RV Wi Fi System

[becker]

The desktop computer in my coach (see signature for particulars) does not have a wifi board installed in it. I have obtained a Netgear AC1200 High Gain WiFi USB Adapter that I plan on installing in one of my computer USB ports. I also have a Verizon 4G Hotspot. I also plan on getting a Wilson Sleek 4G + 23dB Amplifer Kit #460107 to round out my system. (I understand this kit has an antenna with it that really helps plus there is a cradle that I can put my hotspot in that also helps out.)
My question to you gurus out there is: Is this the way to go and/or could you suggest a better way?
As you can probably tell, I'm out of my element on this situation and really need help. I will humbly appreciate any suggestions that will improve on the above.

[KO]

Yes - 24 inch monitor can be plugged into laptop.

[GoPackGo]

Have you checked to see if you can plug in your 24" monitor into your laptop (or check to see if a different monitor could work) ? If yes, then get a wireless keyboard and mouse and you're all set. Or consider getting a docking station.

I have old eyes so I made sure to get a large laptop. I think mine has a 17" screen. Even so, if my eyes start to complain, I'll get a larger monitor for it.

I always had a desktop until I decided to go fulltime, so I got the laptop and I'm very glad I did. It frees up a lot of room (and cable clutter) and lets me use it anywhere I happen to be sitting.

I'm not trying to talk you into something you don't want to do - just giving you some ideas/options.

Tim

[becker]

Thanks to all..... I appreciate all of the interaction and comments..... very informative.

Some of my business is the stock market so it is important that I stay close to the "action". My monitor (24")screen in the coach has all of my layouts and settings on it (sometimes I feel I need a larger screen). My laptop screen is just to small.

I carry my laptop (14" screen) and hotspot with me in the car when my wife and I go on day long excursions just to stay in touch with the market when I want (I am not tied to the market as much as I may lead you to believe, but it is part of our income and I do enjoy it).

We are now retired and are trying to "ween" ourselves from staying close to home by extending our time away from it. (and we are enjoying it).

Thanks again for all of the information and please keep the comments coming.

[Ivylog]

Not sure why you have to explain why you are using a desktop... OH, you need to buy a laptop.:S
Assuming your USB/wi/fi card has a screw on antenna, I would buy a Yagi Antenna for it as it will greatly increase the number of signals you can see.

[wa8yxm]

Onc might argue as to is the Netgear the best or is the verizion hot spot the best but

Yes that is the ONLY way to go in your case. And it is usually superior to built in Wi-Fi adapters on computers like mine.

[JimM68]

I use my tiny hp spectre notebok as my primary computer, evrywhere I go.

In my real office that means a 30" hdmi monitor and full size wireless kbd and mouse.

For the moho I have asmaller bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
If I need it, I have a 20' hdmmi cable I can plug into either of the cooaches big televisions.

I use a hawking HW2R1 router to create my own wifi. With an external antenna on the roof, it give pretty good range, and has the advantage of never having to change the "internal" setup, the printer and computers are always connected to it.
If I cannot get useable wifi, we hotspoot one of our phoones and connect it to that.

For the phones we have a wilson amp and external antenna, loooking to upgrade that, it is only 3G.

Verizon has a new feature that allows thier smartphones to talk and data at the same time. This is a free downloaded proogram you can get from verizon's website.

[KO]

I have a Verizon mifi, Mac Book Pro and wireless mouse and keyboard. I have used this setup for last 6 -7 years and have had no problem. Wife is a CFO for Company and does her work on the road using this setup - and we have been cross country several times.

Her only complaint is laptop screen is to small to use while traveling down the road - but then she has twin 28 inch monitors on her desk at work.

[GoPackGo]

I still would consider a laptop and a wireless printer. I use a wireless mouse and also a full size wireless keyboard (stroll thru your local Walmart to see them (or Costco). They are amazingly cheap. My keyboard (Logitech) is 100% solar powered. No batteries. You can use it for 3 MONTHS in total darkness when it has a full charge, without getting any additional charge from overhead lighting or window sunlight.

[becker]

I apologize...... I inadvertently left out two pieces of important information...... since this upcoming trip will be the longest we have ever been away from our permanent home, I am going to be doing a lot of my personal business (some of it quite extensive) from the motorhome where ever we are. I have a Dell laptop which works great but my business requires a good bit of typing and I can't type as fast or as accurately on the laptop (short stubby fingers). I also have a Samsung 4G phone but don't want to include it in my business setup. I also have a Dell printer in the coach (my office in my coach is ever bit "an office setup")...... where I am lacking is in the WiFi set up..... on the road I've got to react as fast and in the same manner as if I was at home in my office.
Sorry about not including this information.

[RoyB]

You can get some real good HIGH END DELL and HP LAPTOP deals on HSN and QVC on TV. The will have extended payment plans and also offer a pretty good list of additional software...

I got setup recently with a great DELL INSPIRON WIN 8.1 LAPTOP with lots of RAM and a hugh hard drive for around $600 with six easy payments...

Carrying your laptop with you everywhere is great. I use the DOCKING concept and just pull the laptop from the house and sit it into the docking station in the RV. Don't have to change a thing... Everything I have is right there at both locations.

In my OFF-ROAD POPUP I have a docking station setup that includes double monitors with ext keyboard and mouse and sound. I use this trailer for emergency comms for Ham Radio for WX alerts and county radio alerts so having an identical setup with the same thing in the house is important. Of course you don't get to see alot with two 24-inch DELL monitors in a POPUP setup complete with printer with lots of antennas around the outside area haha...

Normally the computer setup will be in a space savings mode...

I don't like to tie up my cellphone to be a HOTSPOT but it does have some things that may work out better like maybe more GBs DATAPLAN being included.

We use the MIFI unit like described above and this creates a secured HOTSPOT and allows up to five WIFI enabled devices we have like the tablets ets...

Being on the VERIZON this works just about everywhere we go.

Roy Ken

[GoPackGo]

I full time and I run a Verizon MiFi and a Wilson Sleek and it works great. I do have a laptop, which takes up much less room and is portable. Lets me use it at the kitchen table or sit outside, etc. Can even take it (and the MiFi) to a park if that's what you want to do.

I personally would not go the phone route, but I do know some folks do. Not all phones can be turned into a hotspot - It depends on your carrier. A MiFi allows you to run several devices at once (computer, printer, ereader, etc) and generally you can find a data plan for a not too terrible cost. I also seem to have read that you can't talk on your phone at the same time you're using it as a router. Someone please correct me if that is an incorrect statement. Also, because the phone has it's on data plan, you may be able to get by with a smaller data plan for your MiFi.

I have found, as a full timer, that dedicated systems work better for me then 'one size fits all' systems.

Tim

[rwbradley]

I would say you are in fine shape. There are lots of different ways of doing it but none are really any more or any less correct than the solution you picked, just different. Just note that with the Sleek it is important to have at least 6 feet between the cradle and the antenna. Also if you can get the antenna on the roof it will improve reception a lot, many RV's tend to be like a "cone of silence" for cell signals.

[donn0128]

Personally I would dump the desk top for a nice laptop. Besides space saving it will have wifi card already installed. You really do not need a mifi as any smart phone can be turned into a wifi hotspot very easily. The sleek is nice, but there are other amplifiers out there that will do the same job for less money.
JMHO