If you’re an avid camper, or you’d like to become one in the near future, the idea of being off grid in the middle of nowhere can be both a blessing and a curse. You get a sense of privacy, you get to enjoy the great outdoors, you can meet new and interesting people on the same campsite, but you’re also going to have spotty wifi, your texts will take ages to go through, and you might not hear from your loved ones for days.
That can make people quite uncomfortable, but we’re here to let you know that camping doesn’t have to be the internet blackspot you’ve been told it is. You can stay connected while you’re off the grid, no matter where you are or where you’re headed, as long as you’ve got the right gear on hand.
Install Solar Panels on the RV
If you’re taking an RV camping, you can keep a charge in the battery and any and all devices you take with you by installing solar panels on the roof. Of course, this may end up being a pricey option if you have a lot to keep charged day and night, but it can save you from an awkward situation if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Try doing some research into RV friendly solar panels.As long as you receive sun exposure during the day, you should get a good three to four hours battery life out of the panels, which can extend your ability to stay on the move, as well as be well fed and clean, for a little while longer.
Take Your Own Wifi Source
If you take your own wifi source camping with you, usually in the form of a portable dongle you can plug and play, you’re far less likely to come across wifi tampering or online security issues, such as dns hijacking.
If you’re wondering what is dns hijacking, let us just tell you it’s bad news for anyone wanting to enter personal details into a website! Even when you’re camping and off grid, you need to be mindful of these things; they’re how the world works nowadays and cannot be ignored!
Buy a Phone Booster
A phone booster will allow you to reach a signal no matter where you are or how long you spend there. If you really need to get in touch with someone, having a booster next to your phone will ping the signal much higher and faster than if you were just relying on standard waves.
For people deep in the wilderness with a tent, this can even be life saving. Phone boosters aren’t too pricey either, so you should be able to factor one into your camping and/or vacation budget fairly easily.
Share Your Location with Trusted Loved Ones
Sharing location offers a little confidence boost. If you share with trusted loved ones, they can check in to see where you are and how long you’ve been there, and can contact the authorities if something seems out of the ordinary.
Even if you get disconnected, they’re going to see your last live location and they’ll have insight into your plan for the day, meaning they’re likely to know when you’re going to message them again. This provides peace of mind on both sides without being intrusive into the privacy you’re after.
Camp in the Right Place
If you’re going to be camping down the side of a mountain, you’re not going to get much signal while you’re down there. This is due to the height of the mountain above and how well these natural features tend to block phone signals.
The same goes for a dense forest, no matter how cosy the clearing you’ve set up in is! Being surrounded by trees can filter out the signal you’re desperately in need of!
If you want to stay in touch with loved ones, make sure you camp away from these areas, or have a connection booster with you, like the phone booster we mentioned above.
Camping is one of the best ways to get back to nature. You don’t really need an internet connection while you’re out there! However, if you want to check the news and post things on social media from time to time, you can still do so. Get connected in little ways, boost your connection if you’re in a spotty area, and be much more comfortable while out in the wilderness.
