Community Forums

Weatherman · 02-17-2008, 05:11 AM

Hello Fellow Travelers...
Can anyone recommend an internet coast to coast service? Most campsites have hot spots only and we prefer the comfort of our coach.

Is it better to connect through your cell phone, pc card, or satellite service that includes tv and telephone?

Thank you for your response.

Weatherman · 02-17-2008, 05:11 AM

Hello Fellow Travelers...
Can anyone recommend an internet coast to coast service? Most campsites have hot spots only and we prefer the comfort of our coach.

Is it better to connect through your cell phone, pc card, or satellite service that includes tv and telephone?

Thank you for your response.

aktravler · 02-17-2008, 05:46 AM

None of the services include TV, phone and internet as a package.

With our particular situation we chose Hughes satellite internet. We want to be able to go on line no matter where we are. Then, lots of folks are happy with their air cards or sell phone connection.

We have been in too many places where there is no cell signal, but we get internet. A lot depends on where you travel and how important it is.

Bill Adams · 02-17-2008, 06:24 AM

Your most dependable and most expensive option for internet is satellite. It can be had on a tripod that you manually assemble/disassemble and point or in an automatic version that is permanently mounted to the roof of your RV (beware the trees!). Both of these setups will allow you to add a TV BOW (bird on a wire) that will allow you to pick up the one main DTV or Dish Net. satellite. This will not get you the HD programming available from either but most of the SD programming is available including the DNS network programming.
If you want telephone you really need a cell phone. There are some service such as Skype that work (poorly) over satellite or cell card but you are going to NEED a cell phone if you are traveling.
Now comes the other part about need. If you don't NEED an internet connection when ever or where ever and you can get by with an internet connection in most places (but not all) then you can get by very well with one of the Rev. A cellular cards for your computer. Even better, you can take that cellular card, plug it into one of the special routers and you will be able to share your cellular connection with multiple users just as you can with satellite.
In the case of cellular you will then need a separate satellite TV antenna for your Dish or Direct programming. These can also be had as a tripod you point yourself or fully automatic antennas that are roof mounted. These antennas ARE capable of receiving the 3 Dish Net or 5 DTV satellites that allow for full HDTV in your RV is you choose.
How's that for a start? Let us know a little more about what you think might be right for you and if you have additional questions someone will be right along to help.

MtManLee · 02-17-2008, 11:15 AM

I go along with what Bill said. I have the satellite internet mounted on my RV, I have the movin view satellite for direct tv also mountin on my rv and lastly I use the verizon cell phone service with additional antennas on both my car and rv for those minor dead spots.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-19-2008, 06:08 AM

With satellite tv and broadband cell phone data service you would be pretty much set in most every area of the country. Not 100% everywhere, but mostly.

You could also use satellite internet dish/service with "Bird on a Wire" that provides tv via the same dish. That would work as long as you aren't parked under trees.

Monthly costs for the two alternatives are roughly the same, though the upfront equipment cost of the cellular version is probably lower.