off the grid - Internet

ottg · Veteran Member

off the grid - Internet

Whenarewethere · Guru

We use Boost, good coverage around Australia, we don't stream so $150/80g/12months prepay is enough for us. We don't take a computer with us, but at home use hotspot for my prehistoric Mac.

ottg · Veteran Member

I would like to use both laptop and mobile on the road? Any suggestions?

PeterD · Guru

First things first, what style of camping are you intending to do? Even the smallest towns have Telstra mobile communications so you will not be out of communications when you are in camp. Once you get away from these towns you are likely to be out of communications even with external high gain antennas. Once you get into the remote areas you are talking of sat-phone with $s per minute call rates. Data rates are even more prohibitive. I suggest that to keep equipment and operating costs down you plan to only have a few days away from phone connection. To do your planning I suggest you get a copy of Camps Australia Wide if you like books or WikiCamps if you like computer apps. Peruse the areas where you are likely to camp. Either one of those advises whether mobile phone and TV is available within the campsites in those areas.

For most of your camping when you first set out mobile telephones are all you need for phone calls and a little bit of connection to the net. Select a phone plan that has a large data allowance and you can tether your phone to your computer. If you want a more extensive internet connection, then get one of these types of devices - Mobile broadband. These devices can easily be connected to external hi-gain antennas if you think you need a bit of extra range. You can get them on a data plan or run prepaid plans.

I have been running a 4GX Hotspot style of modem for over 15 years. I am currently paying $80 per month for a combined data and phone plan that has a total of 70 GB of data between the two plans and free phone calls (I use this at home as well as on the road.) If you wish to fiddle around with prepaid plans you can do much better than that cost wide. I do not use an external antenna and where I travel I am rarely out of an internet connection for more than a couple of days at a time. We are out of phone range far more than this as phones are less sensitive than mobile modems.

I suggest you start off with something simple like that and see how you go. You will get some replies pushing things like Wi-Fi go and Cell-Fi that cost upwards of $1,200. If you are prepared to spend a day or three without communications then you can get away with cheap communications. Give it a try before you lay out big bickies. If you do not preplan your trip with confirmed stopping places you can juggle your trip to spend your days without communications at convenient times.

Remember the old motto KISS - (keep it simple stupid.)

yobarr · Guru

ottg wrote:
I would like to use both laptop and mobile on the road? Any suggestions?

Fit CelFi Go with 7.5 DBI aerial,and hotspot off your mobile. Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Fit CelFi Go with 7.5 DBI aerial,and hotspot off your mobile. Cheers

Sorry Yobarr but your CelFi Go thingie is old technology and, my guess is, won't be around much longer.

A better way to make your mobile phone work "in the bush" nowadays is to use something like this:

4G modem

Add an external antenna to the modem and set your mobile phone handset to do WiFi calling for voice calls.

The 4G modem is a more advanced receiver than the CelFi and has *far* better data throughput not to mention being considerably cheaper and less power hungry.

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Fit CelFi Go with 7.5 DBI aerial,and hotspot off your mobile. Cheers
Sorry Yobarr but your CelFi Go thingie is old technology and, my guess is, won't be around much longer.
A better way to make your mobile phone work "in the bush" nowadays is to use something like this:
4G modem
Add an external antenna to the modem and set your mobile phone handset to do WiFi calling for voice calls.
The 4G modem is a more advanced receiver than the CelFi and has *far* better data throughput not to mention being considerably cheaper and less power hungry.

Thanks for that Mike.I will investigate,but as I am not at all tech-savvy I need to ask if this will also work where only 3G is available? Where I am presently travelling,it is rare to see my unit detect any 4G signal,and even when it does,it still chooses the 3G. Cheers

Jaahn · Guru

ottg wrote:
I would like to use both laptop and mobile on the road? Any suggestions?

Hi Gerrard smile

We use Aldi on both our phones. Then we use them as hot spots for the laptops. We have 12mth plans for the phones, $150 / 130Gb and we could top up the data when it runs out. We are not big data users and if there is no connection we can survive for a bit without either of them. Depends on how addicted you are really !! blankstare If you are social media users then think again !

Telstra has the best coverage out the back blocks so using a provider that is linked to them is good, but some places Optus is OK so another sim from them might be a good idea if you feel you need backup. hmm

It is my understanding that outside towns the new wonder 5G will not be available for a very long time and the signal distance is less than 4G. disbelief

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 20th of October 2021 02:54:23 PM

PeterD · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Thanks for that Mike.I will investigate,but as I am not at all tech-savvy I need to ask if this will also work where only 3G is available? Where I am presently travelling,it is rare to see my unit detect any 4G signal,and even when it does,it still chooses the 3G. Cheers

Is that because you have an older model of Cel-Fi that only has 3G mode? Is you unit switched to the 3G mode? Also note: CCel-Fi GO mobile version will not boost in areas where the signal is already very strong. If the signal is better than -80dBm (3G) or -95dBm (4G) the mobile GO version will cease to boost to ensure a degraded level of service is not experienced.

If you are in a strong signal area the 3G signal is likely to be the preferred one for your phone and the Cel-Fi has closed down.

Regarding 3G, are you aware of this - 3G closure - what do I need to know?

-- Edited by PeterD on Wednesday 20th of October 2021 02:43:43 PM

Mike Harding · Guru

Hi Yobarr

As Peter mentions 3G will be switched off in 18 months *but* according to my sources Telstra is already switching it off at many cell towers in order to convert them to 5G.

Your CelFi handles 4G I think so as long as your handset can do VoLTE then all will be good.

It's a complicated area for the non technical but I think you should look at changing "something" over the next 12 months - talk to the CelFi people perhaps as you are clearly happy with their product.

yobarr · Guru

PeterD wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Thanks for that Mike.I will investigate,but as I am not at all tech-savvy I need to ask if this will also work where only 3G is available? Where I am presently travelling,it is rare to see my unit detect any 4G signal,and even when it does,it still chooses the 3G. Cheers
Is that because you have an older model of Cel-Fi that only has 3G mode? Is you unit switched to the 3G mode? Also note: CCel-Fi GO mobile version will not boost in areas where the signal is already very strong. If the signal is better than -80dBm (3G) or -95dBm (4G) the mobile GO version will cease to boost to ensure a degraded level of service is not experienced.
If you are in a strong signal area the 3G signal is likely to be the preferred one for your phone and the Cel-Fi has closed down.
Regarding 3G, are you aware of this - 3G closure - what do I need to know?

My CelFi has 3 choices when it comes to mode selection.There is 3G,4G and automatic,which is what I leave it on.In marginal areas it will spend time working out which is the better mode,with alternately yellow and green flashing lights,and when it decides which is better,it locks onto that and displays a solid light,be it yellow or green. And,yes, I was aware of the closure of 3G.Presently I am in an area that locals tell me has no coverage,but I am getting 5 bars on 3G.Cheers

peatop · Senior Member

I have an optus (not sim locked) s7 edge in the drop down menu it has wifi calls partially lit and im just wondering does it just switch on when you go out of service? also is the nighthawk sim locked to telstra or can you just put any sim in?

While I was away my phone used almost all the battery over night, at first I thought it was stuffed but when I got home it was fine, is this because it was searching for service or maybe the wifi calls was searching for wifi? or does anyone else know why it was happening? seemed to only be at night.

Mike Harding · Guru

peatop wrote:
I have an optus (not sim locked) s7 edge in the drop down menu it has wifi calls partially lit and im just wondering does it just switch on when you go out of service? also is the nighthawk sim locked to telstra or can you just put any sim in?
While I was away my phone used almost all the battery over night, at first I thought it was stuffed but when I got home it was fine, is this because it was searching for service or maybe the wifi calls was searching for wifi? or does anyone else know why it was happening? seemed to only be at night.

I believe you will need, usually, to manually switch to VoWiFi.

The (any) modem may be locked to a service provider - check before buying.

Mobile phones alter their transmit power according to the signal strength of the cell they are communicating with; if you are in a marginal area the phone will use lots of power trying to "call home" regularly. In this case the best thing to do is put the phone in "aeroplane" mode when it's not in use, especially overnight.

PeterD · Guru

When a phone looses signal it goes hunting for another one. It does that with maximum transmitter (Tx) power and transmits far more frequently than it does when it has received (Rx) signal. You are far better switching your phone off when the Rx signals are marginal, you can flatten the batteries very quickly if you don't. When you are experiencing marginal signals there often will be some good signal spots somewhere within walking distance. Locate this spot then switch the phone off after you have set up camp. Periodically walk to that spot and switch on your phone on the way and check for missed calls. Do this periodically when you may be expecting a call or when you want to make a call.

ottg · Veteran Member

Thank you for all the feedback and ideas!!

My preference - Tethering mobile to a laptop plus iiNet 65Gb monthly @ $20 pm for 6 months then $40 pm for next 6 months Total $360

Pls help - Need clarity on Netgear Nighthawk router @ $384 PLUS mobile plan @ $200 - $400 pa

Regards
Gerrard

Mike Harding · Guru

ottg wrote:
My preference - Tethering mobile to a laptop plus iiNet

Good luck, because you're going to need it!

From iiNet's website:

"As part of an exciting new partnership with Vodafone, iiNet has begun selling plans that are powered by the Vodafone network"

laurieoz · Senior Member

I have been with ozemail now iinet ever since email started.

Never had a problem that wasn't fixed quickly and would recommend for home nbn

But as for telephone and internet when traveling I would not use for reasons stated by Mike above

Go with Telstra for coverage or Boost

Laurie

-- Edited by laurieoz on Thursday 21st of October 2021 10:01:08 AM

-- Edited by laurieoz on Thursday 21st of October 2021 10:12:13 AM

Fester55 · Veteran Member

Check the Vodafone coverage maps first. Compared to both Telstra and Optus they're not very good.

-- Edited by Fester55 on Thursday 21st of October 2021 10:01:27 AM

ottg · Veteran Member

So glad for this info from people on this forum.
Will check Telstra/Optus prepaid.

msg · Guru

Ah for the bad old days. When I went around Aust about 10yrs ago I was rarely without internet or phone. Hooked up to a Telstra $40 unit connected to an external antenna. Prepaid @ $30pm. Top up whenever I needed it. Simples.

I could sit up at the mine on the top of a hill, 60ks out of the service zone and still get very slow connection on internet. (No phone)

Now, with smart phones etc all too complicated. Forever updating very expensive equipment and software that's out of date and won't work almost before you can connect it up. And a system that just cuts out whenever it likes without warning (even on NBN in the city)

Big business has control of our lives and its getting worse.

PeterD · Guru

Try these links to compare your different networks:

Telstra vs. Optus vs. Vodafone coverage maps Australia. To see a Vodafone map you have to fiddle around producing a local result and then zoom out.

Comparison Map. This one is a little strange in that it present a series of hexagons in the coverage area. However, as you zoom in each hexagon represents a smaller area so when you get to a town you get a fairly accurate idea of where the signal is. What I do particularly like is the base map remains the same when you switch between networks with the tab in the top LH corner.

Optus network map. - Telstra network map.

PeterD · Guru

ottg wrote:
Pls help - Need clarity on Netgear Nighthawk router @ $384 PLUS mobile plan @ $200 - $400 pa

What are you unclear on? Anything on a plan will be for something you need all year. I use a 4GX Hotspot as it is my sole internet connection. As it is a long tern deal I post pay it via AutoPay (which to me is important.) This is the most convenient way to get an internet connection as I am away from home for much of the year and I am not able to stop/start a landline connection at home. I would be inclined to get the 4GX Hotspot @ $144, I'm not sure what the advantage the Nighthawk has over the cheaper model. The external antenna ports connect to the same external aerials so there is no advantage there.

If you have a good internet connection at home and just want a portable connection to use whilst travelling I think you will be better off with a prepaid connection. Look at - Pre-Paid internet for mobile broadband and tablet - Going that way gets you a cheaper wireless modem. The Telstra Pre-Paid 4GX Hotspot looks to be the same one I use and only costs $139 as compared to $144 if you purchase it as part of a post paid plan. There is also a $69 model but I do not know if it has external antenna connections. I would also look towards Boost Mobile for my provider - Retail Website. (I don't think you can get wireless modems through Boost so get a minimum deal with Telstra and go straight onto Boost when you exhaust the Telstra SIM.)

wombat50 · Veteran Member

We just got back from going around Aussie, i had optus and wife had boost, $300 at 240gb for 12months. from around Winton till 1/2 way down WA coast optus was basically usless. while boost only missed 1 or 2 days of coverage. i kept complaining to optus and ended up getting out of contract at no cost. went to telstra but got it through goodguys as they have a lot better deal than direct with telstra

Cupie · Guru

msg wrote:
Ah for the bad old days. When I went around Aust about 10yrs ago I was rarely without internet or phone. Hooked up to a Telstra $40 unit connected to an external antenna. Prepaid @ $30pm. Top up whenever I needed it. Simples.

I could sit up at the mine on the top of a hill, 60ks out of the service zone and still get very slow connection on internet. (No phone)

Now, with smart phones etc all too complicated. Forever updating very expensive equipment and software that's out of date and won't work almost before you can connect it up. And a system that just cuts out whenever it likes without warning (even on NBN in the city)

Big business has control of our lives and its getting worse.

Good old CDMA ... maybe not so good for data but great for distance/range

Cupie · Guru

ottg wrote:
So glad for this info from people on this forum.
Will check Telstra/Optus prepaid.

If you prefer Telstra network, as you should, then go for Boost prepaid & perhaps get a back up Optus SIM.

peatop · Senior Member

A few days ago I started researching mobile modems and looked at the Nighthawk II and noticed that they said something about being compatible with Boost but sim locked to telstra, yet to get confirmation as to whether a mobile on boost can use wifi calling on a telstra modem. unlocked nighthawk are not cheap 1k there abouts, I think boost for phone and telstra for modem as boost don't have data plans and the mobile plans for me seem to be better priced on boost while data better on telstra.

The question is which modem? has anyone compared them? Anyone have links to good reviews? the 4gx is similar to the 3g one I used years ago before I found tethering biggrin

Although I'm locked into Kogan till April (yearly plan) so I will use this till I get sick of no coverage or closer to the end date.

Are We Lost · Guru

I used the small 4GX one for years, and would happily recommend that. I assume it will work with Boost, but can't confirm. I paid for third party unlocking on the internet.

Get a waterproof bag and a way of hoisting it up high to improve reception in marginal areas. Many times that made the difference between nothing and good. The Nighthawk is better technology so will no doubt perform better, but I have not found the justification. If being online is (almost) essential, then go for it. But no modem will work if there is no sigal. An external antenna will help either device, but height probably more so, particularly if there are hills and trees around.

I used to have a dedicated data SIM for the 4GX but now just hotspot from my phone on Boost. I still have the Telstra data SIM, so could recharge it and put it in the 4GX if needed. Also carry a spare SIM on Optus (Amaysim) for the phone ... on a yearly Pay as you Go plan.

PeterD · Guru

peatop wrote:
A few days ago I started researching mobile modems and looked at the Nighthawk II and noticed that they said something about being compatible with Boost but sim locked to telstra, yet to get confirmation as to whether a mobile on boost can use wifi calling on a telstra modem. unlocked nighthawk are not cheap 1k there abouts, I think boost for phone and telstra for modem as boost don't have data plans and the mobile plans for me seem to be better priced on boost while data better on telstra.
The question is which modem? has anyone compared them? Anyone have links to good reviews? the 4gx is similar to the 3g one I used years ago before I found tethering

Peter, Boost is just Telstra retailed by a different mob. You do not need to have the modem or phone unlocked for it to work. As I said earlier, "I would be inclined to get the 4GX Hotspot @ $144, I'm not sure what the advantage the Nighthawk has over the cheaper model." If you need an external antenna it has the ports to connect it to.

As far as 3G Vs 4G goes, I doubt you can get any 3G only devices and if you can get one it will be fairly old anyway. There are no 4G only devices I know of. Any 4G capable device is built to fall back to 3G when necessary. If you looked at the coverage maps I gave the links to you will note that you could not survive on either 3G or 4G alone.If purchasing a new device you have the choice between a 4G device and a 5G device, stick to the 4G device for best value.

(In saying that, I'm not sure that the 5G modems will handle 3G. However, I don't think outback travellers will be silly enough to purchase a 5G device, it will be a long time before we will get wide area coverage out there and we will be onto our next modem by the time that happens. The only people who will benefit from them are those sticking within the large cities and requiring the available speed.)

ottg · Veteran Member

How do I keep my business email address, currently with westnet?

Which email hosting service will allow this.

Can Boost also do email hosting services?

I'm aware of free gmail & Outlook.com email accounts

-- Edited by ottg on Saturday 23rd of October 2021 07:30:39 PM

PeterD · Guru

Gerhard, I use Thunderbird for my email client. In that you can set it up to interrogate and send mail through a variety of ISP accounts, you do not have to be logged onto those ISPs to handle your mail. When you click on the hamburger symbol look for a link labelled "Account Settings." Install Thunderbird on a laptop and set it up, then go down to somewhere with Wi-Fi (a local shopping centre will do) and check that it works. Your ISP will have instructions for setting up most email clients. You do not have to connect for very long so if you are worried about security there will be minimum opportunity for someone to intercept your Wi-Fi if you are quick.

If you don't like Thunderbird then most of the other email clients are capable of doing a similar job.

If you are prepared to maintain your present ISP then there is no need to transfer to web based email accounts like Gmail.

-- Edited by PeterD on Saturday 23rd of October 2021 08:00:56 PM