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Subject |
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Date Posted |
Forum
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Is there a new internet technology coming?
I see Verizon, AT&T and others making changes in the wireless business. Is there a new technology for air cards on the way?
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cire
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03/05/10 12:25am |
Technology Corner
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Which states parks offer 50% off with Golden Access/Age Pass
Which states offer 50% off discounts at there state parks when you present a Golden Access or Golden Age Passport? I recognize than no one can rattle off the states that do offer the discounts. Can someone suggest a resource that gives a comprehensive list?
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cire
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03/02/10 10:18pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Convection Microwave Oven - Just Broke
Thank you for your recommendations. My husband took the microwave oven apart and indeed found a blown fuse inside the unit.
In case you don't know: A fuse is a lot cheaper than a new microwave/convection. Thanks for the encouragement to repair the unit.
Mrs. Cire
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cire
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03/01/10 06:45pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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Convection Microwave Oven - Just Broke
Our microwave/convection oven just quit. Does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement? We're looking for a quiet oven which works well. We are full timers and give our oven a lot of daily use. We use the convection more than the microwave. I'd like to get one that we could bake a medium size pizza in. We are in a Class A motor home and our oven is at eye level. Also, where did you find your oven?
Mrs. Cire
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cire
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02/26/10 09:12pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: humidity/moisture in an "A"
You have a dehumidifier like most RVs. Run a heater set at 74 and run your air conditioner set at 70. It work beautifully for me. Actually, I typically run two heaters to make sure that the AC continues to work. I prefer to run them when I am leaving the coach.
If you buy a dehumidifier that will work also. I don't have room for a dehumidifier all year round. Using your AC and heaters together for 2 or 3 hours uses no more energy than running a dehumidifier for 24 hours.
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cire
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02/10/10 10:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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does Verizon really drop speed to dial up after 5Gb?
We talked to Verizon today to reinstate our "vacation hold". We were told that if we exceed 5 Gb our speed will be dropped to dial up speeds until the start of the following month. The rep said notices went out several months ago. (Who actually reads those notices?)
Has anyone with unlimited service seen there speeds cut back to 56 kbps when they exceeded 5 Gb?
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cire
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02/08/10 08:17pm |
Technology Corner
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Can a mere motal replace the hard drive on a laptop?
I have a six year old HP Pavillion laptop (XP Pro). This morning the hard disk drive failed. I have two layers of questions: Should I bother replacing the HD drive? The old girl does everything I want. (The computer, not my wife.) Or should I just part with $600 and buy a nice shiny new one?
If I do chose to invest more in this old girl can I change the HD drive myself? I am competent technically but I am certainly not a computer jock. I recognize that if I take to laptop to a shop to have them do the work I will likely be better off spending a little more and get a new computer.
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cire
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01/19/10 09:15pm |
Technology Corner
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Does putting USB hubs in series cause any problem?
I just bought a Mac Mini and need to add more USB hubs. The cheap &*%$* my wife married would like to put two hubs in series to avoid buying one large hub. Are there any communication or speed problems with doing this?
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cire
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01/05/10 08:24pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: water pressure regulators
The best solution is to get a 1/2" or 3/4" brass water pressure regulator and put it inside the coach, after your water inlet. You never have to worry about your water pressure after you install this regulator.
The regulator cost $30-$40 at many big box hardware stores plus $5 to $10 for fittings.
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cire
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01/01/10 05:40pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 40 or 45 feet??
My rig is 42' 10". In the six years that I have been full timing there has never been to a campground that would accept a 40'er that told us we are too long. While I haven't driven a 40'er I would wager there is little more difficulty in driving a 45'er.
One issue is the long distance between the driving wheel and the steer axle. Newells' have a particularly long wheelbase. Upon turning the center of that long span does hang over the corner quite a bit more than a shorter rig. On some city street the mid-span will cross over the curb. You'll get use to this issue (until you cut the wheels very tightly.) This issue is obvious but a cause of visits to paint shops.
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cire
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01/01/10 08:27am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Carrying bicycles
A roof rack on top of your towed vehicle is the most secure location in my opinion. It has the advantage of permitting you to observe the bikes when your going down the road. Your bicycles also stay clean. It permits you to park the car with the bikes in front of your RV when you overnight.
The only hassle is to mount the third bike on the roof rack.
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cire
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12/30/09 10:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Aircard antenna
My wife now works using the internet. I need excellent speeds to keep her happy. I have just installed a Cradlepoint MBR-1000 router. I need some sort of antenna system for use with my Verizon USB760 air card.
My question is does an external antenna significantly improve reception and therefore speed on an air card modem?? I have looked on line for antennas and the choices are many. Some use an amplifier. It seems to me that the Cradlepoint probably amplifies the signal??????
Your experiences would be appreciated before I proceed.
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cire
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12/21/09 02:11pm |
Technology Corner
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Is it awkward to use a large monitor with a small laptop?
It's time for a new computer. Because my screen is 4' away from my seat I would like a large screen. I am thinking about getting a small laptop and plugging in a large monitor along with a wireless keyboard and mouse. My question is: Is it awkward to operate a laptop system with a separate monitor? Does the monitor stop and start automatically with the computer?
Finally, I believe that a simple, inexpensive computer would meet my needs. Should I buy an "upgraded" computer to make the coupling of separate monitor more convenient? Any input before black Friday would be appreciated.
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cire
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11/24/09 05:22pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Rope Lightinig
One type of rope light that several RVs' use is made by "Vista". It's a flexible hollow rope with two coated wires inside that have small lights soldered every 2" or so. The individual lights can be changed but it is a pain in the neck and requires some level of skill to work with the tiny lights soldered inside a stiff hollow tube. At the end of the day it's easier to just buy a new string of lights when too many bulbs have failed. (In my opinion.) When you buy a string of lights the supplier typically supplies two insulated wires at one or both ends of the rope lights. The other end is simply cut and the last 1/2" is filled with clear silicone.
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cire
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11/18/09 05:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Roadmaster vs Blue Ox tow bars
I bought the Roadmaster. Next time I would buy a Blue Ox. Reason is there is less "stuff" on your car. The Roadmaster is probably stronger. If you tow a Hummer thats great. If you tow a Honda you just don't need the crossbar. Furthermore when you arrive at your destination the Blue Ox has only two fist size pieces to remove. When I arrive at a destination I have at LEAST 30 pounds of stuff to pull off the car. Yuck.
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cire
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11/16/09 08:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Winter in texas
I've not stayed in Corpus or Brownsville but I have stayed a couple of hundred miles north of there in Fredericksburg, in the Hill country, It is not at all windy and temperatures go up into the 60-70's most days. Occasionally it only goes up to the mid 50's. One nice part is that nearly every day you see the sun and a bright blue sky for some part of the day.
For historical weather in any location go to www.wunderground.com (a great weather site) and go to the field "history data". It will tell you all you want to know about the weather history of almost any location.
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cire
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11/14/09 12:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Advise for a COE in northern half of Mississippi?
We are headed for Mississippi. We want to stay at a COE somewhere in the northern half of Mississippi. We have never been in this part of the country. We're hoping someone could suggest a COE campground there. To us the description of all of them sure look the same to us.
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cire
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11/03/09 06:40am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Verizon Air Cards
I suspend my Verizon air card once or twice a year. I have not tried to do it for more than 3 months however.
Be aware that when you suspend your card for 3 months, 3 months gets added on to your contract. Your contract is for 24 months (of usage). If you only use it six months a year you will have to subscribe for 4 years.
I would consider canceling the contract (and paying the $200 fee, or whatever it is) and buying the card from Verizon. I suspect you could go on a month by month deal with them if the ownership of the card isn't an issue.
Your problem will be finding the right person to talk to. (Obviously not the fellow you talked to at the Verizon store.) I would find a store manager and ask them who you should talk to.
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cire
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10/28/09 07:11am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Waxing Motorhome
I know a lot of people like to wax their rig. After spending two full days waxing my rig with a high quality Mikata polisher and Mequire wax as well as other good waxes. I believe I wasted two good days.
The coach looked great until I took the first road trip. The first time I washed the bus after waxing it maybe, just maybe it washed up a little better than normal. Today, I can't tell the difference if I have waxed it or not.
This was the first time this 14 year old bus was ever waxed. I will wager that you couldn't tell the difference between my rigs finish and a rig that is waxed four times a year.
Except for the great look for the first week or two after I waxed my rig I think the effort, material and sore muscles was a waste. Just my humble opinion.
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cire
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10/25/09 12:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Water pump
Most likely problem: The solenoid valve that controls the fresh water fill has a bit of debris in the seat. This will cause the water pressure to recirculate from the tank, back into the tank.
Likely, all you need to do is to take the valve apart and remove the debris from the seat of the valve then put it back together. The hardest part of the job will be finding where that valve is located.
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cire
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10/17/09 05:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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