Wi-Fire Long-range WiFi Adapter
October 30, 2008 by Chris Guld · 5 Comments
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Wi-Fire Long-range WiFi Adapter
hField Technologies www.hfield.com
MSRP $79
Do you sometimes have connectivity issues using Wi-Fi hotspots in campgrounds?
WiFi is low-power, two-way radio. Just as with any other radio, a better antenna will give you a better connection. Wi-Fi technology was designed for small offices, home offices and coffee shops. Campgrounds and RV parks present difficult challenges for connecting with many obstructions and reflective surfaces.
The Wi-Fire Long-range WiFi adapter is a better radio and antenna than what is built-in to your computer. With it, you can connect reliably from a much greater distance.
Installation Video: (be patient, it can take a minute for the Play button to appear)
FEATURES
The unit combines a high powered Wi-Fi radio with a high gain directional antenna in a four ounce package which can be mounted on a laptop or LCD screen or just set on a table or shelf. A 4’ retractable USB cable connects to both older 1.1 and newer 2.0 ports. It is compatible with 802.11 b and g protocols in the 2.4GHz frequency range (standard Wi-Fi). WEP, WPA and WPA2 security are supported.
Support for Windows XP or Vista and Mac OS X are included on the supplied installation CD. Also on the CD is a Window’s Connection Manager program. Support for Linux is available on the website.
PERFORMANCE
I have been using the Wi-Fire adapter for a week in the RV park where we are staying. I tested the Wi-Fire at several distances from the access points. Our site is 200 feet from the tower. I get excellent signal with the Wi-Fire and good signal with my built-in. Browsing experience is about the same with either adapter inside my RV. I see 3 more APs using the Wi-Fire. Testing again at 330 feet, I can still connect with my built-in, but browsing is slower. With the Wi-Fire, signal is good and browsing is fast. In the far corner of the park 460 feet from the tower, I could still connect with my built-in, but browsing was much better with the Wi-Fire. Outside the RV park at over 500 feet, I couldn’t stay connected with my built-in and the Wi-Fire connected and browsing was acceptable.
| BEFORE WiFire: |
 List of available networks before installing the Wi-Fire |
| AFTER WiFire |
 List of available networks afterinstalling the Wi-Fire |
The included Connection Manager software is good and does not interfere with Windows configuration utility, in fact, it works with it.
SUMMARY
Not all WiFi hotspots are the same. When you connect using WiFi, you are not connecting directly to the Internet. You are connecting to an access point which is connected to the Internet. If you are close to access point, your built-in Wi-Fi will work just fine. As you put distance and obstructions between you and the access point, you need a better device to connect reliably. This is where the Wi-Fire Long-range WiFi adapter excels.
The mount is a bit clunky and the antenna fell off a couple of times while I was aiming it. Because the antenna is so directional, it takes more time to get the best signal. The retractable USB cable is easily tangled.
The Wi-Fire adapter is a good affordable solution for better connections at WiFi hotspots.
Jim Guld
www.GeeksOnTour.com
Cell Phone Internet Hot-Spot
September 25, 2008 by Chris Guld · 7 Comments
If you’ve been reading my posts about connecting to the Internet as you travel, you know that I love my satellite dish! But, I also am a big advocate of Wi-Fi and of cellular connections to the Internet. If you absolutely, positively need the Internet – you need to use all three methods. When we’re in the forest and the trees block our satellite dish, we’ll use our cell phone tethered to the computer and connect thru Verizon. If the Verizon signal isn’t available, we’ll find a Wi-Fi hotspot somewhere.
using tethered cell phone to connect to Internet
The tethered cell phone is a fabulous option for occasional use because it does not involve a separate contract. Read more
Is Your RV Hi Tech?
September 17, 2008 by Good Sam ERS · 3 Comments
Hi Tech RV
Here’s the low-down on high-tech RV entertainment accessories and tips for using them.
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
With the boom of Wi-Fi hotspots (and many of them free), there is no longer any reason you should be hauling your computer around in search of a modem connection.
What is it? Wi-Fi has become the term used for the technology behind products that use radio frequency to communicate. One form of wireless is mobile wireless – the ability to move almost anywhere while staying connected to the Internet.
How do I use it? First, you’ll need a wireless client card. Most computers and PDAs today have this feature built in. If your computer isn’t already Wi-Fi enabled, you can purchase the wireless client card at a computer, office supply, electronics store, or even on e-Bay for about $50. When you’re shopping, look for a product that specifies it’s Wi-Fi certified or 802.11b compatible.
Once you confirm your computer is Wi-Fi enabled, you’ll need to download software that will locate hotspots (places where wireless Internet access is available) and connect you to them. Two popular wireless providers among RVers are Boingo and Hotspotzz. Many RV parks and campgrounds offer Wi-Fi connections. Some offer free access, but sometimes there’s a pay-as-you-go fee.
Satellite Radio
Keeping the soundtrack to your life running – without annoying commercials – whether you’re driving through congested streets of Chicago or through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, has never been easier with satellite radio.
What is it? Also called digital radio, satellite radio offers uninterrupted, digital music beamed to your radio from space. The two major radio subscription services are XM radio and Sirius.
How do I use it? Although some new RV models come equipped with satellite radio systems, most of us have to install and purchase them after-market. With both XM radio and Sirius, you can either purchase a portable unit that can be taken from home to vehicle, or you can install a receiver in your RV. Once you’ve purchased the receiver, you pay a monthly subscription fee for the service. Although they use slightly different technology, both XM Radio and Sirius deliver clear sound and quality programming. Compare channel listings to see which you’ll enjoy more.
Satellite TV
Hundreds of thousands of RVers have taken advantage of watching television on the road and many luxury models include it as a standard package. For the rest of us…
What is it? It’s wireless system for delivering television programming directly to your home or RV via broadcast signals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Since satellites are high in the sky, there are a lot more customers in the line of site. Satellite television systems transmit and receive radio signals using specialized antennae.
How do I use it? There are many more options when it comes to setting up satellite television, but most systems include a small satellite dish, a receiver and a remote control.
There are two types of dish antennae: manual, which is less expensive but requires some effort in pointing the dish in the right direction and keeping it there; and automatic, which costs more but automatically points toward the system. There are also mounting options. You can either install a standard roof mount or use a dish tripod. There are three major RV dish suppliers: KVH, Winegard and King Controls, Camping World has a huge variety of RV hi-tech satellite tv and radio equipment for you to choose from.
Once you install the receiver and dish, you’ll subscribe to one of the satellite TV service providers, DIRECTV or Dish Network, which charge a monthly service fee.
This article was brought to you by Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service
One Fee for Nationwide Wi-Fi
September 11, 2008 by Chris Guld · 10 Comments
I just received an email “Boingo announces the addition of NomadISP to the Boingo Roaming Network, giving Boingo members access to close to 300 new hotspots located at RV parks across US and Canada.”
If RVers could pay one monthly fee and have access to Wi-Fi hotspots at RV parks all over the country, they’d be signing up in droves! Boingo’s ad claims “Connect any time you like, for as long as you want, at thousands of North American hotspots for just $9.95/month for 3 months!”
Campground Wi-Fi sign
The main thing is simply that RVers are not Boingo’s target market. Most of those ‘thousands of hotspots’ are hotels, restaurants and McDonalds. Boingo is servicing the traveling business person.
If you found yourself in the campground with the sign pictured here, a Boingo membership would do you no good. They’ve never heard of Boingo and you need to pay $9.95/day to get online here!
NomadISP, the subject of their press release IS for RV parks. But many, if not all, of the parks listed on their site offer Wi-Fi as an included amenity. So, once again, you would not be using your Boingo account.
Internet in Your RV
August 28, 2008 by Good Sam ERS · 6 Comments
RV Internet Access
Let’s talk about what you will need to pull this all off and have fun at the same time. First you will need a fixed/transportable mobile Internet antenna system designed for virtually any satellite VSAT platform. This can be done at a dealership by a tech and installed in 1 day. You will need a PC or a Laptop in your RV so they can set it up to work with your new Sat system. One of the many systems that are designed for internet is the WineGard DirecStar® (DT74), this unit is designed for RV’s and is roof mounted. They would install this on the roof and then run the wires down into a cabinet near a 12v or 110 volt outlet or a source of power. The next thing would be to install the receiver and PC connections. The best way I have found to make this as least invasive as possible to your RV is to make the system wireless, this way you do not have to run wires for the PC connection, and you won’t even see the system unless you open a cabinet to look at it. With this setup you can even walk 300 feet from your RV and have internet on your Laptop, PDA or BlackBerry. So as you can see there a lot of options for Internet, some campgrounds even offer wireless internet for free or for a small fee wile you stay there. Well that is all for now and when you see someone at a camp ground with a laptop and you would like to know what the weather for the week is, just go up and ask, and they will just surf the internet and tell you the 7 day forecast.
This article was brought to you by Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service
Internet, Satellite dishes, and Trees
August 14, 2008 by Chris Guld · 10 Comments
I have a love/hate relationship with trees. I love the beauty, the shade, and the ambiance they provide. I hate that they block our satellite dish from connecting us to Internet. It took me a while before I had the nerve to ask a park for a site without trees. That was sacrilege! But, I got over it. We have plenty of opportunity to enjoy trees on walks and driving around. When I’m ‘home’ I want my Internet! I’ve learned to simply ask if there are any ’satellite friendly’ sites. Even though relatively few people have the Internet satellite that we do, the TV satellites have the same issue with trees, and park personnel are accustomed to dealing with the issue.
The following pictures are from Oregon and California. Our dish did get connected here, even with all the trees. It doesn’t need a wide open area, just a hole thru the branches (in the exact right spot) will do.
Satellite dish connected thru an Oregon forest
Satellite connected thru the trees in California
In the 5 years that we’ve been traveling and using our Datastorm Internet Satellite dish, trees have not bothered us. We were always able to find a hole thru the trees big enough for our dish to find its satellite and connect.
Until now.
We are in New England and I’ve never seen so many trees! As I mentioned in last week’s article, we had no connection (Satellite, Wi-Fi, or Cellular) in Acadia National park. The picture below is from a commercial park in central Maine. We didn’t even try to raise the dish here. Luckily, this park had good free Wi-Fi, so we got online all we wanted.
No satellite connection here!
This next photo is from Burlingame State Park in Rhode Island. No satellite connection available here! And no Wi-Fi. Luckily the Verizon signal was good enough to use the Broadband Connect feature of our phone.
Burlingame State Park in Rhode Island, no sattellite, no Wi-Fi. We used Verizon Broadband Connect.
The angle of your dish makes a difference
Another thing that makes it more difficult to connect here in New England is that we are so far north and east. The satellite is in geosynchronous orbit over the equator somewhere in the Pacific. That means that it appears to stay in the exact same place … it is orbiting at the same rate the earth is spinning. For more info see this NASA site.
Think about it, if we were parked near the equator, our satellite dish would be pointing straight up. If the photo above was taken in Southern California, we may have been able to connect because the dish would be aimed higher and may be shooting over the trees. Here in New England, the dish is pointing much closer to the horizon, and even short trees get in the way.
Just another example that, if you need the Internet as you travel, you need to use all three methods to connect.
Chris Guld
www.geeksontour.com
Internet at Libraries and Cafes
August 7, 2008 by Chris Guld · 9 Comments
Acadia National Park
We are currently in Acadia National Park! It is beautiful here. We really like to stay on the Park property and we chose a national park campground called Seawall. There are no hookups, and certainly no Wi-Fi here at ‘Seawall’ campground. We could run our generator, but our satellite dish could not connect thru all these trees! Our cell phones would not maintain a connection either - so we were OFF line! But, this is where we wanted to stay.
Campsite in the Trees
What do we do? I want to stay here for 3 nights, but my RV.net article is due today?! Well there are Wi-Fi hotpspots at various cafes and, most always at Public Libraries. We found a public library in Southwest Harbor, near the campground, where Wi-Fi was offered. What a cool place!
Public Library in Southwest Harbor, Maine
Internet Access at Public Libraries
And, I am certainly not the only one taking advantage of the Internet connection. One man who said he was traveling thru the area had a deadline to submit a grant proposal. Who cares that he’s on vacation in a beautiful national park? He can take a few hours, visit this local library, get his work done and get back to play! Others were just checking their email, and the woman next to me said she lived nearby but appreciated the free high-speed Internet.
Internet Access at Public Libraries
So, the purpose of this post is to encourage you to check out local public libraries as sources for Internet connections. They’re free, they’re usually high-speed, and you might meet some interesting people! We also took advantage of Wi-Fi at our lunch spot in Bar Harbor. Lobster Bisque and Internet. Does it get any better?
working in Southwest Harbor Public Library
This is Chris Guld signing off from Acadia National Park in the Southwest Harbor Public Library!
Chris Guld
Internet on the Road, Bandwidth Limits
June 5, 2008 by Chris Guld · 9 Comments
We’ve come a long way since dial-up. Just five years ago, if you wanted to get Internet while RVing, you had to schlep your laptop up to the office and plug into the one phone cable. It was very slow, and you needed to limit your time so other guests could use it.
Now you have 3 choices for high-speed, wireless Internet access:
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite
- Cellular
Geeks on Tour using Satellite dish for Internet
We depend on our Datastorm Satellite Dish to give us Internet wherever we are. But we also use Wi-Fi when available, and we tether our cell phone to the computer when the other two methods are not available.
All three of these, when working well, will get you high-speed. Almost as good as the DSL or Cable you can get at home. What they won’t get you is unlimited high-speed like you can get at home. The satellite option has the most clearly regulated limit. It’s called ‘FAP’ and it stands for Fair Access Policy. You see, everyone with a satellite dish for Internet is sharing the satellites. The satellites I’m familiar with are owned by Hughes and Hughes takes care of managing everyone’s usage so no one customer takes more than their fair share of the bandwidth. Read more
Windows Vista and Wi-Fi
May 22, 2008 by Chris Guld · 2 Comments
Does it ever seem like you and your computer are locked in a battle of wits?
And the computer is winning.
As computers, and operating systems, get more and more sophisticated; they do more things automatically. In trying to make it easy for us, the computer programmers make assumptions about what we want. And, you know what happens when you *ASSUME* right? (you make an ASS of U and ME.)
One of the things that happens automatically these days is that your computer will automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network to which it has connected in the past. I say, “Just because I may have connected to a similarly-named network in the past does *not* necessarily mean I want to automatically connect to it now.” The video below shows you how to prevent your computer from connecting to an unwanted network. The video shows Windows Vista. If you have Windows XP, the same principal applies but the menus are a little different. Right-click on the wireless network icon and choose ‘View Available Wireless Networks.’ On that screen click on the menu at left that reads ‘Change the order of preferred networks.’ Now you can select a network and remove it just like in the Vista video below.
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Chris Guld
www.GeeksOnTour.com
