Getting Wifi For An R V

Discussion in 'Gadgets & Tech Talk' started by Richard Whiting, Jan 22, 2023.

  1. Richard Whiting

    Richard Whiting Very Well-Known Member
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    Does anyone here have much knowledge about having wifi for your RV ?

    I'd like to have some general knowledge about whether an RV satellite WIFI dish can get good reception wherever I travel.

    When installer does the work, do they have wiring inside walls/ceiling /cabinets etc OR is the wiring clipped to the walls and is visible ?

    Thank you any info would help.
     
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  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Many full-hookup campgrounds offer wifi, though many times it sucks and is similar to other public wifi. We have tried several different connectivity methods when traveling but most often just use our cellphones as a hotspot. I used to have an iPad on my Verizon account so I could use it to access cellular data without connecting to a hotspot.
     
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  3. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Get a good CD player. My goodness we are a spoiled generation.
     
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  4. Mary Robi

    Mary Robi Veteran Member
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    Yes, a lot of RV parks advertise "good wi-fi" but it's nothing of the sort. When we couldn't get park wi-fi, like Beth we just used our phone hot-spot. And then, there are times you'll just have to face not having wi-fi. That's when you go to the nearest McDonald's and use theirs....LOL.
     
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  5. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Richard--I see you mentioned satellite; I have no experience with satellite wifi, but we do have a Winegard satellite on our RV that will pickup Dish satellite for TV. (Requires a Dish subscription.) We used it years ago but now just use streaming or an antenna for local channels on TV. Campgrounds also offer cable connections with "full hookups."
     
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  6. Richard Whiting

    Richard Whiting Very Well-Known Member
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    I'd have to get wifi so I could get my emails, and be able to scan the www.
     
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  7. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Oh,ok. I don't do emails with my server isn't too clear, plus if they can't call I don't need em. I'm not technical Savey.But I know what your saying.
     
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  8. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    If you get a phone or tablet that can have cellular, then you should be able to have a hotspot and be able to connect with that, like Beth mentioned that they do.
    Even if you are staying at a campground with out Wifi (pretty unlikely now days), then you can have the option of using the hotspot anywhere that there is cell service.
    Most restaurants and even grocery stores and hospitals offer free Wifi nowdays, so it should be possible to connect and get your email one way or another.
    Where would you be traveling to in your motor home , @Richard Whiting ?
     
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  9. Richard Whiting

    Richard Whiting Very Well-Known Member
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    Unfortunately, my hearing is now so bad that I can't use a phone. Even when face to face, I can't understand a thing women are saying because they speak in high tones. Even most men it's a big problem unless his voice is DEEP and he talks loud.
     
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  10. Richard Whiting

    Richard Whiting Very Well-Known Member
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    CD player ? I don't get what you mean. That does not help with emails or scanning the www.
     
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  11. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    I apologize for my comment. I understand what you're saying my vision is getting worse too. My comment is more frustration than conversation, kids.
     
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  12. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Richard--since you don't use a phone, you can still buy a mobile hotspot device from the cellular carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) A hotspot will probably require a cellular plan; I'm not sure if a pay-as-you-go function is available for them. I'd suggest checking with Verizon or one of the carriers to see what's available.

    I'm not up on what other new technology is available for RVers, but if you check one of the larger RV forums such as IRV2, there are sections specifically for technology information (wifi, phones, TV, etc.).

    Your most cost-effective solution will be to use free wifi as Yvonne suggested. Many places have free public wifi these days... major truck stops, fast food places, municipal buildings, etc.
     
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  13. Thomas Stillhere

    Thomas Stillhere Very Well-Known Member
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    There is always public internet at most Libraries. If the town is large enough there would be internet cafes with the same. I'm sure there is an RV publication that list all the things needed today and give the location of each one, with GPS coordinates.
     
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  14. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Good suggestion, we've been a member of that ' IRV2 ' for years, but since we don't travel much now haven't visited it for a while now.
     
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  15. Teresa Levitt

    Teresa Levitt Veteran Member
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    Richard...Yvonne is talking about only using the phone's tethering option for your connection...no talking or hearing involved....i use my phone this way...no problem ...no fee
     
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