Internet for RV's in easy layman's terms - RV-Dreams Community Forum

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Internet for RV's in easy layman's terms

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use an air card by Sprint for our WIFI and have coverage wherever there is cell phone coverage. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon all have these cards and the cost is $59.95 per month. Verizon probably has the best overall coverage - but keep in mind, no cell phone coverage - no air card coverage (i.e. no WIFI).

As for television, we use our antenna and generally get some coverage wherever we travel, however, with the advent of digital television I'm not sure how well this is going to work out next year. We have digital television sets but may have to upgrade the antenna just to get a signal - we'll have to wait and see.

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Gypsy97--- this subject can get very confusing---but to answer your questions---yes. Every rig I have ever seen has an antenna with a signal booster, so local channel signals can be picked up. Its my understanding if you have a tv with a digital tuner (newer model tv) or get a digital tuner box you will be able to pick up local tv after Feb 09. As for the internet D & J covered the card option, also there are many cafes,truck stops, and McDonalds with WiFi, of course you must be very close to them and at some of these places there may even be a fee involved. Keep asking, you'll learn lots here.

Flyone

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the Verizon card; my 1st cell phone was Verizon and the coverage was excellent - I dropped it because it was costing me close to $50/month for less than an hr's usage per month. When I am using a cell phone exclusively then I will need all those minutes.

I forgot all about the digital tv thing - since I have cable I never give it a thought.

I guess it's difficult to predict what life will be like as a full-timer. I am on the internet quite a lot as it is, especially since I live alone, and I may later decide that I want to have better access. It won't be critical at first anyway. Thanks again for responding - makes me feel a bit better. The technical terms go in one ear and out the other - probably I'm just not motivated to spend the time learning about it.
gypsy

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have an AT&T air card. We have also had a Verizon air card. We have had very good coverage with the AT&T. That being said we have had some difficulties with both services in areas where Sprint or Embark are the service provider because the won't lease their towers to other providers.

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hate to ask something so basic, but how does an air card work. I'm thinking of a little plastic card such as a long distance one, where you punch in the number and the call is deducted from your balance. I don't think it's the same as an air card, but I'd appreciate an explanation of it. Thanks.
gypsy

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

The air card is issued a phone number just like a cellphone. The card is inserted into the computer and you have an instant internet connection. You will just need to tell your computer to connect.

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks gypsymaus. I sort of thought it might be something like that. It's similar to taking the memory card out of a camera and inserting into one of those Kodak machines that makes prints. I have so much to learn!
gypsy

Readytogo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you have 2 computers do you have to buy 2 air cards at that price?

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have our air card in a Linksys. It networks our computers and our printer all together. My husband is very good at computers. If you have questions about how he did all this you can email him at jre-usa@24-7healthinsurance.com, and I am sure he will be happy to give details.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you have 2 computers do you have to buy 2 air cards at that price?
The cell phone companies want you to do that but you can buy special wireless (and wired) routers that let you network the aircard. Cradlepoint is the most known with Cyfre also good. Kyocera has Cradlepoint make the KR2 which is the one to get if you have an older PCCard aircard.

Internet for RVs is pricey. You either pay as you go with various wi-fi's, many are free but certainly not all. Satellite internet and cell phone internet both run $60 a month or more depending on the plan and service plus the equipment cost up front.

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a Dell desktop and a Wireless-G 2.4GHz Broadband Router with Speed Booster (oh if I only understood it as well as I can type it!). I also have a Dell Inspiron laptop, which I can't stand and haven't yet decided if I'll keep it or give it to one of my kids. I don't suppose I can use the router in an RV, can I? Is it just for when you have a broadband connection? To my knowledge I don't have a card in my computer, so the router is both card & router.
gypsy

Howard · Host

For what it is worth, my advice in your situation would be to get a good Wi-Fi set-up for internet (which basically means having a newer wi-fi card for your computer - either an external or internal card) and use the antenna and booster that comes with your RV for TV.

That's a super low-cost starting set-up. Wi-Fi is becoming more and more available and even some state parks and national facilities are slowly installing it at campgrounds. And if you park in places where there is no Wi-Fi, even small towns have coffee shops and restaurants that have Wi-Fi, so you won't be too far away from internet.

Yes, you will probably want something else later on for your internet connection, but start out cheap and easy and get a feel for what you might want down the road. Give yourself time to find out how you will live, and that also gives technology a little time to improve as well. Also, the confusion you feel now will slowly go away as you talk to others living and parking in the same places you like, and you will be more confident in your ultimate decision.

Just my opinion. biggrin

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, Howard. That makes good sense to start slowly until I figure out exactly what it is that I will need.
gypsy

FD5 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm stumped Howard, how do you hook up a wi-fi set up to the rv antenna booster?

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

FD5 wrote:

I'm stumped Howard, how do you hook up a wi-fi set up to the rv antenna booster?

Ditto on that,sounds interesting. I am always looking for a less expensive way to get my internet fix.

-- Edited by Racerguy at 19:58, 2008-08-22

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I only have one question...Speedy only has one question there is a first....When does the laymens terms begin?? I guess I must have missed it....

Somewhere in Time

Speedy

hogans1947 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Gotta luv ya, Speedy !!!!! We are probably in the majority. Most people won't admit it.
Brenda

Howard · Host

Sorry about that FD & Racer. My compound sentences got in the way again. smile

She asked about both internet and TV and I addressed both in one sentence. The antenna/booster comment had nothing to do with internet. smile

My advice is basically:

1) start out with a good Wi-Fi card for internet, and

2) just use the crank-up TV antenna on the rig for TV to get local stations when available.

This will be fine for a casual internet & TV user and is a low cost intro. Gypsy can ease into more expense as she learns from experience what she will want and need. biggrin

-- Edited by Howard at 15:58, 2008-08-23

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sorry, when I wrote the original question(s) I knew I should probably address them in two different posts. However, I understood exactly what Howard was talking about -- "wi-fi card for your computer - either an external or internal card) and use the antenna and booster that comes with your RV for TV."
gypsy

FD5 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Reading it again with this new information now makes sense and I am no longer stumped.

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just happened onto this website and was impressed with the easy with which it is viewed. That comes from one who has done some web design and webmaster duties of my own. Equally impressive is the variety of topics in the forum section. But that’s beside the reason for this first post.

Gypsy> the options for internet capability number as many as the keys on this computer; and they change with new technology and services. I’d respectfully suggest that you take the good info given in these threads and then find someone in your area that is actually using some of them. It is more helpful when you are able to see and touch it then ask questions as to how it can be applied to RVing. If it works for someone else, then it will work for you and the decision left is how much to spend.

For telephone service, there is another gadget on the market, called a MagicJack, which I have now been using for several months. It combines a regular telephone with the computer to make and receive calls. The modest initial purchase price gets you a telephone number and free calls anywhere in the US. With it, I have been able to drop my cell minute plan considerably – which saves money. It does require a high speed land line or Wi-Fi connection because of the bandwidth, but as mentioned by someone, Wi-Fi is now just about everywhere.

Lastly, a ‘less-than-constant’ internet user can always go to the local library and use their computers