Internet on the road

[Andy R]

So how do you connect to the internet?

When travelling I plan on using my cell phone with my laptop. I am also keeping a close watch on bi-directional satellite connectivity. I currently use Starband from my home. Not perfect but VERY acceptable (400+kbps downloads & 50-128kbps uploads). Unlike one way satellite communication (DirecTV & Dish), bi-directional communication requires added precision due to FCC regulations. I only know of 1 company that is going to develop an RV mountable "quick setup" bi-directional dish mount.


($4995 + $400 install + $80/month service motosat.com )

I have read about some people who become certified in installing the bi-directional satellite dishes so they can move it with them. But there are lots of other issues that arise.

[TheBigRedTruck]

When i go camping i use my cell phone its a Motorola StarTac with my laptop!!!!!! To tell the truth i take it everywear!!

[myoung]

We've used our Apple Powerbook when camped in a place with wireless internet service. But, because that is not always possible, our new iPhone is our wireless internet device of choice everyday, everywhere. Get an iPhone. The latest stats about internet usage by the research firm Net Applications indicates that 0.17% of hits to the 40,000 commercial web sites they monitor come from the iPhone. That may sound like a small number but consider how little time the iPhone has been on the market.

[ScottW]

Thanks for the field trial of the iphone. I was looking at buying a new mac laptop (old one can't be upgraded enough for the new os), adding a pc card and paying apprx $60/month to connect. I had already decided the iphone with a data plan added to my existing cell plan (for $20/mo) was the way to go. coverage looks good to me also. thanks for the test flight. certainly backs up my decision.

[Pick]

Sprint EVDO Rev. A card.

[myoung]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Thanks for the field trial of the iphone. I was looking at buying a new mac laptop (old one can't be upgraded enough for the new os), adding a pc card and paying apprx $60/month to connect. I had already decided the iphone with a data plan added to my existing cell plan (for $20/mo) was the way to go. coverage looks good to me also. thanks for the test flight. certainly backs up my decision.

You may not have to pay the additional $20. The billing for the AT&T iPhone service is a bit convoluted for reasons that probably have more to do with arcane accounting rules. But, simply put, the total cost for the basic, all-in service including unlimited data is $59/month exclusive of taxes and other nasty charges to pay for the Spanish-American War and such.

[Westfalia]

Yep, the iPhone is the perfect Airstream travel companion!

[thecatsandi]

Verizon VZaccess. EVDO Broadband card and an D-link DIR-450 WI-FI router.

[Gunnyusmc]

WWW>internetinmotion.com
I have the high speed.
I got it in 2005 and I mounted it in the TV so I can play games at 65 MPH. Its great for braking up the white line.

Gunny

[AirConditioner]

Verizon data services, evdo card, external 5db gain antenna, pc laptop. Also Globalstar sat phone with data services v e r y s l o w. : )

[Mikethefixit]

Anyone have any Experience with CLEARWIRE I have had several ads from them. Supposidily is operates on cell towers somehow and U get a card of some kind that plugs in to a laptop or even desktops I guess?
Any Thoughts
Roger

[SilverRanger]

Verizon USB EVDO aircard w/laptop
Verizon Wireless USB720 Modem

Wilson Direct Connection Cellular/PCS Dual-Band
Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics

Wilson Magnet Mount Cellular Antenna - 6.12 DB gain
Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics

Wireless-N wifi card w/external antenna connection
Belkin : N Wireless Notebook Card

Bonus gadget!
Pinnacle HD USB Stick
Pinnacle Systems - Product summary - PCTV HD Stick


Yep, even my kids think I'm a geek.

[thecatsandi]

Clearwire only work in cities where it is installed.

And that concludes my 2000th post!

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Clearwire only work in cities where it is installed.

And that concludes my 2000th post!

Congratulations on your 2,000th, Michelle! I always enjoy reading about your travels.



I just compared the coverage maps between Verizon and Clearwire:

Coverage Locator - Verizon Wireless

Clearwire Coverage Areas and Maps

[garry]

I use the ATT (formaly Cingular) aircard in my laptop $59 month no limit.
From 100 kb to 300 kb downloads so far works everywhere call phone works.

Garry

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

Congratulations on your 2,000th, Michelle! I always enjoy reading about your travels.



I just compared the coverage maps between Verizon and Clearwire:

Coverage Locator - Verizon Wireless

Clearwire Coverage Areas and Maps

Thank You.
I want Clearwire in Mountain Home about an hour to the east. No dice. Verizon on the otherhand will work.

[safari 28]

Motorola Q on Alltell. Macbook bluetooth to the Q when needed. Wireless at the parks if it works??

[Ahab]

If you don't need to get on line every day while traveling the the Macbook hooks up to WiFi hot spots effortlessly. Most rest areas, schools, hotels, some city areas, truck stops, etc., have this ability. We just did a 5800mi road trip to the east coast and back and had no problem getting connected where ever we went and it's free!

[TBRich]

Congrats on your 2000th post, Michelle! You go girl!

We just signed on to Alltel's Mobile Broadband Axcess with an air card for my Mac (through the USB port). (Alltel because we already have Alltel cell service...similar service is provided by other providers.) I am able to connect anywhere where I can make a cell connection. After much research I decided this was the way to go for me, as I need to be able to transfer decent file sizes for my work from the laptop...it's $60/month but worth it I can be on the go in the AS and do some work if necessary. I don't think I'd be able to do this with other options within a decent cost range. Other solutions may work better for others, so find what works best for you and take cost and connection speed into consideration. If you only do email, you can get by with less. We are on our way back to Tucson after a week plus on the lower Colorado River north of Parker, AZ...we did not have good cell reception because we were in canyons along the River...had to drive about 4 miles to get through...that was a bummer, but nothing is perfect...we could not even get a radio station or any regular TV reception either, so it's not just a cell/aircard thing... I did discover (the hard way) that the limit for file transfers is 4 megs...a client tried to send me a file larger than that and it just choked the system and nothing would go through either way. I had to go online to my mail server and delete the email with the problematic attachment to get it moving again...lesson learned. We are now at Picacho Peak State Park and the reception and connection is very good... it's not as fast as cable I am used to but it's pretty darn good...

I have already done a little work remotely and my clients are totally behind me making this move...good for me...good for them. I am a happy camper...and so are they!

TB

[LeisureTime]

As a wannabe AS owner, and an almost iPhone owner (ordered it yesterday), I began wondering if the aluminum hull of an AS would interfere with the 3G signal of the new iPhones?

The same question would apply to a laptop that has 3G built in, or accessing the WIFI signal at a campground.

I plan to keep in touch with my business while on the road, but wonder about any interference.

Anyone have experience running these devices from inside an AS?

Thanks!