Featured Website: DatastormUsers
www.DatastormUsers.com
DatastormUsers.com is run by and for users of the Motosat Datastorm, and anyone else interested in mobile satellite internet service. The Datastorm is an automatic-pointing mount and dish for use with satellite internet services, primarily HughesNet (formerly Direcway), allowing access wherever you may travel in a motor vehicle.

DatastormUsers.com discussion groups are open for guest reading, but require registration (free) in order to post replies or new messages. Many of our members have been using the Datastorm for more than 4 years. Others are experienced installers, while still others use manual tripod mounts either commercial or homebrew. Most questions you might have if you are thinking about buying/using a Datastorm or other internet dish will get a rapid response here.

Interested in mobile satellite television? We cover that as well, with an emphasis on Motosat products, particularly HDTV for DirecTV and Dish Networks. Visit the DirecTV/Dish section in the forums for the latest info.

Featured Blog: DIYGuy's RV Site
www.rvnomad.com
My wife and I are now planning our next phase of life, retirement. We've gone from the research phase to the implementation phase. We're still not sure when it will happen, but we know what it will be. We will be nomads with no fixed address. Not quite off-grid living, but close, we will be Fulltime RVers. This is our story.

Getting Online from your RV
by Tim R. Enright
There are several methods for getting online while away from home. I will try and explain a few of the most common here.

Dial-up - First there is the good old dial-up service. Ok, I don’t know how good it is. Not very many places have a phone connection anymore. If you happened to find one that did have one, you would also need to have a dial-up account to use when you plugged into it. But once connected you can blaze across the web at amazing dial-up speeds.

Now we have our broadband connections.

Satellite Internet - We will begin with satellite. This connection uses a signal which travels from your dish to a satellite 22,000 miles in outer space. This creates a latency problem or lag. Most satellite Internet providers also have a FAP (Fair Access Policy). This FAP turns your speed down to dial-up speeds after a specified amount of usage. On the upside, satellite has true global broadband access availability unless there is a drop-out, inclement weather, or during sunspot activity.

Cellular Broadband - Next we have the broadband connection offered by cellular phone providers. This service is offered in or around most large cities (too bad that is not where the campgrounds are usually located). The speed is not as good as the cable or DSL you may have at home but tends to be better than dial-up. In fact, the speed is increasing as providers update their equipment and add new towers. The only real disadvantage is the cost. This technology is a bit pricey.

Wi-Fi - Finally we have Wi-Fi access. This type of internet connect is the most common. The location where you can access a Wi-Fi signal is called a hotspot. More and more hotspots are popping up every day. The internet speed can be as fast as most home broadband connections. Many hotspots are free. The biggest downside of Wi-Fi is its limited range. This can be overcome, however, if multiple access points are installed throughout a campground.

As time goes on internet access should only get better. Changes in technology will make connecting easier. As more RVers demand better service more choices will become available.

Article Courtesy of : BugSmacker.com : Copyright 2008

July 2008 Issue

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