during the build of the van. Can you supply any simple wiring diagrams for connection to the nighthawk unit so I can show the van people. The van is a crusader Excalibur serenity full composite van. Ie no frame work in walls or roof . They seem to be very open to any ideas that I have. Thanks Doug.
Hi Doug, The external setup we recommend requires 2 x SMA inputs, and then shielded cable inside the van to 2 x SMA outputs. (This supports the MIMO antenna) The Celfi would have required the same except a single SMA connection to an external antenna. Just remember that every connection you add into the circuit will decrease it's effectiveness, it's one reason why we recommend simply running the external cables from the antenna into the van, and then connect via the adapters into the modem.
I have been using the Nighthawk M1 with just the single 6dB single stick type antenna , which works pretty good most of the time but do like the Omni directional setup you guys have . But recently have noticed my Nighthawk seems to go offline for no reason ! Do you know what is the difference between the M1 and the M2 Nighthawk ? Also which Nighthawk model supports 5G ?
That's the M5 mate. Worthy upgrade, it's a great mobile modem
Hey guys I am looking at the nighthawk set up with both Omni (car) and directional(van) antennas. Your video was great, but just wondering if there are any updates or considerations I should take into account since the video was made?
Hi Damien, not really, just have to decide if you want to go the Starlink route or the modem route now.
@@OverlandExposure thanks heaps, the decision is made purely with 12volt preferably over 240 I think.
What antenna would you recommend for my car to increase the range of the nighthawk when in transit?
If you have already tried the Nighthawk on the move and not happy with it, grab a MIMO omni antenna that suits your vehicle. It will only marginally improve performance over the internal nighthawk antennas though.
We have just ordered a new build a Caravan. Would you suggest getting a fixed point installed for the aerial cord to enter into the van? If so is it and aerial in / aerial out points needed?
When traveling where do you put the mast?
How do you get the nighthawk 6 to use other non Telstra sims? Is is just a case of plug and play?
Hi Karen, we wouldn't actually, it's something else to go wrong, and every connection reduces the performance of the antenna. If you really want to, it's 2x female SMA in and 2 X male SMA out.
Our mast stays on the back of our van permanently, other people unbolt it and store it inside or in a tunnel boot, as it isn't always needed. The bolts are the same size as your stabizers.
Nighthawk M6 - we are testing it at the moment and not 100% sure it works with other carriers yet, We will release some info on this soon.
Got our setup today except they didn’t send the extension pole will have to sort that out 👍- how do you get your distance to come up on the aus phone tower app ?
Hi mate, it's usually 2 packages, but if it doesn't come be sure to check with TelcoAntennas. I've worked out the distance thing is only on Android, not sure why :/ I think the app can get more data from Android
Hi, great video. It's been 2 years since. I love to watch Fox sports, AFL especially. I have a telstra mobile phone 50gb month. I have satking box and sat dish. I don't have a smart tv at moment. I'm no tech head either. I watch netflix too. Can you please tell me a simple way of watching netflix and foxtel without the satking box and dish. Thankyou
Thanks Wendy, sorry for the delay. I Netflix & I believe Foxtel you'll need an internet connection. If you want internet for these ALL the time you'll need to get Starlink and pay the monthly cost plus have the power set up. If you are happy to have internet most of the time then our internet kit you watched here will be great, with a Telstra data sim in the Nighthawk modem. If you just want internet when you can a nighthawk modem with telstra data sim will work too.
We have more info on our website here which may help, plus links to buying our Overland Kit. overlandexposure.com.au/australia/australian-travel-resources-and-info/
Hope that helps!
Thanks for your informative video. What about the Telstra 5g Wi-Fi Pro could you also add an external antenna and get similar results? I got a second hand nighthawk m2 and found it to have really poor performance max 20Mb/s even with great coverage compared to other devices in the same location
Hi Andrew, no worries, thanks for watching! The Wifi pro has external antenna ports however they don't actually work (i.e. not connected in the device). The M2 should definitely have better connection than thatm we have travelled with people who had a M2 and were getting upwards of 100mb/s on their device. I'm thinking your M2 might be faulty.
Can you please share your advice on mobile plans you use for calls? I love the idea of data for my work, but sill need to talk with family, friends and conduct general business. Thank you.
Hi John, if you have Telstra on your phone, when you have internet via the modem, your phone will automatically do Voice over Wifi and will just work as per normal, even with no phone reception, only internet.
Hi Dan, Awesome video with great information! Thank you for taking the time to put this together. We are having a caravan built later in the year with composite roof and panels and would like to setup all the wiring we need for the future during build. The manufacture has a pre-wire for Satellite option for a Satking type setup. We don't know if the wiring for a Satellite TV type solution and the Starlink solution would be the same, so not sure if this is worth doing. I see you have been trialling Starlink in the video, so thought you may be able to answer this question?
Hi Debbie, It's unlikely that it will be the same sorry :( You may want to incorporate a conduit or something instead?
@@OverlandExposure Thanks for the quick response! I thought that may be the case. I will ask if we can have a conduit instead.
@@debbiehilton3574 The starlink comes with 25m of ethernet cable and its own Access Point, the monthly plan cost is $140, quite expensive.
Unlimited download and upload though, to be considered in that price, so depends on individual needs. 🙂
@@OverlandExposure Agree. It all depends on your needs and what you are looking for.
Hi, thanks for putting the time into making this video. I am planning to travel and work remotely but I need to teleconference 8 hours a day to paying clients. I plan to park and work for three days at a time when doing so, so I will be able to research places with reasonably good tower coverage. I am concerned about speed dropping when the towers are being heavily used (I will be working from 8am to 5pm). Do you think I need to be concerned, are there other issues I should consider and do you think my plan is workable?.. I don't want to let down paying clients. I've considered purchasing a second antenna and modem and then using Speedify to bond the connections to try and get a faster connection at peak times, is this something you would recommend? Thanks again
Hi Will,
There is the possibility of congestion which is what you are talking about, it's one of the reasons we carry our directional antenna, and also an Optus Sim. Between these things we can generally get a pretty good connection in most places. I would just do this for now, and look at adding Starlink in the next 6 or so months for a 100% solution.
@@OverlandExposure thanks, that makes sense. Do you think it would be worth placing an order for Starlink at this point considering they are yet to provide support for those who move frequently?
@@ackerswill I would just wait out for 6 months or so, and see what they are doing with regards to mobility and portability.
Will. Internet data through put is only as fast as the slowest bottleneck between you and what you are interfacing with regardless of what medium/s (dialup modem/ADSL/NBN/fibre/telephony/etc) you are using. Thus it can vary from location to location. For example, last year whilst we were in a caravan park in Ross (suburb of Alice Springs), every day the data throughput was great in the morning and deteriated as the day progressed even though the 4G telephony signal strength was still the same (4 bars) - this was using Telstra service on both a Netgear M2 and Oppo Android devices.
@@terryhaebich6262 yep, I'm a communications technician, I'm well aware :) That's what I'm saying, the CelFi will only limit the bandwidth, not ever increase it more than just the same antenna plugged into the Nighthawk.
What you are talking about in Alice Springs is likely to be Network Congestion.
Thanks so much for this video - I'm a car camper and looking at some options as my favourite spot has crappy reception. Probably a silly question, but I have saved up the data on my phone (Amaysim/Optus - I'm home alot on my home wifi). If I put a new sim in the Nighthawk, does it use the data from nighthawk sim, or my phone sim?
From the Nighthawk when you are connected to it's wifi :)
Hi, great video - thanks for sharing. Setup we're looking to use when working remotely from the van. Q1. Do you discuss anywhere the 'little bit of fiddling' to switch between Telstra and Optus SIMs? Q2. A parts list would also be a great helpful addition if able to add it. (ie down to individual components). Where are you now? .... TF.
Q3 . Also explaining the connections a bit better and showing them would be really helpful - bit difficult to follow for those of us who dont know the connector terminology. ;-)
Q4. You may have answered this below - will the M5 work correctly with a phone SIM inserted (not data SIM)?. ie. Without changing the IMEI? Reason being - I can see how for your use (travelling continuous) having a data sim is the way to go. Our intended usage is more short trips where we might in preference 'sacrifice' a SIM out of one of our phones for the time we have it inserted in the nighthawk. (Still thinking about it.... depends on whether it works readily too.)
Troy.
Hi mate, yes a phone sim works fine!
And we've written a guide for enabling Optus sims on the M5 here - overlandexposure.com.au/how-to-use-all-optus-bands-on-your-nighthawk-m5/
@@OverlandExposure Thanks Dan, appreciate the detail. At face value looks do-able. Did you notice someone had recently commented the M5 apparently not available any longer at Telstra in preference to the M6? Any knowledge on the M6? (Particularly to features or whether remains unlocked to Optus - I guess in particular). Thx, Troy
You didnt answer the most important (for those of us stuck at home)..... where are you now?? ;-)
Where did you get the mask tower from.
Hi Anthony, you get both the mast and antenna in our package here www.telcoantennas.com.au/remote-data-setup-for-caravans-campers-trailers-mi
There's also an extra 5% discount code on our website overlandexposure.com.au/faqs-for-internet-travelling-australia/
Really great video, and your kit looks to be a fantastic option. We're currently looking at a system for our Canter and until now had been thinking about the CelFiGo, but the directional antenna appeals a lot. Our Canter already looks a bit like a porcupine when set up to camp, so another antenna (particularly a folding antenna) won't hurt.
The one question I do have is: Are the modems linked to a specific service number? Like many people we have a home internet package, and mobile data on our phones and iPads. We mostly use the iPads on the road. Can we pull a SIM from an iPad with mobile data to put into the Nighthawk modem and then connect via WiFi, or do we need an additional specific SIM for the modem too?
Hi mate, thanks for the compliments. Yep you can just pull the Sim from another device and use the data on that sim if you want to!
@@OverlandExposure Oooh, that's just perfect for us. Looks like we've found our solution - and another spine for our porcupine (or echidna, I guess).
Advice please! (Love your work!!!) Will the new Nighthawk M6 Work with your system (I am hoping so), I have already purchased the package from Telco Antennas and now need to get the modem. You mention having an OPTUS sim card for some areas. Is the Telstra Nighthawk easily unlocked to enable this to happen? Is so can you please direct me as to the best way to unlock it (perhaps a link to a TH-cam)? Thanks in advance.
Hi Brett, yes it will. You just need to put in the Optus APN settings into the modem.
@@OverlandExposure Thanks for your prompt reply and please excuse my lack of knowledge. By putting the OPTUS APN into the modem, will that let the M6 select the OPTUS or Telstra network automatically depending on the sim card installed? Again thanks in advance 🙂
@@BrettDargue yep! Although it's better to manually select the APN and network so it doesn't get confused. You just select Optus or Telstra in the network settings tab
@@OverlandExposure Thank you 🙂