At this point all I can say is this, it's good to have knowledgeable people here to help us figure this high tech stuff out!

 

My wife works from her laptop in our coach, currently using the park WiFi and it works great. Motoring down the road she has used my Sprint Aircard that my work supplies me, it has done pretty good too.

 

Planning on the booster, antenna and router setup that the 3Gstore recommends.

 

Thanks for sharing the much needed information guys!

 

~Paul~

We are just getting ready to go full time - have 2 months to plan!!  My husband works full-time on the computer (does not always have to be on the internet) and connects to a VPN.  I work part-time & connect occasionally through Citrix but am on the internet a lot.  I have very little knowledge about this stuff!

5 GB isn't what I consider to be a reasonable amount of data for one person who relies on the internet for work.  If you're using wifi options from friends, RV Parks,coffee shops, etc. for your major online time - then 5GB shared might be doable.    If you have an EIN for a business, apparently Sprint is back to offering unlimited plans with their 4G data cards - if you ask.  We've not tested this out yet.. but may soon. Our Sprint card is currently 'grandfathered' in as unlimited... so we're afraid to tempt them :)

Best information site on the net for all things communication when RVing is Jack Mayers site.

 http://www.jackdanmayer.com/communication.htm

My setup is certainly not ideal for me, but its what I got. There are a number of things I would have if I had the dough.

Currently I use a grandfathered Sprint EDVO USB card, connected to a desktop Linux machine, My linux machine has its own DHCP server installed on it and I can share that connection with my hacked linksys Wireless G router to share the net-connection anyway I want to (like if I want to play on my laptop outside somewhere,. My main linux machine also can connect to a campground wifi (and share and re boost that over my private network) on the rare occasions where I actually have a campground connection.

My router is hacked with custom firmware that allows me alot more features including boosting up my wifi signal up,



I also have a cloud server at Linode. I use it for some web sites, but if I needed to I could use that to help serve higher bandwidth stuff that is too big for my wimpy little pipe.

I had a Wilson external Antenna, but mine was lame and never worked well with my modem (currently the worthless antena is in a box somewhere in storage). I get the same amount of signal if I just velcro my usb modem to a window.

I have been known in low signal areas to toss my netbook and modem in the scooter or bicycle and go signal hunting

For cell phone I use a plan from straightalk (cheap prepaid), and google voice for my number. 

Things on the wish list.

3 watt EDVO amplifier with a decent external antenna

and maybe an additional modem from millicom that works on Verision towers.

I just sold my home and got rid of all my "stuff," and am doing some research on whether or not I can take my "virtual office" on the road in an RV to pursue my dream of a more nomadic lifestyle while still hanging onto the golden handcuffs a little longer.

I work from a virtual office for a financial institution that has an absurd level of security....meaning they even took away our admin rights so we could not download software! I am allowed to use wireless, but only via a router that is secured.  In other words, "no wifi hotspots" unless they are my own. And I must go through their Virtual Private Network (VPN) which can be a bit finicky. So I need a connectivity solution that is secure, consistent, and allows a larger than average amount of data. That is proving to be even more challenging than "finding the perfect RV." I know I won't find it in the boondocks, but my plan is to approach this like the "hub and spoke system," staying for longer periods of time in more populated areas (closer to cell towers) during the week, and using my weekends and vacation to explore each area before moving on to the next destination...

I am doing some investigating into the Verizon network, Millenicom, Smart Phone hotspots, etc. etc. and all this is completely new to me (meaning I am probably the only person I know except for my 80+ parents who still carries a "flip phone!" )   I am not currently under any cell phone contract, so I can go with any one or combination of providers, but I am just trying to make the right choice from the start.   I prefer to stick with android products as opposed to Apple, just because everything work related is PC, so that is the air that I breathe.

I am looking for any advice you can offer me, whether it be actual experience, great website resources, or other nomads who have successfully found a way to connect consistently (like 9-5) from the road.  Is it possible, or still in the dream-state?

Thanks so much!

Hi SuzAnt!

My hubby works through his firms VPN every day and we use a myriad of different ways to connect to the internet. On his "work" computer he also cannot download any software & even hooking up to our local printer & getting the software for our verizon aircard he has had to get special permissions to accomplish this. So I think it can be done! I am an accountant and prepare client financial statements and tax returns and the tax software I use has encryption & password protection on it as well. We use the Spring Mifi & a Verizon aircard both of which are password protected. We have both just to make sure we have coverage everywhere we go, and 95% of the time we are successful...when we're not we just move along to the next destination.

Good luck! 

We work online, and have kept a decent enough connection during our nearly 6 years on the road.  Here's our current tips & tricks, including the arsenal we're using right now:

 

http://www.technomadia.com/2011/09/10-tips-to-keep-connected-us-mobile-internet-options/ 

Thanks to you both for the good info!

Cherie/Chris, I have been a long time follower and subscriber of your blog (and supporter of ebook and SXSW!)  I was just about to email you guys when I saw the news about the "rough break," and did not want to trouble you during this time.  Hope things are going well there.

I have been doing tons of reading and research, trying to get myself up to speed (every pun intended!) and there is one question I cannot seem to grasp.   What would be the difference between obtaining something like the Verizon MiFi, verus one of the data cards plugged into a router?   I will need to operate 2 computers, one very restricted VPN for work (no software download, no personal websites) and my own personal PC for everything else.

Again, I have no current contracts, so that is not an obstacle.  I am starting with a blank slate...

Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated!!

A MiFi is a simplier way to do it.. it's basically the router and the aircard combined into one.  The plus side - they're easier to manage and portable as a single unit.  Usually they are battery powered, so you can take it with you.    On the negative side, there is less control for those who like to tinker or need to tweak things out.     

As we like to tinker, we prefer having our router in the RV separate with more controls and options. And if we want to take it with us, we just plug the air card directly into our laptop wherever we're at. 

 

For most folks, especially if you don't want to maintain a separate router, a MiFi (or similar type device) will be just dandy.  Most that I have seen can support up to 5 devices at a time.  My only cavaet is... if you're considering the Millenicom 4G service, the Samsung hotspot device they are selling with it is crap. We have a post on our blog recently about the problems we encountered. 

 

 - Cherie

 PS. Thanks for your concern over our family situation. Looks to be a long journey ahead of us, but with hope.