Thanks for the replies. The problem with the air card is when at home I only get 1-2 bars. Also we do not get the hi-tech signal. Both Sprint and Verizon told me I would get about dialup speed where we live. Since we are at home over 1/2 a year, the air card is not what I want.
Hoping for more info on Sat internet. I guess I'll have to talk to campers that have Sat service. I see a lot of them in Fla.
We, too, switched from Hughesnet to an aircard. When I was hospitalized my wife had to try and re-aim the dish several times since it was very windy here in Las Vegas. Finally strip down the system, sold the parts on eBay and got the aircard.
Only drawback is it can only be used on one computer at a time. The Hughesnet was connected to a wireless router and we could connect several computers. Even let the neighbors use it sometimes.
jwarnken wrote: Only drawback is it can only be used on one computer at a time. The Hughesnet was connected to a wireless router and we could connect several computers. Even let the neighbors use it sometimes.
There are several wireless routers made for aircards:
Problem with a air card is it doesn't always work at your site. For the sat, you just need open sky. Friends of ours have a Hughesnet auto dish on top of the MH. They have a sprint air card for backup used on a cradlepoint router.
09 Big Country 2950RK
06 Dodge 3500 CTD 4X2 Mega Cab DRW B&W
Regarding mobile Satellite Internet access I read a lot about Datastorm in this, and other forums. And I thought, it can't be that there's only one provider for automatic rooftop mounted Satellite Systems (this is not about aircard access/providers). So did a bit of research and found C-Com's iNetVu. C-Com claims that their iNetVU roof mounted fully automatic System provides Broadband Internet, Satellite TV and VoIP (Internet Telephony), all in one, providing access almost anywhere in the world, from Alaska all the way down to Latin America, Europe and now even China (the military is one o their customers). Looks like C-Com is a major player in this business with a global reseller/support system and their system looks like THE solution. However, I could not find any price indications (HW/SW and installation, monthly fee for the various services/applications) or any neutral third party review/appraisals. Any reason everybody talks about Datastorm (which I find prohibitively expensive by the way) and C-Com's iNetVu is never mentioned?
Thanks everyone or your feedback.
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!
Chris Guld
"Blessed are the Flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape!"
Full time in our 30' Safari Class C with Datastorm
See our weblog/travelog, at GeeksOnTour.Blogspot.com RV.net Blogger
I had hughes net...it was ok, but ......their claim about being broad band, well maybe at the low end of broad band..
the setting up was a pain. It was ok to go out and work on it for 20 mins or so when you were staying at one place for awhile, but just to set it up for a day, it wasnt worth the aggrevation...If you want to spend 6k for an auto dish, then ok.. but...
I presently use the my cell phone connected to my lap top to gain access ..I use verizon..it is the monthly fee option, MOK, and it works fine. Probably as fast as my home dsl connnection.
I can use this setup anytime with ease. true there may be areas that dont give you access but I havent found one yet.
If anyone out there wants to buy my hughes net system, contact me, the price is right.
2004 ksdp 39ft
toad:06 Saturn Vue
FMCA F359471, Newmar Kountry Klub 17645
bill, linda, chase, cary grant, carley.
chance is with us in spirit and travels with us where ever we go.
You don't have to worry about trees and other obstacles with the aircard. We just got the Verison and a speed comparison test shows that the Verizon broadband service is a little faster than my Bright House cable service. I think this means it's faster than satellite too. Like others have said; keep it simple and less costly.
Larry, Debbie, Tiki and Tomi
USAF Retired
2003 36' Country Coach Allure #30856
2008 Tacoma Toad
SMI Air Force One toad brake
We traveled this summer with friends using the Hughesnet satellite. They chose the tripod mount over the roof mount not just because of cost but also because of the freedom to move it around for better reception when in wooded areas. They had reception problems as we moved north because the satellite was lower in the sky and it was harder to get a clear view. They lost all reception above 46 degrees latitude as the mount would not adjust farther down.
BTW you can get approved for mobile satellite use by getting trained as an installer.
One advantage of traveling with an air card is there is no setup and it even works while driving down the road. However just like cell phones there will be poor reception in some areas.
Cellular is definitely becoming the most popular way to connect as you travel. It's easy and it's fast if you're in a good area, although there are still holes in service. As I recall, the original poster says he has no signal at home. If that's the case, you don't want to be committed to an annual contract. With the right cell phone, and the Verizon service, you can get Broadband Access Connect (BBAC) which uses your phone as a modem, and gets you high speed connection - when available. You can turn this 'feature' on and off, resulting in a prorated price of about $2/day.
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