Mobile Computing

Your motor home can now be a fully capable in-transit computer station.  The advent of “hot spots” now available all over the U.S. and some other countries provides local access to any personal laptop computer with a wireless modem. There are two technologies that provide this type of service. 

 The first is the “Access Point”  which is basically a small transmitter/receiver that connects to the internet.  This device operates as a point to multipoint terminal. That means it broadcasts messages from the Internet to remote terminals (e.g. your motor home) and receives from multiple locations (e.g. your motor home as well as other end terminals).  These are generally low power systems with a limited range such as a campground, rest stops, and some truck stops.  These services are normally free. 

The second uses G3 and G4 cellular technology.  We have used this on two trips to the State of Washington.  The first trip was with AT&T, and the second trip was with Sprint.   We made this 4,200 mi round trip with the laptop on line 7 x 24 and full connectivity over 90% of each trip.  This service is provided on a monthly fee basis similar to a cell phone.  Rates start at around $30 per month and range up to $60 per month based on user’s preference.  On the last trip we used the higher price service to actually broadcast live webcam pictures out the front window the whole trip.  We had over 10,000 viewers from all over the world during this two week trek.  Of course email and instant messaging was running at the same time.  It was nice to keep in touch with friends and family while moving along the Interstate. 

Finally, this motor home is equipped with a special outside antenna that can extend the range of Access Point from 500’ to 1000’ beyond normal range.  It also is what provided near perfect coverage over our direct cellular ISP connection.