Internet on the road?

[ladybug]

Can anyone give me info on internet while camping? I have a laptop I want to take along when we go in the camper, but how am I to get service? I have heard about the satellite internet, but have also heard it is pretty pricey! I will only need it a few months a year and the campgrounds we are in do not offer WIFI. Any ideas?

[stacyb]

see about getting Air cards from your cell phone carrier

[jim01]

We have an air card from Cingular and can get on-line just about any place where we have a phone signal.

[whodo]

Here is a copy of the reply that I posted in this thread http://www.myrvspace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301 under "rv sites and wifi "
If you have to have 100% reliability 100% of the time then you will need to get Sat. Internet service. Cost starts at around $1,400 for a tripod setup to about $5,000 for an automatic system. Total $1,400 to $5,000+ depending on how fancy and what you think you need.

If you only need service about 90% to 100% depending on location, then get a air card & router and you will be able to connect both laptops via your built in wifi cards. Air Cards depending upon model etc. $00.00 to $300 and the router $100 to $800 depending on how many bells and whistles you want, add a out side antenna, depending on make/model $20 to $100. Total $120 to $1200 depending on the bells and whistles that you only think you need.

Now monthly service fees for Internet Sat. or Air Card unlimited use will cost right around $60 per month.

Now as far as who to get service from: For Sat. Internet, Hughes/Motostat or Wild Blue.
For Air Cards Verizon has a 5gb limit on its unlimited ser. (not very unlimited) Sprint & Alltel (Sprint & Alltel allow for free roaming on each others system which gives a larger coverage area than looking at each one individually, also no limit on there unlimited plans). Verizon, Sprint, Alltel all have 1rxtt = slow dial up speed / EVDO RevO = approx dsl speed / EVDO RevA = approx low end cable speed systems. Cingular only has the EDGE and it is just a little faster than 1rxtt (basically little faster than dialup) but much slower than RevA.

[whodo]

Now for a little update information on whats happening on the Technology front. "WIMAX" is the next big change to come. Read more here.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070409/media_nm/wimax_dc

Now before you decide to wait for "wimax" to hit the market, stop and realize even though it will start being available in select cities in early 2008 it will not be fully available until some where around the middle of 2010.

[southpaw]

Can anyone give me info on internet while camping? I have a laptop I want to take along when we go in the camper, but how am I to get service? I have heard about the satellite internet, but have also heard it is pretty pricey! I will only need it a few months a year and the campgrounds we are in do not offer WIFI. Any ideas?

My husband is a truck driver and he uses his air card from his cell phone carrier--Sprint--they have broadband speed and for unlimited data usage it is $59.99 a month. As long as you have a signal you have internet! Viola! The only time you run into a problem is when you are in a "roam zone" then you won't have a signal, but that is far and few between. Can't complain about Sprint. Hope this helps.

[whodo]

Southpaw
If you haven't already installed the latest connection manager, "CM 3.08.029" Go to the sprint web site and down load it. It has a couple of nice new features "and depending upon which air card you have" there is a neat little GPS feature that you will have access too(This feature is not available in all cards). It will allow you to gps your location into Delorme SA, MS streets&trips as well as google & yahoo maps.

[laurel]

In regards to using the internet access cards with your computer/laptop, a recent article in the Motorhome magazine (RV Internet Cafe, April 2007) recommended using the Smooth Talker signal booster for cell phones with the Kyocera router to boost the signal strength even further in areas with weaker signals or where you would otherwise be roaming. Verizon's Broadband service states that where broadband is not available (away from metropolitan areas) then the National Access takes over providing service. We are looking into this for when we head south next fall. It sounds a lot more affordable than the Direct Way Internet dish option....and much easier to stow and carry!
Laurel

[whodo]

laurel
The signal booster (amplifier) from "smooth talker" is a very good unit. The Kyrocera router will only give you a "wi-fi signal" to your computer, IT WILL NOT boost the signal strength, also the Kyrocera router is very limited in which "Air-Cards" will work with it effectively.
Now as far as "broadband access" (known as EVDO) is concerned it is almost as fast as a good Cable internet connection. "National Access" (known as 1xrtt) is a little faster than dial-up. NOW the important thing to remember, you only have coverage when you are with in range of cell tower. If no signal is present the best signal booster in the world will not do any good.

( Satellite / Air Card / Cell Phone ) marketing is rife with "hype and mis-information" and often dangerous advice. They succeed because people "buy it" -- literally. Please do the research and make a informed decision.

[schmidty]

My husband and I are considering an internet satellite dish. Does anyone out there have one? What brand is it? What's its price range? How much is the service? And most important; Are you happy with the system?
It seems to us that a satellite is the most sure fire way of getting an internet connection while on the road.
Thanks,
Schmidty

[treemakr]

I had a Hughes satellite dish for about a year. I found it was quite a chore to set it up and point. Technically it can only be set up by a certified installer, so if you move to another location, you're on your own. The initial investment was quite expensive, about $1,500 and the monthly fee was $60.00. Just as with satellite tv, weather can effect the signal, so it is not 100% that you will have internet.

I have switched to an air card from my cell phone provider and with a Wilson antenna and amplifier I have always had a signal.

There is new technology on the horizon as well, so I would discourage you from choosing satellite internet based on my personal experience.

[whodo]

We have Hughes Sat. Int. as well as an Air Card. We are also certified installer.
Every thing has its good and bad points. If you read my post in this section about 8 post back you will get alot of info.