Re: Air card technology

Frank;

Here's what they recommended and what I ordered:
1 x Omni RV Antenna with Spring Base (301133)
1 x Direct Connect Amplifier (3 Watt) (811201)
1 x Cradlepoint CTR500 EVDO Router bundled with Cig. Lighter Adapter
(CTR500A)
1 x U727 / USB727 / 597U / UM175 / 885U Antenna Adapter Cable

It should be waiting for me when I get to Georgia next Wednesday. Will let you know if it makes a difference or if I just wasted a bundle of money.

Glenn

I did it. Got all of the parts, put them together, called technical support several times and actually have seen an improvement in my Internet coverage. It is also nice to have everything networked. The wife and I can exchange files wirelessly and she can print using the printer hooked to my machine without unplugging my machine and dragging a cord across the coach.

I can recommend the 3GStore very highly. They don't carry the massive inventory of stock that a Tiger Direct does, but their customer support is worth the price of admission. From the first call they stayed with me while I made the downloads and tweaks and I have no fear of calling them back. Their philosophy is that if you buy it from them they have a responsibility to make it work.

The other advantage is that the Internet is now full-time, no dial-up. The air card (with its outside antenna attached) is hooked directly to the router which is on whenever there is power (from a 12-volt source) to it. When I turn on the computer it looks for the network and connects automatically.

If I park next to a friend and I have good signals to the router I can give my friend the codes and he becomes part of my wireless network. Anyone else sees the network name but is blocked by the lack of a routing address and a 10-digit password.

I also disabled all of my firewalls because the router creates a perfect firewall for any computer attached to it (something about the kinds of signals that can and will pass through).

To say I am happy would be an understatement. This really helps make life that much easier.

See ya down the road,
Glenn

Glen,
I knew you would be happy with the 3g store and the router and air card. However I do have one thing I feel I should caution you about.
You more than likely have one of the the "limited" air card usage plans, (there are two plans and both have a limit). Just be carefull who you give your password to. If you or they download a lot of streaming video, music, etc, then it is possible to go over your limit, and then you will see some very costly billing come in.
It may be wise to check your account weekly until you are comfortable with the usage and that you won't be going over your limit.
I was lucky when I signed up, and I do have the "unlimited" plan that is no longer available.
Good luck with everything.
See you around the campfire.
Frank

Frank,
We had two air cards--both unlimited. We picked the better card, the USB727, and converted the other to a cheap cell phone account. We now have one air card and three cell phones. In 13 months we can cancel the third phone and in the process save ourselves nearly $100 a month.
You have really got to be careful with these plans because, as you noted, they can very quickly bite you.
Thanks for the advice and assistance.
Glenn

IS there any such thing as 'roaming time' on the air cards, or is that only something cell phones dreamed up to get additional 'charges' ?

44

Short answer "yes." More correct answer "not really"

Roaming is a scheme dreamed up by the big movers in cell phone technology to cement you to their service area. When you step outside their fence you are "roaming" through some other company's tower for which they are charged a modest fee. They then pass on that modest fee times a service charge of ten or twenty times the fee to the customer who had the audacity to step outside the fence.

Air cards do go through other carriers sometimes but most customers have some kind of roaming built into their monthly fee. What is even worse are the excess upload or download fees. Basically, if you download massive files (service packs, programs, large movies, etc.) you will exceed the bits per month you are allotted on your plan. Frank and I managed to get Verizon unlimited plans but we understand they are no longer offered.

The key is to find someone in the cell phone store who actually knows what he or she is talking about (most stores have at least one but finding that person is really difficult). My recommendation is to talk with the sales people at 3G Store (866) 347-8673.

Glenn