Internet on the Road - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Syd · RV-Dreams Community Member

Internet on the Road

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

How limited are you really going to be? There are no unlimited options once you cut the cord to the phone (DSL) or cable company. Most singles do not come near 5GB as long as they stay away from much video downloading. There are programs to monitor your usage available, but I don't use them so all I can do is point to one for Windows (Linux has it built-in in most distros and I don't know Macs):

DU Meter (a 30 day trial, well liked by others)

DU Meter is free for 30 days and $25 after that. You should know how much you really use in 30 days.

Satellite limits you to 200MB a day for $60/month or 375MB a day for $70/month with Hughes.net on a tripod. You can also get Hughes.net with an automated roof mounted Datastorm which is on the 375MB per month. There is also Starband for tripods with plans that limit you per week. Both Hughes.net and Starband have free periods in the middle of the night that do not count. A tripod system with support and training (needed, you can't do this on your own) runs $1,200 to $1,800. A Datastorm automatic roof mount with a .74 meter dish runs about $5,000 installed. There are more expensive options that are less limiting, but they require dishes that cost over $12,000 and monthly rates higher than $200. If you want to be on all the time and travel into Canada or Mexico then satellite is your only choice.

You understand the cell phone situation. Coverage is the big issue, so watch the numbers. The slower speeds on all brands, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and odd ones like Cricket, are dial up or just a bit faster.

Wi-fi sounds like it will work but realize that campground wi-fi is very, very uneven and most will not support heavy users.

Unfortunately this is an area where you have to make a choice, go on the road with what you can get and pay what you have to pay or don't go on the road. None of us can make this decision for you. If there was a magic answer everyone would already know about it.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 24th of January 2010 07:16:33 PM

-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 24th of January 2010 07:17:12 PM

-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 24th of January 2010 07:17:51 PM

Syd · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the information. It looks like I am doing ok with what I have. I will
use that download you told me about to see what I am really using. Sometimes I wife stays
on all day shopping for coupons. So far almost all of the parks I have stayed have had
wifi and it has worked fine. The one I am at now has a speed of 54 most of the time and
the park is full.

I am full timing so there is no chance of a land line, so I guess I will take what I can get.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Syd

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The speed of 54 isn't telling you anything useful, just that you are running "g" protocol. The path to the internet could still be much slower and/or the link could be very busy with multiple users.

I am just surprised that in two years of full timing the wifi has been so good since that is not my experience.

Another option is using your cell phone as a modem, which is something you can turn on and off by the day. Plus Verizon only charges $50/month for that feature unless you have a smartphone where they charge $30 extra. Requires a phone that can be "tethered" and a cable ($20 quoted, but many phones will work with normal mini-USB to USB cables). You can get a Cradlepoint wireless router (http:://3gstore.com is a good supplier) and share the signal through wifi. Todays Geeks on Tour blog covers this -
http://geeksontour.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-wi-fi-hotspot-with-your-cell-phone.html.

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Syd wrote:

So my question for all of you guys or gals that know something about internet what do you suggest as the best system for a full timer who wants unlimited use of the internet?

The monthly fee for cellular based internet is steep, but the actual cost can be justified if it is used in place of fee based Wi-Fi or home based telephone/internet service. In the rig I use cellular based connection for the convenience factor alone. I've eliminate my home based phone and DSL service altogether. I don’t need to search for Wi-Fi campgrounds and can connect going down the road (the co-pilot that is). Wherever there is cell coverage, there is internet. But, as per another’s comment, having high speed connections is sometimes an issue. I use Verizon and they call theirs EVDO or 3G coverage. You can check out each carrier’s 3G coverage map.

Using an “air card” for secondary computers is just a matter of having one that has the Wi-Fi capability as most laptops do. Desktops don’t, hence you have to use a USB wireless network adapter similar to the Alfa you mentioned. Linksys make them as well as other manufacturers.

You can use either a Mi-Fi device or a conventional cellular router. Mi-Fi takes the place of the USB or PCMCIA slotted devices and has a limited range of about 30 ft. A cellular router can give you 10X that distance. If you are going with a Mi-Fi, I’d buy one from the cell company and eliminate compatibility issues. But they do not have the capability for connecting a cable to a desktop computer like a cellular router does. Cradlepoint seems to have the best reviews for cellular routers. Be sitting down when you check the prices of either device. Google MI-FI and cellular routers for more info.

I agree that 5GB of data/month is going to be enough unless you are heavy into downloading big files. Can’t help with the external Wi-Fi antenna. But will say that if you go with cellular connections it might be best to go with a router like Cradlepoint or similar. You can connect and external cell antenna to them.

-- Edited by TXRVr on Monday 25th of January 2010 11:38:17 AM

nitavar · RV-Dreams Community Member

We're just starting out on a year-long trip and were looking for a reliable, inexpensive internet connection on the road. We still had a Verizon contract as our cell provider and wanted to stay with them since they seem to have the best coverage in the west. We pay $40 (plus fees) for the basic calling plan of 400 minutes. For an additional $30/mo we get unlimited data using the new Motorola Droid phone (like the iphone, better in some ways, not as good in others). This allows us access to the internet anywhere we have a cell phone signal, but the screen size makes it cumbersome to view web pages. What Verizon wouldn't tell us is that you can pay a one time fee of $29 at www.pdanet.com for a software download that allows you to tether (or bluetooth) your laptop to the phone and use the laptop anywhere there is a signal. It's slow, but workable with 2 bars and seems just as fast as wifi with 5 bars. It's free if you don't need to access protected sites, but I quickly paid the $29 when I realized protected meant any site that I had a password on (like email, bank sites, etc).

DorisandDave · RV-Dreams Family Member

ok, well, just color me confused. i keep reading that aircards aren't as fast AND that AT&T or Verizon are the two ways to go...so my confusion starts at the Sprint Aircard I bought 2 years ago. yes, I pay $60 a month for unlimited but, it's been well worth it...We have been in rural Missouri, middle of nowhere Wyoming, southern Idaho, and other places I thought we would not get sprint service.......and we have not only received cell service, but our data speeds have been hardly noticably slower than DSL with our home SBC service.
Yes, some of that has been roaming...but we pay a little extra so that we have unlimited roaming....
So I guess what I'm saying is.....to get service anywhere and unlimited data and unlimited calling we do pay extra...about $130 a month for the internet, the aircard and two phones...it's worth it to me.
We might decide to go another way, but at this point I can't really see changing what, so far, is working quite well.
Our only decision will be how to wifi the aircard so we can have a second laptop...decision for later.............

Doris

-- Edited by DorisandDave on Sunday 14th of February 2010 12:02:18 AM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

For cell phones fulltimers go with Verizon and AT&T, with Sprint being third. T-mobile is not even in the running since their network is not that good. But for aircards RVers go with Verizon and Sprint over AT&T. AT&T has a very large 2.5G network called "Edge" but their 3G network is limited as Verizon loves to show in their ads. Just ask the iPhone users, they are not happy with AT&Ts data network.
Why you don't hear about Sprint as much is they have a clause that only allows you to use 300MB in a month off their network and many RVers have been hit with letters telling them they have exceeded these numbers. When Spriint is in network it normally has better speeds than Verizon. I have a couple friends who were threatened with cancellation by Sprint because they used more than 300MB in a month off network so they opted out and switched to Verizon. It sounds like this has not happened to you or you got a plan that somehow includes roaming charges for data.
None of these companies gives you a discount for getting an aircard from them if you have a cell phone from them, so you can mix companies. Verizon does charge less for using a cell phone as a modem than an aircard, $50 if you don't have a data plan on the phone.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

At the present time, Jo and I are still in the stix n brix, with the plans of getting a bigger fifth wheel and getting this house sold.

Where we are located, we don't have the option of DSL, cable with internet, etc, so we initially went with a "wireless" system. There have been issues with it and around Christmas it was down completely for better than a week.

So, we went to Verizon and got one of their MiFi units. It is a unit that is credit card sized but as thick as about may 6 or 7 credit card stacked on each other. It works as a wireless within the 30 ft range and it is working well for us.

I spend a good deal of time oneline, although not all day. The 5gig limit has not been a problem for us so far. Also, I can't say that it is all that slow. It is certainly WAY better than dial up.

Both our laptop and desktop have wireless capability so, it works well even when I'm on photos sharing websites looking at people's photos. We were cautioned about downloading videos, as that would take up a lot of the 5gig that is allowable.

The unit needs to be charged, so we plug it in for charging and then unplug it. Running off of the battery, it will last about 4 hours before needing to be recharged.

As for speed, Jo (the expert computer person here) says that the MiFi probably gets at least about 1 and a half meg, making it better than I thought. To test it when we purchased it, we got online to a website with photos and I pulled up a number of photos easily and quickly.

MiFi is $60 a month, but that isn't much more than what we were paying for the wireless service that we had. Plus, we can stick this thing in our pocket, grab the laptop and be online driving down the road.

Terry

Acorn · RV-Dreams Family Member

We, too, purchased the MiFi as we often use two wireless laptops. The difference with the MiFi is that it acts as a "hub" so it will accommodate both laptops at the same time.

If you use your computers very little (email and some web browsing), it's possible the $40/month plan would be enough for you. We opted for the $60/month plan which gives us 5 gigs of data usage per month. The first month on the road we were VERY careful not to use too much, and didn't download lots, or stay on line too long, etc. We used 1/5 of the available space with our plan. The second month we've been less careful, used it as much as we wanted, downloaded some stuff, while all the time keeping track of our usage on the Verizon website. We've still kept our usage way under what is allotted with our plan.

We've had no problem connecting either during travel or sitting in a campground. Verizon assures you connection as long as you can get a cell phone connection.

So it may be a good option for you as well! smile

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The MiFi works well for many on both Verizon and Sprint. It is basically a combination of an aircard and wireless router. It has a couple limitations compared to using a USB aircard with a 3G Router (a wireless router that supports an aircard), like the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 I have. For many these limitations are no problem.
Limitation one is no external antenna port so to use an external antenna you will have to use either a Velcro adapter, which mostly works or a high quality wireless amplifier. Most USB aircards have antenna ports. We use our external antenna and wired amplifier a fair amount where we camp. A Velcro adapter wraps the MiFi, or cell phone, and works fairly well for many. Not everyone seems to be able to find those Velcro adapters, but they exist or people wouldn't mention them. How wireless amplifiers work is they hook to an external antenna, it needs to actually be external in this case since it can't be picking up the wireless amplifiers signal, and provides a small area inside with the equivalent of a small cell phone tower within a small area. This area is within about five feet of the internal antenna on the amplifier. Most wireless amplifiers do not handle 3G well since they are made for voice calls, but some are supposed to work well. These more expensive wireless amplifiers will work with both the aircard and cell phones. There are also reports that some of some wireless amplifiers running the phones and aircards a bit hot and burning them out, but that might be just scare tactics. We do need our external antenna in many places just to have a usable internet experience.
Limitation two is the MiFi only is usable within about 30 feet while a real wireless router is usable to 100 feet or more. Mostly this is not a problem but it might be if you want to surf the internet further away from your RV.
Limitation three is the MiFi is limited to five devices, which is probably not a problem with 99% of RVers especially couples and singles. Those with kids might find that between the wifi enabled phones, iPod Touchs and computers five is not enough.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been using the Top Global MB6000 for our Verizon “Air Card” Router. It has worked well for us for over 3 years. I also have used these in a professional environment for T-1 internet backup with excellent results. (When the T-1 fails, the Air Card and this device take over as a backup.) Even the IT guy who worked for me was impressed as to results vs. cost vs. ease of use.

You plug the Air Card into the device and it powers the card, operates the card, dials the “cell tower” etc., and also provides WiFi operation for your laptops. In addition a 100-base T port is provided to which you could connect, as we do, a network printer, router or what have you as a wired network while still having WiFi capability.

Here is the link: http://www.topglobalusa.com/mb6000.htm The price I found was $199 internet pricing. This link has a lot of info about the device including the docs.

It has worked well for us, our two laptops, two printers, etc. as I have said and we find its usefulness and flexibility, including allowing the use of an Air Card with an external antenna connector, to be superior to the MiFi. YMMV, but if you have or are considering an Air Card I would check it out.

Bill

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great info on this important topic in this thread, thanks. G

TheHensons · RV-Dreams Community Member

Here is another option: Get a Blackberry Smartphone with unlimited data package ($30/month) and purchase a program called Tether (http://tether.com/tour) for a one-time $50. This will allow you to connect a laptop or pc to your phone for a broadband connection. I use it now for on the road connections and it is very good.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

My wife is a heavy internet user. We have used an aircard at our sticks & bricks for over a year now. The only times (twice) we have gone over the 5GB limit were due to her downloading 5 movies she bought on iTunes onto her iPhone. The movies disappeared when she did an update to her phone and so she downloaded them again.

So as others have said, unless you are downlaoding big files or watching videos, the 5GB is tough to use up. Most months we barely crossed into 3GB of use.

We have Verizon and they have been very fair when it comes to making adjustments when we have gone over the limit. The coverage has been great where we've travelled in California, Arizona and Nevada.

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

Working for AT&T I, of course, have them as my wireless carrier and am in a 3G coverage area. I have the tether option on my business cell and I can tell you I couldn't be happier. The speeds are comparable to a standard DSL line and I like the freedom it gives me. Just to change the grind at work, every now and then on a nice day, I take my laptop and cell to a park overlooking a waterway, mostly the intracoastal, and set up shop there.
All I need is an electrical outlet, a bench and some shade. Since with AT&T you can tether and talk at the same time (it doesn't slow the connection speed), I have the cell to make and receive office calls while I am doing company email. I actually find myself being more productive because being in a natural setting and with no co-workers to disturb you, I actually get more work done!

DorisandDave · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Bill! You've cleared that up nicely for me. I DON'T know if I've ever hit the 300mb off network limit...I doubt it tho, so will be interesting to find out. I am gravitating more towards the set up your using.
We should be moving into our RV this summer and then don't hit the road till next spring, so I will have time to figure it out...once again...thanks Bill!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

TheHensons: pdanet from http://www.junefabrics.com/palmnet/ is only $29 for Blackberry and does the same thing for less. It is also available for Android (the Motorola Droid is quite nice), Palm Treo and Windows Mobile phones for similar pricing.

If you want to blow out 5GB in a month bring in some teenagers, especially ones that have broadband at home. I have a 13 year old niece that goes through 150MB (0.15GB) in an hour on Facebook. Her little sister is almost as bad and if you let the two of them loose they will use 600 or more MB in a day. They hate their grandparents Hughes.net satellite connection with 375MB per day limits where it slows them to a crawl when the limit is hit.
Remember you can share that cell connection through wifi or Ethernet. Ways to share it is via a 3G router like Cradlepoint (my MBR-1000 will also do fail through so Top Global isn't the only choice) with either an aircard or tethered cell phone connected, a MiFi (wifi only), or using the new Palm Plus cell phones that can do wifi like a MiFi for $40 extra a month. Once you have multiple people using multiple computers or devices (the iPod Touch can do email and surf the web from wifi so we are not just talking computers) 5GB is more possible. Watch a few videos, get into Facebook apps like Farmville (which seems to really be addictive), read blogs and journals with lots of photos and soon you will be using more than you expected.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree the MB1000 is certainly a contender if you don’t have a PCMCIA card. We’ve been using the MB6000 for so long with the Verizon PC5750 card we haven’t had a need to change – yet.

Back in the “old days” (in IT that was over 3 years ago) getting an Air-Card router with the correct firmware that actually worked with the Air-Card was sometimes a bit of an adventure. The MB6000 was just so rock solid with the Verizon PC5750 card (and its predecessor) that we standardized on it both personally and professionally.

Naturally, you have to make sure your Air-Card will “fit” into the router. If you have PCMCIA Air-Card, like the Verizon supplied PC 5750, the MB1000 won’t accept the card. (There is no slot.) That said, if you’re starting fresh and don’t have a card, many feel you should not get a PCMCIA card as that standard is probably a thing of the past. (Cradlepoint indicates that pretty clearly.) Keep in mind, however, what slots you have in your laptop when you might want to put the Air-Card directly in the laptop; like when pulling the 5’er and the co-pilot wants to do some research while traveling. ‘All personal decisions, YMMV.

But you’re right, if the MB1000 is firmware compatible with your vendors Air- Card, it looks like a really good box for about $190.00

As a related comment about the 5Gig “limitation:” As has been stated, unless you are downloading a lot of video the average person, or couple in a rig, is just not going to hit that limit in a month. Not even close IMHO.

Bill

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 17th of February 2010 10:20:44 AM

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am beginning my search for internet access now. This discussion is great. I have looked at the Cradlepoint and now the MB6000. Other than price is there much difference in ease of use or functionality? Also, would it be better to have the ability to use a USB connector than a card?

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ken & Sarah wrote:

I am beginning my search for internet access now. This discussion is great. I have looked at the Cradlepoint and now the MB6000. Other than price is there much difference in ease of use or functionality? Also, would it be better to have the ability to use a USB connector than a card?

To clarify if I understood your question, the card plugs into the USB connector on the Air-Card router OR your PC.

If you don’t have an Air-Card “now,” I suggest getting one with a USB connection (and with the ability to connect an external antenna IMHO.) If you choose a USB card then the MB6000 will not be a choice. The MB6000 only accepts PCMCIA cards. I am told by Verizon that when their supply of PCMCIA cards is exhausted they will no long offer them. The PC 5750 Verizon supplied cards work great, it just “time marches on” and the USB connector seems to have taken over for good reasons.

The Cradlepoint is just the opposite of the MB6000 and accepts the USB cards but not PCMCIA. However, you need to check very closely that any Air Card router, like the Cradlepoint, will specifically work with the card chosen. Just because the Air Card router has a USB port does not mean it will support every USB card. (Same was true for PCMCIA cards.) The reason we went with the Top Global MB6000 was that it actually worked with the Verizon PC5750 cards. I had my IT guys working on getting correct firmware for weeks to sort all this out “back when.”

As to functionality, the Cradlepoint is newer and has more “stuff” built in so it would seem to be the better choice for someone starting fresh from scratch. Just make sure it specifically lists the card number you choose. Not just the connector type.

My 2 cents is to select your service vendor first, for us, Verizon was best based on actual coverage. (Others may see it differently based on other criteria.) Then choose the card and, I suggest, it have an external antenna connector in case you need the increased range. Then you choose the Air Card router that specially works with the card you have chosen.

Hope this helps a bit.

Bill

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cradlepoint makes a variety of 3G routers, from the PHS300 that supports one USB aircard/datacard and only supports wifi, to the MBR1200 that can handle 3 USB, one ExpressCard and one PC-Card (which is also known as PCMCIA) and share it with four Ethernet ports and wifi. So Cradlepoint does have a solution for those with PCMCIA cards.
If you get a new aircard/datacard get one with USB, it is more flexible. None of our current notebook computers have PCCard/PCMCIA slots, only ExpressCard and USB. Plus a USB device can plug into about any computer, old, new, notebook, netbook, or desktop, so it will transfer to your new computer.

I know more than one person who can or has used over 5GB in a month. One example is during the 2008 election some people who were only casual internet users were surfing news and opinion sites much more than before and hit limits they had never come near before. I know someone who discovered podcasts and started listening to one or two a day which added 40 to 100MB a day to their usage and had a big surprise come billing time. Farmville on Facebook has been the cause of over usage with more than one couple I know in the last year, to the point where many are blowing up their farms and getting on with life.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 18th of February 2010 02:44:31 PM

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you bjoyce and Bill. I believe I will call 3g Store, they seem to be the place of choice for RVers.
Thank again.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

You won't regret using 3G Store. Their prices are competitive and their tech support is top notch and the reason I bought from them.

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

We went with the 3G Store and bought the Cradlepoint MBR900. I was able to get the Verizon USB connector to work but I couldn't get the laptop to see the router. True to what all of you have said about their customer service, they had me going in 15 minutes. I told the young man the reason I bought from 3G is I was told their customer service was the best and he just proved it.
So thank you all who have recommeded 3G Store and I will do the same.

two travelers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok I just made a new post on how to use a phone on the road for internet service and than found this post... Understand I know nothing,,, nothing about how a computer works or any of the language you all are using... but from what I have picked up from this post is...
'
I can go to the Verison Phone Store and purchase a phone that I can use to hook up to my computer and get internet service.. I will not need to add any dishes or other outside equipment to do this... and it will work anywhere that my cell phone gets service...

I know this is pretty basic .. but I only understand basic when it comes to tec stuff... I know when you talk GB it is about size... We have moved our 5th wheel to a campsite and plan to be living there in about a month... I need to be able to use my computer to pay bills and keep up with my banking... I also belong to a fourm for candy wrappers and download graphics ...

My idea of a phone right now is a To Go Phone that I bought 6 years ago and load $25.00 a month or everyother month on to..... I have never sent a text on my phone...and my daughter had to show me how to use the voice mail service ...

So if you can just give me some basic points so when I go to the phone store I know something and can tell if the sales people are just blowing smoke my way.... Thanks patti

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am on the internet right now through a Verizon smart phone tethered (connected) to my computer. Works well as long as you have a cell signal.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Palm phones from Verizon can be used to provide a wifi hotspot for free right now from Verizon, but you have to have a $40/month voice plan and a $30/month data plan for $70 + taxes per month or about $75 to $76 a month for the phone. Your computer would hook up through its wifi adapter, something all notebooks have had for at least five years. For older notebooks and desktop computers you can get a USB wifi adapter at places like Super Wal-Mart or Best Buy for under $50. (The Palms from Sprint do not have the hotspot capability right now).
Verizon was charging $40/month for the wifi hotspot but just dropped it to zero.

Edit: I wanted to end this post with "but next week something new might come out" since "Internet on the Road" is a moving target.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 15th of April 2010 07:03:27 PM

mrsgeek · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a basic video about tethering a Verizon cell phone to a laptop computer for broadband Internet Access. Check it out at:
http://www.geeksontour.com/showme/wifi/wifi08_tethered-cell.cfm

And, here's an article about using the Droid for tethered Internet Access - this is what we're using on the road now ... LOVE it!
http://blog.rv.net/2010/03/internet-by-droid/

-- Edited by mrsgeek on Friday 16th of April 2010 07:39:24 AM

Syd · RV-Dreams Community Member

I havebeen with AT&T for a long time. I found out that for $15.00 a month I can use my phone as a modem and get UNLIMITED internet by connecting the phone to the computer. I have a old Nokia 6102i and purchased the Ca-25? cord for $3.41 including shipping. I could not make the computer see the phone. I called Nokia and found out that they have not figured out how to make that phone work on XP service pack 3 but they say it will work on service pack 2. no THANKS.

MY QUESTION NOW IS. I CAN GET A NEW PHONE FOR NOTHING (UPGRAGE) BUT THEN I AM STUCK WITH AT&t FOR 2 YEARS, BUT I CAN GET INTERNET FOR $15.00 PER MONTH USING THE PHONE TETHERED TO THE LAPTOP. VERIZON DOES THIS ALSO BUT LIMITS YOU TO 5 GIG.

MY QUESTION IS I HAVE ALWAYS HAVE A CONNECTION WITH AT&T BUT WHAT KIND OF SPEED WILL I GET? IS THIS DIAL UP SPEED. THEY TELL ME TO TRY IT FOR 30 DAYS AND IF I DON'T LIKE IT I CAN GET ALL MY MONEY BACK AND TURN THE NEW PHONE BACK IN.

ANY COMMENTS?

SYD HORN

two travelers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the info it has been helpful. patti