Visit our Popular Forums

warbler5 · 01-05-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

.....the challenge becomes WHICH broadband card (usb or express 34 pci) and vendor.

i'd get the aircard FIRST and just use it with the mbpros (card can be used in multiple 'puters)...

then add the antenna and signal amplifier, after being satisfied with the card and to expand signal strength some.

LASTLY i'd add the aircard capable router, and don't give up on using the base station yet....

there is a way to do this (in theory) and i'm going to test it in a few weeks....

basically it WILL (i hope) work like this....

1. insert aircard into mbpro #1 and get a signal then 'connect'
2. plug ethernet cable into mbpro #1 and into a powered up airport base station, placed near a window or outside the stream...
3. enable 'sharing' via either net in the 'systems preferences' menu on mbpro #1 ...
4. use mbpro #2 (or ANY wifi enabled pc or mac) to find the base station signal...

so IF this works there is no need to buy another router, i'll let ya know in a few weeks....

Soooooooooooo, 2air, how did this work out?

hshovic · 01-05-2009, 01:38 PM

I got Verizon card six months ago. We went 45 days from Montana to Utah to Colorado to Michigan and back. Only two days were out of range for at least the National Access (slow). Most of the time we got Broadband Access (fast), but even in state parks and in North Dakota we got enough coverage to read my home newspaper and keep up on email.

However, I have a Wilson antenna on the trailer, and amplifier too (in the refer compartment). I put a switch inside with a red light, to avoid leaving it on when not in use.

apolaroid · 01-05-2009, 07:42 PM

I use a blackberry curve with T-Mobile. It has unlimited data service, I can use my laptop with the blackberry for internet service. T-mobile charges $20.00 a month for the blackberry service and there is no extra to use it with my laptop. Where this is not as fast as high speed, it is faster then dial up. More than enough to surf the internet, and check email. You might not be downloading videos on this but works great for on the road, when I need faster service there is free wifi all over the place. I am using a free wifi at a What-a-Burger in Navarre, Florida. The blackberry takes care of 90% of my need to be online, the other 10% is cover by use of my laptop with the blackberry, or just some free wifi.

Gene · 01-05-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hshovic

However, I have a Wilson antenna on the trailer, and amplifier too (in the refer compartment).

We used to spell it "reefer". Maybe you just "think" you're on the internet after you visit the reefer compartment.

Gene

hshovic · 01-09-2009, 07:36 PM

I don't want to get 'reefed' for inappropriate usage, so "refer" it is.

richinny · 01-15-2009, 12:26 PM

does anyone know if i can fax something from my computer with my verizon usb aircard?

Minnie's Mate · 01-15-2009, 01:39 PM

apolaroid, I have a Blackberry Curve also. How do you use your laptop with it? I have AT&T and was told at Radio Shack that I needed a data cable and I needed to subscribe to an additional plan that cost $30/month. I use the Blackberry for email of course, but I don't surf the net with it because the edge browser is so slow.

I have the unlimited "data plan" but was told that is email and edge only.

AIR-Quarius · 02-03-2009, 06:30 AM

I use a toshiba laptop with vista and wifi...thank god for flat screen tvs...now we have that extra space you know...

richinny · 05-17-2009, 03:22 PM

i did find a router for my usb verizon wireless modem. we'll see what's available when i need one on december.

Cradlepoint CTR500 w/Car Adapter, Wifi Antenna, Carrying Case [CTR500A-ANT-CASE-B] - $199.99 : 3Gstore.com, Mobile Broadband Made Easy. Verizon & Sprint EVDO Modems, Antennas, Amplifiers, CradlePoint Routers and MiFi.

khadley · 05-18-2009, 06:58 AM

All good information above, love this forum! I'm currently full timing in an airstream in Canada, and the ability to full time is totally dependent on us having a good connection. WE've just begun the journey, and at this point are running up against some obstacles with signal strength.

I've followed the links above to 3gstore, so hopefully will find something that will help. Right now i'm perched on the john, as the bathroom is the only place that's getting the signal today where we are... though other days the signal's been great.

I'm currently in Canada, and wonder if there are other canadian experieces with the air card. I'm currently using Rogers and the results are dismal at best. Even when i'm in a large city i don't seem to get a great signal.

I also wonder about voice over ip, and people's experience there. I'm using skype right now and while it's cheap, it drops out often in the middle of a call. I also can't get a canadian number, which is important to me.

so for now, more questions than answers!

kim

Scenario · 06-10-2009, 06:24 PM

In the past we've tried to camp at KOAs that offer free Wi-Fi, although their range is usually limited and unreliable. Apple's iPhone has been a godsend for staying connected while camping.

I'm actually an iPhone developer, and can tell you that iPhone 3.0 will introduce a new feature called "Internet Tethering." This will allow your Mac to share your iPhone's 3G or EDGE connection over the USB cable, if you find that you can't do what you need on your iPhone alone. I assume PCs will be supported too but I'm not sure. Note that in the U.S., the iPhone currently includes an unlimited data plan via AT&T for about $80 a month (including voice). And if this works as rumored you wouldn't need an AirCard.

The free iPhone 3.0 software upgrade will be released by Apple on June 17.

65CV · 06-10-2009, 06:43 PM

Scenario-

Welcome to the forums and thanks for the good news. Good first post!

Can you post a link to the release in a new thread here? I think it might be of interest. There are quite a few Mac users here.

John

jasper2222 · 06-10-2009, 06:56 PM

Ok-- One more option. I have sprint and subscribe to Power Vision. Power Vision is sprints acess to the internet. I believe power vision is $5.00 extra per month. I have a Palm Centro. You can buy some "light" software from a company PDNET. PDNET allows you to then connect your Cell phone (power Vision) to your computer. Basically you are using the cell phone for the modem. It works pretty good. Not fast, but then again it is basically free. We do not use it at home and do not use it for hours on end. I understand from some, "Internet Blogs" that the cell phone companies are not real crazy about a person using this set up but if you don't abuse it, it does not come on their radar.

sound-silver · 06-11-2009, 12:49 PM

I use their service. It runs on Verizon towers. If you have strong Verizon cell coverage then you will usually have a fairly quick 3G connection. The beauty of this is that up to 5 people can connect to the same router all for the single monthly fee.
You have to buy the router outright. You can configure your security settings. Better than risky random RV park Wi-Fi.
I recommend it. It's on the cusp of being outdated, but it's the best solution we have found for now.

Scenario · 06-13-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65CV

Scenario-

Welcome to the forums and thanks for the good news. Good first post!

Can you post a link to the release in a new thread here? I think it might be of interest. There are quite a few Mac users here.

John

Well I may have spoken too soon. iPhone 3.0 does support tethering but AT&T appears to be blocking it by default, probably because they're worried about bandwidth. However, I found a hack that should enable this feature at least for Mac users:

Tether Your AT&T iPhone Right Now | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

dstalzer · 06-13-2009, 01:14 PM

I have the Sierra 3G card for my laptop and it works really well, especially when traveling near major interstate highways. Driving from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA I never lost signal while on interstate 35. Traveling East or West from Austin on I-10 the signal seems to be present most of the time all across the state. There will be some slow Edge signals when outside major metro areas though. Occasionally there will be no signal. I am quite pleased with the ATT aircard even though it costs $60 per month.

Dennis

connorsa · 06-13-2009, 02:04 PM

Why not use wifi to pay bills on line?

Minnie's Mate · 06-14-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connorsa

Why not use wifi to pay bills on line?

WI-FI is not available at all campgrounds.
It is a pain to go in search of a WI-FI hot spot if it isn't.
Some campgrounds charge for use of their WI-FI. However, this is less often the case as time goes on, but I do run into it from time to time.
WI-FI isn't secure. I know several people who have got very bad viruses from WI-FI hot spots, and campground WI-FI is just an open hot spot.
Campground WI-FI is often very slow and not very reliable. It depends on band width availability and how many campers are on-line.
The list of disadvantages goes on.
On the other hand, if you only need it once a month or less, it is better than nothing and better than obligating to $60/month if you don't travel every month or frequently enough to justify the expense.
But, then again you probably won't have to do on-line banking if you only travel casually.

wahoonc · 06-14-2009, 02:56 PM

I think I may have posted in this thread a few pages back

Update on internet access, for me anyway. I have started using a Verizon Blackberry, I use it both tethered by USB cable and bluetooth, depending on the computer in use. So far I have had no issues with coverage. I do use free WiFi when I can find it. So what if it is open/unsecured? If you run a firewall and anti virus program you should not have any issues. I use AVG from Grisoft.com I also pay attention to where I go on the web and shut down real quick if I don't like the looks of where I am.

Aaron

Minnie's Mate · 06-14-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoonc

...I do use free WiFi when I can find it. So what if it is open/unsecured? If you run a firewall and anti virus program you should not have any issues. I use AVG from Grisoft.com ...

Aaron

I, too, use a firewall and anti-virus software that is updated but got a nasty virus right here on this very website. It cost me $100 to get it removed from my computer. That's why it's not a great idea to use open/unsecured WI-FI. I still use it at campgrounds, but I am judicious where and when, and I don't use it for banking. In fact, I don't have any banking records on the computer I use in campgrounds. I don't use it in populated areas or in areas where a lot of people outside the campground might have access to it. I only use it where it is password protected and remote from populated areas.

I make the assumption, perhaps to my detriment, that a hacker wouldn't make the effort to go to a campground where there are limited numbers of computer users on line at a given time just to hack into someone's computer. But if the campground is in an area where a hacker might be located, that's a different story.