Suggestions on Satellite internet

[Jackie_Treehorn]

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-

[Jackie_Treehorn]

RFCN2 wrote:
There is a blog named wheeling it - The writer of that blog posts on this web site. She did a detailed run down on what they do for internet on the road about six weeks ago. You might try looking up that web blog and read what she had to say.

I'll take a look right now- thanks for the lead.

[catkins]

I use my Verizon MiFi on the road and have successfully used GoToMeeting for voice meetings and shared on screen documents - NOT using video for discussions. Has worked well Might be something to look into if you need meeting style contact while parked elsewhere. Sometimes we would have issues with signal strength but worked very well over the last two years for multiple meetings. Know there are other providers out there also. Check them all out! Good luck.

[RFCN2]

Jackie - About three years ago I went to a booth where a Wilson rep was selling the full range of their items. The great thing about this was that he hooked up my Motorola Phone to the Wilson Sleek and one of their older systems. He tried two antennas. In the end he recommended I don't buy a Wilson because my phone already had a good antenna. On our current trip of about four weeks now we have not stopped at one place that did not have strong 3G signal from Verizon through our Motorola Droid Razr.

Keep in mind with amplifiers that 2 x 0 is still zero.

There is a blog named wheeling it - The writer of that blog posts on this web site. She did a detailed run down on what they do for internet on the road about six weeks ago. You might try looking up that web blog and read what she had to say.

[docj]

Jackie Treehorn wrote:

So looking at the most realistic options to gain some ability to receive and send emails while improving my cell phone reception, it sounds like adding a Wilson Omni antenna plus a Yagi Directional and linking them to a Wilson 3 watt amp will give me an output in the coach that I can link my hotspot capable cell phone to- giving me wifi service inside with a manual switching between antennas. Would the WiFi Ranger bridge the two antennas and make the internal setup more seamless, or am I confused about the way they all interact?

What you are describing are antennas and an amplifier designed to improve your cellular signal reception. The WiFi Ranger can assist in distributing the received signal inside your RV, but does not "get involved" in acquiring it. In other words, however, you go about receiving a cellular signal, the resulting output will go into your router and it will create a wifi signal within the RV that other devices can access. But the router, itself, is not part of the signal acquisition process.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

No, the Ranger does not work that way, so far as I am aware.

[Jackie_Treehorn]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jackie,
For in motion an Omni directional truckers antenna and for standing still a directional Yagi antenna may be the best that can be done. Couple these with a 3 watt (maximum allowed) booster amp.

So looking at the most realistic options to gain some ability to receive and send emails while improving my cell phone reception, it sounds like adding a Wilson Omni antenna plus a Yagi Directional and linking them to a Wilson 3 watt amp will give me an output in the coach that I can link my hotspot capable cell phone to- giving me wifi service inside with a manual switching between antennas. Would the WiFi Ranger bridge the two antennas and make the internal setup more seamless, or am I confused about the way they all interact?

[Bill_Satellite]

kab449 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Sorry, never mind.

Bill,
Couldn't help noticing the change of username. Did you retire completely and sever ties with your previous employer? I appreciate all the help you have given me on this forum.

Many of my posts and opinion are personal post and opinions. I do not want to create any unnecessary conflicts of interest. Nothing has changed I just need to CMA if you know what I mean.
I have a great employer and look forward to a long relationship.

[Bill_Satellite]

Yes, that would work. You would then have a bill for $140/month for the 2 services but if that works for you then so be it!

[kab449]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Sorry, never mind.

Bill,
Couldn't help noticing the change of username. Did you retire completely and sever ties with your previous employer? I appreciate all the help you have given me on this forum.

[Bill_Satellite]

Sorry, never mind.

[pianotuna]

Hi Jackie,

If the signal is there you can boost it. For in motion an Omni directional truckers antenna and for standing still a directional Yagi antenna may be the best that can be done. Couple these with a 3 watt (maximum allowed) booster amp.

I do get data when I can't get voice--but it may be quite slow.

Jackie Treehorn wrote:
So I should presume that with an external antenna added plus a signal amplifier, I''ll expect to gain a usable signal even in locations where the cell service might be very limited

[RFCN2]

Jackie - We have a Motosat F1 satellite dish on our motorhome for internet. Our motorhome came with this dish when we bought it used about four years ago. We pay 80 dollars a month to get an internet connection. It is not fast enough for Skype. Skype will work but calls will be wonky. It is fast enough for Pandora and emails and will easily download files with email. I do this all the time. Our dish is kinda old and I have been told I cannot upgrade it to a faster connection. Maybe the newer dishes will be faster. These are not cheap. Used internet dishes on ebay run maybe $1,500. The reason it will not work with a TV dish is that with internet you need a two way signal. TV dishes just receive and do not send.

Satellite internet dishes do work anywhere they can see the satellite.

Now here is the bad part. Wireless internet is getting so good and so widespread these days that sat internet seems like an anachronism. Very slow compared to 3G wireless. On our latest trip we have had good wireless cell signal everywhere we have gone. I am going to cancel our sat service when we get back from our trip. Most of the places we go have cell or park wifi. Unlike 3-4 years ago I don't care if I am without internet for a day or two.

If you absolutely have to have an internet connection a combination of methods is useful. 1. Cell wifi 2. Park wifi 3. Sat internet Pretty much guarantees you connection.

If the satellite companies wanted to provide really fast service at a moderate price they could. Both Hughes and Via Sat send me solicitations all the time at my house for really high speed service at competitive prices, but will not work with mobile.

[blangen]

Bill.Winegard wrote:
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!
I have been a beta tester for the WiFi Ranger for over 3 years and I am in the process of ordering a Cradlepoint routrt and running my WiFi Ranger with my RV before sending it back. Watch for the video on YouTube (if it happens)!

Bill, I'm hoping you'll find a way to let us know when your video is up. I know this Forum isn't big on self-promotion but, in my opinion, your video on this subject would be a HUGE benefit to us all.

[Jackie_Treehorn]

WayneLee wrote:
Now, my dish is gone and I rely 100% on my Millenicom Verizon-based MiFi with a Wilson antenna and amplifier.

It sounds like the technology is following a better and less expensive route via wireless networks. Its obviously wise for me to put the emphasis on making that work.

So I should presume that with an external antenna added plus a signal amplifier, I''ll expect to gain a usable signal even in locations where the cell service might be very limited?

I also presume that the Verizon MiFi will be an add-on to my existing data services, or will it work with my existing unlimited data plan?