| Most RVers use the Internet to stay in touch with | | | | only in remote areas, but in certain states or areas. My |
| family and friends. Many use it for banking and bill | | | | sister lives in the L.A. area, north of Pasadena. At her |
| paying. Finding campgrounds, attractions, places to | | | | house I have to go outside for my Verizon cell phone |
| work or volunteer, are all easier if you have a | | | | to work or stand by certain windows. It works |
| computer and an Internet connection. The methods | | | | elsewhere in her area. (We couldn't use the Aircard or |
| RVers use to connect are: cell phone modem or | | | | satellite Internet there either.) If you park in areas with |
| Aircard, satellite Internet, RV park Wi-Fi, other Wi-Fi | | | | lots of trees frequently, satellite Internet may not work. |
| signals, public computers, PocketMail (for e-mail only.) | | | | What's the solution? |
| and a dial-up modem connection at an RV park. | | | | No one method of connecting to the Internet works all |
| Three factors will help you determine which form of | | | | the time. I need to check e-mail and get on the Web |
| Internet access is best for you. | | | | nearly every day. We were in Big Bend for several |
| - How often you want/need to connect | | | | months in 2005-06 and had no cell phone service. My |
| - Your budget | | | | Aircard did not work either. We first got a landline, |
| - Where you travel | | | | which got clogged up with users as soon as the kids |
| How often do you connect? | | | | were home from school. We ended up purchasing a |
| For RVers who need a dependable, regular (daily) | | | | satellite Internet dish, which worked well. |
| connection no matter where they travel for business | | | | The satellite Internet works great - except when it |
| purposes, satellite Internet is a good choice. It works in | | | | doesn't. In 2007 we traveled with satellite Internet. Even |
| remote areas when nothing else does. Trees can | | | | so, we used Wi-Fi in RV parks where we stayed if |
| obstruct the signal, though. | | | | we were there for only one night rather then set up |
| RVers who stay along the Interstates and metropolitan | | | | the dish. We would call ahead to find out. In Maine, we |
| areas are more likely to find a good signal from an | | | | had no signal because of trees; the promised Wi-Fi in |
| Aircard. Each cell phone company, though, has areas | | | | the park wasn't operational yet. We used a landline at |
| where their service does not work, especially in more | | | | the family cottage and some days drove about 15 |
| remote areas. Overall, Aircards are getting better, | | | | miles to a coffee shop/bookstore for free Wi-Fi. A |
| faster and with a signal available in more places. | | | | few times on our travels, I went into the RV park |
| If you only check e-mail occasionally, you might not | | | | office and used their dial-up or high-speed modems. |
| even want a computer that gets an Internet signal. | | | | Several RVers we know have recently given up their |
| Checking at public libraries or using PocketMail could | | | | satellite Internet dishes in favor of an Aircard. In fact, |
| work fine. | | | | we too have switched to a newer Verizon Aircard |
| How much can you spend? | | | | because of problems with speed with Hughes. We |
| Budget is a factor too. The satellite Internet equipment | | | | know the Aircard won't work 100 percent of the time |
| is a minimum of $1500 for the tripod-mounted dish, | | | | but are prepared to look for other ways to connect. |
| $5000+ for a rooftop mount that automatically locates | | | | What we like about the Aircard is that it is tiny and |
| the signal. If you catch a sale and rebate, the Aircard | | | | easily finds the signal. We can both use the same |
| or cellular modem is free. The regular price is as much | | | | Aircard by using a router. With satellite Internet, even |
| as $200. The basic monthly service for both Aircard | | | | though George was quite fast at setting it up, it still |
| and satellite Internet costs about $60; other plans are | | | | took 10-15 minutes, was more involved, and we |
| more expensive. | | | | needed a place to store the dish and tripod. The signal |
| If you rely strictly on Wi-Fi, cost can be deceptive. You | | | | for satellite Internet is more difficult to find than for |
| can often find a free signal by driving around, but how | | | | satellite TV because you have three parameters to |
| much time and fuel are you spending finding it? Some | | | | match instead of two. The Motostat system that is |
| parks and coffee shops charge for Wi-Fi. If you need | | | | mounted on your RV roof and finds the signal |
| a subscription for even 24 hours very frequently, you | | | | automatically works well but is much more expensive |
| could end up paying a lot per month for service. If you | | | | and you can be limited in where you park so trees |
| only check e-mail two or three times a week when | | | | don't interfere. With the tripod mount, you can move |
| you have a signal, then you can avoid paying. Consider | | | | the dish around. With Motostat, you need to move |
| all that when making a choice. | | | | your RV if you don't get a signal. |
| Where do you travel? | | | | To come up with the solution that works best for you, |
| If you like remote areas, you may have difficulty | | | | weigh all the factors. Choosing either an Aircard or |
| connecting with anything but a satellite Internet dish. If | | | | satellite Internet does involve a two-year commitment |
| you are usually in more populated areas, check the | | | | when you sign up so think it through before committing. |
| coverage for the company you are considering for an | | | | And, be prepared to use an alternative method when |
| Aircard or modem; all have holes in their service, not | | | | your main choice doesn't work. |