How to Boost / Upgrade the wireless network / WiFi signal in your RV, Motorhome, Camper, Motorcoach or Park Home with the Unifi AP LR.

Good Day My Fellow RV Dreamers,

Being in the IT / Computer world, keeping up with work on the road can be tricky. While I love my camper, when we have arrive at our destination the last thing I want to do is be stuck inside the whole time. How can one combat this problem? By installing the most powerful Wireless Access Point currently available. (While there is an outdoor version of this Access Point...I chose to install the indoor version to not have to worry about theft)

I created this Long Range Wireless Network DIY to work with any wireless router. Use this DIY to upgrade your wireless network signal with the router given to you by Comcast, Optimum or any other high speed internet service provider in your RV, Motorcoach, Camper, or Park Home. It will even work with all popular makes and models of routers. In order to upgrade the wireless network signal of your present router, you will need to adapt these directions to suit the make and model of your router. Please let me know if you have any questions about my DIY since it can get quite "techie".

If at some point you cannot access part of the DIY, click on the following link to be taken to my website with the original DIY post.

Long Range WiFi in your RV

Why Upgrade to the Unifi AP LR?

Internet service providers have long been known to provide high-speed internet service with a sub-par wireless router. Often you are given a used wireless router that "you must use" and thus leaves you with a wireless (WiFi) network that is less than adequate. Often I get complaints that RV owners cannot step more than ten feet away from their RV without losing their WiFi signal. Think about it, what good is a Tiki Hut in Florida without Pandora streaming Jimmy Buffet through your speakers? In this article, I will explain how to integrate the UniFi AP LR with your existing router. It is important to note that the UniFi AP LR works with all brands of routers, including those without wireless capability, thus allowing you to add a commercial grade wireless network to your existing network infrastructure. The Unifi AP LR can be purchased from numerous online stores such as Amazon.com and Newegg.com.

What is the Unifi AP LR?

The UniFi AP LR is a commercial grade wireless Access Point designed for use in both residential and commercial locations...and let's not forget the RV community as well. The UniFi AP LR is capable of wireless speeds of up to 300 Mbps per second and has a range of up to 600 ft...yes, you read it correctly...600 ft. You won't have to rely on your cell phone's data plan as much when accessing video, email and all the internet has to offer. Finally, since the Unifi AP LR is commercial grade, it is capable of handling up to 100 wireless devices at once. The Unifi AP LR Access Point is fully compatible with any broadband router both young and old...just plug it into one of your router's ports and you are ready to go.

The Instructions

For this DIY, I will be using the popular Actiontec router given out by Verizon FIOS. (The older version is gray and black while the newer version is red and black) Initially, the Verizon FIOS wireless router had a wireless range of about 30-40 feet before the signal would drop to the point of non-existence. A simple screw on antenna upgrade would make for a slight improvement in wireless signal but nothing substantial. A standalone Access Point like the Unifi AP LR is the perfect addition to any RV, Motorcoach, Camper or Park Home.

Note: It is important to note that an Access Point requires the use of a router. You cannot install an Access Point directly to just a cable modem. You must first have a router that can handle the routing of your network/internet traffic in order to utilize any Access Point.

Step 1 - Disable the Wireless Antenna on Your Current Router (Optional) The Unifi AP LR will essentially take the place of your current router's WiFi broadcast. Disabling the antenna will take a lot of the workload off of your current router allowing it to concentrate solely on other tasks. To disable the wireless portion of the router, follow these directions. (Your router administration panel may differ from the images below)

1) Open up a web browser and type in http://192.168.1.1 into the web address

2) Login to the router as an administrator. For the Verizon FIOS router, the username for the router is typically “admin” and the password is located on the back of your router next to “Login Password”. The password is case sensitive.

3) Select “Wireless Settings” in the menu

4) Select “Basic Security Settings”

5) Under “1. Turn wireless ON” select “Off”

6) Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page. The wireless antenna should now be off on your FIOS router. .

Step 2 - Set up the Unifi AP LR (Access Point) Once you have disabled the wireless portion of the FIOS router (remember, this was optional), you can now use the UniFI AP LR to control the wireless portion of your network. For best results, you will want to place the access point on the ceiling in the center of your RV, Camper or Park Home. (See image above) The Access Point works best when installed on the ceiling, however, I have hidden numerous Access Points in cabinets and other random locations with excellent results.

Ubiquiti Networks provides excellent guides for setting up their access points. It is important to note that you will not be setting up your access point via your router’s administration page. The UniFi AP LR uses its own software to complete the setup process. Setup is easy...follow the installation diagram to connect the Unifi AP LR to your existing router, download the setup software from Ubuiquiti's website and follow the instructions on how to set up your Access Point with your desired wireless network name and password. Click on the following link to find the setup guide for your particular model.

UniFi AP LR Setup Guide

The image below shows the strength of the Unifi AP LR wireless signal compared to the surrounding WiFi signals in my development. (All of the SSID’s have been censored) My own is the one in red on the left.

Actiontec Verizon FIOS Router - Before

(25 ft from wireless router)

UniFi AP LR with Verizon FIOS Router - After

(25 ft from Access Point)

As you can see, the difference in wireless signal strength between the Actiontec FIOS Router and the UniFi AP LR is quite substantial. The UniFi AP LR is a major improvement over the weak FIOS router wireless signal. Uploads and downloads via wireless devices are noticeably faster and the wireless signal range is simply outstanding.

If at any point you cannot access part of the DIY, click on the following link to be taken to my website with the original DIY post.

Long Range WiFi in your RV

Do you have any comments or questions? Leave a reply! And please post pics of your completed access point installs, I would love to see how everyone incorporates the device into their home away from home!