Avtex AMR985 Mobile Internet Solution | Two Mobile Operators

Join me for a more in depth look at what the Avtex AMR 985 Mobile WiFi Router can do, especially the two sim slots that allow you to switch between mobile operators. I bought this router with our own money, after watching Dan's Trudgian's of ‪@TheTrudgians‬ excellent video on installation of the Avtex Kit in this video: • Installing the Avtex A...
▶ The router was bought and fitted for £449 at Todds motorhomes www.toddsmotorhomes.co.uk/
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Compared to the Netgear M2
01:12 Aerial on the roof
01:26 Installation location
03:20 Trying the Netgear with the Avtex Aerial
04:53 SIM installation
05:42 Speedtest with Vodafone
06:25 A look around the router menus
07:53 The Govivo SIM
09:06 Swapping mobile providers on the Avtex WiFi
11:17 Comparing O2 and Vodafone speeds
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Thanks for watching!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Sorry, I'm not selling the Netgear, I'm keeping it for when and if we borrow other motorhomes.

[@OurWedding2012]

Thanks Bob for this review. I’m still using the HUAWEI MiFi I purchased at the Scottish Caravan & Motorhome show in 2015 when we bought our M.H. We bought and got the dealer to fit the external marine type aerial, on the roof like this one,. To be honest, I have rarely used the aerial as signal is always full on in the cab. I’ve not fixed the router anywhere as I take it with me when going to appointments, hotels and meetings. We also have a mains powered HUAWEI router that takes a SIM card, which we can use on site or in a hotel too so as multi users can connect. We got that for free when we took out an unlimited mobile contract after lockdown for my wife’s clinic, before things got back to normal. It has been great having that for my business or travelling in the MH so I’m not ready to upgrade or re-fresh yet as the initial MiFi & aerial was about £450 plus fitting.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I started with a Huawei router. The Netgear M2 was a step up and now this one.

[@daveroberts-bridgnorth]

Bob, yet another great video! Thanks to you I understood that this kit was the answer to my needs. Whilst I ended up buying the antenna and Teltonika RUT950 router separately the outcome was the same. I am very grateful for your information and loved the way you explained over the two videos, not only the advantages of the kit but the decision making process. Keep it going you are doing a great job and have become my reference point to all things motorhome, whether it is cleaning and servicing the Thetford toilet cassette or choosing a pitch on the club site in Chirk. Once again thank you.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thank you, that's really encouraging to hear.

[@andyjenno]

Hi Bob, a great review. I was tempted to buy one of these. I ended up getting a TP link router with a SIM slot in it. It works fine for us. Cheers Andy

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks Andy.

[@HitchUpAndTow]

I keep looking at routers for the caravan, but so far we haven't had a problem with hot spotting our phones, so not sure if it's viable at the moment, but if that changes, we might have to revisit. Great video and Merry Christmas to you both. Mark & Coral

[@paulclarkson5494]

Great video explaining the system

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shaungregory1789]

Hi Bob, we've got one fitted and we watch Netflix and Prime TV with no buffering were ever we go. Great bit of kit. SMARTY unlimited Internet.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks. I'm not finding the O2 sim to be very good.

[@markhead8193]

great vlog

[@carolynandcocohaywood2638]

Interesting! I hope Poppy is better now.

[@crosskaroo22]

Great video. I have the Maxview Roam which is very similar (both use Teltonika routers so management interface is also basically the same) and so far I have been pleased with the performance. I think the addition of an external antenna really helps over the likes of the Netgear and Huawei alternatives. It would be great to see how you get on with the different mobile networks as I think this is a big factor detrmining performance.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, after the NEC show I need to do an update video on. There's a few things I need to share.

[@philipholmes6045]

That was interesting, I am thinking of buying the avtex router but i am not impresed with the Tvs. So thanks Bob that was great

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I need to do a update on the TV, as I don't think it's as good as the previous Avtex.

[@TheBeckwiths]

What's the difference between the maxview version and the avtex? What I mean is why did you choose the Avtex?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Went for the Avtex because of the two SIM slots, so we can buy a SIM when we're abroad or use the roaming on the included Govivo SIM. The twin SIM version of the Maxview is considerably more expensive. Neither are 5G routers. Plus it was sitting there on demonstration at Todds, making eyes at me. 😀

[@webgibs]

Hi Bob great video ...I am with EE got two phones his and hers buying another SIM only deal ..was wondering if the Avtex can just the data on the phones we have ? So I would not need much data on the Avtex ..?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Not sure what you are asking there. The Avtex needs it's own SIM to work.

[@webgibs]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks Bob ..I was just unsure about using it as a personal hotspot using our phone SIM data as we have unlimited on EE and also an roam in Europe with the phone Sims

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Think of if it more like your home WiFi router. You connect your phones, laptops, tablets etc. to the router, not the other way round. The benefits are normally faster speeds than your phone, because it only has one job to do and it has a dedicated aerial on the roof to pick up mobile signals more clearly, it also has a stronger WiFi signal than your phones WiFi hot-spot. Confusingly, you could in theory connect the Avtex WiFi to your phones WiFi hot-spot, but you'd be going round in circles there!

[@karenhoney2232]

Hi - good video. I have a question for you. I’ve got the AMR985 in my motorhome but if it’s turned off once we are home then want to turn it on again, the status lights flick from green to orange to red and no matter what I do like resetting it, removing the SIM and popping it back in it refuses to go green. If I leave it to a day or 2 hey presto it all works. Quite bizarre!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I tend to leave it on all the time because we're on hook at home, so I've not had that problem. Probably best to speak to Avtex technical support.

[@mikemills9375]

Hi Bob great video , I am trying to get to the advanced menu but I’m stuck on the basic status page , how did you get past that ?

[@mikemills9375]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo is that the password on the back of the Avtex ?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I had to get the manual to remember this - when you logon to the router via 192.168.1.1 the Admin advanced menu password is 987654321. It's on page 17 of the manual. I changed that password.

[@mikemills9375]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thank you for your help Bob

[@rabfraser1234]

great info bob thanks ,,,just one thing i know i live about a mile from you and i am on 3 home broadband and getting 300 mps through it on average ,,the brilliant thing about it is you dont need a land line and if you go away in the motorhome you just lift the router and take it ,,or take the sim out and stick it in the router ,,well worth it if you can pick up 5g at your house ,,

[@gereshomeE]

For security reasons maybe edit and take out, your proximity to others!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks, didn't think there was much 5G signal about.

[@rabfraser1234]

@@gereshomeE don't think it matters about how close you are to someone else when no one has said where we are ..

[@rabfraser1234]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo just up the road a bit bob ...brilliant...

[@gereshomeE]

I am talking about "personal security" and not about your 5G!

[@gypsy898]

Hi pal, great video. Would there be any network u recommend for the sim card as I do a lot of off grid camping

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

We've used a Vodafone business unlimited data sim for a couple of years now. Usually works pretty well.

[@gypsy898]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks

[@stephenroberts668]

Hi Bob, recently purchased our motorhome and we are having the Avtex AMR 985 fitted in a few weeks time, can the router be switched off so it doesn’t cause battery drain when in storage?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

There's no power switch with it, so I just plug the power plug out.

[@davidminton-wt2qq]

Hi ya Bob & Jenny, I have been wondering if you have come across Broadband Go. Which is a single SIM card that operates off the best signal across all the providers. I was looking to try out but was hoping you had tested this SIM card. Hope poppy has recovered.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

It wouldn't have enough data for us, the largest plan seems to be just 20GB.

[@davidminton-wt2qq]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thank you

[@colinmew7139]

Hi Bob I fitted one myself but it’s the Maxview Roam same as yours but if different make and run on 02 over the year I have been over 8000 miles and it’s been brilliant only bad point is when I sell van it’s goes with it.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, that is the drawback, but you could always get the hole capped.

[@mavicsteve9275]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo when we asked about fitting the dealer said they did a belt and braces job and used sealant as well , so that would make it harder to remove. Something to ask about before giving the ok.

[@brianpugh4171]

Hi Bob can you tell me how many sim card contracts you have? Am I right in assuming that you have 4. 2 in your phones and 2 in your WiFi setup.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes that's right, we have three unlimited data SIMs with UW, our first one is £20 and subsequent SIMs are £13. I also have an unlimited data SIM with Vodafone.

[@ianfossett4482]

Hi there did you compare the download speed of your phone compared with the download speed of the avtex both using the same network? In other words did the avtex grab a stronger signal is it faster 👍

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

We don't necessarily get faster speeds but we are able to stream TV and upload videos at the same time without a phone hotspot getting very hot, which is the purpose of a router.

[@ianfossett4482]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo Hi bob I understand, we lived on a steel boat for many years and understand the problems . We solved it with a Huawei B310 (240v) which you can actually plug a landline in with an adapter . The router was mounted in a window to obtain signal which it did even in a poor signal area. There seems to be a profusion of Avtex like systems on the market . To be honest I am struggling to see the advantage over what we achieved quite cheaply and the Avtex and similar which are expensive . They are still basically commonly available LTE routers with an outdoor antenna. Thanks for your posts very interesting.

[@shinkins6702]

Thank you for another good video, I am going to order a govivo SIM. Did you make to Ashwell? Pleased to report that the snow round here (i live about 7 miles as the crow flies from Ashwell) has finally gone!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

No, didn't go to Ashwell, so not had a chance to try the GOVIVO SIM there yet.

[@shinkins6702]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo ah fair enough, with the way the roads were around this way probably best you hadn’t ventured this way!

[@sallyshakeshaft8119]

We have just had the Avtex WiFi router fitted and it works fine when the Master switch is on but when we are driving and on the Leisure battery we can’t connect. Is this right or should we be able to connect to it when driving (to use for directions), thanks

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

We can't used ours either, because it's wired to the habitation 12v supply and that is switched off when driving. We use the sat nav for directions, so we've not really bothered. If you need it to work when driving it should be wired directly to the leisure battery, via a fused connection.

[@sallyshakeshaft8119]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks Bob 👍

[@webgibs]

Hi Bob very useful thanks ... I changed my password for Router Settings but not sure how or if I to change the SSiD and Wi fi password?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I've kept the original SSID and password, but if you must, you'll find it in Network, Wireless, Edit, under Interface Configuration, Wireless Security.

[@webgibs]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks I am a novice in these matters 😄👍

[@wallerz]

Mobile data is within the area I visit but it has a black spot, will this help compared to say a standard Mobile phone which only get 3G?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

It will pick up weaker signals more reliably than your mobile phone, but there is a limit to what can be achieved in poor signal areas, so don't expect miracles. One big benefit with this system is can put a SIM from another provider in it, so if the signal from Vodafone is non existent, we can switch to EE or vice versa.

[@wallerz]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo helpful, thank you. Thinking Star link could be the nuclear option in terms of getting my faster data if need be

[@gereshomeE]

THANKS for this video and will it work 9:40 abroad with a foreign SIM card etc. I REALLY do not understand all this technology and I ask with no hidden malice! ☺

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, buy a SIM when you're abroad and pop it in the other SIM slot.

[@gereshomeE]

Thanks! ☺

[@themountaintopexperience2134]

Hi Bob, how do I access the advance settings? I can’t get my router to access my SIM.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

The top level settings are accessed after the set up, via a Web browser on a PC or device connected to the router. From the manual: To access the web settings you need to be logged onto the AMR as previously mentioned and then in the browser enter the IP address of the AMR, the IP address is 192.168.1.1. The password is 123456789 It is possible to access this from any web browser on a connected PC/laptop, tablet or smart phone.

[@themountaintopexperience2134]

Ok, I’ll give it a go. I’m using the SIM from my phone (as it has unlimited data) but the router doesn’t recognise it. I’ll keep trying it. Oh the joys of modern technology!!!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Make sure the SIM is going into the slot, I found it is possible to insert it and miss the slot.

[@jimf4748]

Thanks Bob, good information. Certainly not the fastest speeds available over mobile networks. Is it 5G enabled, as a good 5G signal should give you well over 300Mbs. I think Three are the best for mobile data speeds and I've seen over 900Mbs download. I look forward to the testing.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

No, the aerial is 5G ready, but the router is 4G. I the past we've struggled to get any signal and the 5G signal roll is mainly focused on the cities.

[@webgibs]

Hi Bob do you take the SIM card out of your phone ..or where do you buy another one ? Sorry green in these matters , looks good if I can afford one ? Thanks for your help 👍

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Go on any of the mobile companies Web sites and look for SIM only deals.

[@webgibs]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks 👍 we are going to France 5weeks so thought a PAYG SIM deal must include roaming ?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, but the roaming allowance won't be huge. You might be better buying a monthly SIM when you're abroad.

[@user-xh3lh9ck3t]

Hi Bob. We have the Avtex wifi in our Bailey caravan. Great bit of kit. Did you know you can lock the band on the Avtex to improve signal and data speeds. Wasn’t impressed with the GoVivo(O2) sim so binned that. So now use unlimited EE and Smarty data sims in the Avtex.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Do you mean locking the WiFi band? We got rid of the Govivo too, it was hopeless.

[@user-xh3lh9ck3t]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo The network cell mast transmits on different frequencies. The Avtex enables you to lock itself to a specific frequency(band). As different bands can affect data speeds. For example: EE uses bands 1,3,7,20(20 best I have found) To lock the band on the Avtex:; network>Mobile>General Scroll down to Frequency Bands Then connection method Change to Manual and select band Then press Save

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

OK, thanks for the information, learn something everyday!

[@murraytait7032]

Hi Bob. Did you tit this yourself? I’m bothered about my warranty with drilling holes in the roof.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

That's why I got Todd's to fit it for me, so it wouldn't invalidate any warranty.

[@murraytait7032]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo I’m going to Todd’s on Friday I will ask them about fitting while I’m there. 👍

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Have a look at my first Avtex video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Gsfa2Np658g5o

[@murraytait7032]

Hi Bob. Had my avtex router fitted today by Todd’s. Quick question. What network do you find has the best uk coverage?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Vodafone in the South and EE further north.

[@DesmondsDonders]

Thanks Bob Think we will stick with ours for now, but will be hinting at Lindsay in January LOL

[@chopper602]

With you using the external antenna, I don't think you'll be utilising the black antennas on the router - they often unscrew and would neaten up your installation.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

They are for the WiFi signal not the mobile signal.

[@margaretpattison2016]

Tried two different SIMS and still no signal lights. Doing my head in

[@margaretpattison2016]

SIM works fine in phone but not the router

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I'll ask the obvious questions, then you really need to talk to Avtex support or the dealer who fitted it. Is it powered on, ours has to have the motorhome electrics switched on. You should see a red light if it is. Can you connect to it via your phone or laptop? Did you do the setup in the manual? Have you tried both sim slots?

[@terrymorris3293]

Please let me know if you want to sell the netgear. Happy to pay good price

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Sorry, no we'll need the Netgear if we borrow other Motorhomes.

[@Happyinmyautotrail]

Hi Bob and Jenny. How is Poppy?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

She’s much better thanks, back to her normal self.

[@purpleheyes]

Are you selling the Netgear??? 🤔 🙂

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

No, sorry we will need it if we borrow other Motorhomes.

[@drivingthefrontier]

I would imagine that a high upload speed is important for you given that you upload videos whilst away. We regularly get 27 MB/s download on our internal MIFI which is just located near a window and 15 MB/s upload. We use unlimited data on Smarty and have also used it without issue in France. There is broken and unreliable Vodafone and O2 coverage in Scotland so we steer clear of those networks and therefore don't use them in England or Wales as we never have their SIMs. We find that tethering to a mobile with our EE SIMs works fine too with regular speeds of 44 MB/s and 18 MB/s right through the Borders to Sutherland! We look forward to seeing how your new device pans out across your travels but I still won't be drilling any rooftop holes in our motorhome for the purposes of mobile coverage! There are too many factors affecting data signals such as the distance to a tower, the transmission power, network congestion, geography, obstructions and because none of it is constant, no matter what land-based system you have there will always be massive fluctuations in the benefits of these stand-alone systems. The real test would be to take it to Kielder, Clactoll Beach or the like and see what you can pull out of nowhere!!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

So far, the Vodafone SIM has proved faster than the O2 sim, but time will tell.

[@drivingthefrontier]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo it is swings and roundabouts!

[@elixier33]

Well that's Solutions clearly not working that is some of the slowest internet I've ever seen. I fitted wireless to my motorcycle and I get almost a gigabit Down using my solution which cost me just £12 a month for the next year. You're better off getting a household router with EE or free and simply getting a 12 volt adaptor this is a seriously expensive way of doing things and that's true it's just quite frankly awful.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

From what I've read the fastest mobile downloads speeds are around 250Mbs on a good 5G mobile. We tend to use the 4G router in remote rural locations where there is no 5G mobile signal. On recent trips it has always found a good 4G signal. So, I'd be very interested to know where and how you get near 1Gbs download speeds on your motorbike. The fastest domestic fibre is running at 1Gbs.

[@elixier33]

​@@BobEarnshawMoHohonestly that's really bad I promise you. I use mobile broadband as my home broadband I've been using it for years uneven when I was using just a 4G solution I was getting over 150 MBit I'm using a standard 5G router for my motorcycle I'm getting over well over a gigabit I don't know if you would be willing to do an EE test because I really want to buy one of these but those speeds are honestly really bad.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

This is a 4g router and I've used EE and Vodafone all over the country. If you don't believe me, have a look at my friend Dan's video comparing mobile internet speeds in his caravan with different routers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHanc2qCZad9etksi=umF7yo4BIgaShEHs