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01-27-2008, 11:17 AM
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#21
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Haldimand County
Posts: 2,413
M.O.C. #122
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Rich,
We have not traveled much with our Verizon card, but I have found that it works better with an external antenna attached. If your card does not have an external antenna connection, ask if they will upgrade you to one that does. There are both mag. mount and window mount versions.
The drawbacks that I see with a dish (apart from the initial cost), is that you have to set them up at each site; and you have to consider line of sight when selecting campsites. With the Verizon card you can use it anywhere, even while driving down the road if you want to.
Anyway, they all have pros and cons, whatever works in your circumstances.
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01-27-2008, 02:21 PM
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#22
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bonita Springs
Posts: 1,943
M.O.C. #6977
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so Helen where did you get the wilson antenna and the cost john
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01-27-2008, 04:04 PM
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#23
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas City
Posts: 5,736
M.O.C. #7673
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01-31-2008, 11:39 AM
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#24
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #7864
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I copied this post I made under the topic "Navigation" because it seamed relevant here. I love this phone. I can connect it to any computer with a USB port or pull it out of my pocket on the beach to check an important email, look at what is further down the beach or check the ferry schedule. I never thought I would want to be so connected but today I am happy that I am. In the past month service has fluttered a couple times but I have never been without service.
Being new to 5th wheeling we had several issues to resolve one of which being navigation since the truck we got did not come equiped with it. We resolved two issues with one solution, a GPS enabeled phone/pocket pc (AT&T Tilt). The cost of the phone is equivelant to an average aftermarket navigation tool.
The phone comes with a navigation program, TelNav which runs about $10 per month. We were not very impressed when we ran the trial offer. We downloaded google maps for free. We have found the address locating, directions, and search functions to be far better that any of the several factory installed navigation systems we have ever had. A data plan is required, and may be more than some want to spend.
In addition to navigation we have a phone that is a very nicely featured pocket pc with standard micrsoft office functions. To us, the deal maker is the internet connectability. We can connect anywhere we have a cell signal and in a campground without wi-fi being able to use the phone as modem to connect the laptop to the internet is a lifesaver, being that we are working on the road. When we are conncted on the 3G network we get broadband speeds. We have also used the laptop while driving down the intersate!(No, I wasn't behind the wheel) You can't do that whith a satellite unless you spend the cost of a new Monty.
We did also spend some extra dollars on a Wilson signal amp. If you have or get one of these you may not want to tell fellow campers about it in a place with sketchy phone service unless you enjoy folks stopping by to be able to use there phone to make a call and visit a while.
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01-31-2008, 12:41 PM
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#25
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YUMA
Posts: 861
M.O.C. #2625
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01-31-2008, 12:53 PM
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#26
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas City
Posts: 5,736
M.O.C. #7673
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Doesn't 486 divided by the frequency in Mega Hertz give you the lengh for a 1/4 wave antenna?
If you don't ground it, make it a dipole.
Anything mounted outside should be good.
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