Does your business require efficient internet access for field technicians? Is GPS access a necessity, or do you need to record a lot of data from a lot of vehicles at the same time? There are many options for in-vehicle internet access, but that doesn't mean they're easy to maintain. To understand what to expect from a tech-based mobile fleet maintenance team, here are a few common troubleshooting points.

Wireless Antenna Blockage

Most onboard vehicle wireless systems are the guts of a cellphone placed inside a different box. They use a cellular radio, a wifi radio, and other wireless technology to send and receive information. These devices have small wires attached to antennas, and the antennas are often the weak point.

Antennas are made out of different materials, such as solid plastic antennas used to stick out from the vehicle, or flat membrane circuit antennas that can lay flat against specific surfaces. The materials in use can protect the inner wiring without blocking too much of the signal.

In Radio Frequency (RF) theory, there is always some level of signal loss. This loss is accounted for with the specific signal strength and design of the radio waves, and anything added that may increase resistance can be a problem. Rain can slow down communications as signals refract or slightly bend before reaching their destination, and dirt can cause a long-term reduction in signal power.

Maintenance has to be done properly to avoid permanent damage. It's possible to damage the antenna system by using abrasive cleaners or carving scratches into the antenna surface, which can only be fixed with a cover or antenna replacement. Make sure that your mobile fleet maintenance team of choice has a plan for both cleaning and replacement, as such damage can happen because of weather, driving under low surfaces, and many other situations.

Loose Connections For In-Vehicle Docks

Does your business use a dock for connecting laptops, sensors, or other devices to the vehicle's electronics? Whether you're a storm chaser with a full set of equipment in the back or a dispatcher with a police car-like tray for your laptop, you need to know how easy it is to lose your connection.

Automobile accessory systems should be designed to be rugged, but nothing lasts forever. Because of the vibrations and potential heavy shakes caused by rough roads, potholes, and speed bumps, there will always be something shaking your connections. Even if the connections aren't breaking on the outside, the actual socket that is part of your car could be warped on the inside.

Have you ever used a phone charger that was too loose and needed to be pressed or angled just right to charge? What about headphones that only work at certain positions? If there's no outside damage, it's either because of rough handling when someone forces a plug into a connection or from the vibrations that are a part of any drive.

Contact a mobile fleet maintenance team to discuss replacements for these connections, as well as ways to reduce vibrations and suggestions for better devices.