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vswingfield · 12-25-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

And a good thing too! I saw a picture of an SOB once (which doesnt cage Faradays well) where the Faradays got out and TORE IT UP. Worse than a leaky window you don't know about.....

They had probably fed their Faradays.

Jim Foster · 12-25-2009, 08:32 PM

Our cell phone seems to do better in our Excella with the wrap around front windows than it does in the Caravel.
The same with WIFI.

vswingfield · 12-25-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

Our cell phone seems to do better in our Excella with the wrap around front windows than it does in the Caravel.
The same with WIFI.

Hi Jim,

Now that you mention it, that's my experience with my Excella vs the Trade Wind.

BrockLives · 01-01-2010, 02:38 PM

Bubblefoil insulation on the windows for winter cuts my indoor reception completely. But the aliens will never find me either. TINFOIL HAT!

Secguru · 01-05-2010, 06:04 AM

Dear Snog:

The best way to test reception when you go to the park is to find an aluminum clad trailer (any SOB will do) and while making a call walk slowly completely around the trailer viewing the number of bars you have from different sides of the trailer. The side with the weakest signal is away from the nearest tower. This may help you in selecting a spot for your Airstream that will give you the best signal. It's best to position the phone nearest the largest expanse of windows in the trailer.

When using an outdoor antenna, mount it towards the tower and with no aluminum reflections behind it.

SARGE/AF · 01-06-2010, 06:09 PM

[QUOTE=Secguru;790026]Dear Snog:
1) while making a call walk slowly completely around the trailer viewing the number of bars you have from different sides of the trailer. The side with the weakest signal is away from the nearest tower.
NOTE: This is not necessarly complete true, likely but not completely true, a cell phone is a radio and many things can interfere with the signal when moving to different areas.
2) It's best to position the phone nearest the largest expanse of windows in the trailer.
NOTE: This is always true the less obsticals for the signal will help the reception.
3) When using an outdoor antenna, mount it towards the tower and with no aluminum reflections behind it.
NOTE: This depends if you are referrng to the side of the antenna or the bottom, an aluminmum pie plate or the aluminmum of the AS under the antenna will act as a ground plane and help the reception of the signal. The signal does not radiate out to the sides but in a ball bounce manner, Ex is if you stood with a ball and bounced it off the ground about a foot in front of you is how the signal travels off all antennas.

Sarge KG4KWP

SJ1 · 01-07-2010, 09:15 AM

I live in a mobile home, ca. 1/2 mile from the cell tower. I get reception in the front yard and in the rooms closest to the tower, but there is very poor reception in the back rooms, and almost no reception in the back yard.

In the Airstream, the reception is best, in this neighborhood, when the phone is close to an open window or door. There is better reception in the Airstream than in the mobile home.

It seems that metal between the phone and the tower is a hindrance here.

In a campground in Florida, there was great signal reception in the Airstream with phones from various providers (Spring, Tracphone, MetroPCS).

jdalrymple · 01-07-2010, 10:06 AM

Lots of good info here. The main thing to remember is that not all towers provide coverage for all phones. The tower sites are carrier specific. This is why one carrier (Verizon, ATT, etc) may provide better coverage in a given area than another.

If you are moving to a new area and lose coverage, ask around to see what carrier provides the best service to that area. Bearing in mind, the carrier might fudge the answer a little. You can now keep your number even if you change carriers.

The amplifiers and boosters available do work, if installed correctly and there is some coverage to start with. A device called a Bi-Directional Amplifier could be installed in one’s trailer. Someone mentioned the brand name Wilson. I have used their stuff with success. They are on the web and easy to find.

Best Regards,

GlenCoombe · 01-07-2010, 03:51 PM

Bill beat me to it with the SKYPE call. But this does assume you'll have internet service or can access the internet via your phone.... the whole reason for this exercise.

I've got a 3/4G Sprint USB card that I use with my laptop and the walltop in the AS. I can use my USB extension cable to relocate the card to the best spot for coverage. With this in mind you can relocate your "antenna" and then run SKYPE.

I'm know for running down the road with my headset on talking on SKYPE to Sweden or Australia.

FYI once you start using SKYPE your cell phone will begin to sound like a tin can .... with a long string.

flygunz · 02-02-2010, 04:03 PM

Another thing to do is update the roaming capability on your phone (add new cell towers to its list). I have a BB w/Verizon and if you dial *228 option 2 it will update your phone with the new cell towers. Verizon recommends doing this once a month or so. Not sure what number other providers use, but I'm sure they all have #s that update the system. Been FTing for 6 months now and never had a problem. Also connect my phone to the 'puter for the internet connection. Cheers

ozarka · 03-22-2010, 01:25 PM

Hi jdalrymple,

I have a question for you...

Have you used this Wilson Kit?

https://www.unwiredsignal.com/?pn=Wi...s&p=1036&c=206

I was looking into purchasing one of these babies, but I wanted to see if any one had good feedback on these and how well they work...

Thanks in advance!

JFScheck · 03-29-2010, 03:36 PM

"Farady Cage"

Nothing like traveling around in one - just think - when we are all in our "Airstreams" they can't read our thoughts...

Sorry - I couldn't resist...

DreamStreamr · 03-29-2010, 05:32 PM

We spent three months in south-central Florida this winter with very poor Verizon signal to the phone. The laptops both worked just fine (not excellent but totally serviceable) with Skype calls. We paid for calling out only, $3/month, since we already have in-call number on cell-phone.

We never received calls, only "missed calls" and voice-mails. So we would return the missed calls whenever we had time. Sort of like an answering machine setup really.

Driving up I-95 last week from Okeechobee Florida to Chapel Hill NC we had signal almost consistently. Used Skype to call some folks. Never lost a call, and didn't pay for use of any Verizon minutes.

Pretty cool!

LakeArcher · 05-27-2010, 08:50 AM

Verizon wireless. Only in Ocate, NM and Death Valley, CA did we not get service. We've been full timers in our Bambi since the Fall of '06 and are in eastern Tennessee at the moment with two bars. Verizon also powers our laptop. LakeArcher@AOL.Com or 510-295-5553.

silverleeper · 05-27-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeArcher

Verizon wireless. Only in Ocate, NM and Death Valley, CA did we not get service. We've been full timers in our Bambi since the Fall of '06 and are in eastern Tennessee at the moment with two bars. Verizon also powers our laptop.

Just a heads up. Anyone with Internet access can see your e-mail address and phone number. Good or bad.

tpi · 05-27-2010, 11:20 AM

On a related note, I like using my Verizon aircard with a router (or you can buy the card with the built in router). It allows me to locate the aircard for the best possible reception in fringe areas while using my laptop where it is convenient. On several occasions I've located the aircard/router in windows, outside on a table, etc.

Prior to setting up the router, I walk around with my Verizon cell phone and locate the best signal in weak areas. Setting up the router/aircard in this area usually gives faster service.

snog · 05-28-2010, 05:00 AM

Thankyou, again, all, for your replies. I did end up going out to 2 mobile homes in the rurally located park and was able to muster up 1 bar with my cellphone. I was able to get online via the phone, too. I no longer had dsl as I shared it with a friend who'd gotten rid of it in late october 09, so I had gotten a data package on my lg vu cellphone. I was online in this manner until I bought the iPad 3G and got it up and running in early may!!! Love the thing...
Anyhoo, AT&T tells me that even with one bar, I can connect via iPad.
As far as fhe mobile home search goes, it continues. The 2 I looked at, I didn't end up wanting to buy, though I did almost buy the latter one, but backed out at the last moment.(but at least I learned how to buy a home!).
Btw, I wasn't able to get on any boards, including this one, as my cell didn't either connect to boards, or I wasn't able to reply on boards even if I was able to view their contents. It is a dream to type on this iPad as opposed to the cell. They keyboard is as large as the pc's.

wxbuoy · 05-28-2010, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpi

On a related note, I like using my Verizon aircard with a router (or you can buy the card with the built in router). It allows me to locate the aircard for the best possible reception in fringe areas while using my laptop where it is convenient. On several occasions I've located the aircard/router in windows, outside on a table, etc.

Prior to setting up the router, I walk around with my Verizon cell phone and locate the best signal in weak areas. Setting up the router/aircard in this area usually gives faster service.

How did you hook your card to the router? I am looking to do the same thing with mine.

Thanks!
Dave

Ag&Au · 05-28-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverleeper

Just a heads up. Anyone with Internet access can see your e-mail address and phone number. Good or bad.

Actually, anyone with internet access and 20 bucks, can find his name, address, age, and probably a whole bunch of other stuff just using the phone number. My point: It is probably just not worth worrying about.

Regards,

Ken

LakeArcher · 05-29-2010, 08:42 AM

ATT advertises that they cover 98% of the PEOPLE in the United States; Verizon advertises that they cover 98% of THE United States. There's a big difference between the two claims. Verizon covers roughly twice the land area of ATT. ATT concentrates more on populated areas and less on rural locations. If you're wandering in the wilderness, Verizon is the way to go.