leok22 hit something right on the head. We got struck by lightning 2 years ago. It not only destroyed the wi-fi, but also the security system, telephone system, computers, and TV sets. The insurance covered it all except for the deductible, but the time it took to get everything back on line was better than a year. Even though some of the wi-fi components were not fried, they were damaged, and that never showed up until later. They became weakened due to the surge, and then failed sooner than they should have. I cringe now anytime I see lightning moving into the area!
When you have signal strength issues it is not necessarily the fault of the WiFi system. It could be the wireless adapter that your computer uses. My guess is that most of you who use this site probably have good equipment but here is the link to an external antenna that we recommend. You can use this on any WiFi hotspot and it should help with signal strength. Buffalo WiFi Adapter I think this unit is more expensive than others but our experience with it has been very good.
QUOTE(hrrvr @ Sep 19 2007, 08:07 PM) [snapback]8393[/snapback] leok22 hit something right on the head. We got struck by lightning 2 years ago. It not only destroyed the wi-fi, but also the security system, telephone system, computers, and TV sets. The insurance covered it all except for the deductible, but the time it took to get everything back on line was better than a year. Even though some of the wi-fi components were not fried, they were damaged, and that never showed up until later. They became weakened due to the surge, and then failed sooner than they should have. I cringe now anytime I see lightning moving into the area! We also got hit by lightening this summer and lost our telephone, debit machine, WiFi and security system - the company came out immediately and replaced everything that got burnt on the WiFi and we were only down for one weekend.
This is going to be a bit of a long reply and I apologize for that up front. But I thoroughly read every reply, some twice, and am going to address the larger picture. I also considered doing exactly what Leok22’s business is so I have done the research. I have a problem about the term “free.” Notwithstanding the credit card type hotspot, we all know that the cost of a reliable system is going to be passed on by the owners one way or another. So it seems that the issue is really one of perception and psychology. That Billboard advertisement for free Wi-Fi is a marketing tool. The same marketing concept as charging $1.99 for a trinket instead of $2. If you read any of the threads concerning the cost of installation and maintenance then you absolutely know that you are not getting it for free! The cost of the pass-on will either be the additional cost of the campsite or handing over two bucks at check-in. HRRVR made that clear. Why is it more palatable for some of you not to actually see $2 leaving your hand?? Homebound DSL, cable, or data card high-speed connections are not free. Why would you accept that charge, but complain that the high-speed Wi-Fi service in a campground is not free? This is analogous to “free” cable at the campground. No rational camper would think that cable expense for the owners isn’t included in campsite fee, but there is a lot less objection to paying for it. LINDSEY, one has a great deal of respect for your background and expertise in your industry, but “water and electricity” are not free amenities, expected or not. Not at home, in your business, or in a campground. The real objection should be that each service - water, electric, cable, Wi-Fi or whatever - is a pay-for-use system. That’s the only way to be fair to everyone. It will never happen because the owner wouldn’t make any money from those of us who only want a place to park overnight at minimal cost. They have to install the service whether or not I use it, and I am also being charged whether or not I use it! CAMPERGAL, perhaps you can confirm my assessment of the pay-for-use statement. And with all due respect, just because you blame the lack of quality service on the independent contactor does not mean that I believe you. We’ve heard it all too many times before. TARDIS AND BUD IN FLORIDA isn’t it ironic that a campground owner and businessman lacks the understanding of your needs? I am a Wi-Fi user and I only replied to this issue in hopes that something I stated might be valuable to having an understanding by all parties concerned with the issue. Obviously, it’s a hot button topic for all sides and all sides are represented in the thread. I only wish that SOMEONE lead the way and make it a standard that we can all stop complaining about!!!
Leok22, thanks for the info on the WiFi antenna. We are leaving on Sat or Sunday for a 6 week trip. I don’t think I will be able to receive shipment before I go. I will be looking for one along the road. Buffalo is an easy name to remember. WiMax is the correct name for that new technology I have been hearing about for several years on blogs, but not too much actual information. Is this a real technology and is it down the road?
RLM...I mucked up the quoting, but quoting you CAMPERGAL, perhaps you can confirm my assessment of the pay-for-use statement. And with all due respect, just because you blame the lack of quality service on the independent contactor does not mean that I believe you. We’ve heard it all too many times before. end quote Actually in another post I commented on a camper who wanted a 30-amp full service site at the unserviced rate because he felt he was fully self-contained and would not be using our services. I politely told him I couldn't do that and actually ended up selling that site to a tenter who used none of the services but paid for all of them. (we were completely booked that night and only had one site available). And I agree that you might not believe me - and respect that, but I like that at least I can call someone else to get my product fixed. We have been fortunate, the service has been good this summer and we have had no complaints.
I do not like "pay" WiFi (unless I pay the campground directly for it, like $2 a day is my limit) because I do not want to set up "accounts" with third parties. I try to minimize the number of places that have my personal information. I tend to view "third party" WiFi as "fly by night." JJ
QUOTE(leok22 @ Sep 17 2007, 03:17 PM) [snapback]8351[/snapback] I work for a WiFi company that services RV resorts throughout the country and I have a few questions for you... 1. What are the top problems you experience with wireless internet systems in RV resorts (i.e. low signal, poor support, too expensive, etc.). 2. Is WiFi a deciding factor when choosing to stay at a park? 3. Would roaming agreements with truckstops be helpful? We have only been doing RV resorts for about a year but we have had good luck so far and would like to know how to make the service better. problems: yes, I am considered computer literate, I hold a couple CompTIA certs, so when I need to ask a question, the park owner should know how thier system works. The WiFi seller, the WiFi installer, needs to properly instruct the park owner/employee designated as the sysop, if there are any configs that are not "normal". deciding factor: yes. Free is prefered, and if it is not free, then I will tolerate slow access via my cell phone. I do not mind to pay extra for WiFi if that is ALL that I am paying extra, what gets my goat is to pay extra for kids, extra for pets, extra for 50A service, extra for the toad, extra for 36 feet, extra for a picnic table and so on.
QUOTE(leok22 @ Sep 17 2007, 04:17 PM) [snapback]8351[/snapback] I work for a WiFi company that services RV resorts throughout the country and I have a few questions for you... 1. What are the top problems you experience with wireless internet systems in RV resorts (i.e. low signal, poor support, too expensive, etc.). 2. Is WiFi a deciding factor when choosing to stay at a park? 3. Would roaming agreements with truckstops be helpful? We have only been doing RV resorts for about a year but we have had good luck so far and would like to know how to make the service better. ***************HEY!!! LISTEN TO THIS LOGIC EVEONE!!!************************ Any camper who uses Wifi in a campground, undoubtedly has an internet connection at home and wishes they could bring it camping. I did and I was always frustrated because I like to use internet conection for planning activities as well as for finding grocery stores etc when heading out. My wifi conection at home cost $60+ a month and the only way to add internet to the camper was with a laptop and air card costing another $60 per month. I didn't want to pay for two internet accounts since the camper gets used part-time and could not cancel my home account because the family and business has a wireless network. I called SprintPCS and they had the solution. I cancled my internet account at home and purchased a wireless broadband card from Sprint PCS for about $50.00 I inistalled it in my laptop and now I can bring it anywhere in the country and have reliable service. Then, for the home network, SprintPCS just came out with a LYNKSYS router that you switch the air card from the laptop to the router and the wireless home network is up and running in an instant. I pay $59.00 a month for the service and now I have the best of both worlds. I compared the 3 major players in the aircard business and these were the results; T-Mobil cost $49.90 per month with an average down speed of 10k (patheticly slower than dialup). Verizon was $89.90 per month but they only covered 1/3 of hte country and did not offer the router. Sprint pcs was $59.90 per month, 1.5MB speed, offered the router, gave me the best deal on the card and has the largest digital nationwide network, they own the nextell network, us West-Quest and have arangements with AT&T as well as every other roaming partner in the country so you never get Blackouts unless you are in a cave located in Afghanistan. At this point, I could care less if campgrounds offer Wifi, I got my own for the same price I had at home. Sorry dude. No, I do not work for sprint, either. [attachmentid=61]
QUOTE(leok22 @ Sep 17 2007, 04:17 PM) [snapback]8351[/snapback] I work for a WiFi company that services RV resorts throughout the country and I have a few questions for you... 1. What are the top problems you experience with wireless internet systems in RV resorts (i.e. low signal, poor support, too expensive, etc.). 2. Is WiFi a deciding factor when choosing to stay at a park? 3. Would roaming agreements with truckstops be helpful? We have only been doing RV resorts for about a year but we have had good luck so far and would like to know how to make the service better. ***************HEY!!! LISTEN TO THIS LOGIC EVEONE!!!************************ Any camper who uses Wifi in a campground, undoubtedly has an internet connection at home and wishes they could bring it camping. I did and I was always frustrated because I like to use internet conection for planning activities as well as for finding grocery stores etc when heading out. My wifi conection at home cost $60+ a month and the only way to add internet to the camper was with a laptop and air card costing another $60 per month. I didn't want to pay for two internet accounts since the camper gets used part-time and could not cancel my home account because the family and business has a wireless network. I called SprintPCS and they had the solution. I cancled my internet account at home and purchased a wireless broadband card from Sprint PCS for about $50.00 I inistalled it in my laptop and now I can bring it anywhere in the country and have reliable service. Then, for the home network, SprintPCS just came out with a LYNKSYS router that you switch the air card from the laptop to the router and the wireless home network is up and running in an instant. I pay $59.00 a month for the service and now I have the best of both worlds. I compared the 3 major players in the aircard business and these were the results; T-Mobil cost $49.90 per month with an average down speed of 10k (patheticly slower than dialup). Verizon was $89.90 per month but they only covered 1/3 of hte country and did not offer the router. Sprint pcs was $59.90 per month, 1.5MB speed, offered the router, gave me the best deal on the card and has the largest digital nationwide network, they own the nextell network, us West-Quest and have arangements with AT&T as well as every other roaming partner in the country so you never get Blackouts unless you are in a cave located in Afghanistan. At this point, I could care less if campgrounds offer Wifi, I got my own for the same price I had at home. Sorry dude. No, I do not work for sprint, either. [attachmentid=62]
Hi ddbradley, When did you get those quotes? I have been looking at an air card for trips to USA. Verizon seems to be at $59.00 per month now, with unlimited bandwidth. I ruled out T-Mobile because I already have a booster antenna--and it doesn't work with their frequencies. The Verizon coverage in the west seems better than Sprint--but it is *hard* to find a good coverage map for any of the providers. I'd go satellite--but I want "in motion" access to the net, and the cost of the equipment is prohibitive.
QUOTE(pianotuna @ Sep 27 2007, 08:28 PM) [snapback]8488[/snapback] Hi ddbradley, When did you get those quotes? I have been looking at an air card for trips to USA. Verizon seems to be at $59.00 per month now, with unlimited bandwidth. I ruled out T-Mobile because I already have a booster antenna--and it doesn't work with their frequencies. The Verizon coverage in the west seems better than Sprint--but it is *hard* to find a good coverage map for any of the providers. I'd go satellite--but I want "in motion" access to the net, and the cost of the equipment is prohibitive. I got those quotes this year and signed up. Verizon is much smaller than sprint. Sprint is better.
QUOTE(ddbradley952 @ Sep 27 2007, 06:37 PM) [snapback]8484[/snapback] QUOTE(leok22 @ Sep 17 2007, 04:17 PM) [snapback]8351[/snapback] I work for a WiFi company that services RV resorts throughout the country and I have a few questions for you... 1. What are the top problems you experience with wireless internet systems in RV resorts (i.e. low signal, poor support, too expensive, etc.). 2. Is WiFi a deciding factor when choosing to stay at a park? 3. Would roaming agreements with truckstops be helpful? We have only been doing RV resorts for about a year but we have had good luck so far and would like to know how to make the service better. ***************HEY!!! LISTEN TO THIS LOGIC EVEONE!!!************************ Any camper who uses Wifi in a campground, undoubtedly has an internet connection at home and wishes they could bring it camping. I did and I was always frustrated because I like to use internet conection for planning activities as well as for finding grocery stores etc when heading out. My wifi conection at home cost $60+ a month and the only way to add internet to the camper was with a laptop and air card costing another $60 per month. I didn't want to pay for two internet accounts since the camper gets used part-time and could not cancel my home account because the family and business has a wireless network. I called SprintPCS and they had the solution. I cancled my internet account at home and purchased a wireless broadband card from Sprint PCS for about $50.00 I inistalled it in my laptop and now I can bring it anywhere in the country and have reliable service. Then, for the home network, SprintPCS just came out with a LYNKSYS router that you switch the air card from the laptop to the router and the wireless home network is up and running in an instant. I pay $59.00 a month for the service and now I have the best of both worlds. I compared the 3 major players in the aircard business and these were the results; T-Mobil cost $49.90 per month with an average down speed of 10k (patheticly slower than dialup). Verizon was $89.90 per month but they only covered 1/3 of hte country and did not offer the router. Sprint pcs was $59.90 per month, 1.5MB speed, offered the router, gave me the best deal on the card and has the largest digital nationwide network, they own the nextell network, us West-Quest and have arangements with AT&T as well as every other roaming partner in the country so you never get Blackouts unless you are in a cave located in Afghanistan. At this point, I could care less if campgrounds offer Wifi, I got my own for the same price I had at home. Sorry dude. No, I do not work for sprint, either. [attachmentid=62] As of next month, We're doing the same thing. Out w/ Verizon DSL, and in w/ Sprint broadband card, and linksys wireless router, at the house and in the coach. Worked everything out w/ Best Buy the other day.
We full time and visit hundreds (if not multi hundreds of campgrounds and RV Resorts. Here is what we have found after 3 years of full timing and having two computers. 1. We'd estimated that only 40% of campgrounds we stay in have wi-fi abilities. 2. Of those that do most have mom/pop wi fi set ups. 3. Most do not have enough repeaters in their facilities 4. We don't mind paying for good connections, unfortuantely you don't know if it's good until after you have paid 5. Many parks have trees or heavy trees and the signal does not get to all equally 6. The outbound expense by the park owner is large, but they make a huge mistake when initially installing their system by not adequately having a proper backbone computer system and/or enough antannae or enough repeaters. 7. A lot of campgrounds or resorts are rural and they don't get the necessary service they need to upgrade and/or repair their systems once installed 8. Most owners don't understand the needed daily/weekly maintenance that is requried 9. Most overcharge their consumers, instead of fairly charging and getting more to sign up 10. Training of part time employees or workkampers is virtually non existant
QUOTE(Lindsay Richards @ Sep 20 2007, 07:40 PM) [snapback]8404[/snapback] Leok22, thanks for the info on the WiFi antenna. We are leaving on Sat or Sunday for a 6 week trip. I don’t think I will be able to receive shipment before I go. I will be looking for one along the road. Buffalo is an easy name to remember. WiMax is the correct name for that new technology I have been hearing about for several years on blogs, but not too much actual information. Is this a real technology and is it down the road? Sorry to be so long in responding. WiMax is definitely a concern for our industry. Within about 5 years they'll have most of the country covered and the cell phone companies will pose a major threat to WiFi providers as well as DSL and cable companies. The advantage that we have is that we will be able to beat them in price. RVers who don't stay in one place for more than a week or two will probably go with WiMax but those who stay in one place for 3 or more months at a time will probably sign up for our service if it can save them $20-$40 per month. I am not sure where the cell phone companies are planning to price this service but I imagine that it will be somewhere between $40 and $80 per month. Our WiFi service is $20/month for users of 3 or more months.
QUOTE(leok22 @ Oct 1 2007, 06:43 PM) [snapback]8526[/snapback] QUOTE(Lindsay Richards @ Sep 20 2007, 07:40 PM) [snapback]8404[/snapback] Leok22, thanks for the info on the WiFi antenna. We are leaving on Sat or Sunday for a 6 week trip. I don’t think I will be able to receive shipment before I go. I will be looking for one along the road. Buffalo is an easy name to remember. WiMax is the correct name for that new technology I have been hearing about for several years on blogs, but not too much actual information. Is this a real technology and is it down the road? Sorry to be so long in responding. WiMax is definitely a concern for our industry. Within about 5 years they'll have most of the country covered and the cell phone companies will pose a major threat to WiFi providers as well as DSL and cable companies. The advantage that we have is that we will be able to beat them in price. RVers who don't stay in one place for more than a week or two will probably go with WiMax but those who stay in one place for 3 or more months at a time will probably sign up for our service if it can save them $20-$40 per month. I am not sure where the cell phone companies are planning to price this service but I imagine that it will be somewhere between $40 and $80 per month. Our WiFi service is $20/month for users of 3 or more months. Here's some very new updates I found on Slash/Dot. Copy and paste the links at the end of the article if they aren't high-lighted.
Hi ddbradley, I just looked up coverage for Verizon and Sprint Here is Verizon http://tinyurl.com/2j6agc here is Sprint http://www.inphonic.com/images/maps/nextel_mkt67.gif They appear to be the same price--but Verizon seems to have much better coverage.
***************HEY!!! LISTEN TO THIS LOGIC EVEONE!!!************************ I compared the 3 major players in the aircard business and these were the results; T-Mobil cost $49.90 per month with an average down speed of 10k (patheticly slower than dialup). Verizon was $89.90 per month but they only covered 1/3 of hte country and did not offer the router. Sprint pcs was $59.90 per month, 1.5MB speed, offered the router, gave me the best deal on the card and has the largest digital nationwide network, they own the nextell network, us West-Quest and have arangements with AT&T as well as every other roaming partner in the country so you never get Blackouts unless you are in a cave located in Afghanistan. [/quote] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have the Verizon data card and it's only $59/mo. I've been in just about every state except the ones on the west coast and NW area and rarely have a problem with coverage. Regardless of company, an issue that needs to be considered is whether or not the coverage area has HIGH speed broadband wireless connection. I'm not familar with the other two company's coverage, but with Verizon the high speed broadband is typically only in cities of larger populations. Unless you have that coverage, Verizon calls it EVDO, your normal connection speed is only about 3-4 times that of dial-up.
