Wi-Fi for boat

[Capt.Black1979]

Would like to build cellular 4g/Lte for att prepaid sim. I work on a tugboat all over the U.S.
Please help, Thank you.

[R1250GSA]

Your quest needs more details to get help
Is this a permanent install?
How much data do you want?
Is ATT the strongest signal in every port?
You may want a setup that can handle two SIMs.

[Capt.Black1979]

Need to be able to take it down when I get off
Please tell me about two sim’s
Unlimited would be preferable but if not pre paid

[Dr-BroadBand]

Capt.Black1979

The more information you can give the group the more help you will receive.
What type of phone do you have?
How is the signal and data speeds?
What is your budget for hardware?
What is you budget for monthly data cost?
Do you like building things or buy a turnkey solution?
Is this for fun or work?
Is uptime important?

[Capt.Black1979]

First of all thank each and everyone for their time. I really do appreciate it.
Phone IPhone 12 this internet connection would be for my Xbox would like to have ether net cable hook up. Still pretty green at this. Budget wise pretty flexible. If not mistaken building one would be the better of the two for a more custom application? As far as speed goes if I change servers then I usually get down load speeds of 42mbps, which is fairly good on the water

[R1250GSA]

Captain,

Here is a bit more to chew on...

A router with dual SIM allows two active cell contracts as an attempt to avoid coverage holes.

Yes, ethernet cable would be the best performing connection from router to Xbox.

To get the best data rate, it is all about the antennas (the modem helps too).
Since you are always moving, Omnidirectional antennas are the way to go.
Use high gain antennas to maximize signal, along with short cable lengths and low loss cable.
4G LTE wants at least 2 antenna, you could have two singles(SISO) or one 2x2 MIMO(that has the guts of two inside).
To maximize your data rate, you could use a more expensive 4x4 MIMO modem with either a single 4x4 antenna, two 2x2 antenna, or four SISO(single)antennas.
For an "internet in a bag" setup, start out with one 2x2 Omni and know you can double up in the future.
Check out Poynting Marine Omnidirectional antenna for inspiration.

For "building" a router, check out thewirelesshaven.com, it is already built, but has the ability to customize the software and settings.

Setup...
You want the antenna high up and outside, the antenna cables should be same length and as short as possible, so the router should be close but protected with power available, the ethernet cable will handle the distance to your xbox, depending on how many tugs you are on, you could leave the ethernet cable in place (you can make long ethernet cables yourself with a large spool from a box store.) Consider a lightning arrestor and grounding for your antenna.

[Capt.Black1979]

Thank you so very much for all the help at least now I have a direction to go in
I will let you guy’s know how it is coming along
Once again Thank you

[Dr-BroadBand]

The iPhone 12 has a category-22 modem, very high end!

Modem category are like cable category.
Cat-5 ethernet is the low end, Cat-8 high end, high speed.

As with most things in life you get what you pay for.

The fact that you are getting a cell signal is a good sign.

I think this still works on a iPhone
Call this number *3001#12345#*
This will enter into the field test mode, with a lot of good data.

The three numbers that are important are
RSRP dBm (Reference Signal Received Power)
RSRQ dB (Reference Signal Received Quality)
SINR dB (Signal to Interference &Noise Ratio)

[R1250GSA]

Maybe I made some big assumptions, like you are below deck in a steel hull tug and get no signal.

With a new phone like the 12, have you exhausted the hot spot and tethering options?

As Dr BB recommends getting some real data is important, I would document readings from your cabin, galley/common area and as high up as possible outside for an antenna install.