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3 Dog Nite · 07-20-2009, 10:02 PM

I also use a verizon USB720 wireless modem. The only place there was no reception was the the Top of Georgia Airstream Park. I just plugged my Wilson exterior antennea in to the USB & had reception. I also had to do this for my cell phone. Don't let this discourage you from going there. They have free wifi available.

I use an USB extension cord that's 4 feet long. This allows me to put the modem up in the blinds. That way it's near a window & increases the height.

Ricky

SilverRanger · 07-20-2009, 10:27 PM

I also use the USB720. I've used a variety of aircards/modems and, to date, it is the best. That extension cord can make a big difference, especially when you're shielded by the aluminum. I also like its capability for an external antenna connection. I fed my line through the front window by drilling a small hole in the aluminum window frame, and clamp the antenna to the solar guard. When not in use it stores nicely between the window and the screen.

Jim Foster · 07-20-2009, 11:05 PM

We got an AT&T card last fall. It is a pain most of the time. Slow or no service unless parked very near a tower. Lots of disconnects. Wish it was Verizon like our phone. Got it on a "deal" at Costco. No deal. When the contract is up, we WILL switch to Verizon.

Nuvite-F · 07-21-2009, 07:59 AM

Although I have no plans to switch away from Verizon--they have fantastic coverage of the country--truth in advertising compels me to say that I have a love-hate relationship with it.

The reason is that of all the places in the country that I've had service, the absolute worst is at home in Ohio! We are out in the country where there's no cable (hence no Roadrunner) and the telephone company didn't offer DSL until quite recently, after I had signed up for Verizon wireless internet.

The problem here at home is that some days the Verizon wireless works fine (with an outside antenna) and other days the $%^&@ thing won't stay connected for five minutes. (This mirrors the behavior of my Verizon cell phone--some days it works fine and other days it just decides to give a little "beep" and disconnect you in the middle of a call.) I'm pretty sure these problems happen when our local cell is overloaded. Hopefully Verizon will be adding some cells out here soon. . .

And the reason it occurs to me to mention it is that today is one of those days!

Ag&Au · 07-21-2009, 09:12 AM

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is, that with verizon you can connect with your cell phone connected to the PC with a USB cable. They have a feature that can be added to your voice plan called Mobile Broad Band connect. Since it is a feature not a plan, you can activiate it and deactivate it without a fee. As long as your phone is EVDO capable it should work.
Ken

photostreamers · 07-21-2009, 03:37 PM

We have Verizon for our cell phones and like the coverage, but since we're not full-timers and just needed to connect for a trip we got a Virgin mobile usb. You pay for it, about $150 then just pay for the time or bandwidth as needed. We're not locked in to a two-year contract, like Verizon offers for the card.
It didn't work in Canada, but there may have been something I could've done to make it work (change the connection or number). Check out the Virgin site.

wahoonc · 07-21-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photostreamers

We have Verizon for our cell phones and like the coverage, but since we're not full-timers and just needed to connect for a trip we got a Virgin mobile usb. You pay for it, about $150 then just pay for the time or bandwidth as needed. We're not locked in to a two-year contract, like Verizon offers for the card.
It didn't work in Canada, but there may have been something I could've done to make it work (change the connection or number). Check out the Virgin site.

Verizon has a month to month plan for their aircards too. We have several at work that we turn on and off as projects come and go. IIRC the activation fee is $35 and the monthly charge is ~$60 for the larger download. I use a Verizon Crackberry to hookup my personal laptop.

Aaron

OB Bambi · 07-21-2009, 04:39 PM

I'm at McGrath State Beach right now on Verizon. I have had good coverage even in the Sierras. Seems like I can always pick up a bar or two.
Randy

Airstream25 · 07-21-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEBELLS

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like we should check out Verizon.

Yes on Verizon, but be certain to get a card with a port for an external antenna.

If you are happy with your bare card reception then fine. If not, then install an external antenna and plug it into the card and your reception will be vastly improved. I get 3G service with the external antenna in some pretty remote parts of NM.
Note: By external, I mean outside on top of the Airstream.
As you may surmise, mag mount antennas are not the correct choice :-)

Nuvite-F · 07-21-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstream25

Note: By external, I mean outside on top of the Airstream.
As you may surmise, mag mount antennas are not the correct choice

Except on an Argosy, maybe?

Jim Foster · 07-21-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

We got an AT&T card last fall. It is a pain most of the time. Slow or no service unless parked very near a tower. Lots of disconnects. Wish it was Verizon like our phone. Got it on a "deal" at Costco. No deal. When the contract is up, we WILL switch to Verizon.

Well.......Today I took my AT&T air card into an AT&T store and sold them of my plight. We found that the cell tower is 3 miles as the crow flies from home. The nice young man changed the SIM card in my 881 Sierra Wireless card and it seems to be working like we thought it should. Three miles away, down off the levee on Grand Island, Walnut Grove, hooked to a NetGear wifi router and so far running at almost light speed. I have been connected for a couple of hours now with no problem. Even watched an Airstream video on Youtube. It downloaded faster than it played. No stopping, no waiting.

We'll see how long this good connection lasts.

Nuvite-F · 07-22-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

Although I have no plans to switch away from Verizon--they have fantastic coverage of the country--but truth in advertising compels me to say that I have a love-hate relationship with it.

The reason is that of all the places in the country that I've had service, the absolute worst is at home in Ohio! We are out in the country where there's no cable (hence no Roadrunner) and the telephone company didn't offer DSL until quite recently, after I had signed up for Verizon wireless internet.

The problem here at home is that some days the Verizon wireless works fine (with an outside antenna) and other days the $%^&@ thing won't stay connected for five minutes. (This mirrors the behavior of my Verizon cell phone--some days it works fine and other days it just decides to give a little "beep" and disconnect you in the middle of a call.) I'm pretty sure these problems happen when our local cell is overloaded. Hopefully Verizon will be adding some cells out here soon. . .

While I'm thinking about it, do any of you USB720 users have your modem simply shut itself off now and then? That's an unusual aspect of the problems I mentioned above. Sometimes it only shuts off for a few seconds and other times it shuts off and stays off--while I was connected. When that happens the only solution is to unplug it and plug it back in. What a pain in the tuchas.

Sounds like it might be a USB problem, but once again it only does it on "bad hair days" when the network is disconnecting me at frequent intervals. On a good day everything works fine.

SilverRanger · 07-22-2009, 11:38 AM

My USB720 occasionally shuts itself off. It's rare, but it seems to happen at the most inopportune time. On the other hand, sometimes I can walk away and it will stay connected for hours with no activity

Nuvite-F · 07-22-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

My USB720 occasionally shuts itself off. It's rare, but it seems to happen at the most inopportune time. On the other hand, sometimes I can walk away and it will stay connected for hours with no activity

Thanks. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Guess it's the nature of the beast. And yeah, you're right--it always seems to happen when you click the mouse to send a packet or two.

But again, in fairness to Verizon, I never cease to be amazed when I turn on the computer at a campground in West Rabbits Foot and discover two or three bars of Broadband Rev-A without even having to put up my outside antenna.

Jim Foster · 07-22-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

Well.......Today I took my AT&T air card into an AT&T store and told them of my plight. We found that the cell tower is 3 miles as the crow flies from home. The nice young man changed the SIM card in my 881 Sierra Wireless card and it seems to be working like we thought it should. Three miles away, down off the levee on Grand Island, Walnut Grove, hooked to a NetGear wifi router and so far running at almost light speed. I have been connected for a couple of hours now with no problem. Even watched an Airstream video on Youtube. It downloaded faster than it played. No stopping, no waiting.

We'll see how long this good connection lasts.

AT&T card still connecting just fine. I'm sure that the change that was made yesterday will help connectivity in other areas as well.

kingfisher24 · 07-27-2009, 11:48 AM

i too had a worthless ATT...i have verizon and am mostly happy with it...works much better than att...but an att phone seems to work great while traveling....go figure

gaylejoe · 07-31-2009, 04:46 PM

I have had an AT&T aircard for 4 years with good results. Yes, there are areas where it does not work but that is in the boonies. Sprint has a new aircard that does not plug into the computer and can handle 4 seperate computers at the same time. A friend of mine has one and he really likes it. I'm thinking about it because there are times when my wife wants to use her laptop and the same time that I am using mine. That is why I am thinking about the Sprint. I'm just not sure about the Sprint coverage when compared to AT&T.

Airstream25 · 07-31-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaylejoe

I'm just not sure about the Sprint coverage when compared to AT&T.

Service area maps are available at each service provider's web site.
I noticed today that the Verizon map is much more detailed than it used to be. Perhaps the others have improved as well.

tdoescher · 07-31-2009, 09:16 PM

I work for Verizon and would highly recomend it. Take a close at the maps of the big 3 carriers and it will sell its self! Also Verizon was the only carrier to buy solid coast to coast LTE license so within in a few years there will be solid coast to coast 4G Network at blazing speeds. Good Luck T