RE: Basic RV Questions
There are several threads here about Solar Power, Yes, you can do, at least partially. How much you can do depends on your rig.
As to internet while going down the road,, There are several on that too, but I'll summarize later
As to Toilets, search on the words "Composting toilet" and you will find a recent thread, as of yet not much info there, but yes, some folks do use them., Alas that is about all I know
Now, Internet on the road
Options include:
Free or Fee based wi-fi HOT spots.. Most truck stops have Fee based Wi-Fi service, often like 20 or 30 a month (more expensive if purchased by the day) the problem is it only works at THAT chain of truck stops. (For the most part) You get an account at, for example, TA, it's no good at Flying-J and the other way around.
Free connections can be found at many coffee shops, restaurants, and other places, but many times those are not where you are.
Speeds are USUALLY good, but where I"m at just now.. SUCK
Air-Cards.. (This is a special cell phone for your computer) Coverage varies with providers, Verizon seems to be the best but frankly I do not like verizon (And am using Verizon just now, see SUCKS above, but 2-way sat service, not cellular) Air cards work in most of the country but no matter what that "Can you hear me now" idiot would like you to believe, not everywhere.. They too suck where I'm currently parked.
There are some products such as "internet-in-motion" Most of these are air-cards
2-way Satellite internet I"m using Verizon's offering to post this
I have also, in the past, used Hughesnet. ANother option is called Starband
I liked Hughes when I had it, not as fast as DSL and the ping time (Which translates to lag time between clicking and page load) was bothersome, but try before you buy.
Yes, there are dead spots (not zones, spots) usually very small, it does require a rather large "Up front" outlay and it's 60 or so a month for the service (Competes well with Air Cards which often run as much, but performance is less, coverage is better though)
You can not use it in motion however ONly when parked.
Set up takes me less than 30 minutes (I have a manual set up) some folks go with http://www.motosat.com which is WAY more expensive up front and adds 10 bucks a month to the cost.. But you get far better customer service (They are called a "Value Added Reseller, that's the value added) and to "Set up" in many cases you push a button, that is all.
If I can be of any more help. please ask
OH, and good for you asking now.. Check out the "Ripped off" threads here for the reasons I say that
RE: satellite mexico
Star Choice is now called Shaw Direct (Same Canadian company and owners, just a name change). They offer a 3/4 meter dish as an option for cottage owners that provides better reception, be sure to get the larger dish for Mexico.
We have a 3/4 meter Hughes satellite internet dish with an attachment for the dish called a "bird on a wire" (BOW) that allows the use of one dish to receive both internet and TV signals (you still need to subscribe to the two services), it worked well on the west coast of Mexico. We didn't receive all the high definition channels but all the SD channels came through.
The link to Shaw Direct is : http://www.starchoice.com/english/default.asp
hughes Satelite Internet - hardware portability????
I am just about fed up with our present service. Have Iowatelecom.net and DSL for internet service. Don't really recall the speed but it's fast enough that I am satisfied with the speed - just numerous other issues that have grown into a desire to shed these folks.
My question - have been thinking of going with the Hughes satellite internet plan ---- pro. Speed is similar to what I currently have and price is slightly less (by $2).
However, if I have that system installed on my home, the ony other question is this: Is the equipment I will obtain compatable with the "Mobile" dish that I will buy and install on my motorhome later this year????
I desire to have just one account, and when I take off in the motorhome I wish to just unplug the receiver and take it out to the motorhome and plug it in and use it while I am traveling.....
So - anyone know the compatability?
God Bless
Bill
RE: Used Tripod Satellite Internet S/U -- What All Will I Need?
Check out Ebay... many are posted there... one I know about is a complete set up on a tripod... here is a link:
Tripod System on Ebay - sale ends 2/23/09
I use one just like it... it works fine.
Marv
RE: More on Unlimited Data for Internet
Billarf said
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User's like us that have had Verizon broadband "unlimited" for a number of years are under a different agreement then those signing the contract today. Do know that Verizon's unlimited we have has a 5G cap on it of sorts. Exceed your cap and they will throttle your speed down as a penalty temporarily. You are probably as I an never get near that 5G cap so have never had any issues.
Sprint users and those with other carriers face the same issue as we do in that their "unlimited" usage is not really unlimited as they'd like to think.
As I mentioned earlier, the forums are chock full of people who think they have unlimited access. Reality is the majority do not have -true- unlimited access!
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Do you mean they can slow down and speed up your internet speed ,they should not be allowed to do that,we should have the same speed as everyone else that pays the same rate,also I thought I had unlimited use because their sales person told me so.
Today I checked and what do you know I have 5k limited use,I guess as always I should have read the fine print and not trusted anyone.
gbeasley
Satellite internet such as Hughes does the same thing if you exceed their bandwith in a 24 hour period...they FAP you for 24 hours so basically you can't do squat...
Wild Blue does the same thing, but I believe it is based on monthly bandwidth usage.
John
RE: More on Unlimited Data for Internet
Billarf said
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User's like us that have had Verizon broadband "unlimited" for a number of years are under a different agreement then those signing the contract today. Do know that Verizon's unlimited we have has a 5G cap on it of sorts. Exceed your cap and they will throttle your speed down as a penalty temporarily. You are probably as I an never get near that 5G cap so have never had any issues.
Sprint users and those with other carriers face the same issue as we do in that their "unlimited" usage is not really unlimited as they'd like to think.
As I mentioned earlier, the forums are chock full of people who think they have unlimited access. Reality is the majority do not have -true- unlimited access!
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Do you mean they can slow down and speed up your internet speed ,they should not be allowed to do that,we should have the same speed as everyone else that pays the same rate,also I thought I had unlimited use because their sales person told me so.
Today I checked and what do you know I have 5k limited use,I guess as always I should have read the fine print and not trusted anyone.
gbeasley
Satellite internet such as Hughes does the same thing if you exceed their bandwith in a 24 hour period...they FAP you for 24 hours so basically you can't do squat...
RE: Running a satellite dish with a honda generator
Good advise from the posters above.I dry camp useing a 2000eu and a 500W inverter that powers my Starchoice DVR(uses constant running hard drive)and a 19 inch Lcd tv plus my Hughes satellite internet system for several hours each day.Then use the Honda for less than an hour in the morning powering a Cdn.Tire Eliminator smart charger,that charges up to 40 amps.This charges my 2 Trojan T105 batteries from the 50% to 80% range each day to be used again.
All that usage and less than an hour a day of generator run time.
Running off the genny to watch tv etc to me is a waste of gas and causes extra wear and tear.
RE: Internet access for truck camper
Well, if you want a 2-way portable satellite internet dish SMALL is not going to be a word you can use north of perhaps Texas. and even in Texas I'd want a good size dish
Your choices are Hughes, Starband and I-Direct, OF those Starband is lowest cost with Hughes coming in #2 by a few dollars, I-direct is business oriented and much more expensive www.datastormusers.com has a lot more information than I do and dealers of all 3 systems hang out there. About all i can say save if you are in Detroit perhaps we can work something out.
RE: hughes Motosat system
I use all three, the MotoSAT DataStorm (Hughes), a Verizon AirCard and a WiFi card. I use the DataStorm about 80% of the time, the AirCard just under 20% of the time and the WiFi card less than 1% of the time.
If you absolutely, positively must have internet, you need backup systems. Where you travel will significantly influence which option is the best for you. Typically the eastern U.S. is supported more fully by AirCards and is blessed with satellite internet eating trees. The western U.S. have very large areas with little or no AirCard coverage and few trees to interfere with satellite internet.
WiFi is extremely park dependent. Some parks have great WiFi systems at no extra costs, most don't. Many parks have poor WiFi systems (i.e. limited throughput, poor coverage of sites, etc) and many of them charge for the service by the day.
In none Broadband coverage areas, the speeds you get from AirCards are not much better than dialup (about 2x dialup down, and about 1.5x dialup up).
hughes Motosat system
Have been reading, from time to time, about the Hughes satellite internet systems and often hear that since they came out with the new residentual dishes - the system is becomming slower and bogged down more.
Have a family that came into the campground a couple days ago that have the Hughes Motosat on their roof and they also have a Linksys WiFi set up inside the coach.
They allow anyone around them to use the WiFi if within range and I am lucky enough to be one.
While I won't be able to use it long (they are leaving today) I have enjoyed it and found that the speed is very similar to my DSL at home.
I will make my mind up this winter, while traveling, but this experience has enlightened me. One thing I will do though - is exactly what these neighbors are doing. Set up the WiFi and leave it in the mode that my neighbors around wherever I am can use it too.
If I am blessed enough to be allowed to have one - why shouldn't I share it?
God Bless
Bill
RE: Need suggestions Satelite TV and Internet
HughesNet is the only satellite Internet option that is available to RVers. You can get it two different ways; pay $5,000 or so plus $100/month for a fully automatic roof-mounted dish from MotoSat or pay $1,000 or so plus $60/monthfor a manual tripod-mounted system from one of several resellers. Hughes does not support the tripod systems so you have to depend on the reseller or your own resources to solve problems. I used a tripod system for several yeares and it worked, but is slow compared to cable. You will probably get between 600 and 1,000 Kbps downloads and 56k uploads. I have recently discontinued the service and am using a Verizon Air Card.
Depending on which Hughes satellite you are assigned to you might be able to add a thing called a Bird On A Wire, which is a television LNB. Otherwise you will need a second dish for TV.
RE: Satellite TV/Internet
I know your asking about Satellite Internet, but I will put in my .02 on air card. We had Hughes Net at home before we sold the house.
Now that we are fulltime I am using a Aircard from Sprint with an external antenna. We travel doing trade shows All of the Midwest, south east and north east, we haven't gone west yet, so I can't comment on west. 80% of the places I've been my sprint connect has been faster than my Hughes Net ever was at home (and I was paying for the "Pro" level service). Setting in a parking lot in Ft. Worth, TX I was getting 2 meg download speeds with my sprint card. Deep in the sticks, I have always gotten a connect good enough for email, etc. (similar to dial up).
I drove from Corpus Christ, TX to St. Louis, MO and never lost my internet connection the entire trip.
RE: Transatlantic Fifth Wheeling!
I agree with Gary B about towing in the snow. I'm from south Texas but started working here in north Ohio so I'm full timing in a 5er. When I got up here I saw so many cars that were rust buckets and I mean newer cars/trucks. I might be way off base but besides the actual driving hazzard, I would be worried about
the salt on my truck and trailer.
Gas/Diesel. I"ve been on here for years and because a diesel engine generally
has more towing power, I'd be willing to say the vast majority of people tow their big 5ers with a diesel truck however depending on the weight limitations, a gasser would be a decent choice. One thing to consider and like I said I"m new to the northern climate but with a diesel truck you will have to deal with keeping the block warm in order to start easy. Most trucks come with a block heater you plug into a wall outlet where as a gasser, at least from what I understand is more trouble free in the cold.
Another thing to consider is the fuel economy. These are ball park numbers but you will typically get better economy towing with a diesel, say 9-12 mpg and a gasser might get you 7-9, someone correct my numbers but I think I"m pretty close. With that in mind, for the last couple of years, diesel has cost about a dollar more per gallon than gasoline.
The question about the satellite internet. Hughes Net offers a dish and a friend of mine has one. Its not as portable as a wireless card but your pretty
much guarrantied a signal anywhere here as opposed to being dependant on wireless towers.
If your camping in the cold, you need to consider water pipes/waste tanks and your water supply hose as these will freeze if not properly dealt with. If you haven't already bought your rig, you can get four season trailers and there is much debate about whats considered a true four season. I have a Cedar Creek Silverback and its got a fully enclosed, insulated underbelly with heating pads on the waste water tanks. Its also got dual pane windows and according to the factory its cold room tested to zero degree's F with no problems. Alot of people have told me that my trailer isn't a four season trailer but I have been in consistant temps down in the 25F range with a few hours at night of 18F and I have had no problems yet. Unless you want to refill your propane tanks all the time, I"d for sure get an electric heater to help offset your propane usage.
Another tip on the propane. I would only turn on one bottle at a time. They come with an automatic change over so it will switch to the full bottle but if you don't realize it, you will suck both bottles dry and then you have nothing.
RE: new to travel to mexico
We have a tripod system from Dustyfoot on Hughes sat 117 called SatMx5. We've used it as far south as the Guatemala/Honduras border and all over Guatemala, Belize and Mexico north of that.
You do have to be on SatMx5 if you are going all the way south, I think SatMx6 loses signal around Veracruz. I don't think any others work more than a short distance south of the US border.
The best info on satellite internet is found on the Datastorm Users forum, it was originally a forum for automatic Datastorm units but has expanded to include those of us with tripod systems as well. Very knowledgeable people.
RE: Mobile internet
moglu,
I think you'll find that iNetVu, by comsat is the same price (or more) as the Datastorm. I don't see any pricing info on their website, but in the DatastormUsers forum I read a message by someone who paid $6,000 for iNetVu last year (he has since switched to Datastorm).
And, you'll still need to deal with Hughes for the service. I list other competitors to Motosat/Datastorm on my Satellite Internet FAQ's page.
The reason you don't hear much about iNetVu is because there are less users (waaayyy less) than Datastorm. That means less dealers and less support as well.
p.s. If you're in Florida - the Datastorm Users rally is coming up next week in Tampa at LazyDays - that would be the best place to learn!
Mobile internet
I am thinking of getting Satellite Internet. I want to be able to use it at home and on the road. I have seen at lot of Hughes net, but have read they (Hughes net)are not to receptive to mobile use. Any input would be helpful.
GPS Co-ordinates for Satellite Dishes
Ontario Parks (Canada): I have a listing of all the GPS co-ordinates for the Ontario Parks. The location is usually the centre of the park with a few exceptions. I have added my own co-ordinates for use with the Hughes Satellite Internet Setup at various campsites which is close enough to lock on to the signal.
Interested - send me an email and I will forward the spreadsheet to you.
Email: frankspence@hughes.net
RE: Satellite anntenna installation
If you're looking for a high definition setup on Directv, you have to be able to receive the Ka satellites they are migrating their HD programs to. The only two receivers able to get the Ku and Ka satellites are Motosat and Winegard. Prices are in the $1500-2000 range.
Installation generally is fairly easy once you get the antenna muscled to the roof. Mark your location, put down a bead of calk, fasten it down and calk some more. Run the wires externally to the place you'll install the electronics then a 1-2" hole through to your compartment. Don't be stingy with the caulk, but nothing to be afraid of once you get over the trauma of the first hole.
I moved a Hughes Net satellite internet antenna from my old Bounder to the new Bus, but the purchase was contingent on the dealer moving the antenna with a forklift. I did the securing and wiring in about 2 hours.
John
RE: Satellite Internet - Are there downsides to a dish on the RV
I started-out with the tripod system, and after using it for a year, switched to the roof mount. This was an excellent decision. The tripod was a real pain to deal with, and my blood pressure was suffering. There is no real support with a tripod, as you are considered a "renegade" by Hughes.
I have had my share of difficulties with the roof mount, though. Different components have failed. But Motosat is pretty good with their support. The tripod dish is now a permenant fixture when we are home. Just move the modem from the motorhome and reattach to the dish when home. That allows me to cover the motorhome between trips, yet maintain a satellite internet connection.
A good digital cell connection will always be faster than a satellite one. If it weren't for the fact that we like to travel to Mexico, I would probably have an air card in my laptop instead.
