wi-fi and a truck

The general consensus seems to be to tell WiFi to blow it. Go with an aircard. It uses the cellular phone system and isn't terribly expensive

 

I haven't started to drive yet, but I have traveled extensively and can tell you the Wi-Fi service at most truck stops suck. Even if you can get a signal, so many people are using the service that the speed will torture you. I agree with Lurchgs and would go with an Aircard. I would suggest getting one with Sprint or Verizon as EVDO is faster and has better coverage than GSM. With discounts you can actually get either service for about $50 a month.

 

I agree. Get an aircard. I use Verizon and have good service over all. Other than that check out a website called MAXIMUMSIGNAL. They are a sponsor here at this forum and sell cellular amplifiers and more. You could create a rolling hotspot in your truck with some of their equipment.

You can find their site at the top of the main page.

 

I think it's cheaper to get an aircard than it is to get 2 monthly subscriptions from your favorite truck stops, which really limits where you'll have service. On another note, I do recall there being at least 1 state that has free wi-fi in the rest areas. I'm thinking Utah, but not sure on that.

 

New York has free wi-fi in their thruway rest stops but you have to be in the building to pick it up I think. You can sync up your smartphone to your lap top and not have to buy the air card subscription and save a couple of bucks that way as well.

 

Problem there is, I think, that the internet connection is at dialup speeds (anybody, feel free to correct me). I hook my blackberry up to my laptop and that's what happens to me, anyway.

But then, it may just be the Blackberry. I *hate* that phone.

 

If you get a phone with EVDO or HSDPA, you should be able to connect at high-speed where it's available.

 

thanks! I'll check into that.

Heck, maybe I'll just get a couple of cans and some string. Even carrier pigeons would be better than this P.O.S.

 

I can get the high-speed on my phone if I use a data cable, and it's pretty old. I think the Mogul is the only smart-phone with EVDO Rev A right now, but a lot of phones and smart-phones are capable of EVDO Rev 0.