December 29, 2025

Remote Work from the Sunshine Coast: Reliable Internet, Power Backup & Quiet Zones for RV Living

Working from your RV on the Sunshine Coast can be calm, productive and properly scenic — as long as you sort internet, power and quiet time before the Monday morning meeting. Here’s the simple plan.

1) Internet that doesn’t flake out
You’ll want two ways online: the park’s Wi-Fi/cable plus your own backup (mobile hotspot or 5G router). That way if one wobbles, your call keeps going. Before your first big meeting:

• Run a speed test at your desk location at the same time of day you’ll usually work.

• Move your router/hotspot near a window and keep it off metal surfaces for a stronger signal.

• If you’re using your mobile plan, check coverage and data limits with your provider. For general consumer info and complaint help, see the CRTC: https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/home-accueil.htm

2) A desk that doesn’t fight you
Pick a spot with good light and a solid chair. Keep your webcam facing a tidy background (curtain, plain wall). Use a clip-on lamp for evening calls so your face isn’t in shadow. Headphones with a mic will cut echo and keep neighbours happy.

3) Quiet-zone habits (so calls stay crisp)
Agree simple house rules during meetings: no kettles, no microwave, and no door slams while you’re live. Put a small “on a call” note on the door for deliveries and neighbours. If you share the rig, set core quiet hours (e.g., 9–12 and 2–4) when calls are most likely.

4) Power that doesn’t trip mid-call
Know your 30A vs 50A headroom. During calls, avoid stacking heavy draws (heater + kettle + microwave). Keep your laptop fully charged before long meetings. A basic surge protector / EMS protects your gear, and a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) can keep the router and laptop alive through brief blips. For power-safety basics, see BC Hydro: https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/electrical-safety.html

5) Your 10-minute pre-flight

• Speed test at your desk, webcam check, mic check.

• Router/hotspot in the best spot; backup connection ready.

• Laptop and headset charged; notifications trimmed; calendar set to Do Not Disturb.

• Mug of water ready so you’re not boiling a kettle mid-call.

In the next section, we’ll map out the best internet setups (park Wi-Fi/cable + mobile backup), hardware that actually helps (routers, antennas), and a tiny troubleshooting flow so you can fix dropouts fast.

Internet setups that just work (park Wi-Fi/cable + mobile backup)

You’ll get the smoothest workdays by combining two connections: the resort’s Wi-Fi/cable plus your own mobile backup. If one wobbles, you switch in seconds and your call survives.

A) Primary: park Wi-Fi or cable (stable desk setup)

Goal: a solid, low-latency link for video calls at your desk.

• Router choice: If the park offers Ethernet (or a stable Wi-Fi SSID), use a travel router or home router placed near your desk. Avoid metal shelves; height and line-of-sight help.

• 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz:
  • 2.4 GHz goes further through walls (good for reach),

  • 5 GHz is faster with less interference (best for calls if signal is strong).
    Try both; pick the one that holds a call without stutter.

• Channel crowding: Nearby rigs can clog channels. Log into your router and set a fixed, quieter channel rather than “auto”.

• Ethernet to your laptop: If you can, run a short Ethernet cable from the router to your laptop. It beats Wi-Fi for stability every time.

• Quick test: Before your big meeting, run a speed test at your actual desk spot: https://www.speedtest.net/
  • Zoom/Teams HD is comfy from 5–10 Mbps up/5–10 Mbps down with stable latency (<60–80 ms).

B) Backup: personal mobile connection (hotspot or 5G router)

Goal: instant failover if park internet dips.

• Option 1: Phone hotspot
  • Works everywhere your phone has decent signal.

  • Keep a high-data plan and USB tether during calls for better stability than Wi-Fi hotspot.

• Option 2: Dedicated 4G/5G router
  • Takes a SIM, lives near a window, and runs 24/7 as your backup network.

  • Add external antennas (MIMO) if indoor signal is weak. A simple suction-cup antenna on a window often doubles speeds.

Placement tips (huge difference):

• Put the hotspot/router by a window, away from metal (fridge, oven, foil insulation).

• Move it a few feet at a time and retest. Tiny changes can add 5–10 Mbps.

• Use a short USB-C power cable and a stand so it stays upright with airflow.

C) Simple failover you can trigger in two clicks

• Pre-save two Wi-Fi networks on your laptop: “Work-Primary” (park) and “Work-Backup” (your hotspot/5G router).

• When a call wobbles, switch networks; your meeting app usually reconnects in seconds.

• If you’re on a desktop, set up router failover (WAN = park, LTE = backup). Many routers can auto-switch if the primary link drops.

D) Tiny troubleshooting flow (print this)

1. Is it just you? If a neighbour’s streaming fine, check your device first.

2. Local check: Reboot laptop → router → hotspot (in that order). Try Ethernet if available.

3. Wi-Fi quality: Are you on 5 GHz? Is the router off the floor and away from metal?

4. Congestion: Change Wi-Fi channel; ask housemates to pause heavy downloads during calls.

5. Switch to backup: Jump to your hotspot/5G router for the rest of the call.

6. After the call: Run a speed/latency test, relocate the router/hotspot, consider an external antenna if mobile is weak.

E) Bandwidth budgeting (so calls don’t choke)

• During calls: Pause cloud backups, OS updates, and 4K streaming.

• Uploads matter: Video meetings rely on upload; if it’s <5 Mbps, drop your call quality to 720p and close background tabs.

F) Security & privacy (quick wins)

• Change the default router password and use WPA2/WPA3.

• Keep your work laptop on its own SSID if possible (guest network for personal devices).

• Use your company VPN if required, but test it for call stability.

Next up, we’ll cover power backup and protection (surge protectors, safe cabling, and a small UPS to keep your router/laptop alive through blips)

Power backup & protection (keep calls alive through blips)

When you work from an RV, clean power matters as much as fast internet. The goal is simple: protect your gear, avoid breaker trips, and ride out short outages without dropping a call.

Essential kit (no fluff)

• Surge protector / EMS (Electrical Management System): Sits between the pedestal and your rig; guards against surges, bad wiring and low voltage.

• Small UPS (uninterruptible power supply): Keep your router/5G modem + laptop alive for 15–45 minutes if the power flickers.

• Heavy-duty extension lead (short, thick): For the desk area only, rated for indoor use; avoid daisy-chaining.

• Cable ties + labels: Keep things neat so cords don’t tug or overheat behind furniture.

Choose the right UPS (quick sizing guide)

You only need to back up the essentials for calls: router/hotspot + laptop.

• Add up watts: e.g., laptop (65 W while charging) + router (12 W) + 5G modem (10 W) ≈ 85 W.

• Pick a UPS with at least 2× that in VA rating (e.g., 600–850 VA) and ≥150 W output.

• Expect 20–40 minutes of runtime at ~80–100 W—enough to finish a meeting or switch networks.

Pro tip: Plug only the router/modem and laptop charger into the battery-backed sockets. Use the UPS’s “surge-only” outlets for low-priority gear (lamp/monitor).

Set it up safely (simple order of operations)

1. Pedestal breaker OFF → connect EMS → main cord → breaker ON.

2. Inside, plug the UPS into a wall socket (not into another power strip).

3. Plug router/5G modem + laptop charger into the battery-backed UPS outlets.

4. Keep the UPS off the floor, with airflow on all sides; no blankets or clutter.

Load sequencing (so you don’t trip during meetings)

• On 30A, avoid running heater + kettle + microwave during a call.

• Warm the space before the meeting, then hold temp with a low thermostat.

• If a breaker trips: switch off heavy items, wait 30 seconds, reset at the pedestal, bring loads back one by one.

Cable management & heat checks

• Use short, thick leads; avoid tight coils (they trap heat).

• Every few days, touch-test plugs and power bricks after an hour of use: warm is ok, hot is not.

• Keep cords off damp floors and away from foot traffic.

During storms or high winds

• Charge the laptop to 100% before calls.

• Keep the hotspot/5G router on the UPS so you can fail over even if the lights blink.

• Save work frequently; let cloud backups run after hours.

Quick power checklist (print this)

• EMS connected at pedestal and showing normal

• UPS tested (pull the plug once a month; confirm router + laptop stay on)

• High-draw appliances sequenced, not stacked

• Cords cool to the touch and off the floor

• Laptop and headset charged before long meetings

For safety basics and sensible electrical habits, skim BC Hydro’s guidance: https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/electrical-safety.html

 

 Quiet-zone routines & workday habits (so every call sounds pro)

Remote work in an RV is easy when everyone knows the rhythm. A few light rules, consistent timing, and a tidy desk will do more for your calls than any fancy gadget.

Make quiet time visible

• Core hours: Pick two blocks (e.g., 9–12 and 2–4) as “quiet time”. Share them with anyone you live with.

• Door signal: A simple “On a call” note on the door stops surprise knocks.

• Calendar cues: Set meetings to auto-add 5–10 min buffers before/after so you’re not sprinting from the kettle to the camera.

Sound under control (cheap wins)

• Headset with boom mic > laptop mic. Less room echo, clearer voice.

• Soft surfaces help: a rug, curtain and seat cushion soak up echo.

• Fan and heater noise: Keep them one setting lower during calls; pre-warm the space first.

• Mic discipline: Mute when you’re not speaking; unmute confidently.

A simple workday that just works

08:30 Power and net check (router in best spot, laptop charged, hotspot ready).
09:00–12:00 Quiet block for calls and deep work. No kettle/microwave.
12:00–13:00 Lunch + errands (laundry run, parcels, quick walk).
13:00–14:00 Admin, emails, prep slides (bandwidth light).
14:00–16:00 Quiet block round two (calls/editing).
16:00–16:15 Backups and uploads (non-urgent, outside call windows).
16:15–17:00 Next-day plan; charge devices to 100%.

Meeting hygiene (keeps everyone happy)

• Agenda first: Add 3–5 bullets to every invite. You’ll finish early more often.

• Recording & notes: If your team allows, record key calls; share notes so you can keep future meetings shorter.

• One speaker at a time: On slower connections, overlaps cause chaos. Use the hand-raise feature in your meeting app.

• Camera etiquette: Angle slightly above eye level; soft light from the front makes you look alert even on grey days.

Batch the noisy stuff

• Kettle, microwave, blending → always between calls.

• Cloud syncs and OS updates → set to later (after 16:00).

• Big downloads/uploads → schedule overnight or outside quiet blocks.

Micro-breaks (stop the slump)

• Every 50–60 minutes, stand up, shoulder rolls, 30-second window open.

• Short fresh-air laps around the park sharpen focus and reset your voice before the next call.

The “I’m going live” checklist (30 seconds)

• Headset on, mic test OK

• Router steady, hotspot ready as backup

• Heater/fan one step lower

• Notes open, agenda visible

• Mug of water handy (no kettle mid-call)

With the right routine, remote work from the Sunshine Coast is calm, consistent and productive. If you’re planning a longer stay, tell us your dates, rig length and amps and we’ll match you to a pad that suits quiet workdays: