steveheadley
OnTheRoad
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Joined: 06/14/2006
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I presently use sprint for my broadband internet. I have an external antenna connected to a 3 watt amp, which is connected to a pcmcia modem, which is plugged into a Kyocera Kr1 router. This works great at my northern location, but the southern area in which I reside for the winter is not in the sprint broadband area. I found out that verizon has broadband in both places. So I need to switch to verizon. I'm willing to give up the old pcmcia-only router and buy a new modem and router. What do you verizon users use? I'm sure most use USB modems now. My main requirement is the external antenna connection to utilize my antenna and amplifier. Any suggestions or should I just call verizon and try to find somebody there that knows something about this?
National Tropi-Cal - 36'
with Banks PowerPak
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MrWizard
Van Nuys, Ca
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sorry i don't have the links, but a scan of several pages of this forum will show you several recent 'cell modem' usb & aircard threads, along with router models
cradle point routers & 760? usb modems are very popular
Options, always have options, and the journey goes much smoother
....
Connected via Verizon Via Motorola Droid with Android2 OS
Member of the Verizon Wireless Customer Council
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tomlang
Los Angeles area
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As I type this reply, I am in in the Faria Beach campground in Ventura, California.
My internet access is EVDO via my Verizon XV6800 smartphone and a program called WiFi Router.
XV6800 phones are available pretty cheaply now. You could buy one on eBay, upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 for free, and buy the inexpensive WiFi Router program.
The really great part is that Verizon's unlimited data plan for this phone is really unlimited, There is no data cap.
Tom and Lynne
Tom is an Electronics Engineer, Lynne a retired teacher.
2003 Foretravel 38' U295
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jcpainter
Crossville, TN
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I use the Cradlepoint MBR1000 router in a configuration that is similar to yours . . . external antenna (Omni RV Antenna)--> to amp (Direct Connect Amplifier (3 Watt))--> to Verizon modem/aircard (V740) --> installed in the Cradlepoint router.
If you already have a laptop that you will be keeping for a while and you want to get "dual functionality" from your new air card/modem, select one that is compatible with both your laptop(s) and your router. You can then install the card into the router when you're camping and pull it out and install it into your laptop(s) when you're going down the road or are at some other location that doesn't offer WIFI. IF your laptop has an Express Card slot, there is a Verizon Express Card (V740) that works great in both the laptop and the cradlepoint. The advantage of the Express Card (over USB) is that it slides securely into the Express Card slot of your laptop and is less suseptible to bumps and bangs that happen during normal usage. Several folks have posted that the USB devices can be very sensitive to not maintaining a secure connection if they receive the least little bump.
I LOVE this setup, and feel that I really do get lots of "bang for the buck" from the flexibility that it provides. My DH is on a fishing trip now where he and some buddies rented a lake cabin. He took our netbook with the V40 for internet access. I often take my full sized laptop with the V40 to business locations or friends/relatives homes to have personal internet access. Then when we're camping the V40 slides into the router and we enjoy access from our laptops, iPods, iPhones, etc.
Naturally, you'll want to be sure that the aircard/modem you choose has a port for the external antenna. You will also most likely need a special little cable that links the amp to the modem/air card as the cable connectors are pretty device specific.
You can alternately use your tethered cell phone as the modem (for unlimited data access)with the Cradlepoint router, IF it's on their compatibility list. I did that for a while with my smart phone, but then you can't use your phone while you're using the internet. I much prefer the aircard/modem solution.
Talk to the folks at the 3gstore: http://tinyurl.com/cellstuff . They will give you excellent advice, you can purchase all the parts through them (even the Verizon service) and best of all . . . they have the knowledge to support the entire configuration. No more fingerpointing between vendors!
* This post was
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GSF
full-timing in North America
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Joined: 06/04/2004
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Why do you need a new router? The KR1 is NOT PCMCIA ONLY and will take any new USB cellular modem.
George
97 Airstream Land Yacht
01 PT Cruiser Dinghy
Cappy - Pekinese Burglar Alarm
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Samarai
Spring/Grapeland Tx
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Be sure and get some advice from Alex at the 3gstore.com. Also talk to him about the coming 4g service from Vz next year. You want to make sure that all your equipment will be compatible with that.
I have been using Vz for the Internet for years and I am very happy with them and the very knowledgeable advice I get from Alex.
Bill/L'l Lulu & Mago Chan
Casita SD 17'/Chevy Express Van/Whites V3 MD
USAF/Army Retired
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rr2254545
Minnesota
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I have had my MiFi 2200 from Verizon for about a week now and love it. This eliminated my router in the house and I am powering the computer and my Tivo from it. Speed is equal to my old Comcast line.
R Ream
2008 Winnebago Voyage 35 L
Toad 09 Honda Fit w/ auto Trans
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joraz
Tucson
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Joined: 08/16/2008
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Quote:I have had my MiFi 2200 from Verizon for about a week now and love it. This eliminated my router in the house and I am powering the computer and my Tivo from it. Speed is equal to my old Comcast line.
Whoa! I have Comcast and a MiFi 2200. In my case, the cable connection is much faster. I was thinking that when 4G comes along we might be able to dump the cable in favor of the cell broadband but not now.
I just tested my regular connection and the MiFi on speedtest.com. The Comcast connection yields 18 megabits down and 2.75 up and the MiFi gives me about 1.25 (one test got 1.7) up and .25 down. So, here in Tucson, at least with my setup, the MiFi can't compare. I'd be interested to know others' experience with this comparison.
jor
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rr2254545
Minnesota
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Not familiar with speed test - I was just comparing to to Comcast with my gut feel on speed. My MiFi just tested twice on this web site at down .58 and up at .34. Not sure what this means but that is the result.
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jimtoo
Now, Ultra Perfect
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Joined: 10/23/2004
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The 3gstore. These guys are great to deal with and know their products.
Happy Camping
Drive Safe
Jim & Bette
Kerrville Sweetheart VIII Rally
George West Storyfest
04 GMC 3500, CC,Dually,Duramax,Allison
CB Radio, Prodigy, Turboliner, Ride Rites
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