Newbie exploring options...

[LoveMeSomeCALTE]

I use a Archer C7 at home and have been quite happy with it. I'll see if I can pick up another locally (though a quick scan of FB marketplace & craigslist doesn't leave me with much hope). Looks like the going rate on eBay is ~$40.

I see. In that case, I would consider purchasing the eBay listings with free returns. That way, if you find a better deal locally, you can return it or this might not be worth your time.

I had had poor luck searching for "Archer C7" on FB marketplace, craigslist, offerup etc.

People rarely mention "Archer C7" in their listings.

So what I did is setup feeds for "router" on all these platforms and submit an AWS Mechanical Turk task to extract those items from these feeds that look like an Archer C7. The results have been really good. Since I need to source around a few dozen of these (and eventually hundreds), the cost to setup and review Mechanical Turk is well amortized. For a one off, might not make sense.

It looks like the EM7455 is slightly less than the Quectel EP06-A ($50 vs $70). Any reason to go with the EP06 over the EM7455? They seem to be comparable.

Conventional wisdom is that the EM7455 is "better supported". What that means is unclear to me, so others will have to chime in.

I personally would get the Quectel

If I understand correctly, I'm looking at initial setup costs of ~$130-140 ($46 for USB to PCIe or M.2 adapter - available on the FB store, $40ish for Archer C7, and $50ish for modem)? You mentioned possibly purchasing better hardware in a couple months. Any reason this setup wouldn't work for the longer term?

It's all about managing your expectations.

I would say that this Archer C7 setup you proposed is much better than the super famous MoFi everyone raves about. In my view, the MoFi is just a cheap $45 (new) router with custom OpenWRT, and a basic Sierra Wireless or Quectel modem in it.

Even then, I would personally feel constrained after a few months with this - I would like to do CA, bonding, multiple APs - what not.

I would like to connect the modem directly to the router instead over USB.

USB3 is faster but has interference issues with BT/2.4 Wifi.

Can the C7 support all of this? Probably not!

When referring to SimpleMobile's cheap 'eBay plans,' are you talking about the 3-month, $50 plan (unlimited LTE) for $50 ($17 a month)?

Yes

Are people just starting new accounts every 3 months?

Almost. I will get you a better setup after hooking you up with SimpleMobile rewards where you will get an additional month free!

I've seen a lot of posts from BillA. Is he a reseller or just T-mo guru?

Bill is both a guru and customer focused dealer.

I'd like to order hardware this week. Then in 2-3 weeks I can test out the various services. To confirm, (with the above hardware) I can test all 3 major carriers, correct?

Yes

-I have Verizon (prepaid), so will need SIM adapter, Verizon APN & TTL settings. Anything else?

Registering on Verizon will need some funny business I cannot discuss in public, so email me but that's pretty much it.

-I have a Tmo SIM from a Coolpad Surf, so will need SIM adapter and Tmo APN - would I need TTL update?

Yes. It's there already in GO

-Still need to pickup some sort of AT&T service to test

AT&T $50 unlimited prepaid

Is it as simple as installing GO on the C7, configuring for one type of service, reboot, test?

Yes

Aside from speed-tests, is there any other testing or monitoring that I should do?

Yes. I will inform you once you have the setup ready

I request everyone to jump in and review for any mistakes I've likely made.

[shadow6934]

Thanks again for the help & info. FWIW, it seems a lot of what you're doing is over my head (I had to google mechanical turk, for instance). I'm hoping for a pretty straightforward plug-and-play type solution.

If it makes any difference, I was never looking at the Mofis. Prior to looking at TPLinks I was considering a WG3526. They price out around $90 (shipped from China), but they have the PCIe modem slot built in and avoids using USB. I guess depending on the cost of the TPLink the final cost would be about the same. Just found one somewhat locally being offered at $30. I did forget antennas in my earlier cost breakdown...

I'll revisit simple mobile once I have tested all three carriers, and if I settle on using Tmo.

Aren't PMs currently disabled? How can I reach you directly for Verizon info?

[LoveMeSomeCALTE]

Thanks again for the help & info. FWIW, it seems a lot of what you're doing is over my head (I had to google mechanical turk, for instance). I'm hoping for a pretty straightforward plug-and-play type solution.

The specs you mentioned before is absolutely top notch, you have it all figured out there.

The mechanical turk bit can be safetly ignored. It was just how I source routers inexpensively when they are mislabelled or not labelled at all (which is why they sell cheap). Information arbitrage.

Prior to looking at TPLinks I was considering a WG3526. They price out around $90 (shipped from China), but they have the PCIe modem slot built in and avoids using USB. I guess depending on the cost of the TPLink the final cost would be about the same.

Not really. I am unsure whether the WG3526 can support the generic OpenWRT image. I think that manuf. builds their own custom version.

I would like to be corrected and told that you, for example, can load goldenorb onto the WG3526

Just found one somewhat locally being offered at $30. I did forget antennas in my earlier cost breakdown...

If you can get a WG3526 for $30, it's worth a shot. If I misunderstood and you meant a TPLink, which model, because you have to be careful to not purchase one with BC HW.

I'll revisit simple mobile once I have tested all three carriers, and if I settle on using Tmo.

Sure. Depends on your speedtests and data.

Aren't PMs currently disabled? How can I reach you directly for Verizon info?

Ah yes, if you're on reddit, we can connect there, else let me look around.

When do you get your modem etc up and running?

[punkguy00017]

I use firstnet but to save u the headache of just ordering a simcard, purchase a phone and sign up for a firstnet plan if you are able to. Second don't overuse band 14 if I use more than 500gogs on band 14 they will kick u. That's y I only keep connected to band 12 and aggregate with band 2 n 4. I haven't had any issues and guys in here helped me set up my unit.

[shadow6934]

Just a quick update...

I was at the lake house this past weekend and tested Tmo & Verizon. Both had similar, acceptable speeds (40-60Mbps down, 5-10Mbps up) including from inside by a window.

Came back home last night and on the way I picked up a TP-Link Archer C7 v2 yesterday ($15, woot!). Installed GO today and was able to use my Google Pixel 2 (USB tethered, VZW prepaid) as a modem. Knowing this works well I'm leaning towards using a similar cell phone as the modem at the lake house.

ISP-wise I have yet to test AT&T, but not sure I will knowing I have two good options. Still some more testing to do (IP camera, thermostat) before I start service, but I've narrowed it down to Verizon (additional prepaid line on my existing account, or PagePlus through BillA) and Tmo (Magenta 55+ or Simple Mobile through BillA). Bill's been very helpful I highly recommend anyone with questions contact him, but I'm leaning towards adding line to exist Verizon prepaid account for simplicity. Would be $50 a month (w. auto-pay and max loyalty discount - have a line I can donate); also, usually you can buy refill cards at Target for 5-15% off...

Comments? Thoughts?

[LoveMeSomeCALTE]

picked up a TP-Link Archer C7 v2 yesterday ($15, woot!)

There ya go!

Knowing this works well I'm leaning towards using a similar cell phone as the modem at the lake house.

Sure, but those $30 - $60 Quectel modems are not bad. If you find a phone (that typically has a beter LTE modem) in the same price range by all means use that.

About plans - have you checked out to TMobile 4 for $100 limited time offer?

I would recommend a choice of PagePlus and Simple Mobile, both through BillA.

I can set you up with referral credits on Simple Mobile that gets you an additional month free for every 2 - 3 months you pay depending on your plan.

Start off with PagePlus and then in a few months add a Simple Mobile would be my simplest solution.

For my community internet solution, I have proposed a mix of TMobile 4 for $100 and Cricket 4 for $100 plans. PagePlus will be provided to those with good Verizon LTE coverage as a redundancy/fall back (at an additional price). A few dozen will be ordered this week for activation over the next few days. I have more Cricket SIMs than the local Cricket store!