WiFi Hot Spot App

Another vote here for FoxFi or PDAnet. I used it successfully for quite a long time on my Samsung S4. Now use the built in on my S8+ when travelling or up in the northern Michigan woods.
Barney

Straight talk can be either Verizon or ATT tower based, they have contracts with both companies.
As to tethering or hotspot use, they have never condoned it, but could not tell you were doing it until about a year ago. Now they will shut down your data feed if they are notified by the tower service that you are a hot spot user.
If you want the data strictly for when travelling, you may want to buy a connected car device and use that for months you are travelling.
Connected car
Or switch to an unlimited data Verizon phone plan.

I used PDAnet when I had Straight Talk.

Just remember that you have to install it on your phone and whichever device you will be connecting to your phone with.

I installed on my phone and couldn't figure out why I couldn't connect my laptop to it. Once I installed on my laptop as well it worked great.

AllegroD wrote:
Foxfi worked well for me in the past.

Another vote for FoxFi. http://junefabrics.com/ PDAnet / FoxFi all the same. I used it for years before getting a dedicated hotspot, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxfi&hl=en_US You can tether your phone using PDAnet and your provider will never know. FoxFi is the wireless version. They've both been around a long time and do a great job.

FoxFi (WiFi Tether w/o Root) wrote:
A new WiFi Direct solution (free update) is now added to PdaNet for connecting computers or tablets in addition to USB tether. The legacy WiFi Hotspot solution remains in FoxFi. If the legacy FoxFi feature still works for your phone, it is still the best solution for sharing phone Internet since there is no limit on what kind of devices you can connect.

2oldman wrote:

docsouce wrote:
I would only be using it when I'm on the road with the RV. 4 or 5 months per year.

You can get a StraighTalk signal in far out places?

We use a Straight Talk hotspot and it works off the Verizon service, so it's pretty widespread.

Foxfi worked well for me in the past.

The coverage is supposed to be via AT&T. I've found it was pretty good along the northeast, northern and central states and spotty in the southwest. My needs are basic. Check email, look up possible campground stays ahead, things to do,routes and of course check out this forum. I'd rather read than watch a movie so I don't have to worry about streaming..

docsouce wrote:
I would only be using it when I'm on the road with the RV. 4 or 5 months per year.

You can get a StraighTalk signal in far out places?

Yes, thank you 2oldman. I just checked out the Straight Talk site and I found that they offer a hot spot devise, wh8ch I buy and then I have to open an account and buy data by the month. I would only be using it when I'm on the road with the RV. 4 or 5 months per year.

From googling this I find you'll be using pdanet or foxfi. Not real familiar with them myself as my smartphone has that built in. I'm guessing doing that may be a better choice than a 3rd party app, but perhaps someone here has a different opinion. Sounds like you're about due for a new phone anyway.

This short article may be worth a read.