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Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Yahoo Message Number: 50373
Hi,
 Steve at Lazy Daze asked me to make this post for all of you that are wanting to be able to access the Internet and your Email from within your Lazy Daze on your laptop computer at any time, any where.
 This is something I've wanted to do for many years, especially being in the Software business with all my activity being done through our Web Site. Finally solved and working fabulous.
 The solution for your total freedom is to buy a Verizon PC-5220 card for your laptop. You can read all about this card at this link:
 http://www.karbonsystems.com/Verizon-Airprime-PC-5220-products_detail- 188.html
 The card includes freeware software from Venturi Wireless, a company in Australia. It is compression software that really speeds up transmission.

Along with this card and software (included on a CD with the card) you will also need to sign up for Verizon Data Service. That only costs $79.95 a month and it is a data line service (no voice) and it is unlimited. You can stay online 24/7 all month long and it is only $79.95 per month.

The connection is either Broadband (in some cities, LA, San Diego, Miami with more planned to be added) or if Broadband isn't available then it automatically logs on to their NationalAccess which is like dialup. However, with the free included compression software, the speed at worst is about twice as fast as a land line dial-up like AOL or Earthlink.
 It works anywhere within my Lazy Daze, in the back, at the dinette or front seat. While I'm driving, my wife can even be online in the passenger seat doing email. There are very few areas in the US that it doesn't work, I haven't found one yet, but there are some small pockets that the reception is lost.
 No more dragging the laptop to the RV Park's club house, standing in line to use a dial up connection or being limited to their access hours. We arrive at a park, setup, turn on our laptop, simply connect to this service with one click on the icon that is created on your desktop, and we are online for the whole time we are there.
 Hope you all enjoy this as much as we are. The freedom it provides is wonderful and the cost is very reasonable.

Good traveling,

Cary
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50375
Quote
It works anywhere within my Lazy Daze, in the back, at the dinette or front seat. While I'm driving, my wife can even be online in the passenger seat doing email. There are very few areas in the US that it doesn't work, I haven't found one yet, but there are some small pockets that the reception is lost.
You must not travel the same places we do!  We currently use the Verizon cellular system for Internet access on the road.  While the Verizon digital coverage is good and getting better, there are areas (especially in the west) where there is only analog or no coverage.
And the new EVDO broadband service is still pretty much limited to a number of high population areas.  If rumors prove true and Verizon updates all of their digital coverage to EVDO by the end of the year, it will be very attractive.  Since some of the areas we go are unlikely to get digital coverage anytime soon, we are thinking hard about a tripod mount satellite system.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50381
caryharwin wrote:
 
Quote
The solution is to buy a Verizon PC-5220 card [$279] for your laptop...also sign up for Verizon Data Service, $79.95 a month...
This will work as long as you are within an area where you can get a cell phone signal, and where Verizon Wireless offers digital services.
 You can make similar arrangements by using a Verizon cell phone and a cable that connects the phone to the computer's USB port.  Setup is simplified if you buy a Mobile Office Kit (usually $40), containing the USB cable and software, for your phone from Verizon.  Internet connection is free during night and weekend time blocks.  During the day you will pay for minutes of use.

--oryoki
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50384
Quote
"...by using a Verizon cell phone and a cable that connects the
phone to the computer's USB port..."

Quote
--oryoki
oryoki and all

And, you can eliminate that pesky cable if you have a Bluetooth compliant Verizon phone as well as a Bluetooth enabled notebook.

I am headed in that direction with my GPS system as well.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50478
I'm with you Steve, I have a bluetooth Verizon phone, two bluetooth laptops (a mac and a pc) and a bluetooth printer.  I am also looking at bluetooth GPS units and would be interested
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50487
Quote
"I'm with you Steve, I have a bluetooth Verizon phone, two
bluetooth laptops (a mac and a pc) and a bluetooth printer.  I am also looking at bluetooth GPS units..."

Quote
Jonna, on the beach in Mexico. hot sun, warm ocean, cold beer -
what a great combo!

 Jonna

May your beer always be cold (my preference is XX)and your sunshine warm.

I've got the DeLorme Earthmate "Bluetooth" GPS receiver and as soon as I've decided which new "Bluetooth" notebook I'll buy next I guarantee that a PAN (Personal Area Network) will be set up in Lazy Bones. And, should I be forced to upgrade my cell phone you can bet that it will also be Bluetooth compliant. I cannot see having all those darned wires keeping you tied down like a boat anchor.
 Oh yes, my software will be DeLorme's Street Atlas 2004 or 2005. I'm getting anxious to get it up and running.

Steve S Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Wireless online computing in you
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50377
Quote
You must not travel the same places we do!  We currently use the Verizon cellular system for Internet access on the road.  While the Verizon digital coverage is good and getting better, there are areas (especially in the west) where there is only analog or no coverage.

 This was, and has been, our experience, too.  I used the 5220 card and it does work very well...when you're in a Verizon digital area.  However, we travel in areas where there is NO cell phone service, let alone Verizon digital service.  Oregon, for instance, is a very poor area for Verizon.
While some of the larger towns have Verizon digital service, many of the areas are in Extended Network, and many of them are analog areas...particularly along the Coast.
 Since we don't often stay in RV parks, using an RV park's modem hookup is not a solution for us, nor is WiFi for the same reason that we can't often use our cell phone.  That's why we went with the Direcway tripod-mounted satellite system.

(Just a note on Verizon's cost of $79.99 for their National Access service -- once you add all the taxes and other access fees, the actual amount that you end up paying is close to $100.  With our Direcway, the $59.99 cost is just that -- no taxes or access fees added -- so we're saving close to $40 per month.)

Linda & Earl 2004 23.5'  Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
Linda Hylton
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wireless online computing in your La
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50383
Quote
(Just a note on Verizon's cost of $79.99 for their National Access service -- once you add all the taxes and other access fees, the actual amount that you end up paying is close to $100.
I've had it for 6 months now and with the .49 tax I actually pay a total of $80.04 per month every month and average being connected about 15,000 minutes a month.
 I use to use my cell phone with cable and found the connection in the same area's that I get about  100bd now, to have been about 9,600 at best...  one of the real advantages I find with the PC5200 card is the VenturiWireless software that provides excellent compression for effectively increase transmission speed.

I'm sure I don't nearly travel as much as many of you, but for the cost and convenience, I think great value is achieved. Not a perfect world yet, but I find it a wonderful improvement along the way to hopeful perfection :)

Cary
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50386
caryharwin  wrote:

Quote
one of the real advantages I find with the PC5200 card is the VenturiWireless software that provides excellent compression for effectively increase transmission speed.
This software is part of the Mobile Office Kit for cell phones, too.

The Yahoo group "Internet by Cell Phone" has copies of Venturi, QLMobile, and Future Dial USB drivers available for free download, along with an extensive FAQ for Verizon and Sprint PCS customers.

--oryoki
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wireless online computing in you
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50387
Quote
I've had it for 6 months now and with the .49 tax I actually pay a total of $80.04 per month every month

 I know that the taxes vary by area, but I'm surprised you're paying so little.  Our National Access cost us almost $100 per month after all the taxes and access fees were added!

Linda & Earl 2004 23.5'  Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
Linda Hylton
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50394
Quote
This software is part of the Mobile Office Kit for cell phones, too.

The Yahoo group "Internet by Cell Phone" has copies of Venturi, QLMobile, and Future Dial USB drivers available for free download, along with an extensive FAQ for Verizon and Sprint PCS customers.

--oryoki
I work with computers enough to know the interface headaches and was surprised that the Verizon Mobile Office Kit (MOK) installed and worked so smoothly with my LG VX4500 phone.
 Note that the *free* connection is only after 9:00PM and all weekend and only at 14,400 baud which is about 1/3 to 1/2 the speed of a dialup.
 If you have a Windows 98SE (or better) system with a USB port this is a way to stay connected on the cheap.
 Maybe someday I will want to connect at high speed like at the office but RV'ing is meant to help us slow down so this is a good place to start ;-)

Ron and Linda Tenny, Tyrone, GA 26.5 MB goinabees  #8284
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50401
There are 2 speeds available with the Verizon service depending on the phone that you have ( most now are 3g capable); the 14.4 connection is barely tolerable for anything other than email but the faster 1xrtt connection ( up to about 100k baud ) that works
Re: Wireless online computing in your Lazy Daze
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50467
David,

I agree with your post.  Just a minor correction (I think).

The current Verizon 1XRTT high-speed access (National Access) is considered to be generation 2.5.  Verizon has just on 1 Feb introduced their new 3 g service VCAST.  They only have just introduced 3 phones capable of receiving this.  They indicated at the San Antonio Verizon store that they did not have any
Wireless online computing in your La
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50380
(snip..........)
 No more dragging the laptop to the RV Park's club house, standing in line to use a dial up connection or being limited to their access hours. We arrive at a park, setup, turn on our laptop, simply connect to this service with one click on the icon that is created on your desktop, and we are online for the whole time we are there.
 Hope you all enjoy this as much as we are. The freedom it provides is wonderful and the cost is very reasonable.

.............
 While I'll agree with most points here, there isn't much you can do when the only available service is ANALOG!!!
 The Verizon service and the PC-5220 Air Card work GREAT in a DIGITAL service area.  I've been using the setup for over a year now.  My experience has been wonderful AS LONG AS I'm in a digital service area.
 Verizon has come a long way in the last year with this service.  Especially the EVDO broadband service coverage area.
 The one thing I would suggest (from experience) for anyone wanting to use this service and method of internet connection is this..........  Wilson Makes an adaptor for the PC-5220 AirCard where by you can connect the AirCard to your OUTSIDE Wilson Truckers Cell Phone Antenna.  The Wilson part number is   "359917"  with a cost of about $14.00.  As an additional note, the following web link is a great place for Cell Phone accessories and Antenna accessories that are hard to find....

www.alternativewireless.com
 The only real problem I've run into was a WEAK signal from a cell tower.  Sometimes made worse while inside my LD.  After I added the above Wilson adaptor and outside antenna, I've had NO problems at all with reception and it has extended the distance I can be from a cell towel by several times.
 All-in-all, I'm very happy with the AirCard and Verizon service but, be advised......... when your out in the "BOONIES", you will need to improve your signal reception strength AND be in a DIGITAL service area.

Ted Collmar

'01 26.5 RB (Emily)

Pinetop, Arizona (currently in Apache Junction, Arizona)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ted C.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Wireless online computing in your La
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50389
-How much is the Datastorm system? Is there anything else coming on the horizon in the way of Satellite Uplinks? Equipment cost is one thing then you have the monthly. Looking for a starbucks is an adventure sometimes especially when they don't have big parking lots. When will McDonalds start to put in WiFi?

John
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Wireless online computing in your La
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50393
Quote
How much is the Datastorm system? Is there anything else coming on the horizon in the way of Satellite Uplinks?
 Look at http://www.datastorm.com/
 http://www.datastormusers.com/

 There is a less expensive alternative that the Datastorm/Motosat, and that's the Direcway tripod-mounted system.  We got ours from Maxwell Satellite (
www.maxwellsatellite.com ), although there are other installers.  Dustyfoot, who is currently here in Quartzsite, is a popular installer...he posts frequently to the Datastorm Users forum.

Linda & Earl 2004 23.5'  Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
Linda Hylton
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Wireless online computing in your La
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50479
We got our tripod system from Dustyfoot (www.dustyfoot.com) and we are happy with his service.  He also installs Datastorm if that's what you decide you want.  Big initial cost difference but easier to use, it's a trade off like a lot of stuff.  Scott (dustyfoot owner) is a very knowledgeable guy with a lot of experience, he will be straightforward about your costs and options.

Jonna
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Wireless online computing in your La
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50502
I'll second Jonna's comments about Scott.  All my interactions with him have been top drawer.  I wish I had bought my DataStorm from him.
Apache Junction, AZ
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50577
Quote
Ted Collmar '01 26.5 RB (Emily) Pinetop, Arizona (currently in Apache Junction, Arizona)
Ted, we are in Tubac for the Art Festival tomorrow and will be staying at the Gold Canyon RV Resort in Apache Junction for 4 nights starting on the 12th.  Where are you staying?

Chris Horst
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Apache Junction, AZ
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 50583
Hi Chris

We're at the Meridian RV Resort space #153.  It's on Meridian Road just a little north of Southern in Apache Junction.  Gold Canyon is east of us about 4 or 5 miles on Highway 60.

Ted Collmar

_____
Ted C.