Need internet and tv how?

[thelittles]

I need to find out a good way to get the internet and dish or direct TV as cheap as i can. I do not know the first thing about getting it for my RV. I do not want to spend a whole lot of money on them but would like to try them first. Can any one give me some very simple starters. :o

[whodo]

I need to find out a good way to get the internet and dish or direct TV as cheap as i can. I do not know the first thing about getting it for my RV. I do not want to spend a whole lot of money on them but would like to try them first. Can any one give me some very simple starters. :o

OK you say as cheap as you can & you do not want to spend a whole lot of money on them, and you want some simple starter info.

Lets start with TV first. It doesn't matter what Satellite TV provider you go with, they all give you the equipment (actually lease you the equipment), cost per month will depend upon the service package you select. Yes you can have it in your home and then take it with you in your RV. If you file a RV waiver you will be able to get east coast and west coast service. Your local stations are spot beamed and are only available with in that spot beam, travel outside of it and you will lose your local stations. Setting up a satellite dish for travel can be as cheap as placing it on a stand and aiming it to the more expensive automatic in motion satellite dish systems (big bucks involved with this setup).
Yes I have over simplified Satellite TV, but you asked for basic information.
Now for internet while in RV.
You have a few choices, one is wi-fi, which is a simple wi-fi card that is built into your computer and when in a location that has wi-fi you will be able to connect to the internet. Sometimes its free sometimes it's not, it all depends upon the particular operator of the wi-fi system.
Next you have Satellite internet, minimum start up cost is around $1500 and goes up from there. Being you said cheap I will not go into any more detail.
Now there is also Air-Cards from cell phone service providers.

First, a air card, no matter who it is from, Sprint, Verizon, Cingular/AT&T, T-Mobile etc. all work the same. When connected to your computer they connect to the service provider that you have service from (Sprint, Verizon, etc.). This service provider, is your ISP at this point, you do not connect to any other 800 # or other ISP. Remember this is a data service, not a cell phone tethered to computer acting like a home phone line. (You can not make phone calls from a air card. They are data only.)

Second, you need to have a cell signal in order to be able to connect with an air card. The biggest miss conception that people have is just because you do not have a signal on your cell phone does not mean that you won't have a signal with your air card.

Third, you can use a air card in a wireless router if you want to provide *WiFi* service to more than one computer, (just remember that *not* all air cards will work with all routers, make sure they are compatible before purchasing). With a router you have the option of adding a external antenna as well as a signal amplifier to the system if you so desire to increase your signal range. (This will increase your signal range between the air card and the cell tower, not the router *WiFi* signal to your computer.)

Now if you do not need to supply a signal to more than one computer, you can plug the air card directly into your computer and connect an antenna directly to the air card as long as it has a antenna connection on the card. (There are many different types of air cards, USB connection, express card slot, PCMCIA, to chose from, not all are compatible with all computers).

Fourth, there are many cell phones on the market today that are broadband ready, (you have to have a cell phone service package that includes broadband service). If you have a cell phone that is broadband ready, you have the option of using it as a air card by tethering it to the computer and connecting the same as you would with a air card or you also have the option of using it like a home phone line and using a dial up connection. (dial up is so slow not sure why any one would want to do that any way, as well as using your minutes up).

Fifth, the connection speed that you can connect at with a Air Card will vary by location, service provider, etc., however you can reasonably expect to connect at speeds of at least double that of dial up. If you happen to be in a EVDO RevA area you can expect to connect at speeds approaching a cable connection.

Sixth, Yes you can use a Air Card while you are in motion driving down the highway as long as you have a signal from a cell tower. Remember your coverage area is basically the same as a cell phone. You can also use a antenna mounted on the roof of your vehicle to increase the range of coverage from a cell tower.

Seventh, the monthly cost of a air card varies from each service provider. There are many different data service plans available at varying cost.

I realize that I have greatly oversimplified air cards / broadband operation in order to keep things understandable for people that are not familiar with there use/operation.

[thelittles]

wow thanks for all the info. i think i will wait on the computer but would like to get the dish as soon as possible. if I need any more info I will try and post it if you dont mind.
Thanks
brenda

[wuzdfuzz]

There is an interesting article in this month's Motorhome Magazine about wireless internet and phone systems. I foresee in the near future, RVers being able to have TV, phone, and internet being piped in through your computer. There are web sites now which allow you to download the software to make free phone calls via internet to anyone else with the software and a headset. "THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING"

[thelittles]

maybe if you could just get the computer then watch the games and make the phone calls all through that? seems if you could just find a plan that would do the broadband, i have not been able to find one yet. which offers a phone as well. in this Arkansas area.

[rogersbe]

We had Dish for 3 years and had lot of problems locking in on the correct satellite even with an automatic satellite finder on the roof of our motor home. This summer I switched to Direct TV (who has only one satellite if I understand correctly) and we have been able to get satellite everywhere we have camped so far. Seems their satellite is higher so trees are not as much an impediment as it was with Dish. My husband is in bad health and some days cannot leave the RV so TV reception (especially the Western Channel) is very important to us.

[buckeye1268]

Whodo was right on with what he told you. We use the air card from Alltel & I have no complaints. Just keep in mind there are dead spots & you may have to move a little to get a good signal.
On the RV waiver for the Dish TV. Dish does not do that any more unless you have an address that qualifies. You qualify if you live in an area that the dish cannot provide local channels. You will be stuck with the local channels of where ever you are at. I've had no problem aiming our dish & it's on a portable tri-pod.