Re: Air card technology

Monkee
I had Sprint and left for two reasons.
1) They didn't have coverage where I was in South Dakota and so I was charged a lot for roaming. This was about 3 years ago, so that may not be the issue now, however the Verizon coverage is GREAT. 2) When I had a problem with the phone, they gave me a new one, only they don't tell you it is a "reconditioned" one. The one they gave me was causing a lot of droped calls, and when I brought it back they checked it and said "we can not replecate the problem so we can not fix it" and they would not give me a new (different phone). Well I had 1 month left on my contract so I told them what they could do with it, and went over to Verizon.
As for the air card, they use the "data" line and although it is the same to us, I guess it makes a difference to the telephone company. I guess data uses a lot less space or something.
About the router, it is a one time thing, no monthly charges. I got it mainly so I would not keep using the USB port on the PC and this allows me to use the USB port for other tings. My old PC had three USB ports, but it got to where only one was working because of the constant in and out of accessories etc.
My new PC also has three, and I hardly ever use one except for a mouse. (I hate the built in pad).
Frank

We are with Verizon....like forever... Have external antennas for both the phone and the USB card for the laptop....also have the router as mentioned by Frank....(he gave that info to us ) we love the whole set up as in the summer we are in a location where we lose the signal while driving and our summer campground is way into the woods and hills....in fact we're the only ones to have internet in the campground cause our external antenna gets us out....not very strong...but good enough to check in here and do the e-mail.... Have had access everywhere we have been....with no roaming....Sprint is famous for that.......We've had extended network with the phone for the last 2 months in Kentucky and Arkansas with no extra charges.....also with the USB card in the laptop....so, yes, we are very happy with our Verizon service and would not go with anyone else....(Our son sells T-mobile and he knows better to ask....lol)....

Tell me more about this external antenna --

Is this antenna for cell phone and internet? Like a signal booster??

And, is it like wireless or do you plug in the antenna to the equipment?

In the past, I've done lots of shorter (month or two) trips, so just used my cell and internet whenever I could get it, and didn't worry too much. Now, I'm selling the stick house, and will be pretty much on the road most of the time. So, it becomes more important to have good cell and internet coverage - would be nice to have one "piece of tecnology" that just plugged in and gave both services. Seems like every time we have something new, it takes another "unit piece" soon enough we'll have to tow a trailer just to carry the technology components

Then, of course, the MCG will make us park the trailer in the storage lots, so we won't have the technology onsite anyway -- I can see it now, one RV for the living space, and a separate towed unit as "technology office"

So in general, I'm getting that most have Verizon air card for the internet service - is that because it have the most coverage areas, largest service areas?

And one thing -- do those of you that go into the national parks often find air cards work there, or is that an out-lying area that has no or limited converage?

I am firmly convinced that the Corps of Engineers follows the Verizon guy around and when he asks "Can you hear me now?" and there is no response, the CoE builds a campground. I have yet to be in a CoE campground with Verizon coverage. We've had better luck at military campgrounds and National Parks (because we volunteer at Civil War parks and most of them are now close to urban areas).

Having said that, we have stuck with Verizon for service.

Frank, I've ordered an antenna, amplifier and router from the 3G Store and will be using the USB727 air card on the setup. Pricey, but if it wipes out one of the $75 monthly charges, it will pay for itself in eight months. Even the penalty to end a contract is recovered in two months. And if the result is a more reliable, easy to use, cheaper Internet connection, it's a winner.

The break-even on sattelite full-time is six years. Satellite at rest only break-even is just over a year but appears to be a pain-in-the-proverbial-seat for someone who moves around a lot (that would be me).

The 3-G Store folks have been very helpful and have promised to be available for tech service if it is needed. We shall see.

Glenn

Glenn
What amplifer?
I guess I better go to the store and see what amplifer to use with the USB727. Which Router did you order?
Frank