The BEST Internet Set-up for Travelling Australia Explained / Nighthawk v Celfi-Go v RV Wifi
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- This is the long awaited video that explains all you need to know about our highly sought after and recommended internet set-up for Caravanning, travelling, and exploring Australia. Our internet guide shows how you can get 3G, 4g and 5G internet connections with excellent speeds in remote areas of Australia.
overlandexposure.com.au/how-t...
www.telcoantennas.com.au/remo...
We explain everything from what the set-up is, how much it will cost, how to use it, we show evidence of how our Nighthawk modem with external antennas on a mast works better than the competition products - the Cel-Fi Go and the RV Wifi systems and why it works and other internet hints and tips.
We are always seeing the question of what is the best internet on the road set-up, mainly for those who are planning to or already are working on the road and while travelling. We have been using our set-up for about 1 year and it is brilliant. We have had many followers purchase and are happy too, plus many others asking a few questions about it. All those questions are answered here.
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - The Problem
03:31 - What's in the Caravan Internet Package
04:51 - The Solution
05:58 - Technical Details - How and Why
06:26 - Nighthawk, Celfi and RV Wifi Compared
15:15 - Which antenna?
19:29 - The Mast
20:15 - Why we chose the Nighthawk
22:22 - How much will it cost?
23:57 - How to use our set-up
28:11 - The Pack-up
28:36 - Aus Phone Towers App
35:44 - Proof it works!
36:26 - FAQs
36:36 - Optus or Telstra
38:29 - What about voice calls?
39:12 - Use while driving
40:27 - The Future
42:18 - Everywhere
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As always, please leave us a comment with your thoughts or feedback on our videos. Also, let us know if you want more information about something in particular in the comments below or send us a DM on socials or email at admin@overlandexposure.com.au
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Join us each week as we Caravan around Australia full-time in our Iveco Daily 4x4 dual cab light truck and 23' Retreat Fraser Semi-off road Caravan. Get a real-life, genuine and down to Earth look at living life on the road fulltime, the ups, the downs and hints, tips and fun each week!
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Follow our socials for more updates, real-time captures and other informative posts so you too can be on your own journey Around Aus!
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FACEBOOK: / overlandexposure1
Head to our website for other blog posts about our adventure and life on the road full-time.
WEBSITE: www.overlandexposure.com.au
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Landscape Photography Artworks available for purchase at:www.danielcourtney.com.au
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Daniel Courtney Photography - danielcourtney.com.au - 10% off (code 10OFF)
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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
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, 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
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!
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!! 😁
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 😁
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😁
Thank you Daniel very comprehensive and informative video, cheers
You're welcome Tim! Glad you enjoyed it. :) Sorry again about the audio issues originally!
Great useful video!! Well done mate👍
Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful 😁
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!
This video is so good and helpful... THANK YOU
You're welcome 😁
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 😁
Great info guys, appreciate it! 🤘😁
Welcome! Glad you found it useful! 😁
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!
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 😁
Well done, thanks for the info.
You're welcome! Thanks! :)
thank you for sharing a great detailed video as great watching
You're welcome, thanks for watching and commenting!!
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.
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?
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, thanks.
Thank you, you're welcome 😁
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
Thank you Daniel Great share.
Cheers Gerard.
You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment, really appreciate it! 😁
Excellent information 👌 👏
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful. 😁
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. 😁
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 great work , with your advise ,I purchased the M1 and directional mimo , yet to try it out but I’m confident
Thank you! 😁
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).
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?
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.
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 👍😁
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.
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 mate.
Thanks for the really informative article.
I'm wondering how the nighthawk would go with a pair of omni directional antenna set up on a 4wd roof? I have a canopy with racks, aux power in the back and wondering how you think the performance might be?
Hi Tony, it would be ok, omni aren't ideal obviously but they are easier. 2 X are better than 1, I haven't personally tested like that though. You can also get MIMO Omni antennas I believe which may also work? Telco Antennas can probably help you out better than me.
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👍
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. 👍
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 🙏
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.
Thanks for the video. What adaptor type is required and do Telco Antennas have it. Assuming something like a dual SMA Female to TS9.
Hi Peter, yep TS9 are required, just select the TS9 adapters when ordering.
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.
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, looking at getting a Nighthawk and mainly be using a data sim but we also have a lot of data (that we can't sim share) and curious to know if a combined phone/data sim will work in the Nighthawk (rather than hotspotting) or if this dependent on the sim provider.
Hi Frank! Thanks for watching and reaching out. Yes a phone Sim with data will work in the Nighthawk, we have done this ourselves with one of our phone Sims of we've used up all our data on our data only Sim haha.
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.
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 :)
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/
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.
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 😁
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
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. 😁
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! :)
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.
Hi guys, thank you for your great videos. We have taken delivery of the full Overland remote data Telco kit, to be installed in our new van (soon to be built). We are hoping to have the wiring built in and have a question.
We would like to have the cabling installed (during manufacture) running between the mast at the rear and the router in a kitchen cupboard. We had been advised previously that we would need 2 waterproof female SMA connectors (at the mast) running to 2 male SMA connectors in the cupboard (where the Nighthawk is).
Our manufacturer is offering ‘to run co-ax cable from the rear to the overhead cupboard with SMA Anderson’. Does this sound like the same thing to you? We don’t really understand the terminology and don’t want to get it wrong 😬
Hi Russell, it does sound correct, but be aware that every connector you add to the circuit worsens the performance, as does adding more cable. Try and use low loss cable if you can, but the best performance is had from running the cables directly from the antenna to the modem.
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 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 :/
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 :)
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 :)
Hi. Thanks a lot. Where can I buy just the extendable antenna pole and clamp from. I already have some of the other kit.
Hi Gary, Telco Antenna's should have it all.
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!
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 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 😁
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, great video!
With the Aus phone towers app, how do we make use of the 4G NBN towers? I can find a NBN sim online, is there any such thing?
Have you heard of anything apart from Starlink that is likely to be better than the M5 nighthawk in the next 12 months?
Thanks mate! You can't use the NBN towers, they are just for fixed wireless services.
We are testing Starlink, but nobody knows when the mobile version will drop.
@@OverlandExposure Hi Dan, any updates on using Starlink? We are hitting the road in November for 12months, I have watched a few CZcamsrs who disabled the motors in the dishy and mounted to their vehicles pointing straight up. They have been getting some good results, we just need a heap more ground stations in Australia before it’s viable for us.
I have seen a few options for 8m extendable aluminum towers, would you go the extra height if you could, Aust made.
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.
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.😊👍
Hey mate what antenna would you recommend for a 4x4, to be permanently mounted to either a bullbar or up on the roof with a knock down bracket. Was looking at the rfi or even gme cellular ones but neither seem to be mimo, and does this matter if they arent? Cheers.
MIMO is better for internet. There are some MIMO omni antennas out there.
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.
Hi. Thanks for all the useful information. I have a Landcruiser ute 4WD with a small motorhome on the back. I work online so need good internet. Two questions: 1. There seems to be a Nighthawk M6 and a Nighthawk M6 Pro available nowadays. Which is better and why? 2. As I do not have a towbar, I would not need the swing up mount. Is your antena system available without the mount- and the cost? I would plan to have openable D catches on the side of my veicle to hold the anenat in place and a baseplate mount on the ground. Thanks
Hi Kimberley, no worries. The M6 and M6 Pro aren't out yet, however as soon as they are available we'll have one for testing. I spoke to the CEO of Telstra yesterday about this and they expect them out before the end of June. You'll have to order the antenna and the mast separately, you can ask Telco Antennas if they will give you the Overland discount on the two together. You might also be able to look at Heavy duty suction mounts or Magnetic mounts?
Hope this helps,
Dan
Thanks, Dan
I will wait for the review then. I need to have a system in place by end of July, when I will be on the road again. I don’t think there is any point getting the M5 when the M6 is so close, do you?
Cheers,
Kimberley
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.
Hi Daniel, we have a Nighthawk like yours and wanting to know what adaptors we should be including with our order? Thanks
Hi Kate, the TS9 adapters are the right ones :)
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 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
Heys guys love the set up, have recently been looking at the cel fi go for our week long camping trips. But great to see another option, just wondering with this setup is there an option somehow to boost mobile reception and use phone data without going down the modem route. Love watching your adventures, Cheers Adam.
Hi Adam, thanks for watching, if you don't want to go the modem etc then the Celfi probably is your best bet.
@@OverlandExposure thanks for the reply, I’ll have to do some serious thinking, only thing that turns me off the cel fi is being locked to a certain network and can’t be used by others.
Hey Daniel, quick question do the M1, M2 and M5 nighthawk all attach the same way with the supplied cables in the kit. Cheers Adam
Hi Adam, yes they do, and all using TS9 connectors that you select in the package.
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.
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!! 😁
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.
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.
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.
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 👍
Hi Dan we have everything now setup but the Aus Tower App that I’ve downloaded doesn’t show what ur vid shows? What are the settings that I should use and how to use the app is next challenge.
Hi Kate, it should just work? It might need permissions from your phone for GPS etc?
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 😁
Hi Guys. Quick question. Does the nighthawk also boost mobile phone reception or just internet? If it does, can i link it to a bulbar mounted omni directional antenna for when driving.
Thanks :)
Hi Rachael, just to clarify the Nighthawk isn't a booster, it is a modem. With our kit you get better internet reception due to the antenna picking up a better signal. You can then make Voice Over Wifi Calls (we do this all the time when we have no phone reception but have internet). We have also plugged the modem into our omni on our truck when driving. It works ok and picks up a bit more signal so more internet, but we haven't tried an omni on a bullbar to see how effective it is. Hope that helps and if you are buying anything from Telco antennas make sure you let them Overland Exposure sent you!
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 😁
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 :)
Hi, I wanting to have the antenna coaxial cable into a mount on the wall / side of my van. I think you showed a fitting, that some one else made. What connectors do I need to allow a connection?
There are 2 cables and connectors on the antenna, does that mean I'll need 2 coaxial cables.
Thanks!!
Hi, yes it does. They are SMA connectors, just be aware that the more connectors and cables the worse the performance of the system.
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 😀
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, I have a Netgear M6 in my UTE and wonder what type of antenna could you suggest to use with it while I'm driving?
Hi mate, any omni antenna would be fine, the higher gain the better :)
Hey Dan, My wife and I are travelling now full time and like most newbies are still green when it comes to the interweb. We're on the older side of things so trying to get this right the first time. So if you are willing to help a couple of old farts I have a couple of Questions. We have a Nighthawk M6 and a pole but have yet to buy an antenna. Do we go with directional and is it going to be a pain to point in the right direction? Or an omni we can just chuck up there....? If we go a directional, would a signal strength meter make the set up easier/quicker?
Thanks in advance
Your help is appreciated and needed, cheers Wayne and Jo.
Hi guys, if not considering Starlink, I would go the directional. The omni won't improve the M6 signal much. Don't worry about a signal strength meter, just swing the antenna around reasonably slowly and you will get the signal :)
Hi we bought the overland kit about 4 months ago It works well. I have recommended it to heaps of people who see us setting it up. We bought the night hawk 6 as apparently we had points At Telstra. Our problem is the little connections to the night hawk keep falling off. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Lorrainne, thanks for that :) the connectors can be a little fiddle can't they! Very gently squeeze the connector with some pliers or something similar like scissors and it should make it a snug fit again. Hope this helps!
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.
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
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 I was just wondering if you have looked into the nighthawk m6 and m6 pro? Would these work with your set up?
Hi Justin, the M6 works, the M6 pro is overkill. We've tested and found the M6 works, but it is a bit more finicky using the external antenna than the M5, still a reasonable option for the kit. 😁 Thanks for watching and reach out if you have any more questions.
So when traveling in car you have the night Hawke, are you using any external antenna at that time or does it just naturally have better reach then your phone
Hey, we generally don't use another antenna while driving, the nighthawk does a good job on its own 😁 We have been trialling an Omni antenna recently but haven't done enough testing to know if it's worth it or not yet.
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/
Hi Dan. Thanks for all the info. Question: how do you say the Cel-fi Go provides little in the way of amplification when they claim 100bB gain. I’m looking at either the Cel-Di or Nighthawk and would like this one point clarified if you have time. Thanks!
Hi Ross,
The way they measure it is a bit - odd.
They are basically saying that from inside a building or a vehicle where there was NO coverage at all, they can "Boost" it by 60/100db to provide actual coverage. Realistically, they are only providing 60/100db because they are going from nothing, to something. It's like an OLED TV where you have pixels switched either on or off, and the manufacturer claims that it has contrast of 1,000,000 : 1 - Of course it does, because the pixel is either on or off.
Every 3db is a doubling of the received power, so to claim 100db of gain is saying that they are able to increase the signal strength over 16 MILLION times.
They don't actually provide any amplification, they are just moving the signal from outside to inside, and also gaining whatever the external antenna used provides (normally an omni stick antenna)
@@OverlandExposure thanks Dan for taking the time to explain to us non comms dummies 👍
@@OverlandExposure with the Netgear nighthawk receiving 5g, am I correct in assuming it transmits the data to your phone/tablet/laptop via wifi and so not matter that your other devices are not 5g?
@@rossbundoora3315 yep that's correct :)
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 CZcams 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 :)
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.
Thanks!
Welcome 😁
Will the night hawk work in South Africa if so we’re can it be obtained