ir_fuel

Get a router in which you can slot a SIM card. That's what I am using at the track.

dbbarron

Which specific make/model are you using?

ir_fuel

Don't know the exact model (it's currently buried under a heap of stuff, because winter time ), but it's a TP Link one. Something like this:

dbbarron

The problem is going to be able to find a single router that has (1) SIM slot; (2) Good USB 3.0 drive support including DMB2 and AFP; and (3) good 802.11ac performance. If that one device existed, I'd be happy. Problem is I don't think I'm gonna find it. I can certainly piece it all together at the expense of complexity and cost.

I will, however, look hard and share findings....

ir_fuel

How big does the drive you want to connect need to be?

dbbarron

2TB will hold me for a good while.

HoBoJoe

Don't look for a router with a SIM slot, look for one that works with USB air cards. I'm not sure what there is available for the consumer market, my Meraki has one, and I know cradlepoint routers have the capability.

dbbarron

Yes. Been looking that route too. Again, I run into compatibility issues.
I think the easiest way to deal with this, although it adds another 'box' is to use a 'wifi to ethernet' adapter which is essentially a small router setup as a bridge. This device then attaches via wired Enet to the WAN port of the main router (which also hosts the USB 3.0 disk) and bridges to the available hotspot wifi network. Using this method, I remain compatible with many flavors of conventional hot spots. For instance, I have a verizon jetpack, my sprint cell phone, and my car's ATT hot spot, all of which could serve as the WAN connection to the track setup if I go with the separate 'wifi to ethernet' box (would need to be reprogrammed for each).

ir_fuel

Why?

ir_fuel

Can't you just plug a 2TB external drive into your computer?

ShakeNBake

Saw this at CES this week. If it lives up to claims it would be a good fit for the OP's original use case. 2TB SSD storage on board, Wireless AC hub, can also tether to iphone for shared internet, can add an Sim card for LTE data, internal battery, rubber coated, water resistant.

https://fasetto.link/

dbbarron

Cool - contingent on performance (e.g., RavPower does most of this but is slow).

ProCoach

Saw that but $1250 for 2TB is out of my price range!

I did some testing on my 128 GB Canvio Aeromobile with multiple devices for a friend and it's more than adequate. And faster than the RAVPower, too.

dbbarron

Can't figure out how to map the Canvio as a drive. Also limited to 128Gb.

ProCoach

Saw that but $1150 for 2TB, plus the battery, plus the LTE expansion is out of my price range!

I did some testing on my 128 GB Canvio Aeromobile with multiple devices for a friend and it's more than adequate. I know few that will need that much storage over the course of a weekend. And it's faster than the RAVPower.