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If any one needs any help with internet on the move or WiFi topics please ask away.. Having done over 100 installations countrywide now, I think I can say I've got a good idea what makes this tick the boxes. Networks, Location and Equipment Martyn

Hi, does anyone know which company provides the best internet systems / technology for narrowboats? Thanks Chris

Scancom Three Unlimited 5G Data SIM - Preloaded Every Month from now until 8th December 2025 - Perfect For Wifi Routers, Tablets & Phones - Business Grade Data, dual band https://amzn.eu/d/2Vqio1R If you can put up with the "restricted coverage" of 3 and a fair usage limit of 850gb/pcm then it works out at £7pcm. As my Smarty free months have run out I will be getting one.

I know that this subject has been done to death, but technology marche's on apace and to be honest, bewilders me. Originally, we had a dongle mounted in a box fixed on the roof. This was connected to a router.All good. When the dongle expired, we could not find a replacement easily and so went for a 3 mifi. This has been OK. We moved it about from port to port, or under the Houdini and most of the time got a useable signal. This itself is due for upgrading. I thought that we may as well get something like the Huawei E5377T. This has a better battery than some and has twin aerial ports. I understand that this will accommodate a Mimo aerial with twin leads and so have been doing some delving. The old box on the roof is redundant, but if removed would allow easy access for the cable. This is situated port side and easily reached from the bank. So I wanted something that is low profile so as not to become either a snag point or tempting for Johnny scroat. I prefer the mifi rather than a dedicated router,as we can use it when away from the boat. As to an aerial, well the choice is endless, but given my wish for something low profile that will fit the existing entry, I have found a few at rather eye watering prices! When I can work out which of the low profile models in the below link would be suitable for my needs, I will try to source the cheapest. So, any thoughts or suggestions welcomed. http://www.radio-solutions.co.uk/low-profile-mimo-antenna-lgmm-lpmm-range.html This link is perhaps a little more informative, for those who understand the technicalities! http://www.panorama-antennas.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=67_69&product_id=183

I’m thinking of upgrading my current tv situation, presently using a intellian freesat but we need better phone signal. So I have bought a Poynting antenna and I’m wondering what you folks have found to be the best deal in the way of router and data sim, I’m thinking about unlimited as we will use it for tv, interested to hear views

Hello, I am new to the boating world and am looking to get a 12 volt router and sim (Arial if needed) to allow me to work from my boat. I need good upload speeds as I upload data from the office on to my laptop and plug the office phone in to the router to be connected to the office. I have found a post saying that these maybe the best for this but am looking for any advice as really confusing. RUTX50 INDUSTRIAL 5G ROUTER, Smarty sim and a Poynting MIMO-3-17 - 5G / 4G / GPS / WiFi Antenna. Many thanks

Hi, we’re trying to get to the bottom of our internet issue (sorry to add another 5g thread as I’ve seen there’s loads). We have a three 5 g router (pictured) it has 4 ts9 connectors which we’ve been advised are for a 5g antenna. We didn’t realise when we got the router that this may be a connectivity issue as 5g in the U.K. relies on 4g. Will the likes of a poynting 4x4 Mimo antenna work to supply 4g and 5g to the router? Or should we downgrade to a 4g router? we don’t want to mod it as it’s a contract device. any help appreciated. cheers!

I need a new mobile internet dongle with external antenna socket, 12 v or USB power ( i left my one by the window and it got rained on ), nothing fancy, something like a Huwaei 55573 ( which I don't think is made anymore) what is the current equilvent? I'm on EE but it will probably be unlocked anyway.

Hi I have set up for Wifi on my boat which works well, the idea behind this is that occasionally I can work from home on the boat. For this I will need approx. 20GB of data a month. So I ideally want some sort of data package for £10-£15 a month and not go down the route of a contract for £30+ a month. However my company uses a VPN to access the company server and apparently a VPN is not supported by ID mobile, Smarty, 3 (although buying a data sim off 3 did work, a sim and a data pack don't). Has anyone else had this problem? And can anyone suggest a solution? Thanks

Triggered by discussions on another thread which I'd like to keep this separate to, I thought I'd post some information that people might find helpful... Data/voice/music/video/TV --------------------------- *Everything* nowadays on the mobile networks is actually data, there's no "voice" as such, it's just another set of packets of data. If you're trying to receive data where the signal strength is low, two things happen. The first is that the network reduces the data rate because lower rate data needs less signal power, this happens on all types of data. The second is that -- if possible -- the application processing the data uses more buffering and increases the latency (delay) to allow short signal dropouts to be "filled in"; longer delay allows the link to carry on working in poorer conditions. On top of this the application (e.g. Zoom) can also reduce the data rate, for example by reducing video resolution or frame rate, or pausing video in favour of voice -- all this is done in the background. For some applications (like streaming radio or audio) this latency can be quite long (one or several seconds), which is especially useful if the receiver is moving (see later). Other uses like video calls (e.g. Zoom) can allow a delay of a few hundred milliseconds, so are not as robust. Voice calls (phone) can allow very little delay, these have the shortest buffer so are most susceptible to dropouts. So if you have poor signals, the applications most likely to drop out are ones with higher data rates and lower latency. A rough order of priority from flakiest to most robust would be something like: 1. HDTV streaming (e.g. iPlayer) -- typically >6Mbps download 2= SDTV streaming (e.g. iPlayer, YouTube) -- typically 2Mbps download 2= "Professional" video calls with higher definition, multi-user video and presentation sharing (e.g. Zoom/Webex for companies) -- typically 1.5Mbps (up to 3Mbps for HD video), low-latency, bidirectional 3. "Consumer" video calls (e.g. Zoom with 1 person at each end) -- typically 0.6Mbps, low-latency, bidirectional 4= Streaming audio/radio -- typically 128kbps download, high-latency 4= Voice (phone) calls -- typically 32kbps bidirectional, very low latency General Internet access could fall anywhere in this range, depending on what you're doing -- some applications are happy with any data rate at all, most need a medium rate, some need the highest rates to be usable. So how reliable your data coverage is when moving round the canals depends on what you want to do with it -- if you need higher data rates (e.g. professional video calls, HD streaming) you'll have problems more often, and vice versa. The other problem can be that applications which need equal up/down rates have more of a problem because your phone transmits at lower power than the basestations, so the uplink rate can be lower. Note that different networks (e.g. EE, 3, BT) have different coverage, you can be in a weak (or no-) signal spot with one and have decent signal with another, depending on where the basestations are. Router/aerials/MIMO/movement/3G/4G/5G --------------------------------------------- Anything that increases signal strength will help, for example aerials (bigger or multiple are better) outside the boat. Doesn't mean that ones inside (or a phone, or in a window) won't work, but they'll fail more often. Again, from worst to best: 1. Mobile phone inside boat (steel box with holes in) 2. Standard router inside boat (bigger aerials than phone) 3. Mobile phone in window 4. Standard router in window 5. Mobile phone outside 6. Standard router outside (or with external aerial) 7. 2x2 MIMO router outside (or with dual external aerial) 8. 4x4 MIMO router outside (or with quad external aerial) A lot of this is obvious, but maybe MIMO needs some more explaining. MIMO stands for "Multiple Input Multiple Output", which means using several antennas on both transmit and receive. As well as large dead spots due to coverage gaps (e.g. a remote stretch of canal) the radio signal can have dead spots (or lower signal level) due to reflections, and these are often between a few inches and a foot apart at the frequencies used by cellular networks. If you have two aerials spaced apart it's much less likely that they'll both be in a dead spot at the same time, so older routers (e.g. 3G) pick the stronger signal and use that, which reduces the chance of losing signal. Newer routers (e.g. 4G) can combine both signals instead of just choosing one, which improves reception further -- this is a benefit of a more modern router even if you don't think you often get 4G signals. But in either case, two aerials can give a lot more reliable reception, especially in a moving boat where you can be continually moving through dead spots. 5G is a much-hyped new technology, mainly for the huge data rates which are possible in the higher bands such as 6GHz and 26GHz (mmwave) -- but these are irrelevant for most boaters today, there's not much 5G 6GHz coverage outside a few cities and there will never be 26GHz coverage outside them because the reach is tiny. However in the "normal" network out in the sticks there can still be an advantage on both network and router sides, especially with 4x4 MIMO (4 aerials) which can not only help even more with dropouts but can use a technique called beamforming to steer reception towards the basestation you're connected to but also reject interference from other mobile phones and basestations -- again, this means either higher data rates, fewer dropouts, or both. There's also much bigger network capacity with 5G but this will mainly be an advantage to high-data-rate users in towns and cities, for example where lots of people are using HD video streaming. The negative side of this is that 4x4 MIMO 5G routers and aerials are new, thin on the ground and expensive (about £500), so you've got to really want to get the best possible internet access to justify this -- for example people who need "professional" video calls for work, or are WFH using remote hosted software (e.g. CAD design). For example, I have several conference video calls every day with other teams and working-from-home people around the world, good quality (HD) is essential for the material we're sharing, and company policy is that video cameras should be on so everyone can see everyone else. Many other people nowadays are WFH where the software runs in the cloud and they need high enough data rates to drive a local display with low enough lag to be usable. The data rates and reliability these need are very different to a normal person-to-person Zoom call. For most people a 2x2 MIMO 4G router with external aerials is absolutely fine and is half the price or less -- but make sure there are 2 external aerials, and make sure these are omnidirectional (same reception from all direction). A lot of the aerials sold for wireless internet access are directional, meaning strong pickup in one direction and weak in all the others. This is right for a house where you aim the aerial at the nearest basestation while monitoring signal strength or data rate, but on a boat you'd have to do this every time you stop (and some are designed for wall mounting so difficult to point in any direction), and would definitely not be good when you're moving. A 3G router or one with a single aerial is probably a false economy nowadays, dual aerial 4G ones are not much more expensive and will give better and more reliable reception. Starlink -------- If you really need the kind of high-speed internet access you can get in a house regardless of where you are and have very deep pockets (and good electrics), it might be worth looking at Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service. which currently achieves about 100Mbps/20Mbps download/upload speeds in the UK. Downsides include getting hold of it, using it on a mobile terminal like a boat instead of a static one like a house, dish size, power consumption (about 100W!), and cost (about £500 install + £90/month). People who are using it in houses with otherwise terrible internet access seem generally very happy with it, I don't know if anyone has tried it on a boat yet, and it's not clear that the current licensing conditions allow it -- but I know a terminal intended for mobile is in the works so this will definitely happen. Conclusions ------------ How reliable you find wireless internet access on a boat will depend on which network you're on, what equipment you have, and what your data rate requirements are. There aren't many completely dead (no signal) spots but there are still a few, in most places you'll get a signal but the quality may vary. The better your setup is (and the lower your required data rate is) the better the chance of you getting good enough data rates in more places; with a decent setup (e.g. external 4G 2x2 MIMO) most people with typical data needs will get good enough reception almost all of the time. People who really need high data rates and the best possible coverage (e.g. for HD conferencing or HDTV streaming) should go for the best possible setup (external 5G 4x4 MIMO) but may still have occasional problems, and could consider using Starlink if they can afford the cost/power and solve the availability/licensing problems. YMMV 😉

Hi been doing and reading up a lot on wifi including updates in this group. I’m kinda making a bee line to Maxview Roaming X due to good gain, router being 5g/4k streaming ready and to support heavy internet usage as I work from home using Ms teams/zoom a lot. Wondered if anyone has fitted the Maxview dish on the slight curved narrow boat roof? Has anyone got a Maxview and is all good? Keen to get a review as little is said about Maxview roaming on the Narrowboat world (very popular on campervans, caravans and motor boats). thanks

It has been decided at Board level that those who post positive comments about the CRT in internet forums will be awarded proportional discounts on their licence fees. Consultations going out later in the year on whether to apply punitive fines to those who add negative input. facebook is excluded for obvious reasons. This could be good for morale I think.

Hello everyone 🖐 Can anyone give me some good advice on a quality internet router and antenna set up that will allow my girlfriend to work from our boat while we cruise the cut? She needs to be able to reliably do video conferencing as she runs a speech and language therapy business and has team meetings and online therapy sessions every day. Our current set up, a Huawei R216 with a Panaorama Antennas DMM-7-27-2TS9 just isn't cutting the mustard in a lot of rural locations. Its mostly fine for streaming tv and general internet browsing but it failing to be reliable for video calls. Often gettin under 1mbps upload speeds. Anyone out there got a good set up that is reliable for working from their boat in different loactions where regular video calls are important? Any good advice based on experience would be much apprecited! Thanks

Hi Guys. Dave here, Famous for the now growing debate about Danforth anchors. Its getting a bit off topic on there. So here goes with my second Question. We really want internet on our newish boat. So, short question. What / Who do you all use. Cost etc would be nice. I also want to use my Amazon fire stick on the (Not smart) portable telly. Is that all possible? Heads up......... My next question is about fitting solar panels. Thanks David PS Thank you to ditchcrawler. Suffolk eh. I live near Clare in Suffolk.

i am moving onto my narrow boat this month and want to do continuous cruising for a while, i am also an avid steam railway fan and do alot of research on the internet, i am not so clever with tech stuff, so id like to know what the best and cheapest way is available to me with regards to being online and not in a marina, but out on the cut, also i cant get any mobile signal inside my boat, how do i get around this?

I presently have all you can eat data with my iPad and apple mac tethered. This is now out of contract, but I haven't heard from 3 to discontinue etc. however, I don't like the intermittent signals ans speeds etc. I am going to dump the 3 All You Can Eat and go for a Huawei e5372 dongly thingy with EE at 15 GB for £20. I like the dongle as it can accommodate a TS9 ariel. The phone I will have a 321 sim. Can I do better? Martyn

I have just changed to o2 from ee because they offered me a good deal but their Internet service is rubbish With ee I seldom had a problem getting Internet access while boating but I find that I seldom get access with O2.I regret changing and we are now looking at someway of accessing the Internet while afloat Comeback ee all is forgiven Haggis

Had to post this as I am quite impressed so far. Just purchased a GEM420 wifi/mifi unit along with a mimo aerial and then purchased a 1gb/month as a start with EE. Put it all together on the boat and found it fairly easy to setup up the EE internet access and am getting a whopping 33 mbps download. (At our house we get a paltry 1.4 mbps) Equipment bought from www.3grouterstore.co.uk Fullband MIMORAD 4G Antenna Outdoor MiMo Radome Antenna 6dBi Peak Gain with 2x5 metres of aerial cable £61.00 Proroute GEM420 M2M Dual SIM 4G Router £234.00 Unit also does wifi repeating (will set that up tomorrow) OK not cheap but very well built with lots of features. Once we've established how much data we eat a month we will probably upgrade the SIM contract to maybe 15GB per month for £20.

Is it easy to get internet whilst cruising, if so what is best

My current version of "unlimited internet" allows a paltry 4gb tethering. So I am after a specific set up that would allow me to pick up a 4g signal and rebroadcast it in the boat so that I can use my device to pick up catch up tv etc. I believe that this would exclude a mifi device. Any ideas / alternatives? Thanks Paul