Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » MiFi connection
| MiFi connection [message #191110] |
Fri, 23 November 2012 09:14  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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In case you did not notice it, in Wal-Mart's Black Friday ad, they were selling the VirginAtlantic 3G/4G MiFi for $39.95. Since this is a "pay as you go" plan, it is ideal for on the road use. Not using it, just don't add money/time to the account. Only restriction, you must use it once a year to keep the account current. I used a similar device (MiFi 3G) in a high speed GMC run with John Richardson. Rather interesting to be going down the Interstates and have a reliable connection.
No more relying on one router at a camp ground. Only downside, runs on the Sprint network, and it may not be in your area. Check the coverage map.
I picked it up this morning, well after the announced sale time, for the sale price.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: MiFi connection [message #191117 is a reply to message #191110] |
Fri, 23 November 2012 10:32  |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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I bought one of these 2 years ago to get me through some business emergency transactions while unable to get to my usual online access points. Virgin did use the Sprint network back then and while it did get me through the crisis, it was dog slow. Maybe that's improved, Tom, so a review once you've put it through its paces will be much appreciated.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
[Updated on: Fri, 23 November 2012 10:33] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] MiFi connection [message #191121 is a reply to message #191117] |
Fri, 23 November 2012 10:47 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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I've got a Clear 4G ($50 for the widget, $50 monthly for a real 5mbps down,
no limits), I don't miss a wired connection. Downside is it only works in
town, very limited coverage.
Sprint has two flavors of 4G, their older one, WiMax from Clear, and they
are starting to roll out their own LTE.
I'd expect that is 3G/WiMax, fast in town, coverage via 3G everywhere. What
usage limits are there?
Ron
On Nov 23, 2012 8:32 AM, "RC Jordan" <rc@rcjordan.com> wrote:
>
>
> I bought one of these 2 years ago to get me through some business
> emergency transactions while unable to get to my usual online access
> points. Virgin uses the Sprint network and while it did get me through the
> crisis, it was dog slow. Maybe that's improved, Tom, so a review once
> you've put it through its paces will be much appreciated.
> --
> 77 Royale "Retro Chic" (still in Florida)
> Elizabeth City, NC
> 1 hour south of Norfolk VA
> 1 hour west of Kitty Hawk, NC
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] MiFi connection [message #191131 is a reply to message #191121] |
Fri, 23 November 2012 15:16 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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My previous 3G MiFi also on the Sprint network was capable of allowing me to use my Skype handheld phone (yes, they used to be made - WiFi Skype phones). I expect better performance out of this new device.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: MiFi connection [message #191150 is a reply to message #191110] |
Fri, 23 November 2012 20:57 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
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Finding alternatives for less expensive service is tough. In my part of the world, Verizon Wireless coverage is very good. ATT is terrible, and T-mobile is pretty good. Always buy something like that when you can test it out and if not satisfied be able to return it.
I've used amplifiers and yagi type beams, and/or a high DB gain Omni on my laptop computers that worked really well picking up hot spots.
I've not ever experimented with the above on smart phones or mobile wifi devices, but I can't imagine it can't be done easily. Wilson cell phone type amplifers/antennas work so, so IMO for their application. A high gain omni (while in transit) or yagi (when parked) mounted correctly on the top of the GMC, amplifier, hooked up to a phone, would have to get some serious range improving the range of some of these devices.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: MiFi connection [message #191151 is a reply to message #191110] |
Fri, 23 November 2012 21:24 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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I know just enough to be dangerous about wireless internet. That said, I am considering paying the extra $10/month on my Verizon smart phone to let it 'tether' and become a hot spot. Verizon has coverage nearly every place I've been in the US unless you're really, REALLY out in the boonies.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of MIFI over the tethered approach?
I'm leery of 'free' WIFI. Last summer we took a 2 week trip and several of the motels we stayed in had unsecured WIFI. Shortly after we got home, my Yahoo mail account was hacked and my address book got spammed. I can only assume, someone had some equipment set up to eavesdrop and snatch usernames/passwords.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: MiFi connection [message #191174 is a reply to message #191151] |
Sat, 24 November 2012 09:50 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| RadioActiveGMC wrote on Fri, 23 November 2012 21:57 |
Finding alternatives for less expensive service is tough. In my part of the world, Verizon Wireless coverage is very good. ATT is terrible, and T-mobile is pretty good. Always buy something like that when you can test it out and if not satisfied be able to return it.
I've used amplifiers and yagi type beams, and/or a high DB gain Omni on my laptop computers that worked really well picking up hot spots.
I've not ever experimented with the above on smart phones or mobile wifi devices, but I can't imagine it can't be done easily. Wilson cell phone type amplifers/antennas work so, so IMO for their application. A high gain omni (while in transit) or yagi (when parked) mounted correctly on the top of the GMC, amplifier, hooked up to a phone, would have to get some serious range improving the range of some of these devices.
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| Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Fri, 23 November 2012 22:24 |
I know just enough to be dangerous about wireless internet. That said, I am considering paying the extra $10/month on my Verizon smart phone to let it 'tether' and become a hot spot. Verizon has coverage nearly every place I've been in the US unless you're really, REALLY out in the boonies.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of MIFI over the tethered approach?
I'm leery of 'free' WIFI. Last summer we took a 2 week trip and several of the motels we stayed in had unsecured WIFI. Shortly after we got home, my Yahoo mail account was hacked and my address book got spammed. I can only assume, someone had some equipment set up to eavesdrop and snatch usernames/passwords.
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Long winded responses to Kerry and Micheal...
Yes, Free Wifi has its risks, but if you run your machine with its own firewalls set up, they can be acceptable. Webmail systems do have more risk of being hacked, but are more accessible - unfortunately this is a two edged sword.
We have also found that Verizon has the best coverage as far as cell, I cannot speak for 4G and it may be a long time before I can.
I too have played with yagi's and parabolics for Wifi and Cell (9&1.6). They can get you some good SNR and Sgain, but the fight is very often a pyrrhic victory (cost more than it is worth).
As others here will tell you, if you want Wifi, just go get an Alfa AVUS036(XXX). With the optional long antenna, this will work where there is any signal to work. Even the addition of a parabolic dish didn't improve the the SNR enough to matter and it also made aiming very critical.
I have a Wilson dual band repeater in the coach and a trucker onmi. At one time I had a dual band yagi for use when the 9dB of the trucker wouldn't cut it. Problem: Marketed cell phone antennas are limited to 9dB. So, unless you build your own yagi, that is where you are. If you do, and you can get to 24dB, you may find that it really doesn't get you very much because the cell frequencies are so "line of sight". If there are no mountains, this stuff can work. In 2008 we carried 1X (what I had) for 65 miles west of Amarillo (the last tower) before we lost the data capable signal.
As to tether vs Mifi....
First, there are now three kinds of "Tether"
Wifi hotspot, Bluetooth and a plain old USB cable.
If you have a smartphone (mine is a much traveled Droid2) there is little advantage to buying into Mifi. If you do, you have the cost of the device and a monthly that has to be covered. The advantage to Mifi might be that if you get into one of the pay-as-you-go plans, it could have a significant cost advantage. If you are thinking of "Hot Spotting" with a smartphone, be aware that the added cost is continues. There is an app called Fox-fi, I just dumped it. It was free, now it shuts off after 30mins unless you buy the 6.97 full version. When the company gets closed, my smartphone will probably have to go. It is too expensive to run if I have to pay taxes on that money - too.
With our arrangement (1 laptop in the cab), there was no advantage as the handset has to be powered and you can do that from the USB port. So, we have been using Easy-Tether for a couple of years now. I have forgotten why we choose that over PDA-net.
If you are going to need more than a single device on-line. then Fox-fi might make a better choice. I know it supports more than a single user in Wifi mode, but I can't tell you many. Or, look up an app for PC called Connectify. I haven't used it and can't tell you any more than that it does allow you to share and internet connection.
There are lots of choices out there, and getting more everyday. It can really pay to do some research.
I think I covered everything.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: MiFi connection [message #191194 is a reply to message #191110] |
Sat, 24 November 2012 15:27 |
Darryl
Messages: 144
Registered: December 2011
Location: Northern California
Karma: 0
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I use T-Mobile "Mobile Hotspot" on my android phone. Allows both laptops to be connected to the Internet at the same time. With the Wilson signal booster and an upgraded antenna if I can get any kind of cell signal at all I can usually connect.
The only problem we had on our recent three-week trip through the Southwest was T-Mobile's service area. We spent two days each on the Navajo and White River Apached reservations and both were roaming areas. Very frustrting to see a good signal but not be able to connect.
Darryl Meyers
1978 Eleganza II
El Dorado Hills, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] MiFi connection [message #191195 is a reply to message #191151] |
Sat, 24 November 2012 16:00 |
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The discussion is about using a MiFi device which broadcasts some form of
WiFi to other devices using a mobile broadband (cellular data) connection.
The MiFi serves as a router. That means it handles clients on one network
and sends data up/down on another.
The correct answer to the question of which and what to use is "it
depends".
If you already have a data plan on a cell phone and the charge is only $10
extra per month to turn it into a WiFi router for your personal use on the
road and wherever you have a cellular signal and you travel at least a
weekend per month on average, then there could be an advantage. For sure,
depending on "free WiFi" at a campground means putting yourself at the
mercy of whoever set up the wireless system for the campground. Trust me;
there is no consistency from one campground to another. The reason? It
depends on their connection to the internet whether by DSL, cable,
satellite or whatever. Frequently their internet connection has limited
bandwidth so a limited number of individuals will be accommodated.
Also, whenever you use an open wireless network you are always at risk
regardless of whether you have a firewall turned on or not. Professional,
network-savy thieves are more interesting in capturing the data that flies
between your computer and an internet site than they are trying to hack
through to your computer with the hopes of planting a trojan horse on for
system. Why? There's more value in stealing some information sent in the
clear than planting some malware on your computer. For that reason, always
used trusted sites running good encryption if you're using an open network
and passing data.
A smart thing is to not buy anything or check your account balances while
using an open network such as public WiFi. It can invite trouble.
Tethering or using a MiFi is superior to an open WiFi network any day of
the week when security is the issue. If all you want to do is check the
weather or read the headlines of the New York Times then public WiFi use
is quite acceptable. Just don't log into anything the requires a password.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
If you can't add a device for a cheap price or get tethering, then a
pay-as-you go MiFi-like device is a good idea.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
News and Web Editor, GMC Eastern States
http://www.gmceast.com
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: MiFi connection [message #191232 is a reply to message #191110] |
Sun, 25 November 2012 15:41 |
AStasunas
Messages: 58
Registered: April 2009
Location: Winter Springs, Fl
Karma: 0
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I picked up one of these Virgin Mobil MIFi's at Walmart, thanks for the tip.
In looking at their plans they show monthly plans. To use it as "Pay as you Go" , does one simply disable the device thru their website and the enable it as necessary?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Tony
"Vinnie"
1975 Eleganza,
Winter Springs, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] MiFi connection [message #191234 is a reply to message #191232] |
Sun, 25 November 2012 16:04 |
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Virgin Mobile has one of the easiest plans for the end user to manage.
Verizon's pay-as-you-go plan sucks in terms of customer focus.
With the Virgin Mobile device you should also get some "management"
software to load on your computer. That software opens up a website where
you buy the amount of time you want. If not then the device should
redirect you to the website where you buy time. Then, when you're done
with the transaction, restart the device and use it. Of course, you'll
need to establish an account with Virgin Mobile to start with.
I don't have a Virgin Mobile MiFi. I have a Virgin Mobile USB 760 that's
plugged into a third-party WiFi/Mobile Broadband router. I can actually
get to the Virgin Mobile site, login, and pay for time from any device on
the Internet. Consequently, I use my computer at home to buy the time
before leaving. We always get the one-month plan.
Keep in mind that you need to use the device on an off and not let the
account lapse.
Verizon, on the other hand, could learn a few things from Virgin Mobile.
With Verizon I have to call and give them some money. Then, invariably,
they don't know how to spend the money so I have to call again and tell
them how to apply it to the term of service I want. Then, I have to
restart the MiFi to get things working. For some reason they insist that
you interact with a human to get your service turned on. Virgin Mobile's
service has always been great and I don't need to talk with humans (who
often make mistakes). However, Verizon has better coverage. In my book,
they're a draw. We had a Verizon USB 760 and traded up to the MiFi. We
still use the Virgin Mobile and Cradlepoint personal hotspot. It depends
on where we're going. Virgin is cheaper so if they have coverage we need,
they win.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
News and Web Editor, GMC Eastern States
http://www.gmceast.com
ATTENTION: This reply is in reference to what is provided belowŠ
>
>
>I picked up one of these Virgin Mobil MIFi's at Walmart, thanks for the
>tip.
>
>In looking at their plans they show monthly plans. To use it as "Pay as
>you Go" , does one simply disable the device thru their website and the
>enable it as necessary?
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Regards,
>Tony
>--
>"Vinnie"
>1975 Eleganza,
>Winter Springs, Fl
>_______________________________________________
>GMCnet mailing list
>Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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