MeanderMan
Fulltiming Somewhere
Senior Member
Joined: 12/23/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Offline
|
After full timing for three years with a DirecWay satellite internet, we switched to the Verizon AirCard over a year ago and have been very happy. We bought the CradlePoint wireless router, mounted it above the windshield, and have great wireless almost everywhere we go. We also installed a wireless printer; it's great - I can sit out under the patio and print maps for our next destination. The 5GB has been more than adequate. If we're at a campground with good WiFi I use it to download any big files I've been wanting.
Happily Fulltiming Somewhere
2006 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
Our RV Blog
|
Ron Butler
Federal Way WA.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/29/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Another vote for Verizon - there have only been a handful of places that we couldn't get service. One was 13 miles north of I-10 in the Florida panhandle!! Couldn't figure that one out. Opps, almost forgot - remember, in national parks you probably won't have any cell service no matter what you have!!
As already stated, DON'T rely on WiFi in campgrounds. Some still don't have it, others have it but very slow or improperly installed, some that have it limit you to what you can download and we have been in the occasional park that was doing it right, but few and far between. 5 years ago I went with Internet In Motion with a verizon subscribtion. It the air cards were as good as they are now, would have done that route. 5 gig has been more than plenty for us. We don't download movies or videos anyway.
The posting about not telling your health insurance carrier is good advice! We tell ours that we are on "an extended trip"! But they could use that for all kinds of excuses not to cover you and we know how good health insurance companies are at finding any loop holes that will benefit them saving money!!
We have Carolyn's son & daughter-in-law forward our mail. We use their address and no problems. We send them $100 every so often to cover postage and then some Omaha steaks a couple times of the year!! Besides, they are getting a great deal on the rent on the house of ours that they are in!! We did get everything we could on autopay, so our mail is bare minimum.
Main advice I would give you - keep it slow and relaxed and take your time!! Enjoy!
Ron & Carolyn
Sadie the Irish Terrier
Happy the Lakeland Terrier
From sailing yacht to land yacht
KE7BZC
M/V Lothlorien
GO HUSKIES
Our Trip Pictures
Ron & Carolyns Travels
|
roster2
Enid, Ok
Full Member
Joined: 01/07/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Next update-after looking at both Verizon and AT&T coverage areas this weekend, I went with AT&T. Their coverage maps are almost indentical-holes in almost identical places, and prices were the same for 5G link. As for insurance-My home owners expires when we close on the house next Tuesday-so my agent, bless his heart, suggested a renters policy. It covers my HHG's whether in storage or use. And since I am using my son's address as home base and he is "renting" us part of his house when we are in town (mother in law floor plan) we can keep our insurance on the truck and RV even though we will be living in it for extended periods. I know I stayed with State Farm for a reason, been with them since 1970, and after looking into both GS and CW insurance, State Farm was still cheaper for the same coverages, and I can talk to a real person, in person and not an anonimous voice on the end of a phone. As for health insurance, I am retired Air Force and have TriCare Prime insurance. I can travel anywhere in the U.S. and I am covered. We have Pass Cards sent for but have not yet received them. only been about a week. Final push is on this week, will be out of the house by Saturday. See you down the road.
2008 Sabre by Palimino, Model 28RBFWS
2009 GMC 2500HD CC Duramax/Allison 6 spd 3:73/1 gears
Bob-USAF (Ret) Barbara-Retired DeCA
No pets, just two beautiful granddaughters
|
Here'n'There
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/09/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
DW and I are full timers and using the parks wi-fi is sometimes confusing, sometimes unreliable, sometimes really slow (depending on # using it I suppose). So we went with the Sprint (Novatel Wireless Ovation U727) $60.00 a month air card - and love it! Not only does it work WELL in most parks we have been in, but DW gets connected while we are on the road and does her email, surfing for the next overnight park, etc...at 60mph.
We'll see ya..............
Here'n'There
Here'n'There
Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab Long Bed Diesel Dually
Carri-Lite 36SBQ 5th Wheel
On The Road With Here'n'There
|
roster2
Enid, Ok
Full Member
Joined: 01/07/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
OK, I'm back after being off the internet for few days. I have a new computer, and after Verizon blew be off when I inquired about wireless service I went with AT&T. Got up and running this morning with the help of AT&T and my daughter-in-law. She is really good with computers.
|
|
|
rockhillmanor
On the Road
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
View Profile
|
leaddog wrote:We are full timers and found that campgrounds usually have poor or no WIFI available. There are exceptions to the above, but we subscribed to Verizon wireless a year or so ago and love the flexibility of having a connection whenever we want it. We have traveled from CA to NY and most places in between and have found that we can connect almost always via verizon.We use State Parks, COE, National Parks, County parks, friends driveways, etc and none of them provide free wifi. So for us, the aircard is a necessity.
I agree. I would not rely on WiFi. As stated CG wifi is limited at best and low speeds. And tying to find it on the road? I cetainly do not want to have to rely on finding a McDonalds or coffee shop to do my banking on line or having to sit right outside the CG office to get any type of signal.
Also as you travel down the road having an air card you can look up CG's, resorts, directions, phone numbers etc. on line, which I have found to be a life saver.
I use Sprint USB EVDO internet service. Flat monthly fee, high speed .
In the past 4 years I have never been without service or low bars with Sprint......Except that is in Albany Georgia, deep in the woods on an old plantation. And honestly not having any cell phone service and internet service there just added to the ambience of staying in such a historical peaceful place.
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
|
kampinglovers
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 06/07/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
We have such unlrealiable wifi in our park that I have kept my verizon wireless card.
DH, me and our 3.5 lb Yorkie "Missy"
2006 Dodge 1Ton
2008 KZ New Vision 41RLN
2005 HD Road King Custom
|
brauneyz
Fulltime
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
At the risk of sounding like a broken record here, I ditto the VZ cell and aircard. Simply hands down the best to meet a FTers needs, especially if traveling nationwide (and why wouldn't you?)
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Full Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
|
Use wi-fi when available, but often doesn't work right or well. OK if you just check email a couple times a week, but not for regular use.
We have AT&T and as long as you have cell coverage you have service. They have a map online and we have found it to be very accurate when comparing the number of bars. There is the 2G vs 3G issue, but it is quickly changing. Also, my understanding is Verizon has more 3G coverage, but thier 3G is not as fast as AT&T's.
Be careful if you are a heavy user. All plans limit you to 5 gig and then it's a per kb charge which adds up quickly. Not a big deal for most users, but if you download a lot of video, it could be an issue.
Tammy Mike & the Bilge Rat (AKA: Diego)
Ford F250 7.2L
1997 Sunnybrook 27' 5er
1995 Gemini Sail Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and 5er
|
TABJAB1
Anchorage Alaska
New Member
Joined: 12/27/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Not a full timer yet. We plan to cast the bow lines off in 2011. Anyway, I for one only plan to have a cell phone that my DW can carry. Haven't given much though about intertnet connection. I figure we can check our email when we buy coffee at Star Bucks. But like I said I'm not a full timer. I'm still chasing bad guys and putting them in jail. So, I have no experience with full timing. But, I thought I would just throw my two cents in.
|
|
|
