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aischa
Joined: 08 Apr 2007
Posts: 117
Location: were I sleep @ night
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 Posted:
Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:14 am Post subject:
Internet via Satellite while Boondocking |
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I want to get Internet while boondocking. Does anybody have a good service provider and tips on equipment, pricing, etc? I appreciate any help.
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babyboomer on the run |
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Stan Birch
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| Posted:
Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:21 am Post subject:
Re: Internet via Satellite while Boondocking |
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| aischa wrote: | | I want to get Internet while boondocking. Does anybody have a good service provider and tips on equipment, pricing, etc? I appreciate any help. |
No big deal. Starting at $5000 to install an interactive transmitter/receiver on your RV. Could you be a little more specific as to exactly what you have in mind? |
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Alterego
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 604
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Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject:
Re: Internet via Satellite while Boondocking |
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| aischa wrote: | | I want to get Internet while boondocking. Does anybody have a good service provider and tips on equipment, pricing, etc? I appreciate any help. |
First, where do you plan on boondocking? If it is out in the middle of nowhere (100 miles away from the next living thing), then I would recommend getting a satellite system. Satellite systems start at around $1500 for a tripod mount system up to around $5000 plus for a roof mount automatic system. Either system will cost you around $60 plus a month depending upon plan selected.
Secondly, if you plan on boondocking around civilization and do not need 100% guaranteed internet coverage, then I would recommend an "air card", cost around $60 a month depending upon plan selected and service provider.
If you're not familiar with air cards, here is a basic explanation.
First, an air card, no matter who it is from--Sprint, Verizon, Cingular/AT&T, T-Mobile, etc--all work the same. When connected to your computer they connect to the service provider that you have service from (Sprint, Verizon, etc.). This service provider is your ISP at this point. You do not connect to any other 800# or other ISP. Remember this is a data service, not a cell phone tethered to computer acting like a home phone line. (You can not make phone calls from a air card. They are data only.)
Second, you need to have a cell signal in order to be able to connect with an air card. The biggest misconception that people have is just because you do not have a signal on your cell phone does not mean that you won't have a signal with your air card.
Third, you can use a air card in a wireless router if you want to provide *WiFi* service to more than one computer. (Just remember that *not* all air cards will work with all routers. Make sure they are compatible before purchasing). With a router you have the option of adding a external antenna as well as a signal amplifier to the system if you so desire to increase your signal range. (This will increase your signal range between the air card and the cell tower, not the router *WiFi* signal to your computer.)
Now if you do not need to supply a signal to more than one computer, you can plug the air card directly into your computer and connect an antenna directly to the air card as long as it has an antenna connection on the card. (There are many different types of air cards: USB connection, express card slot, PCMCIA, to chose from; not all are compatible with all computers).
Fourth, there are many cell phones on the market today that are broadband ready. (You have to have a cell phone service package that includes broadband service). If you have a cell phone that is broadband ready, you have the option of using it as an air card by tethering it to the computer and connecting the same as you would with a air card, or you also have the option of using it like a home phone line and using a dialup connection. (Dialup is so slow. Not sure why anyone would want to do that anyway, as well as using your minutes up).
Fifth, the connection speed that you can connect at with a air card will vary by location, service provider, etc.; however, you can reasonably expect to connect at speeds of at least double that of dialup. If you happen to be in an EVDO RevA area, you can expect to connect at speeds approaching a cable connection.
Sixth, yes you can use an air card while you are in motion driving down the highway as long as you have a signal from a cell tower. Remember your coverage area is basically the same as a cell phone. You can also use an antenna mounted on the roof of your vehicle to increase the range of coverage from a cell tower.
Seventh, the monthly cost of an air card varies from each service provider. There are many different data service plans available at varying cost.
I realize that I have greatly oversimplified air cards/broadband operation in order to keep things understandable for people who are not familiar with their use/operation. |
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aischa
Joined: 08 Apr 2007
Posts: 117
Location: were I sleep @ night
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Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject:
Re: Internet via Satellite while Boondocking |
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Thanks.
You guys are awesome. My laptop is wi-fi ready. I have a wireless network card built in. I don't want to always drive around to find a hotspot, which is not economical anyway. So I am willing to spend a few bucks for anything that helps get connected to the Internet. I was recently parked somewhere in the boonies with other RVs nearby and I picked up a signal. So I thought that was awesome. My mobile service provider is T-mobile.
[quote="Alterego"] | aischa wrote: | | I want to get Internet while boondocking. Does anybody have a good service provider and tips on equipment, pricing, etc? I appreciate any help. |
First, where do you plan on boondocking? If it is out in the middle of nowhere (100 miles away from the next living thing), then I would recommend getting a satellite system. Satellite systems start at around $1500 for a tripod mount system up to around $5000 plus for a roof mount automatic system. Either system will cost you around $60 plus a month depending upon plan selected.
Secondly, if you plan on boondocking around civilization and do not need 100% guaranteed internet coverage, then I would recommend an "air card", cost around $60 a month depending upon plan selected and service provider.
If you're not familiar with air cards, here is a basic explanation.
First, an air card, no matter who it is from--Sprint, Verizon, Cingular/AT&T, T-Mobile, etc--all work the same. When connected to your computer they connect to the service provider that you have service from (Sprint, Verizon, etc.). This service provider is your ISP at this point. You do not connect to any other 800# or other ISP. Remember this is a data service, not a cell phone tethered to computer acting like a home phone line. (You can not make phone calls from a air card. They are data only.)
Second, you need to have a cell signal in order to be able to connect with an air card. The biggest misconception that people have is just because you do not have a signal on your cell phone does not mean that you won't have a signal with your air card.
Third, you can use a air card in a wireless router if you want to provide *WiFi* service to more than one computer. (Just remember that *not* all air cards will work with all routers. Make sure they are compatible before purchasing). With a router you have the option of adding a external antenna as well as a signal amplifier to the system if you so desire to increase your signal range. (This will increase your signal range between the air card and the cell tower, not the router *WiFi* signal to your computer.)
Now if you do not need to supply a signal to more than one computer, you can plug the air card directly into your computer and connect an antenna directly to the air card as long as it has an antenna connection on the card. (There are many different types of air cards: USB connection, express card slot, PCMCIA, to chose from; not all are compatible with all computers).
Fourth, there are many cell phones on the market today that are broadband ready. (You have to have a cell phone service package that includes broadband service). If you have a cell phone that is broadband ready, you have the option of using it as an air card by tethering it to the computer and connecting the same as you would with a air card, or you also have the option of using it like a home phone line and using a dialup connection. (Dialup is so slow. Not sure why anyone would want to do that anyway, as well as using your minutes up).
Fifth, the connection speed that you can connect at with a air card will vary by location, service provider, etc.; however, you can reasonably expect to connect at speeds of at least double that of dialup. If you happen to be in an EVDO RevA area, you can expect to connect at speeds approaching a cable connection.
Sixth, yes you can use an air card while you are in motion driving down the highway as long as you have a signal from a cell tower. Remember your coverage area is basically the same as a cell ph
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Motor31
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 1340
Location: anywhere, full time RV'er
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Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:03 am Post subject:
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The only way to get internet service when out in the boonies or away from cell service is to have a satellite system. You then can forget about having to check for signal strength or moving to get signal for service. There is more than one satellite service out there. You do NOT have to spend $5000 for equipment and installation. You can get a Hughesnet system for a fraction of that cost. It is the same system the expensive system uses for satellite but without the high-priced auto seek dish and a lower monthly subscription rate.
I have been using a Hughesnet system for going on 4 years now in areas ranging from AZ to Boston, the Carolinas to Louisiana, and up to Washington. I have been out of cell service (Verizon and Alltel) many times but not out of satellite contact.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad) |
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elh3946
Joined: 06 Nov 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
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Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:50 am Post subject:
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| Quote: | | I was recently parked somewhere in the boonies with other RVs nearby and I picked up a signal. So I thought that was awesome. |
If you were truly out in the boonies, the signal you were picking up probably came from one of the nearby rigs that had satellite Internet set up with a router. If those other rigs hadn't been there, you probably wouldn't have received any kind of signal.
Like Motor31, we have a tripod-mounted Hughesnet system while we've had since 2004. We do a lot of boondocking where we don't have any service on our cell phone, so an air card wouldn't work for us...however, we are always able to get online using our Hughesnet system. |
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aischa
Joined: 08 Apr 2007
Posts: 117
Location: were I sleep @ night
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Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject:
Re: |
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I use T-Mobile and the aircard they are selling is $200 + service charge.
I will look into hughesnet. Thanks guys. I travel in the US FT/RV and maybe to MX this winter. I need to have Internet so I can live in cyberspace in between.
| Motor31 wrote: | The only way to get internet service when out in the boonies or away from cell service is to have a satellite system. You then can forget about having to check for signal strength or moving to get signal for service. There is more than one satellite service out there. You do NOT have to spend $5000 for equipment and installation. You can get a Hughesnet system for a fraction of that cost. It is the same system the expensive system uses for satellite but without the high-priced auto seek dish and a lower monthly subscription rate.
I have been using a Hughesnet system for going on 4 years now in areas ranging from AZ to Boston, the Carolinas to Louisiana, and up to Washington. I have been out of cell service (Verizon and Alltel) many times but not out of satellite contact. |
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Motor31
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 1340
Location: anywhere, full time RV'er
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Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:01 am Post subject:
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If you go to Mexico you won't be able to use your US phone service without paying BIG $. You can get a Mexican phone but I don't know if they have anything like an aircard personally.
Internet is available in Mexico in many places like some coffee shops and other locations. I stayed at an RV park in San Carlos that had internet service 2 years ago. Be very careful who you hook up to in those cases.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad) |
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gnewsom
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Location: http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=2846
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jcrehan
Joined: 18 Nov 2006
Posts: 2
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Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:41 am Post subject:
Internet Service Provider |
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| We use Verizon's PC aircard for our Internet. There has only been one place where we had difficulty using it and that was in the mountains of Colorado near Gunnison. We have used this aircard for over two years. It cost about $60 month with unlimited usage. |
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elh3946
Joined: 06 Nov 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
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Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:16 am Post subject:
Re: Internet Service Provider |
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| jcrehan wrote: | | We use Verizon's PC Aircard for our Internet. ... with unlimited usage. |
Not really. Here's a quote directly from the Verizon Wireless website:
"Anyone using more than 5 GB per line in a given month is presumed to be using the service in a manner prohibited above, and we reserve the right to limit throughput speed or immediately terminate the service of any such person without notice."
Now, for most of us who just download some email and surf the 'net, the 5 GB limit isn't a problem. However, if you download a lot of music, videos, or other large downloads, you could quickly run up against that limit.
We have a Verizon phone and a Sprint air card as well as our Hughesnet satellite Internet (got the card this spring to try out in our travels). We've often in areas where we have no service on our Verizon phone -- or on our Sprint air card. It all depends on where you travel as to whether or not an air card is going to work for you. Because we're often out in the boonies far from any cell tower, an air card simply doesn't work for us. If that's all we had to rely on, it would be weeks between being able to get online! |
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larrym70000
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Lynnwood, WA
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Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:
Satellite Internet Access |
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Before you buy any satellite internet access system, be sure to check out this forum:
http://www.datastormusers.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/index.html
I once had one. The satellite systems are very expensive and tough to maintain. If you read many of the postings to this mutual support site, you'll see what I mean. If you are determined to buy such a system, some of the posters are also installers. You'll be able to tell which are great installers, and which are less great.
Good Luck. Larry |
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elh3946
Joined: 06 Nov 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
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Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:
Re: Satellite Internet Access |
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| larrym70000 wrote: | | The satellite systems are very expensive, and tough to maintain. |
Can you explain what you mean by "tough to maintain?" We've had a tripod-mounted satellite Internet system since 2004 and haven't had any trouble with it. Or maybe you're talking about the automatic roof-mounted Datastorm system as being tough to maintain? Since that system is too rich for our blood, I know very little about it. |
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Motor31
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 1340
Location: anywhere, full time RV'er
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Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:
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I had no idea that my satellite system that I've used for going on 4 years was tough to maintain. I've not had to do anything to maintain it. Since I'm also an installer, I have not had to do any maintenance of my customers' system either.
While the cost for a satellite system has a pretty good range, there are really only 2 different kinds of systems: the roof-mounted auto seek and the ground-mounted tripod system. Both use the Hughesnet satellite electronics and satellites. The autoseek system is pricey; the tripod system is far less so to purchase and costs less per month of service as well.
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad) |
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Alterego
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 604
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Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:29 am Post subject:
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Well the price of Hughes Satellite is going down,, way way down, not the monthly fees just the equipment.
Yes it is true, Hughesnet and WalMart have struck a deal for Wally World to offer satellite internet in many stores nationwide. The above link is one of many links you can find by typing SATELLITE INTERNET AT WALMART, or some other such phrase in your browser. |
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