Just bought a used RV last week. The plan is to be able to "mobile office" during the week and leave our area typically on Thursday nights without losing the ability to manage office issues via the internet/laptop. We tried to use my Droid's Hotspot 4G as the wireless hub for our trip, but that proved to be woefully inadequate due to the lack of cell service along much of the 395 through the California Sierras. I must have reliable internet along the road, both on the fly and when we're stationary. Am I correct to presume that going to be limited to satellite internet providers, and if that's true will it be easiest to simply add that service to my DirecTV account, killing two birds with one stone by giving me programming plus the internet? Or am I overlooking something?If in fact it's going to be satellite internet/tv, can anyone offer some suggestions about which dish to be added to our roof, who is reliable to do that type of work, etc? Thanks for the help-

Here are the facts. You are not going to get ANY satellite internet on the fly (assuming you mean while you are moving).If you can get satellite internet while you are parked, it is going to be very expensive and very slow (about 1/10 the speed of 3G and not measurable compared to 4G).TV services and Internet services are completely separate and cannot be "bundled" for the mobile user.If you have seen all the claims from Hughenet Gen4, Wildblue or Exede, none of these service are mobile and cannot be used if you plan to move as an RVer might.You are going to need to use cellular for internet and Dish or DirecTV for TV.

Bill.Winegard wrote:Here are the facts. You are not going to get ANY satellite internet on the flyThat's discouraging, but not a dealbreaker. I can work around having service only when we are parked, or at least stationary- but the bandwidth you are suggesting seems to be a big hitch. I don't normally send large files, normally well under 1MB, but I was hoping to use Skype of some other VOIP from the spots where we park. Sounds highly unlikely at the speeds you're suggesting.

Hi Jackie,The only company that offered a dish that would work for satellite internet in motion went out of business a number of years ago. The equipment was about $6000.00 and the service was a little faster than dial up.I don't think any of the TV satellites are currently compatible with satellite internet signals.I'd suggest investigating cell phone antenna's and boosters as RV's in general make pretty good Faraday cages (i.e. cell phone signals become very weak).I'd look at Wilson equipment and get a trucker's antenna and mount it with a good ground plain as high as is practical. You might want to be able to fold it down "on the fly" for overpasses and the like.For stationary service go to a High-Gain Directional Yagi Cellular antenna.Wilson also sells a 3 watt booster amp. This can be used to rebroadcast what ever signal there is inside the RV.You do not say who your cell phone service provider is. Verizon appears to have the best coverage.

pianotuna wrote:Hi Jackie,You do not say who your cell phone service provider is. Verizon appears to have the best coverage.Thanks for the info. Verizon is my carrier.

Hi Jackie,You might wish to pick up "both flavors" of Mellenicom. They offer 20 gigs piggy backing on Verizon and I think unlimited piggy backing on Sprint.Cost is about $60 for each (i.e. both would be $120 per month)

Suggestions on Satellite internet | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2013
Here are the facts. You are not going to get ANY satellite internet on the fly (assuming you mean while you are moving).
If you can get satellite internet while you are parked, it is going to be very expensive and very slow (about 1/10 the speed of 3G and not measurable compared to 4G).
TV services and Internet services are completely separate and cannot be "bundled" for the mobile user.
If you have seen all the claims from Hughenet Gen4, Wildblue or Exede, none of these service are mobile and cannot be used if you plan to move as an RVer might.
You are going to need to use cellular for internet and Dish or DirecTV for TV.
Jackie_Treehorn
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
Bill.Winegard wrote:
Here are the facts. You are not going to get ANY satellite internet on the fly

That's discouraging, but not a dealbreaker. I can work around having service only when we are parked, or at least stationary- but the bandwidth you are suggesting seems to be a big hitch. I don't normally send large files, normally well under 1MB, but I was hoping to use Skype of some other VOIP from the spots where we park. Sounds highly unlikely at the speeds you're suggesting.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 14, 2013
Hi Jackie,

The only company that offered a dish that would work for satellite internet in motion went out of business a number of years ago. The equipment was about $6000.00 and the service was a little faster than dial up.

I don't think any of the TV satellites are currently compatible with satellite internet signals.

I'd suggest investigating cell phone antenna's and boosters as RV's in general make pretty good Faraday cages (i.e. cell phone signals become very weak).

I'd look at Wilson equipment and get a trucker's antenna and mount it with a good ground plain as high as is practical. You might want to be able to fold it down "on the fly" for overpasses and the like.

For stationary service go to a High-Gain Directional Yagi Cellular antenna.

Wilson also sells a 3 watt booster amp. This can be used to rebroadcast what ever signal there is inside the RV.

You do not say who your cell phone service provider is. Verizon appears to have the best coverage.
Jackie_Treehorn
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jackie,
You do not say who your cell phone service provider is. Verizon appears to have the best coverage.

Thanks for the info. Verizon is my carrier.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 14, 2013
Hi Jackie,

You might wish to pick up "both flavors" of Mellenicom. They offer 20 gigs piggy backing on Verizon and I think unlimited piggy backing on Sprint.

Cost is about $60 for each (i.e. both would be $120 per month)
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2013
You might try a Wilson cell phone amplifier. It will give you much extended range on your phone. Wilsonelectronics.com
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 14, 2013
Hi Jackie,

It is also possible to use a Cradlepoint (and other brands) of cellular routers that will "fail over" from one signal to another--or will allow the use of both). That would give you more coverage and fewer drop outs.

At least one such router (WiFi Ranger) that will pick the "best source" and connect you to that. I.e. it will "blend" public wifi, with a celluar modem.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2013
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jackie,

You might wish to pick up "both flavors" of Mellenicom. They offer 20 gigs piggy backing on Verizon and I think unlimited piggy backing on Sprint.

Cost is about $60 for each (i.e. both would be $120 per month)

That's not correct. You must pick EITHER Verizon or Sprint but none of the Millenicom plans allows you to use both.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 14, 2013
Hi Bill,

I thought it was possible to buy both--i.e. two separate plans? The husband could register for one and the wife for the other?
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2013
Just don't confuse the fail over option with some sort of miracle cure.
The fail over is between your paid cellular service and a "free/open" wifi connection. When wifi is good it's good. When it's bad it's usually terrible!

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