When choosing gadgets for your caravan, you want them to last and withstand the various conditions you’ll encounter along the way. Tech reviewers rarely have the opportunity to test gear over long periods of time, as we usually have to return loaner gear after a few weeks. So, traveling in a caravan around Australia gave us the opportunity to try out a range of gadgets in real-world conditions.
On a recent trip I used the reviewed devices for an extended period of time, which gave me more time to road test how they perform over an extended period of time. After three months of traveling with these caravan communication devices at all times, here is what I think about them and whether you should introduce them to your road trips.
Recommended communication devices for caravans
In one sense, it’s unfortunate that we want to be constantly connected, which means fewer people to chat with fellow travelers. In another sense, communication is so important because it allows people like my wife and I to work on the road, communicate with family and friends, watch TV, socialize, book destinations, research, turn to YouTube or experts for help, and more.
Here are some communication-based caravan gadgets I’ve tested recently:
Our products fall into three categories: satellite, mobile and radio. Satellite technology provides 100% coverage across Australia. Mobile phone coverage works in most towns and major highways, but only in 27% of the continent. UHF radio can receive and transmit anywhere, but has a range of around 20km. We cover these technologies in more detail in our guide to caravan internet connection.
To get the most out of this guide, we encourage you to read reviews of the products that interest you.
Starlink lets you access the internet anywhere in Australia
Starlink is the most revolutionary product from a communications perspective of all the products I’ve reviewed. When switched on, it provides high-speed broadband anywhere there is an unobstructed view of the southern Australian sky. It’s portable, affordable and brings internet to the outback.
A Starlink antenna on the roof of a car. Photo: Angus Jones.
The advantage is that internet download speeds are on average 6 times faster than at home in Sydney. It works in conjunction with Wi-Fi calling on my smartphone so I can make and receive calls and SMS wherever I am. Setup is easy; I power the unit from a Bluetti portable power station and can turn Starlink on and off via the Bluetti app on my smartphone.
On the downside, Starlink is a power guzzler. My device uses 80-120 watts per hour from startup to normal operation. Having it on all the time can be quite a power drain on your battery, so being able to power it down at night is handy.
Setup may be easy – just place the antenna facing south – but it takes a few minutes every time you move, compared to a cell phone or 5G mobile router, which doesn’t require any setup after the initial installation. With the antenna in your car, you’re moving around a lot. Many people set up Starlink from their caravans, reducing the number of setups.
More and more people are permanently mounting Starlink antennas flat on their cars or mobile homes, which is convenient, but ultimately it’s easier to move the antennas and cables around obstacles like tree branches than on a mobile home.
Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro (MR6550) Mobile 5G Router
This little router is permanently installed in my double-cab utility vehicle, providing a Wi-Fi network that connects everything from phones to PCs to Garmin navigators anywhere there’s cellular coverage.
Image: Angus Jones.
Our Starlink plan does not include internet on the move, as this service is too expensive. Instead, we use a Netgear router. In fact, the router is connected to Starlink by ethernet, and when Starlink is powered on, the same Netgear network provides internet. This makes it very simple, and there is only one network to connect to when we are within range of the car. Power consumption is minimal, as the Netgear consumes about 5 watts per hour via the USB cable from the Bluetti.
The only drawback to this product is that without mobile phone reception there is no internet – the network will still work and you will be able to access networked devices such as battery monitors in the caravan.
RFI High Gain 5G Antenna
In previous tests, this product provided better range and faster speeds when connected to a Netgear mobile router. The RFI antenna is directional and must be pointed towards the nearest cell tower, meaning this solution can only be used when stationary. I have this fitted in my caravan as part of my gadget and see lots of people using it, but not with Starlink.
RFI 5G directional high gain antenna. Image: Angus Jones.
My advice is, if you don’t have Starlink, invest in this technology, it will give you connectivity in many places that others can’t cover.
Boost Mobile SIM
Telstra boasts the widest mobile coverage area of the three major carriers, and while a new partnership between Optus and Vodafone will likely improve the situation, Telstra remains the best – although its plans are also the most expensive.
Of all the resellers of the Telstra network, only Boost Mobile has the same coverage; the others only have a partial coverage. I use a 12 month SIM from Boost Mobile with my Netgear router to get the best coverage at the best price. If I run out of data I can recharge or buy another SIM. I am not using the unlimited voice that is included as the SIM is only used with the Wi-Fi router.
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Our phones have individual SIMs in them, and in our case Woolworths gives us 10% grocery discount once a month per SIM. When we travel, we’re likely to be outside of the poor Woolworths coverage area, but Wi-Fi calling through the Boost Mobile SIM in our Netgear router allows us to stay in touch.
Cel-Fi Mobile Booster
To further enhance my mobile coverage while on the move, I use a Cel-Fi Mobile Booster. This product uses a high-gain omnidirectional antenna (similar to a UHF antenna) that is mounted on the roof rack, meaning it has the best chance of picking up phone tower signals. The signal is then amplified and retransmitted within a small radius around the car, meaning my smartphone and 5G modem will be using this improved signal.
RFI Cel-Fi antenna mounted on roof rack. Image: Angus Jones.
If there’s no cell tower within range, this method won’t work, but if there is one, it will provide a signal to your device even long after the device itself has lost cell tower coverage.
I find this product very good, especially when maintaining a call on backcountry roads. However, your smartphone will tend to look for a weak cell signal rather than connect to Cel-Fi. This can be overcome by using the My-Wave app which will prompt your phone to use Cel-Fi. Make sure you remember to use the app.
Uniden Xtrak 80 UHF Radio
Breakers, Breakers: You can communicate with trucks. Caravans almost always travel slower than trucks. With a UHF radio you can communicate with other vehicles, including trucks (if the trucks have radios too). UHF is also great for communicating with your fellow motorcades.
Channel 40 is a common channel and it is much safer if a 130 foot road train can communicate if they want to pass or overtake, and it is common to encounter vehicles with wide loads leading the way, they will use their radio to warn you of their presence so you can move off the road and let them pass safely.
Image: Angus Jones.
UHF doesn’t allow for long distance communication, but it can be used to call for help if there are others within range. Overall, the Xtrak works well and gives you extra peace of mind on outback roads. The replay function is useful if you miss a radio transmission.
Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF Two-Way Radio
For those travelling by boat, this combined UHF/VHF handheld radio means you can talk on both road and marine frequencies with one device. We use the handheld to communicate when backing the caravan up, with my wife giving the appropriate instructions from outside the van.
The unit comes with a 12-volt cigarette charger so it’s easy to keep the battery topped off, and you can also use the handheld in your car to listen to other channels such as Ch18, the caravan call channel, or if you have a boat it can be used to record your voyage at the marine rescue station.
GME Personal Locator Beacon
I hope I never have to use this device, but I make sure to bring it with me on every hike. A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is an emergency transponder that transmits your location to emergency services. This device is only activated in an emergency.
The unit is lightweight, its battery lasts for years, and it allows you to call for help via satellite anywhere in the world. Image: Angus Jones.
Garmin Tread Navigator
The Garmin Tread is an 8-inch tablet-like device typically used for navigation in a car. It is equipped with satellite communications provided by Garmin inReach. This system allows for the sending of SOS messages, location updates, weather forecasts and basic two-way text communication.
We don’t use this service as it is a subscription-based service and there are other options available, but if you don’t have Starlink or a PLB this solution can be a cost-effective way to get support and communicate anywhere in Australia.
Top 10 Caravan Communication Devices to Take with You
If you’re planning a trip around Australia, or even just planning a week-long road trip, we recommend taking the following devices in order:
UHF radio for cheap communication on the move. To maximise your phone and internet range, insert a Telstra or Boost mobile SIM into your phone or mobile router. If you plan on hiking or taking the road less travelled, use a PLB. Starlink: If you plan on working on the move and want to stay connected at all times, or don’t want to miss any TV shows, Starlink is a game changer if you can afford the upfront and monthly fees. For road warriors looking to maximise their mobile range, Cel-Fi can help. It boosts your signal so you can keep your calls going.
Stay tuned for more caravanning gadget recommendations as we adventure along the road less travelled.
