WiFi Sources

karls · Post by **karls** » Sun May 27, 2007 3:40 pm

We're planning a trip to UT, NV and CA this July and my wife needs to have high speed internet for her PSU teaching duties. Can any of you recommend which motels/donut shops/restaurants/what ever have reliable free connections?

Thanks a million!

Karl Striedieck
98 24RB

Tom and Jennifer Pierpan · Sun May 27, 2007 4:00 pm

We were out West last month and found Panera Bread to be an excellent source for Wifi. It is free, easy to access and their coffee is quite
good as well.
PS Starbucks requires a T Mobile account to access their wifi.

jobrien · Post by **jobrien** » Sun May 27, 2007 5:56 pm

RV.net has a link to a pdf file that has a list of campgrounds that have wifi. Like everything else, take it for what it's worth.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fusea ... 514727.cfm

We've found most libraries, Starbucks, and other "coffee shops" offer wifi. I've picked it up in motel parking lots, etc. but just for quick email checks. If your wife will be using it for work, I'm sure she will want a reliable source.

When we went out west last year, found many visitor centers along the highways also provided wifi. In one state, which I don't remember, you registered at the visitor center and then you could use that id all along the highway.

John

shilohdad · Post by **shilohdad** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:40 am

Here is a link that provides lots of free wi-fi locations around the country:

http://www.wififreespot.com/

As someone else said, take it for what it is worth. I believe a lot of the information is provided by other users of the site, and may not be absolutely correct.

Also, many public libraries around the country offer free wi-fi. I often park outside a library and can get Internet access.

Be aware that wi-fi hotspots in remote locations may still use a slow-speed Internet connection.

KTnLen · Post by **KTnLen** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:28 am

The State of Iowa has a free WiFi internet service at some rest stops, but I found the coverage to be spotty or even unavailable at times. Finding a Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, or Paneras can be tricky in some parts of the country. Flying J truck stops have a pay-for-use service, and I know there are other options with motel parking lots, etc.

But, your cell phone service may offer a wireless internet card that fits in a laptop, and uses the cell network to move data anywhere there is cell coverage. Combine with a 3-watt amplifier, and you have the best of all worlds -- cell and internet coverage where you would normally not have it because of sight and range limits. Think of it: in-motion WiFi coverage. As a bonus, you can use VOIP and other features, plus continue to use cell phone at the same time since the card has its own 'number.'

T-Mobile has a plan where you purchase a Sony Ericsson GC89 card for about $150 and add it to an existing T-Mobile cell serviice for a monthly cost of about $40 and unlimited use. Sprint and other providers have similar plans. These network cards are sometimes called "Air Cards" or "EDGE" cards, but they work the same. I know some colleagues who have dumped internet service at home, and now use the wireless card all the time.

I'm happy with the T-Mobile GC89 card, and it allows me maximum flexibility no matter where I go. My Blackberry phone email serves as the cue that something is up, and within minutes I can be logged on and responding on the fly if I have another driver, or at the side of the road otherwise. I will be testing the 3-watt Wilson amplifier and antenna system in the near future. Len C sends.

bill crommett · Post by **bill crommett** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:23 pm

I have been dissapointed with the Wi-fi sevices offered. some are spotty, and some are covered up by fee wi-fi like Flying J. My best configuation for on the road contact is via my cell phone. We have Alltel cell service and I have a cable that connects my cell phone to my laptop and I don't have to fight the over-riders along the highway. Alltel has nationwide accomodations with some of the other wide area companies and on a recent trip to California from South Carolina and return we had glitch zero in contacting family and freinds in California, Michigan and South Carolia. and we have never had to pay for extra minutes for the past two years. Another thing : Allltel is going to go high speed on thier ISP some time this year, but I cannot get a serious commitment from them as to the date.

This is an unsolicited testimonial, done at my own expense !

Trisha · Post by **Trisha** » Thu May 31, 2007 9:20 pm

I think cell phone to wifi is the way I am going to go before my next odessy as well. They've got it with Cingular now too. I hope it works, because I was able to save some poor Verison customer's bacon with my Cingular phone last summer

Their verison didn't have any service, and they had a blowout in their toad about 30 miles south of the Colorado line on I25. My Cingular worked great. They called their roadside service on my phone and considered me a hero

Felt great. Maybe some day the tables will be turned? Who knows... WE all gotta work together, that's the best way to get things done.

They were very nice Colorado RV'ers.. not born free owners, but we both had similar toads and I was happy to help. I think I felt as good about it as they did!

Happy trails!

trish

Ray'n Mary · Post by **Ray'n Mary** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:41 pm

How about if one's needs do NOT include mobile, on-the-road, internet connection? But DO include daily connections, say at campgrounds?

Anyone know about satellite TV systems that offer an add-on service providing internet connection, with up- and down-loading capability?
Successful? Costs?

Ray

robert newby · Post by **robert newby** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:44 pm

we are curently traveling in the North West this summer and have found that most RV parks now have WiFi -- even in Canada we found WiFi in most RV parks -- we are now in Alaska and have very good coverage -- safe travels to you --

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:46 pm

Ray,
Here are a couple of options for satellite, they tend to be on the expensive side. I believe a couple of BF'ers have them and we met some people in Colorado last year that had one, maybe they will respond.
Anyway here's a couple of URL's.
http://www.motosat.com/ (thru Dish network)
or http://tinyurl.com/jhomq (DirectWay: Hughes)
http://www.4wildblue.com/?gclid=CPuG6va ... YQodXxDBsA
http://www.starband.com/

Steve

KTnLen · Post by **KTnLen** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:50 pm

An Internet in Motion (IIM) option is available through Camping World or other resellers for $2000 -- yes, two grand!

A few links to the IIM are:

IIM Product: http://www.internetinmotion.net/
RV101 Video: http://rveducation101.com/videostream/? ... _In_motion
Camping World Product: http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus ... iateID=590

I will be testing my Blackberry Cell Phone and T-Mobile wireless network card with the Wilson amplifier and antennae over the next few weeks, so will report the results.

For a basic stationary wireless receiver and router capability, any electronics store with computer gear should be able to advise depending on your computer and operating system.

Trisha · Post by **Trisha** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:03 am

Ray'n Mary wrote:How about if one's needs do NOT include mobile, on-the-road, internet connection? But DO include daily connections, say at campgrounds?

Anyone know about satellite TV systems that offer an add-on service providing internet connection, with up- and down-loading capability?
Successful? Costs?

Ray

There are a few. They are supposed to be good. They are expensive. $60 pre month (plus initial equipment ) and up. Others here know more. But they aren't cheap, the satellite solutions.

Trish edited for clarity

goofupman · Post by **goofupman** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:41 pm

I read an article recently that said McDonalds will be having free WiFi available in their stores.

shilohdad · Post by **shilohdad** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 4:06 pm

If you will be staying at private campgrounds rather than federal/state parks or dry camping, many campgrounds now have high-speed internet. If you don't have one yet, get a Trailer Life directory, available at Camping World and most RV service centers. Their listings show you what kind of Internet service, if any, the campground has. You may want to wait until the 2013 directory comes out to get the latest listings. You can pre-order the 2013 directory at the following web site: http://www.trailerlifedirectory.com/Tra ... uctid=2BRJ

bookie71 · Post by **bookie71** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:20 pm

We use the Mi-fi feature on our smart phone. It isn't the fastest, but I don't want to do business over a public wi-fi.