Travel Net--Wireless Internet March 03, 2009, 12:25:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99865In the February 2009 issue of RV View, there is an article on a new "Fast, Reliable, Two-Way Wireless Internet as You Travel." I was hoping to see some discussion of it here, but so far haven't. It sounds like the perfect answer to connecting to the internet while traveling. It is small, two 2 1/2" antennas mount on the roof, the antennas connect to a celluar router which plugs into a power outlet. The cellular router connects to a WiFi router which plugs into a power outlet. Now how simple is that? Provider options include Sprint and Verizon. It costs around $1200 and Camping World installs them,(of course) for $158. So far I haven't been able to find out what Verizon's monthly charge is. So, my question is, is anyone familiar with this system? I do know that cell phone service has to be available. I was hoping that you could just squeeze your internet time in on your already paid for minutes. Not sure how this compares to an air card. So, if anyone has any thoughts on this system would appreciate hearing them. TIAPat (Mac) Rainy Sonoma Co. (4 inches since Sat noc.)[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: TravelNet--Wireless Internet Reply #1 – March 03, 2009, 12:53:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99871"It costs around $1,200 and Camping World installs them (of course) for $158."Or you could buy a CradlePoint router for $99, plug in your USB cellular modem (free when you sign up for Verizon NationalAccess/BroadbandAccess), stick a $35 Wilson cell antenna on your roof... and have exactly the same thing for $134. Several of this group's members have done exactly that. "So far I haven't been able to find out what Verizon's monthly charge is." Sixty dollars. (That's *in addition* to your regular cell phone bill.)"I was hoping that you could just squeeze your internet time in on your already paid for minutes."No such luck--Verizon hasn't allowed that in years."Not sure how this compares to an air card."The connection speed will be exactly the same. It'll have better reception than a USB cell modem or "aircard," because of the roof-mounted antennas. But again, a $35 Wilson cell antenna can remedy that. In short, the TravelNet system looks to me like very expensive sucker bait. ;-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Travel Net--Wireless Internet Reply #2 – March 03, 2009, 12:59:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99874It costs around $1200 and Camping World installs them,(of course) for $158. This service isn't any different than having an air card/USB modem from either Sprint or Verizon...it just costs a whole lot more!!!I don't understand why anyone would pay $1,200 (let alone $158 for installation) for this system when you can go to either Sprint or Verizon and get an air card/USB modem for FREE. Even if you add a Wilson antenna and amplifier, as we did, you'll only be out less than $500. Both Sprint and Verizon charge $59.99 per month (plus associated taxes and fees) for their broadband service.Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: Travel Net--Wireless Internet Reply #3 – March 03, 2009, 01:01:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99875Pat,Any number of us have an equivalent package of equipment for a lot less money. The system consists of an external cell phone antenna, bidirectional cell phone amplifier, a router intended for use with an "air card", and of course the "air card" itself. In my case, the bidirectional amplifier and outdoor antenna kit with cabling for my "air card" with shipping was $275. I was in fact a kit shown here: http://www.maximumsignal.us/store/product.php?productid=16175&cat=0&page=1&featuredThe wireless router for me was $125 for a Cradlepoint CTR-350 and I got $25 rebate check later. The Verizon service, and I use their USB727 air card, free with a 2- year contract, is $60/month for up to 5 GB of data.I installed the equipment myself and there were some additional expenses for incidental parts, like power switches, 12V outlets, etc. ( The bottom line is that you can have an equivalent system for much less.Alex Rutchka '05 MB
Re: TravelNet--Wireless Internet Reply #4 – March 03, 2009, 01:07:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99877On Mar 3, 2009, at 1:53 PM, Andy Baird wrote:Quoteo o oThe connection speed will be exactly the same. It'll have better reception than a USB cell modem or "aircard," because of the roof-mounted antennas. But again, a $35 Wilson cell antenna can remedy that. In short, the TravelNet system looks to me like very expensive sucker bait. ;-)Andy Baird Just to be fair, TravelNet does include a bidirectional amplifier which will extend you range away from a cell phone tower up to about 30 miles. I mentioned this in my other post. The amp is shown in CW ads.Other than that, you're "right on", Andy!Alex Rutchka '05 MB
Re: TravelNet--Wireless Internet Reply #5 – March 03, 2009, 01:23:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99880QuoteJust to be fair, TravelNet does include a bidirectional amplifier which will extend you range away from a cell phone tower up to about 30 miles. We have a Verizon USB modem, a CradlePoint 1000 router, a Wilson antenna, and a Wilson amplifier. All of this cost us just a little over $600 (the USB modem was free)...half of what the TravelNet costs. Had I gone with a different CradlePoint router instead of the top-of-the-line 1000, my cost would have been even less. I still don't see the advantage of the TravelNet system over buying all the pieces/parts on your own. You'll spend a lot less money doing it on your own rather than paying for the "Internet in a box" system. I agree with Andy's assessment: "...the TravelNet system looks to me like a very expensive sucker bait."Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
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