Connecting on the Road
Last Summer, my wife, two dogs, and I spent 6 weeks traveling just over 6,000 miles across the US. It was a great trip, and we saw a lot of the country. While on the road, I blogged about it at bMighty.com, and tracked the trip destinations at Brightkite.com.
Because I'm not independently wealthy, I had to work while on the trip, and in addition to posting my blog entries, I needed to stay connected in order to publish my various newsletters. So, getting online in places like South Dacota, and central Wyoming were a challenge. I resorted to wireless broadband and wifi in the camper, but sometimes had to actually take the laptop into a cafe or campground office to make the connection.
This week I'll be pulling the camper to Charleston, SC, where I doubt I'll have any problem at all connecting. That's partially due to the fact that the campground has free wifi, but also due to the combination of connectivity products I now travel with.
Here's the list:
The nice thing is that when I'm able to connect to wifi at the campground, both my wife's and my own laptops are independent of pretty much the entire list above. But when campground wifi either isn't available, or simply sucks, I start powering up all the boosters, in search of a signal.
What's new to my list above is the iPass card, and it may be the most important, and flexible addition. I plan to put this service to the test over the next two weeks, as I'll be in the camper at both ends of the Carolinas. But here are the short details:
For $60/month (the same rate as my AT&T data tethering service) I get both unlimited Wifi and wireless broadband service all across North America. Now, I haven't checked, but if that truly does include Canada, it's even more of a bargain.
The service comes with a free PCMCIA card, though I would prefer a USB adapter (I just don't like all those little pins).
And the list of wifi connection locations is pretty impressive. Just McDonalds and Starbucks makes it likely you can find wifi in nearly any inhabited location.
More specifics when I'm done testing, but this makes me happy.
Scott
Because I'm not independently wealthy, I had to work while on the trip, and in addition to posting my blog entries, I needed to stay connected in order to publish my various newsletters. So, getting online in places like South Dacota, and central Wyoming were a challenge. I resorted to wireless broadband and wifi in the camper, but sometimes had to actually take the laptop into a cafe or campground office to make the connection.
This week I'll be pulling the camper to Charleston, SC, where I doubt I'll have any problem at all connecting. That's partially due to the fact that the campground has free wifi, but also due to the combination of connectivity products I now travel with.
Here's the list:
- AT&T U727 wireless broadbandUSB device
- iPass PCMCIA card/subscription (Sprint and wifi)
- Blackjack II with modem tether service (also AT&T)
- Wilson cellular booster in the van
- Wilson cellular booster in the camper
- zBoost YX230 cellular booster
- NexAira wireless 3g broadband router
The nice thing is that when I'm able to connect to wifi at the campground, both my wife's and my own laptops are independent of pretty much the entire list above. But when campground wifi either isn't available, or simply sucks, I start powering up all the boosters, in search of a signal.
What's new to my list above is the iPass card, and it may be the most important, and flexible addition. I plan to put this service to the test over the next two weeks, as I'll be in the camper at both ends of the Carolinas. But here are the short details:
For $60/month (the same rate as my AT&T data tethering service) I get both unlimited Wifi and wireless broadband service all across North America. Now, I haven't checked, but if that truly does include Canada, it's even more of a bargain.
The service comes with a free PCMCIA card, though I would prefer a USB adapter (I just don't like all those little pins).
And the list of wifi connection locations is pretty impressive. Just McDonalds and Starbucks makes it likely you can find wifi in nearly any inhabited location.
More specifics when I'm done testing, but this makes me happy.
Scott
posted by Scott at
6:10 AM
Scott Koegler is a technology writer with way too many gadgets, even in his
RV. He is journaling his travels this year in this Digital RVer blog at RVtravel.com, but you can also
follow him on Twitter (http://twitter.com/scottkoegler) and BrightKite
(http://brightkite.com/people/
3 Comments:
The only thing missing is a Verizon Aircard! We've found this most helpful as most campground wi-fi's are slow and dependable.
By
Marvin W, at November 1, 2008 5:50 AM
We have been traveling in our fifth wheel for about 3 years now and connectivity is just part of our lives. We use a Sprint data card that plugs into the top of our router, with a trucker's antenna on the rear ladder for boost. We haven't found more than one or two places where the signal wasn't excellent. As long as you are within a reasonable distance from a major interstate you should be golden. We are currently in southern Wisconsin where I can't get cell service but our internet is smoking.
By
kilgorechi, at November 1, 2008 10:57 AM
I do not find anything on ATT site as u727.
What do they really call it?
thanks
By
akjbmw, at November 2, 2008 8:14 PM
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