WiFi On The Road IS An Important Tool

The TR Forum Administrator ask I make it clear, I am not selling anything or advertising anything for sale. This post is for those who are interested in learning more about high quality onboard vehicle WiFi systems and wish to learn more about wirless Internet in general and to share information with others.

The POST: As far as WiFi service and internet in general, most people don't really seem to know what is going on in the industry because they (the industry) don't tell us ahead of time what is coming, well not the lay persons anyway. It's a real job just to find things out and i found out a bunch in my journeys through cyber space and and equipment Hell, so here's some knowledge to share.

Anyway, WiFi is in extreme growth here in the states and is free in THOUSANDS of places now and will be free everywhere soon. I wanted to make that clear, because it is fact and may effect what people plan for on the road communications needs. If not already, most all truck stops, parks and roadsides will offer it free to attract business, etc. Loading docks everywhere are getting on the band wagon too. (no pun intended)

Some towns are FREE WiFi town wide. (many in Minnesota, who is the leader now) Everyone should ask "DO YOU HAVE WiFi HERE??" where ever you go - this will help the movement to spread FREE WiFi across the land. (which is super cheap to provide anyway) Still, for the working OTR traveller, WiFi beats the hell out of spendy Satellite dishes and cell phones. i rarely find a place where I can't get on with a real good strong signal for free - if not, I just move. (there are code crackers too, of course)

There are so many wierd choices out there, strange boxes, low power-high claims, cell units, "booster's", etc. I have an Apple iPhone which is great and offers better internet capability than any other cell phone out there, but still, it's nothing compared to a laptop connected to good, strong WiFi signal access. Especially important for getting jobs/communicating with work/business and sending and receiving attachments, downloading pdf's, watching videos, free SKYPE calling and what note. Satellite is WAY too expensive and "little plug-in cards" are just that, keyword "little" - because that's what you get!!

Don't be fooled. There is no need to spend $1,500, $2,000 or more, and even those, are low power compared to the new Highway 802 WiFi unit. I have blown a lot of money on bad equipment, funky cards, antennas and the such. Glad THAT'S over.

After extensive, exhausting research, I was lucky enough to come in contact with the manufacturer of these new high power WiFi transmitter/receivers through a friend of a relative and ended up a beta tester to offer my review and results and i can say, the search is OVER. IT'S FANTASTIC!! I used to see maybe 5 or 10 available signals and now I see 50 to 100!! (depending where I am) I think these will be the new standard for many, many years to come. By the way, WiFi is here to stay for a very long time. WiFi units are as easy to install as a CB or a HAM and the antennas are white fiberglass so they look pretty good on the truck. They aren't on the market yet, but they say by mid May or June 1 to start shipping.

Anyway, feel free to ask questions about signals, antennas, power ratings, brands, AP (access points), connection speeds, Hot Spot locations, etc., I have become very familiar with pretty much everything out there now and it CAN be a confusing subject. I would be happy to discuss my passed experiences and things to steer clear of. In my truck (a film gear rig) we carry a long range Wifi unit, 2, laptops, a portable HP printer, an iPhone, SONY XM stereo and a Garmin GPS - works pretty good for an around set-up for on the road and in touch with the world AND needless to say, the thertruckersreport dot com site.

LR

 

I agree Red,

In notes, i was refering to a lot of free access all over the place in towns and cities and some states are getting on board with free WFi at rest stops. Which I feel is a great idea, people can get some off to side side rest, refresh and mental out on the net for a bit, let alone, do checkins, biz stuff, etc.

As far at T Stops, I think that they re going to see the light, sooner than later. Look at Tully's Coffee. Everyone knows Tully's has free WiFi and it draws customers too - it really works for them. As far as pay for Internet service, TA is not a bad deal at all, and looks like they could topple to the "free" platform easily. None of them actually make money at it and it literally cost next to nothing to offer the service. BUT, you would have to sign up with all of them for yearly service rates, to get real good coverage at each place, and THAT would be real expensive.

The problem with the "signal cut off" is a combination probably from weak signal/older gear on the building serving the signal and weak signal in the cab, trying to stay connected through a steel shell to a laptop directly. That's why everyone is complaining. It's new gear upgrade time.

It's like processor speed, after a few years, your killer fast computer, is an old slow antique and it's time to get a new one. The problem is, when WiFi started hitting the ground everywhere, the units installed were usually about 200mW, which is pretty weak. But I remember how excited we were to even SEE a wireless signal. Well, we've all come a long way and every one is pretty up on using the comps and it's business and family critical now. It's time for real good powerful units, real good service and free WiFi everywhere, as an additional benefit for doing business with them. (in my opinion)

With the cost of the antenna and computer box for under $1,500 or so and a business 20 meg DSL connection for $50 or $75 a month, you would think marketing could really get their heads around such an idea. i really feel it is coming soon, everywhere. Such a system could EASILY serve every truck and user in the lot, the field, anywhere within view and off in to the forest (if there is a forest) These units are 1,000mW and are the MAX FCC legal power and would work great, for many years to come. And if more were needed, that would mean business is "really good" so get MORE units!

i really think word would spread quickly about free hot spots, at TS's, rester's, restaurants, stations and others. i think you may also start seeing the "WiFi" logo on signs on the freeway, indicating "This Business Has Free WiFi"

Even Jack In The Box has free WiFi for God sakes.

Still gotta have a phone though. You do need both, but they just don't cut the cake for full power Internet use, you know what i mean.

I really feel that when one of the Major's goes "Free WiFi" the rest will fall with the domino effect. Everything is so highly competitive these days, food, fuel, service, etc. I would really think, that from a marketing point of view I guess, free Wifi, would be a real GOOD idea.

That's why my antenna is mounted on the outside of the cab. i am going to be stopping at the TA East Seattle in North Bend WA here soon and will be checking out what they have for signal and equipment on their site. Maybe they might even have some answers, i will ask real nice, but snoop around first.

I'll let everyone know how my box works there.

On a side note, when I was talking to a net sales guy, he told me they (the company works for) set up every CENEX across the country with a 20 meg system at each facility and corporate has cams connected to every location (probably as well as the cash registers). Have not checked in there yet, but we have one near by, nice guys too ( we get our off road from them) and i think i'll ask them if they have WiFi HUBS for visiting trucks and customers. (they should - everybody should)

Anyway, till then, roll safe . . . . later