Wireless internet 1-year use report

December 28, 2011, 01:18:37 pm

Thanks to information I gained from this group last year on setting up a wireless internet system in our '10 RB, I followed the welcomed advice from members using the Millenicom service. I just added photos of the equipment installation in my photo album, Coachman's Enhancements to '10RB Monty." The installation was completed before our 14,000-mi. Summer/Fall western adventure this year. There is a description of the equipment with each photo.
Millenicom was very helpful with the set-up of the service and using the Cradlepoint router as the service port for their USB air-card. We were using two MacBook laptops wirelessly to the Cradlepoint both in and outside the coach. The outside range was at least 100'+. We were using the Millenicom Advanced Plan that allowed 20GB of monthly use for $60.oo on the Verizon wireless internet national network. Millenicom subcontracts with Verizon. We never even came close to using that amount of data even though we did send a lot of travel photo E-messages to friends.
First, I was surprised at how many rural/wilderness locations we camped that the service was available in the western states. Such as Chaco Canyon, NM, Palo Duro Canyon, TX, East Glacier NP, MT, to name a few. There were a few other locations, because of the terrain or other factors, there was no service. Many of these places where we had the internet service our cell phones (also Verizon) didn't function. The extra elevation of the roof gain antenna (with a good ground plain) made the difference. The up/down load speed depended on the strength of the Verizon signal at our location. Speed increased with a stronger signal. General speed with a good signal was around 1.2MB down & 500KB up. This is about the same as our ATT DSL service at home (rural). We didn't encounter any places east of the Mississippi River with no signal.
Once we returned home for the winter we discontinued the Millenicom at the end of the billing period with no additional charges. We can keep the air-card to use in future journeys. All Millenicom needs is a start of service date. There may be better services out there, but this works for us.
We wish all a Happy New Year & safe travels, Mike & Elizabeth Coachman

Re: Wireless internet 1-year use report

Reply #1 – December 28, 2011, 06:49:02 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 127537

Mike, I second your experiences with Millenicom.
Why pay more and get less?

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General speed with a good signal was around 1.2MB down & 500KB up.

We have the same antenna, but we have never seen such speeds. I get excited when I see 40 to 60KB/s

PS Where did you get the Add a drawers? CW?

Wireless internet 1-year use report

Reply #2 – December 29, 2011, 07:44:06 am

Yahoo Message Number: 127541

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PS- Where did you get the Add a drawers? CW?

Don, Yes, it was Camping World at Seffner, FL. (near Tampa) Below is the CW page link for the product.

Add-a-Drawer - Smart Solutions 814 - Table Accessories - Camping World;
Installation was done by removing the table from the wall and turning it over for access to the bottom. The drawer runners have two positions: higher- positions the top edge of the drawer against the bottom of the table (so drawer contents are secure and don't fall out while traveling, and: lower- gives more vertical capacity in the drawer for taller items. There is a bump on the runners that effectively keep the drawers from opening while traveling. Just a little more space for your "Stuff." Mike

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December 28, 2011, 01:18:37 pm

Reply #1 – December 28, 2011, 06:49:02 pm

Reply #2 – December 29, 2011, 07:44:06 am

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