Re: Air card technology

Am I right that the air cards work like the cell phone, that is, when you can get cell coverage you get the internet, but if no cell coverage (like way out of town and off the highways) you lose the air card internet too. Air card technology is like a cell phone and not like a satellite dish ?

Correct. I use Verizon and have had internet every place we have been using the air card. I recently switched to a Verizon 727 Modem card and this allows me to add an antenna and amplifier to it which increases the coverage are a great deal. Also by adding a router we can have wireless internet and both DW and I can be on the net at the same time. It brings in broadband speeds were before I was only getting bar.

So, can I add a router to the computer that has my air card attached and share the Internet? Do I need a special router? Or is there a router specifically for the air card? All of this is very confusing and I have learned that if I don't ask a lot of really stupid questions I end up getting bit in the hind quarter. And even asking the questions doesn't ensure the dentures on the butt anyhow.

Glenn

Yes you can have wireless in your RV. You will need a router that will accept your air card. Here is link to an RV'ers website that I used and it has a couple of pictures to help: www.gypsymoments.com/?p=242

He had some links to an amplifier that you can check out. I ordered the one he used and it came with a magnetic mount antenna. However out here in the sticks where I live I needed a stronger antenna. Wilson makes a real good one. If you do a web search you can find several places that sell the antennas.

Here is another website that shows a picture of the 727 modem that I have: www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2114/40/ I got mine from Verizon.

This will then plug into this router: www.cradlepoint.com/mbr1000/mbr1000.ph The main thing with the router is to make sure it accepts the type of air card you are using. Best Buy is a source for these routers and other types as well. They can also help explain how it works.

If you get a good signal were you are at then you don't need the amplifier. The amplifier increases the signal strength.

It's all pretty easy to hook up. It sounds confusing but its not that bad.

Keep asking questions and maybe I can help or someone else will.

Go to the 3gstore at , 3gstore.com/ , they can match up your specific air card with the correct router and have GREAT support.
I purchased the Verizon USB727 last year from Verizon and got the Cradlepoint CTR-350 router from 3gstore and have had excellent reception and speed all over USA from Florida to California to Washington State and back to New York. Nothing to setup. Just plug in your air card and you are off and running.
Router was $169.00 but U believer it is less now, and they have newer and better ones out that are still in that price range.
Feel free to contact me if you want want to ask specific questions.
Frank

QUOTE: "...if I don't ask a lot of really stupid questions I end up getting bit in the hind quarter"

There are no stupid questions -- if there were, I'd be wearing the pointy hat all the time and my wallet would be a lot thinner.

So, here's another one. I have Sprint cell phone already and have for years. Don't want to change unless it gains me alot of "somethings" ...whatever they are. But, a Q ...

I see lots of folks have Verizon -- so I'm guessing it's pretty good. But what about Sprint, and if you have a cell phone, is it completely different to also have internet ... and does it make any difference from the technical (quality?) sense (not the money sense yet) to have the same cell and same internet??

I need only an internet connection to one laptop -- no routers or anything extra. And so once you buy the plug-in equipment, then you have a monthly service just like cell phones?