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Old 04-13-2005, 04:11 PM   #1
syplace
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WIFI

Can somebody explain to me in simple terms what is WIFI? I know it has something to do with computer hook up, but that's all. The park we will be staying at next winter has WIFI and I would like to get a lap top.
How does one hook up to it? Pay for it? Do I have to go to a special location to use it or can I stay in the camper. Any information would be a big help.
 
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Old 04-13-2005, 04:43 PM   #2
Montana_1424
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In SImple terms, wi-fi is wireless Internet ( Access to the Internet without wires)

If you have a laptop with a buil in WIFI card, or have purchased an external PCMCIA WIFI card, that is all you need for access. Windows XP has built in software to access wifi, and usually whatever card you have, internal or external, will have software from the manufacturer. This software will automatcally detect wifi access. Weather you have to pay or not is up to the park, sometimes it is free, sometimes you have to pay, and they will have that informaiton.
If you need more info, let me know, I am a network engineer, and am pretty versed on this stuff.
Hope this helps.
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Old 04-14-2005, 01:10 AM   #3
Joyce H
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Ed gave a good explanation. I am currently using WiFi at Candy Hill in Winchester, VA. You may want to check out this website.

http://www.jiwire.com/

Rates will vary according to each campgrounds set up. You can choose an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly rate at most parks where they have charges.

As for the WiFi card, I am using a Linskys card which I purchased at Radio Shack. I took my laptop with me to Radio Shack to make sure I purchased the correct card. If you are purchasing a new computer you should be able to get the card when you make your computer purchase.
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Old 04-14-2005, 02:34 AM   #4
Montana_139
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Joyce,

Thanks for the link to the Hot Spot finder. It looks good.


syplace,

kozzy45 gave a good explanation. You can use WiFi anywhere that is in range of the antenna. You can be inside your RV or outside. Linksys card is a good brand if the laptop that you buy doesn't have WiFi built in.

Glenn


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Old 04-14-2005, 05:00 AM   #5
Sunshine
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We just bought a HP Pavilion with Windows XP. When you turn it on there's a message that comes up at the start up tool bar that tells you if wireless is connected. Does that mean we have the capabilities to use Wifi where it is available? Is there a separate Wifi service that you have to subscribe to? Do we need to buy anything else in order to use Wifi? In case you haven't guessed - I'm not a computer genius!
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Old 04-14-2005, 06:05 AM   #6
HamRad
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Sunshine,
You should be all set. When you see that you are connected you just click on your browser and or mail program and you start seeing the internet or your mail. There are some free programs out there that will help you find wi-fi hot spots but the XP thing does a really good job. Good luck and enjoy.

I'm new to the wi-fi scene too and struggle from time to time when the system does not work just right. Almost alway it is "user error" or the wi-fi system is down or overloaded. From what you described in your post it sounds as if you are all set and ready to find a "hot spot".

HamRad
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Old 04-14-2005, 08:13 AM   #7
sreigle
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I agree with all of the above statements. We're on wi-fi (free) in this park. One setting I found that helps if turned on is the one to automatically connect when wi-fi is present. My XP is service pack 2, Vicki's is service pack 1, and they're a little bit different in how you get to this setting. Rightclick on that icon in the tray and select View Available Wireless Networks. If service pack 2, click on Change Advanced Properties (sp 1 should have a button of some sort to take you to the settings). In the next window, click the Wireless Networks tab. Near the bottom is an "Advanced" button. Click that one. In the next window, check the one at the bottom about automatically connecting to non-preferred networks. That will make the connection process automatic. I also checked the box to connect to any available network. Now, when that icon in the tray says you are connected, just start your browser (like Internet Explorer). If the wi-fi is free, your home page will come up. If not free, then a subscription page will come up where they'll want your money. XP service pack 1 should be close enough to that to find your way to those settings.

The truck's laptop used with the gps has a wi-fi card in it. I used to have that one set to auto connect. At the end of a driving day I'd check and it would list a slew of wi-fi networks it connected to during the day, including the major truckstops or any we passed close enough to for it to pick up the signal.

When you're buying the laptop, it should identify if it has 'builtin wi-fi.' The one I'm on right now has it builtin. Our other three laptops have external cards. This builtin one seems to do a better job of acquiring and hanging on to weak signals.

When I installed the external cards in our other laptops I found some of the drivers automatically turned off the setting to let windows configure the card. Others instructed me to turn that off so their software can control. It's up to you whether you do that but I've found letting Windows handle it seems to work better for me. Maybe I'm just lucky. That setting is on that same Wireless Networks tab mentioned above. It's near the top. You can turn it on and try it and turn it back off if you prefer the software that came with the card. You still need to install the card's drivers even if you let Windows handle configuration. I don't truly know which is best, just which seems to work best for us.
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Old 04-14-2005, 03:33 PM   #8
Wordsmith
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Is anyone using an iBook or PowerBook as your laptop in your Montana? I am a very staunch Macintosh guy, and if I should buy a laptop, it will definitely be a Mac.
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Old 04-14-2005, 05:49 PM   #9
Parrothead
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Wordsmith,
Don't feel too bad, I have a daughter that is a Mac person and we have not disowned her. I've been with Bill since the early 80's when no one knew who he was.
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Old 04-15-2005, 05:02 AM   #10
Sunshine
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Thanks Steve and Hamrad - I will definitely be checking out our Wifi capabilities further when we hit the road again next week. I hate to admit this, but I can remember cranking telephones and party lines, so all this "new-fangled" stuff just blows me away!!
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Old 04-15-2005, 05:55 AM   #11
Montana_354
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Okay, great topic, but I do have a couple of questions. If I go in and change all of these settings like Steve mentions will I need to unchange them while I'm back at home using my notebook?

Also, I recently replaced my old lap top with a new notebook that did come with the built in wireless. Do I need to install some kind of software or was that preloaded? I do use it wirelessly here at home already. Did I just answer my own question?

We're off for the weekend on our first outing of the season. Yea!!!

Kalamity
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Old 04-15-2005, 06:37 AM   #12
sreigle
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I think you answered your own question. It should have the software already installed. Look for that icon in the tray. I don't THINK you'll need to change any settings back but write down the old ones just in case. Maybe someone else can help on this one. When we are in our Montana we ARE at home so our situation is different than yours.
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Old 04-15-2005, 01:04 PM   #13
OntMont
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I don't think anyone else mentioned this, but in my limited experience, a WiFi adapter with an external antenna works much better than the simple card that you plug in the laptop. I have both and find the kind that has a cable that plugs into the USB port and a built in antenna works better. (mine is a Linksys Wireless G USB Network adapter) I just proved this point because we are in the parking lot of a Flying J and the my plug-in card would not pick up a signal, but the USB adapter works great, also picks up the neighbouring Holiday Inn network.
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Old 04-15-2005, 03:25 PM   #14
Montana_70
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Wordsmith,

Die hard Mac user here! I am now on the Power Book (Panther) Thinking about downloading "Tiger".

I am moving to a park soon with Wi-Fi. They charge $10 a month for the hookup. I'm going to keep my cable connection until I see if their set up is up to speed and reliable. Last summer while running from hurricanes I used Bluetooth "wireless" cell phone connection. Worked fine, but slow for email attachments or heavy graphics.

I was recently issued a Dell Laptop for my new job and I must say. (Everyone, else go away, I'm talking to Wordsmith) What a pain!! I have given up trying to explain to Windows users how much easier things are with a Mac. In fact, they just don't get it when I tell them you don't have to go through so many steps to get something done. I guess it's what you are used to. I love my PowerBook!

Sorry everyone, I digress. Anyway. I'm checking into this park on the 23rd and I will be exploring their Wi-Fi. The one thing that puzzles me is the $10 a month. Not because I'm cheap, but because I have used Wi-Fi and other locations (Apple store, Books-A-Million Orlando, and downtown St Cloud, FL) with no "installation or hookup", which the park says they will do for me for free. So I'm not sure if this is real or they see a "stupid sign" on my forehead.

One thing I do know. A Montana across from me had wireless access, on Windows, and lost it. He told me it was because of the big Motor Home that had pulled in next to him and their "Dome" (I'm not sure what you call it technically) on their rigs interrupted the wireless signal.

We'll see. I'm going to check it out when I get moved. I will post back and speak about wireless "Wi-Fi" from my experience.

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Old 04-16-2005, 02:56 PM   #15
sreigle
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BJ, some parks charge for wi-fi. I've seen as high as $45/month and even $10/day. Also, if the class A caused them to lose the signal then the park needs to have some range extenders installed or need to rethink their antenna deployment. That usually means they're trying to get too much distance from an antenna. Eventually most of them do replan the antenna arrangement and solve this problem.

OntMont, I think I'm going to get one of those externals for Vicki's laptop. Mine is doing great and has been the 10 days we've been in this park. But hers frequently loses the signal. The problem is actually the park's. Wi-fi is new here and the antenna points the other way. The second antenna is due in any day now. Meanwhile, we're picking up the signal from the router inside their office. Or at least I am. My laptop has wi-fi builtin so must have an antenna in the display area or something. Vicki's is using a pcmcia plugin card. thanks for the tip on the external.
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Old 04-16-2005, 04:36 PM   #16
CountryGuy
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Kalamity,

We have not had to change a lot of settings for WIFI, but did need to change some to get on highspeed modem,

HOWEVER, I think it was because when we are in the Montana the laptop is the primary computer, and when in the stick built, it is a slave computer, we have another computer that is the server. Al takes care of that stuff for me, and I might be confused, nothing new there!

To use WIFI, I did not have to load software, it came on the computer from the store.

Funny, last night we were near Louisville, I turned the lap top on to determine if my cell phone had enough signal strength to connect and found out they had wifi at the park. I clicked it on, and surfed away!

Carol
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Old 04-17-2005, 04:05 AM   #17
Montana_335
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Setup camp here in Playa Elegante RV Park in Rocky Point. Tunmed on the laptop, checked it out and there was wifi. Working really well and no connection or subscription fee! By the way, weather is great, the beach fantastic and the food, always good too!
Just wish I could get one of those beach front sites.
Did get one in February. Someone canceled and we got it. We did get it because it was raining. Rained most of the week-end.

Still, great to be here!
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Old 04-17-2005, 05:22 AM   #18
HamRad
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CathynMel,
Hello and glad you found the free wi-fi. We were at Puerto Penasco earlier this year also. We stayed across the road from you at Playa de Oro. We did not have an ocean side site but did score a very nice one never-the-less. Plugged in the wi-fi since my cell phone connection did not work. There was a good signal and we were able to pretty much surf as much as we wanted or needed and all for free. One day their system went down and so I was able to connect to the connection over at Playa Elegante. Pretty cool stuff.

We arrived at the place just in time for the free beer and fish fry! What good timing! Next year we plan to go down and spend at least a month. We found a great boon-docking beach just a few miles west of town. If it's still there that's probably where we'll be. Nice people and a great place to spend some of the winter. Did you drive east of town into all the new homes?

HamRad
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Old 04-17-2005, 02:51 PM   #19
Montana_354
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Well we're home. Weekends are just too short, but I guess that's a sure sign we had a ball. Last night was Casino Night with our camping club and it was just so much fun. So many great prizes, too.

I had tried the WIFI Friday night when I got there (from the bedroom) and nothing. Took the notebook down to the recliner. Still nothing. I had called ahead early Friday to see if they had it and the lady said, "Let me ask..." which really made me believe they didn't have it if she had to ask about it. So she then tells me part of the park has it. Hmm... So I got up this morning and walked towards the south side of the park. Sure enough I could sign on. Then I walked back to the rig with it still on and I could access it fine from the kitchen table & recliner. I'm wondering if it takes more ummph to get started maybe? Anyway, Steve, your steps worked great. It came right up once I was in range. Thanks for the thread guys. It was sort of like Christmas in April.
Kalamity
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Old 04-18-2005, 12:55 AM   #20
Iowafan
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Does it matter what brand of card you use? I see most of you guys have a Linksys. We got a bargain after Thanksgiving last year which is a Dlink Airplus G. There have been some problems with an error message from Windows related to the driver, I think. I hope to download an update when we get home. I'm delighted to have any kind of connection but wonder if I should invest in another card.
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