WI-FI Cards - Montana Owners Club

rgreynolds · 02-24-2008, 07:44 AM

Going to start full-timing in May. What's the best Wi-Fi card to get? Or is it necessary with a lot of the campgrounds now providing Wi-Fi?

Mrs. CountryGuy · 02-24-2008, 08:47 AM

Yes, Many campgrounds provide, and many of us are not real thrilled with the type of service the free stuff gives. Sometimes you need to be IN the office building to access. Sometimes not. Sometimes it is NOT free. Sometimes the free stuff works, sometimes.

Newer laptops have the wifi capability built in.

Many longtimers/fulltimers are going to Satellite or air cards for thier internet access.

Suggest reading lots of areas on the forum, this is discussed a lot, and ohhhhh, on that front page of the forum, look for the little yellow ARCHIVES button on the right side of the page. Lots of goodies buried in there!

'Nother suggestion, which is not totally off subject, consider using web based email accounts, yahoo, hotmail, AOL, gmail. That way if you can access the internet, you can access your email. All the ones I mentioned above have FREE accounts. Gmail gets some of the highest review reports. My hubby, who HATES typing and email, is happy and ok with gmail. Plus you can get free online storage for photos via gmail, easy to learn, easy to use, and FREE.

stiles watson · 02-24-2008, 11:20 AM

I have used both the satellite approach and now the aircard or wireless modem. My reasons for switching to the aircard include:

Using Skype is awkward and slow
Equipment is too bulky and difficult to transport
Receiver too difficult to setup and acquire connection
Having a clear view of the southern sky is impossible in some very beautiful parks

My reasons for going with satellite in the first place were that my home site was on the edge of a cell phone service area and the assumption that service would be poor under a metal roof. If you choose the Aircard route, I suggest you contact Alex Sian at evdo.com for help in determining which service and what equipment.

tom41 · 02-24-2008, 11:56 AM

Carol told it just like it is!! Thats why I now have the verizon air card.

sreigle · 02-26-2008, 08:00 AM

Same here.

Parrothead · 02-26-2008, 10:41 AM

Us, too. We were trying to save money by using CG "WiFi". But we encountered so many bad connections and a bad definition of "WiFi" (you had to go to office and plug in your computer). We had several late charges on credit cards because the payment didn't go through and it doesn't take many of those to equal the price of the air card for a month. So far, the air card has been great. I haven't even used the antenna I purchased. Ours is the USB model so I can use it on both the desktop and laptop. It is really neat to be driving down the road and on the internet. (Ed driving, me on internet).
Happy trails.....................

boylanag · 02-26-2008, 11:04 AM

We are very pleased with our Verizon aircard. I used it when I was traveling while working and now we use it while in our Monty. When using WIFI, there were many times when there was no connection and now rare is the time when we can not get on line. We even use the card in our stick home, saving the cable internet fee in addition to paying another when traveling. We don't have an exterior antenna.

exav8tr · 02-26-2008, 03:28 PM

Can't count on CG WIFI or any other CG internet setup. Verizon Aircard for me. www.3gstore.com for great info.

OntMont · 02-26-2008, 04:06 PM

Going back to your original question, if it really is a WiFi card that you are looking for. First off, most newer lap tops have some kind of WiFi card built in, but if yours, like my old Dell, does not, I would suggest you look for two features, (1) one that will connect via a USB port, allowing you to move the card's built-in antenna around a bit, and 2) one that has provision for an external antenna. I found both of these characteristics in a Hawking brand adapter.

If, after all that has been said about WiFi vs an "air card", you decide that an "air card" is really what you want, then look for the same characteristics in an air card (they were originally "cards", but now many attach via the USB port. (BTW, in case you were wondering, an "air card" is a means of connecting to the internet via a digital cell phone signal. Verizon seems to be the brand of choice at the moment, although Sprint is not far behind, and there are other players as well).

VanMan · 02-27-2008, 04:37 AM

AT&T (formerly Cingular) is also a player. I think I need a mobile router, however, because I have signal problems at home. I got ours for travel + for use at home to remove the need for an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and to reduce costs (on fixed income now!).

Alex Sian · 02-27-2008, 04:44 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by VanMan

AT&T (formerly Cingular) is also a player. I think I need a mobile router, however, because I have signal problems at home.

AT&T's high speed coverage is only about 30% of what Sprint/Verizon EVDO is today, and AT&T is expanding at less than snails pace.

A mobile router does not by itself improve upon signal problems unless locating router in a different room than your computer, gives you a signal advantage.

To improve signal, you should consider a high gain antenna attached to your AT&T card/device.

PowellsMonty · 02-28-2008, 06:11 AM

So, If I buy 2 Verizon USB cards and their service, I can plug one in our desktop, the other in my laptop, cancel the cable moden at home and live happily ever after?

OntMont · 02-28-2008, 06:20 AM

...or buy one card and a router, and ONE service.

sreigle · 02-28-2008, 08:07 AM

Agree with OntMont. We have the verizon aircard in a router and we both connect to the router via wireless builtin to our laptops. Don't tell Verizon you're using a router, though. They will promptly tell you as they did me that they do not authorize the use of a router. So we don't tell them any more.

The aircard can also be used on the road by plugging it into a laptop. Voila, you have internet while tooling down the highway (not the driver, I hope), if you have a cell signal. Or, sit the router with aircard on the backseat, plug it into an inverter, and when you stop at rest areas you both can connect.

PowellsMonty · 02-28-2008, 12:14 PM

What kind of router?

OntMont · 02-28-2008, 12:52 PM

Ask MOC member EVDO Alex. He seems to be the resident authority on matters to do with air card access to the internet.

On edit,

I should not make too light of this, in reality, the speed you get will vary depending on the level of service where you live, and at best it probably won't equal a cable modem, but I find it quite acceptable where we are.

sailer · 02-28-2008, 02:27 PM

the verizon air card is the way to go ,, in the house or on the rd its the only way and now i put a aireal on the 5er so it should be better from there as the roof stops a lot ,,

sreigle · 02-28-2008, 05:02 PM

Alex not only is a member, he works at 3gstore.com, a great place to buy these things. The router you want depends on the model of aircard. So talking to Alex is the best way to find out. You can get the number at 3gstore.com or go to his post on page 1 of this thread and click on the envelope icon to email him. He's very helpful. We worked with him for all our hardware related to the aircard.

Alex Sian · 02-29-2008, 03:47 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by PowellsMonty

So, If I buy 2 Verizon USB cards and their service, I can plug one in our desktop, the other in my laptop, cancel the cable moden at home and live happily ever after?

the key to your happiness lies in whether or not high-speed EVDO coverage is at your address.

feel free to PM me the full address and zip, and i can research options?

jrhaman · 03-01-2008, 02:30 AM

We ordered the Verizon usb727 air card and the Cradlepoint ctr350 router from Alex @ the 3gstore. Installed it all Thursday and cancelled the home phone and dsl yesterday. Not quite as fast as dsl but very doable. Dw is playing backgammon online now and I am doing this. Still waiting for the house to sell so we can fulltime. jesse

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