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Old 12-07-2011, 02:44 AM   #1
richf28
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Internet Server

Will be a first time snowbird this year in Florida from PA. I was wondering what others do for their internet connection. There is cable tv available where I will be. Some I've talked to have said they use comcast others say they have switched to Verizon hotspot devices claiming it's faster and cheaper.
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Old 12-07-2011, 05:22 AM   #2
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We are in Starke, FL now as we were last year and use Verizon MiFi with great results. I work on line all day and need a reliable connection. A friend of ours here at our campground has been using AT&T and after a long battle is in the process of changing over to Verizon.
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Old 12-07-2011, 06:33 AM   #3
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We've had HughesNet at home since we moved to the "woods" in Northern Michigan, so there's no moving that anywhere. My wife teaches online college courses so she needs reliable internet service when we travel. We like to boondock at remote lakes to fish and hunt as well as just enjoy nature without a campground around, so we needed reliable remote internet service.

We got the Verizon mi-fi and so far have been very pleased with the availability of service, even in the "middle of nowhere"

We camped at a remote lake in the UP about 50 miles SW of Marquette, 15 miles NE of Crystal Falls and 13 miles down a dirt road. No power, no water, no TV, no cellphone (we use ATT) but we had high speed internet... She was able to do all her classwork and grade assignments, etc just like at home. We joked that if an emergency came up, we'd have to "google 911" to find out how to dial an internet responder....So far, we haven't found any place we can't get online.

For the money, I'd strongly suggest Verizon mi-fi.
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Old 12-07-2011, 07:35 AM   #4
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Howdy All;

When I was in Utah I had a landline phone set-up. Did the Comcast..... didn't like the extra charges that came with it.

I'm useing a Veizon plug-in devise. Have the 5G package. Gets tight some months, only gone over once in almost 2 years.
Works for me.

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Old 12-08-2011, 05:38 AM   #5
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I have been using a Verizon plug in device (air card) for over 2 years now with great results.

Even though we live in a house now and don't full time any more, we kept it as our options here in the woods aren't great!

Jo
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Old 12-10-2011, 03:41 AM   #6
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Decided to go with the Hotbox. When I went to Verizon to purchase it they recommended me to use my smartphone (Motorola Razr) as my hotspot. I have the unlimited data plan on it and it has 4G. I can also hook up to 5 devices. Everything the hotbox does for $30.00 less a month. Thanks everyone for your input.
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Old 12-10-2011, 05:26 AM   #7
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Verizon MiFi! It works great and provides you with the best coverage anywhere in the United States.

You can run up to 5 computers off the MiFi at the same time.
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Old 12-10-2011, 06:36 PM   #8
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The Verizon Mifi 4510L also has an antenna input. I installed a directional antenna on my RV and it boosted my signal significantly. Where I was getting .65 Mbps down I now get 1.69 Mbps. Not bad for a $100 investment. My business is Internet consulting and I have a need for speed!
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Old 01-04-2012, 09:45 AM   #9
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If there is cable TV available where you will set in for the winter, your best bet is to get internet from that cable company. Most cable companies provide services with no contract. You just pay for the months you need it and the bandwidth is much higher and more reliable than from a cell provider.

If you do have to go with a wireless carrier, I would make Sprint my first choice if there is service in the area you will camp. Sprint has the ONLY true unlimited data plan. The others will restrict your bandwidth when you go over a set amount at best and charge extra at worst.

Then again, if you don't use the internet for much then you could just go with whoever has the best signal for where you will be....
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Old 01-04-2012, 05:10 PM   #10
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on a better note, not a bad day to be in florida, burrrrrrr.
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Old 01-06-2012, 02:20 AM   #11
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I have been using my Verizon Motorola Razr for my hotspot since I arrived in Florida. It has 4G and I have the unlimited plan. Been working fine but need to have it plugged in because it will suck the battery done quickly. Just have to remember shut off hotspot when Im done computing so as to save power.
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Old 01-06-2012, 04:15 PM   #12
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We have been using our Verizon USB Modem (Grandfathered in with Unlimited usage) pluged into a Cradle Point Router. Generally run 2 laptops and a wireless printer. Works very well for us and generally faster and more reliable the Campground supplied WiFi.
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Old 01-08-2012, 08:06 AM   #13
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Millencom advanced plan: carrier Verizon, 20 Gigabyte per month (more than enough for most) plus NO contract, pay month to month. $60.00

http://www.millenicom.com/

Wifiranger wireless router used in conjunction with Millencom's Novatel U760 Device. I recommend the Mobile External Reception Antenna with the ranger you can pick up free park wifi over a mile away! both for about $300. Just the ranger $129. Ranger has a 12v hook up so you can leave it running in the 5er and get wifi in your truck as you drive down the road. (w/the novatel plugged in)

https://www.wifiranger.com/home
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Old 01-09-2012, 06:59 AM   #14
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We've had Novatel 760 device over two years now. Price is $60 a month and I have never even used up half of the time I've got on it!

Jo

Our account is thru Verizon.
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Old 01-09-2012, 02:42 PM   #15
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Harley76 -

The WiFiRanger Pro is awesome! I just wish these guys would advertise a bit more.

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Old 01-09-2012, 07:10 PM   #16
hankaye
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Geo, Howdy;

Quote:
Originally Posted by geo View Post
Harley76 -

The WiFiRanger Pro is awesome! I just wish these guys would advertise a bit more.

Ron
Sounds nice, unless you are more than a mile away from the wifi source.
In my case 23 miles.


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Old 01-10-2012, 06:16 AM   #17
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Hankaye -

I know it has to be a long reach for WiFi at your location. However, the WiFiRanger Pro allows one to utilize either WiFi or a data stick. So, by using the WiFiRanger Pro with a data stick in its USB port, one has a wireless router that more than one user can connect to via local, plus connect an Ethernet or wireless printer at the same time! Or, one can additionally connect via Ethernet a computer. Now, depending on who is connection to what, the Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T/etc. data service might be a little bandwidth restricted, I'll admit. But you can set it up to either WiFi or use cellular data service for more than one device. I have yet to attempt to connect the Samsung Blu-Ray to Netflix, but I have got to just try to see if it would work at sometime.

That's why I think its awesome! And if you wire it in to the 12VDC of the RV, just leave it and surf the Web from the TV as you roll down the road.

Well, maybe not. But Rascal could watch those YouTube dog videos he has been wanting to see as you drive!

Ron
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Old 01-10-2012, 07:01 AM   #18
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Wi-Fi Ranger

I second the Wi-Fi Ranger. It works really well, although you do have to be a bit of a computer geek sometimes to get it set up. Company support is very good, you call for a support appointment and they call back promptly at the scheduled time.

We have 2 iPads, laptop, iPhone and all work together seamlessly. We no longer have to jockey to get a camping spot right next to the office to get Wi-Fi.

BTW: for other owners out there, they just announced a firmware upgrade to the router.

John
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Old 01-10-2012, 08:03 AM   #19
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For campgrounds with limited range WI-FI you should complain it really doesn't cost that much to put in a repeater. We put 2 in and have no problem. Our campground is about 300 yards plus from end to end

On the road we use Virgin Mobile because there's no contract

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/
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Old 01-12-2012, 07:00 PM   #20
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Verizon mifi

Leaving for 3 months x country. Georgia; Alabama, Mississippi, routes 20/10 Texas; NM; AZ; possibly back through OK in the spring...will report on connectivity from time to time. Hope report will be positive since I am into this thing for 2 years. Figure it has to be more "secure" than using campgound wifi.
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