I would really appreciate any help or insight on this one. I want to spend more time working on the road while RVing, in the mountains of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming etc. On the weekdays, I need to have cell coverage as well as internet access to run my business. I use Verizon and have a 3G USB aircard, an Android phone, and a CDMA cell phone. I've reviewed Verizon's coverage map as of 4/10/12 and I can see where the coverage allegedly exists.
I would appreciate any advice, tips, or ideas an how other people
make this work.
I recall two years ago when going to Yellowstone there were places on major highways with no cell phone service. I don't remember where exactly but Wyoming comes to mind. Things could be way different in two years though.
Ron & Charlotte
WD8CBT since 1976
28' Prowler & 05 Ram QC LB
I started with nothing and I still have most of it left
I never fail, I just succeed in finding out what doesn't work
We do business while traveling. It all depends upon whether the exact spot you have stopped at has cell voice and data service. We carry two laptops, a tablet, cell phones, and a small, portable printer= and as long as we have a signal to connect to we can do just about everything we do at home. If the coverage maps have solid color on them showing coverage where you are planning to go, you should have coverage. If the map shows gaps in coverage, you may not.
We find the maps pretty accurate in those areas, and VZN definitely has the best coverage. Using an amp we are rarely without service unless there just are not any towers.
We apply for tax numbers in the states we plan to do business. Some cities also require you to get a tax number. We use squareup.com and our Xoom tablet for the credit card transactions. Prefer credit card over taking checks.
We have property in western Idaho and the VZW coverage maps are very inaccurate for that area. The only way to guarantee service is with a sat system, which we have and use when there. We spent a week and a half just south of Riggins last summer, with NO cell service for any carrier, in the best RV park in the area. In the med to larger towns and cities, yes you will have service from at least one carrier, though sometimes it is 1X type, but a few miles out of town and all bets are off. DO NOT count on cell service in western and central Idaho.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
Twomed wrote: We find the maps pretty accurate in those areas, and VZN definitely has the best coverage. Using an amp we are rarely without service unless there just are not any towers.
Twomed,
I'm looking into cell amplifier options for our travels. What brand/model do you use? Could you provide some details about your particular install & experiences?
We've done on-line stuff cross-country and found Verizon to be the best coverage. The coverage maps are fairly good, but you might find the signal drops off quicker than expected in the mountains & very heavy forest. We do travel with an amplifier & antenna which I highly recommend. They've really boosted our reception range.
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