Staying in Touch
Internet Service
There are so many options and it's very confusing. Some RVers just camp on the weekend and enjoy not being connected for a few days but others are like me and prefer to be connected either for work or to enjoy streaming movies. I've listed a few options below but technology changes very fast.
There are so many options and it's very confusing. Some RVers just camp on the weekend and enjoy not being connected for a few days but others are like me and prefer to be connected either for work or to enjoy streaming movies. I've listed a few options below but technology changes very fast.
Free WIFI Hotspots
Wireless Fidelity or WIFI is offered free at many coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, and sometimes the RV campground. This is the least expensive route to take but not always the best. The connection might be spotty, not secured and very often the restaurant will limit your time on their free connection. WIFI has a range of approximately 1,500 feet in radius and this WIFI signal area is called a hotspot.
Connections can be made with your smart phone, tablet or laptop using your wireless network card. I've spent many afternoons at McDonalds working because the campsite didn't offer WIFI.
Wireless Fidelity or WIFI is offered free at many coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, and sometimes the RV campground. This is the least expensive route to take but not always the best. The connection might be spotty, not secured and very often the restaurant will limit your time on their free connection. WIFI has a range of approximately 1,500 feet in radius and this WIFI signal area is called a hotspot.
Connections can be made with your smart phone, tablet or laptop using your wireless network card. I've spent many afternoons at McDonalds working because the campsite didn't offer WIFI.
Cellular Phone/Tethering
Internet tethering is sharing your smart phone internet connection with your PC. If you're already paying for data service and your cellular provider doesn't require any extra fees for using your cell phone as a modem then you won't have to pay for separate mobile broadband service or buy additional hardware.
Check your connection (at the status bar) and if there's a dot, an E or a 3G text, then you can connect. You must enable tethering by going to Settings then General then Network then Internet Tethering and then enable it. This will drain the phone's battery very quickly.If you have a USB port on your laptop that can also charge devices, tethering via the USB would be a better way to connect.
Your smart phone is not your only option, The Apple iPad 4G Verizon tablet can serve as a mobile hotspot as can many smartphones on 4G data plans. In addition, many laptops and netbooks come with integrated 3G and 4G modems.
Internet tethering is sharing your smart phone internet connection with your PC. If you're already paying for data service and your cellular provider doesn't require any extra fees for using your cell phone as a modem then you won't have to pay for separate mobile broadband service or buy additional hardware.
Check your connection (at the status bar) and if there's a dot, an E or a 3G text, then you can connect. You must enable tethering by going to Settings then General then Network then Internet Tethering and then enable it. This will drain the phone's battery very quickly.If you have a USB port on your laptop that can also charge devices, tethering via the USB would be a better way to connect.
Your smart phone is not your only option, The Apple iPad 4G Verizon tablet can serve as a mobile hotspot as can many smartphones on 4G data plans. In addition, many laptops and netbooks come with integrated 3G and 4G modems.
MIFI
MIFI or My WIFI is a device that can be connected to a mobile phone and provide internet access for up to five devices in a 30 foot radius. This device acts as a mobile WIFI hotspot and the name MIFI is a Novatel Wireless brand.
Wireless carriers such as Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile offer MiFi wireless devices along with the wireless service plans required for connecting to their networks. Other manufacturers that offer wireless hotspot devices include D-Link, Sierra Wireless, and NetComm.
One of the great things about MiFI is that they are so easy to set up. All that is required is to turn on the unit and wait for your computer to detect the signal. Once this is done you can get online at broadband speeds instantaneously and there is no software to install. This may be an expensive option but might work well for your needs.
MIFI or My WIFI is a device that can be connected to a mobile phone and provide internet access for up to five devices in a 30 foot radius. This device acts as a mobile WIFI hotspot and the name MIFI is a Novatel Wireless brand.
Wireless carriers such as Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile offer MiFi wireless devices along with the wireless service plans required for connecting to their networks. Other manufacturers that offer wireless hotspot devices include D-Link, Sierra Wireless, and NetComm.
One of the great things about MiFI is that they are so easy to set up. All that is required is to turn on the unit and wait for your computer to detect the signal. Once this is done you can get online at broadband speeds instantaneously and there is no software to install. This may be an expensive option but might work well for your needs.
Satellite
This is the most expensive route to take. There are fully automatic, roof mounted satellites that operate when the RV is stopped and then the tripod mounted that is manually aligned when moved.
The cost of the roof mounted is approximately $6,000 installed and then $60 - $140 a month. The cost of the tripod mounted is approximately $2000 installed and then $60 - $140 a month. Satellite works well for folks that must be connected all the time and the download speed is fairly fast. Keep in mind your satellite might not work under the trees.
Satellite does have an approximate 1 second delay compared to the ms delay in other connection methods. This means interactive applications such as gaming or Skype are almost impossible.
This is the most expensive route to take. There are fully automatic, roof mounted satellites that operate when the RV is stopped and then the tripod mounted that is manually aligned when moved.
The cost of the roof mounted is approximately $6,000 installed and then $60 - $140 a month. The cost of the tripod mounted is approximately $2000 installed and then $60 - $140 a month. Satellite works well for folks that must be connected all the time and the download speed is fairly fast. Keep in mind your satellite might not work under the trees.
Satellite does have an approximate 1 second delay compared to the ms delay in other connection methods. This means interactive applications such as gaming or Skype are almost impossible.
Conclusion
So, with all this being said, are you more confused than ever? How are you staying connected? Let us hear from you and we'll be glad to add any of your ideas or information.
I personally use my cell service with T-Mobile as a hot spot while traveling. We are on the 55 and over plan with unlimited service. I also have a Wilson WeBoost Drive 46-X/Travel cell phone signal booster in our van. Our van also has a WIFI extender that is helpful in a campground with WIFI.
So, with all this being said, are you more confused than ever? How are you staying connected? Let us hear from you and we'll be glad to add any of your ideas or information.
I personally use my cell service with T-Mobile as a hot spot while traveling. We are on the 55 and over plan with unlimited service. I also have a Wilson WeBoost Drive 46-X/Travel cell phone signal booster in our van. Our van also has a WIFI extender that is helpful in a campground with WIFI.
Mail Service
How do I get my mail while I'm on the road. Most folks use online banking, email, Facebook to stay in touch but occasionally we have to receive something through snail mail. There are several options to choose from. I've listed a few options below.,
How do I get my mail while I'm on the road. Most folks use online banking, email, Facebook to stay in touch but occasionally we have to receive something through snail mail. There are several options to choose from. I've listed a few options below.,
First option is to have a family member or friend receive your mail and forward it to you. This is asking a lot of someone to take the time to forward your mail and I believe they would get tired of this job. I would only do this for a short term setup until I was situated with a permanent solution.
Second option is to rent a box at the local USP store and this is easy to setup but can be expensive. A box might not be viewed as a legal address.
Third option is to use a professional mail forwarding service. This is usually considered a permanent address and the price is reasonable. A permanent address is needed for obtaining driver's license, vehicle registration, etc. A mail service will even renew your vehicle registration, for a price of course. Whatever route you take, be sure the mail forwarding service is registered with USPS. This is not a complete list but just a few:
NOTE: The pricing is probably not up-to-date.
Alternative Resources - South Dakota:
Americas Mailbox - South Dakota:
Escapees Mail Service - Texas:
Good Sam Club - Florida:
My RV Mail - Florida:
Second option is to rent a box at the local USP store and this is easy to setup but can be expensive. A box might not be viewed as a legal address.
Third option is to use a professional mail forwarding service. This is usually considered a permanent address and the price is reasonable. A permanent address is needed for obtaining driver's license, vehicle registration, etc. A mail service will even renew your vehicle registration, for a price of course. Whatever route you take, be sure the mail forwarding service is registered with USPS. This is not a complete list but just a few:
NOTE: The pricing is probably not up-to-date.
Alternative Resources - South Dakota:
- Forward Your Mail Weekly, $216.00 Annual Fee.
- Forward Your Mail Twice a Month, $192.00 Annual Fee.
- Forward Your Mail Once a Month, $168.00 Annual Fee.
- Forward Mail On Demand, $240 Annual Fee
- Set Up Fee is $10.00 - Plus, a Postage Deposit of $100.00
- $2.00 per month per Email Address, Billed Annually.
Americas Mailbox - South Dakota:
- Several plans to fit specific needs.
- Bronze Plan to receive up to 7 pieces of mail per year. $129 annually plus tax and postage fund.
- Silver Plan for all mail forwarded (including all junk mail. $149 annually plus tax and postage fund.
- Gold Plan for sorting through the junk mail and discarding it for you. $189 annually plus tax and postage fund.
- Platinum Plan is for small businesses with large mail volume. $229 annually plus tax and postage fund.
Escapees Mail Service - Texas:
- You must be an Escapees member to use this service.
- Will sort mail to your specifications.
- Will forward whatever mail you desire, including packages and magazines.
- Will read personal letters over the phone.
- Will notify you immediately in an emergency.
- Category A - all mail received is forwarded first-class for $185 annually.
- Category B - requests special class of mail for $205 annually.
- Category C - requests special mail sorting for $225 annually.
- Escapees RV Club for more information.
Good Sam Club - Florida:
- Toll-free number for information regarding your mail.
- Check your virtual mailbox daily on the Premium Plan.
- Forward your mail on Your schedule.
- Choose USPS or FedEx for your forwarding service.
- E-mail notifications for important documents.
- 3 month, 6 month and 1 year plan-activate or deactivate your service as needed.
- 10% discount for Good Sam members.
- Go to Good Sam Mail Service for info on cost etc.
My RV Mail - Florida:
- Physical street address in FL to receive packages and FL state benefits.
- Can request a scan, download a scanned image of your letter.
- View and forward your mail online option.
- Shred all requested unwanted mail.
- Unlimited weekly mailings.
- Will hold mail up to six months.
- Go over mail via telephone and open mail if requested.
- Plans are as little as $9 per month plus any postage.
- Go to My RV Mail for more information.
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
― Ernest Hemingway
― Ernest Hemingway
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