(Near) Constant Internet While RV'ing? 438
Neilio writes "What systems would Slashdotters recommend for staying connected while RV'ing across the US and Canada? While a 3G data plan seems obvious, the intrepid RV'er wants to get remote and into those parts of the coverage map that are usually gray (no coverage). But satellite can be expensive, includes high latency for VoIP and gaming, and requires a clear view of the southern sky. I've come across some intriguing products that use an amplified 2G/3G signal and bridge to WiFi, like WiFi In Motion, and CradlePoint's MBR1000 (I have no affiliation with either). Do folks have any experience with these, or can you recommend another approach (even homebrew)? While I am an electrical engineer by degree, you have to go back a few decades since I last expertly sported a soldering iron, so the less DIY the better. My wife and I now run a web-based business, so nearly daily connectivity is a must, no matter where we are."
What? (Score:1, Insightful)
What exactly is RV'ing?
how about (Score:3, Insightful)
Priorities (Score:5, Insightful)
If you want constant internet access, you must not go where there is no signal.
If you want to go enjoy remote places with no signal, you cannot have constant internet coverage.
Pick one.
Let me get this straight (Score:5, Insightful)
You say "the intrepid RV'er wants to get remote", but you want to remain in constant internet contact. You claim it's about your business, but you worry about latency's effect on gaming.
Why exactly are you heading out anywhere? Cuz it sounds to me you're not gonna to see anything that's not reflected in your computer screen...
freak (Score:2, Insightful)
You ask the impossible (Score:5, Insightful)
You don't want to use satellite and you say cellular coverage isn't good enough. What exactly are you expecting? If there's no connectivity, there's no connectivity. No amount of homebrew can fix that.
You also seem confused by WiFi In Motion and Cradlepoint products. They don't amplify anything, they're just access points that you can plug your phone in to get wifi coverage. A laptop and a router can do the same thing.
You have two choices:
1) Pony up the dough for satellite coverage
2) Get a cellular data plan and live with no connectivity in dead zones
I don't believe there are any other alternatives.
The easiest solution (Score:5, Insightful)
Product requirements;
- Decent latency
- Decent bandwidth
- Available everywhere
- Reliable
Solution; none. There is no product out there that will meet all four requirements.
It now falls to you to decide what your priority is. Given that you need to stay in contact because of business concerns, I'd guess you'd make the following priorities
1) Reliable
2) Low latency for voip purposes
3) Enough bandwidth for voip/email/image uploads
4) Available everywhere.
If that's the case, then the obvious answer is to simply NOT travel anywhere without 3g coverage. No other solution you are going to find will match your requirements otherwise.
Intrepid? RV'er? It Hurts. (Score:3, Insightful)
intrepid RV'er
I may have a different definition of "intrepid" than you but to me there's nothing intrepid about any location you reach by road unless you're talking about hostile countries or might-wake-up-without-your-kidney parts of Mexico. Especially if you're on your laptop having a conference call while your TV dinners cook inside the RV.
Do yourself a favor and get out of the position where your business can't function without you. If you have you have to be a single point of failure I'm sorry you picked that profession in life and it's great that you make twice what I make but I would not trade places. If you want something moderately challenging then leave at home all your electronics and canoe/portage 50 miles into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area [wikipedia.org] for an intrepid vacation. Trust me, to see land so pristine was a near religious experience and I definitely went back.
Go white water rafting or mountain hiking or get dive certified. I'm sorry if your health doesn't permit this but I personally don't find anything intrepid about a recreational vehicle.
Re:freak (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:freak (Score:4, Insightful)
This is a bit harsh. Often RV'ers are gone for long periods of time. I know someone who spends his winters RVing in Mexico. he runs a business and needs to also be in touch with people regularly.
Packet radio (Score:3, Insightful)
If speed and latency aren't priorities and you can deal with unencrypted transmission, I'd recommend getting an amateur radio license and operating a packet radio [wikipedia.org].
Re:Let me get this straight (Score:1, Insightful)
So, you don't think people should want to live somewhere nice just because sometimes they use a computer or watch TV? I can completely see the appeal of being able to go to a beautiful National Park, do some work in the morning, and have the rest of the day to enjoy my surroundings. You don't have to be doing outward bound every time you're in a remote area. I'd like to take off for a few months myself, and I'd be interested in internet access in remote areas too.
the people questioning why (Score:5, Insightful)
Half the comments have some portion dedicated to criticizing the idea of RVing and "being connected'. Why is it so hard to understand that liking the outdoors/road and having internet are not opposites. Everyone that is asking why he even needs internet should ask themselves why they want phone service when not at home. The internet is just as much a tool as a frying pan or a tent these days, and having access to it at all times is very useful. Not to mention that one could spend all day hiking around and doing activities outside only to retreat back to camp and want an hour or two of connectivity. Not totally insane if you ask me. As for how to do it? Well I am not an expert in that area so I will let someone else help out.
RV = Campgrounds and Parking Lots (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Well... (Score:3, Insightful)
Screw Starbucks, any public library and many other establishments have FRE wifi. Hell, the bar I go to has wifi, and almost all its patrons are construction workers who don't even have computers, let alone laptops. I've never seen anybody in there use the wifi. McDonald's (at least the one on 6th street) has free wifi.
Do you pay for your air?
Re:Let me get this straight (Score:4, Insightful)
I go on vacations where I don't take my laptop and don't work, but on the other hand if I want to go somewhere fun and work for a while, what's the problem with that? It's not an either/or situation.
Re:Priorities (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What? (Score:3, Insightful)
Starfish aren't fish, either...
The fish took offense to that name, so we call them "sea stars" [wikipedia.org] now. Keep up with the times, you insensitive clod.
Been there done that, here's your answer. (Score:2, Insightful)