Hello - New From The Plains

[mitch5252]

I'll have to get one of those satellites as wireless doesn't work so well for virtual games.

We signed up for satellite internet in 2005 after having moved to the sticks of TN and suffering with dial-up for over a year.

I would rather have stayed with dial-up. OMG - the dish is HUGE, the service is unbelievably slow (upload was no faster than dial-up most of the time), and your speed is throttled back to LESS THAN DIAL-UP if you go over your "allowance" (back then, it was a "monthly" allowance.) There are speed disclaimers all over their website (you're not going to get the speed we're advertising...) and it's $60 month (I just saw they're having a $20/month reduction for 3-months). They also say their system is not recommended for time-sensitive applications, like online gaming and commodities trading.

So, unless things have changed in the past 3 years (when we dumped HughesNet), I can think of nothing good to say about them. Others may have a differing opinion.

The end.

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[Bethers]

It's not wireless that keeps you from games. Like Mitch says, it's the connection. I can do much better where I am now with my air card than with their satellite service. It will vary from place to place. And wireless can be satellite. That said, some games take up more bandwidth than cg's want you to be using. So your own air card or satellite gives you the option of paying for that bandwidth.

[mitch5252]

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I tried to take a picture of the dish that is still stuck to our brick outside, but the picture didn't show how huge the dish is. I don't see how it could be set up in a campground on a frequent basis. Maybe I'll drag the ladder over there to get a better perspective...

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[Bethers]

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I tried to take a picture of the dish that is still stuck to our brick outside, but the picture didn't show how huge the dish is. I don't see how it could be set up in a campground on a frequent basis. Maybe I'll drag the ladder over there to get a better perspective...

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They have smaller ones now - the size of the tv dishes. And ones that install permanently on the roof - like tv dishes - or portable ones. Now, when someone bundles tv and internet in a dish for rver's, they might have big business. If the price was right.

[mitch5252]

They have smaller ones now - the size of the tv dishes. And ones that install permanently on the roof - like tv dishes - or portable ones. Now, when someone bundles tv and internet in a dish for rver's, they might have big business. If the price was right.

I just found this online somewhere...it's heavy, too!!! And, by law, must be mounted 5' above the ground (because of the transmitter). I sure wouldn't want to schlepp it around and set it up!

The new dish size is larger, roughly 26" x 39" in an elliptical shape. At 62 pounds, it is also approximately double the weight, a factor easily overlooked and not properly considered at the time of purchase.

Here's ours:




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[WanderinMoon]

Thanks for your input about this satellite problem Mitch & Bethers..

Yeah I'm afraid what I need just isn't out there unless I could afford a lot. I found one with an $80 a month plan but the speed just isn't there. http://www.motosat.com/ Even going up to the next plan of $129 a month could be doable, but then your installation charge goes from around $5,000 to nearly $13,000! Plus the upload speed isn't quite high enough.

I really like this place: http://www.groundcontrol.com/
It has the speed but costs over $1000 a month.

I'll keep researching and hoping the price will come down eventually. I wish aircards didn't charge so much for bandwidth - I'm afraid live streaming like games really eats it up.

When I looked at this before I thought the basic Motosat plan gave you more upload speed and I was all psyched up to take off at the first of the year. I'll have to rethink my plans now. Maybe I can sell my house and move out to the area I love and take trips from time to time. Maybe I could even do that from where I live now.
And taking early retirement is not THAT far away (never thought I'd want to be older..lol).

[Bethers]

Are the games that important? Kind of like tv for me - not nearly important enough to stop me from traveling and seeing what I want to see. The internet is necessary for me for work and the forums, etc - when I can get on. Like when in MX, forget the forums except for a quick hi now and then and to update my blog. But we are all different. And I don't think some of those games take up that much bandwidth, but I could be wrong.

It's going to start getting more expensive in homes when you want to stream etc - at least cable companies and others are talking about it.

[flick4411]

Welcome Wanderin! You found the best place on the internet for women looking to wander!

Here's hoping you find your perfect method of travel whether it be a trailer, RV, or other means. I can't wait to get on the road when it suits me and not when I can break away from work for a few days. We all will be looking forward to hearing about your search for the next home for you. And don't forget to ask a lot of questions, cuz we have a lot o answers. Oh, and we love pictures of any kind! Good luck with the beginning steps of your next adventure in life!

[Colliemom]

Welcome to the group, glad you joined us. You will have fun looking for that right RV. Sometimes it can get downright frustrating cause there are so many, but eventually you will narrow it down.

I knew I wanted a TT cause I don't want to have the expense of two motor vehicles. But being that I havn't towed an RV type trailer before, it took me awhile to get up the nerve to do it. So I wanted something on the smaller size t start out. Found my Rockwood Mini Lite 1809S after a lot of researching and looking and a tip from a former member on this site. it suits me just fine as I can' only go a couple nights at a time right now. I know you will find the right one when you see it.

Looking forward to your hunting and traveling adventures. Don't be afraid to ask question, cry, laugh, vent, whatever. We have all been there, done that. But most of all, have fun

[WanderinMoon]

I feel the same way Bethers - wouldn't want to spend much time watching TV or playing games when camping, but freelancing for some of these games or platforms is how I earn my living (I create the landscapes within them...kind of like a landscape painting but in 3D so you can walk around in them and view from all angles). Unfortunately most of it is done in real time as the game is streaming so it really eats up the bandwidth.

I hope they don't manage to increase broadband prices in the US. I saw they did in Canada but maybe we have enough competing services to prevent that.

Thanks again everyone for the kind welcome and advice. Maybe I will end up being like some of you and just camp when I can for now. Getting a little trailer like you have Colliemom would make it less expensive. When first starting to look I was attracted to those little Scamps. I do love the Class C's though for the security of just taking off if there's any trouble.

[Bethers]

Ah work, totally understand. But there are the rv parks that advertise that you can do all you need online - so you just need to watch for those. I imagine, you can have down days where you don't need the internet also? So work around it. There are ways. And it's so worth it

Find what works for YOU for an rv. We are all so different and have our different likes and dislikes. I like some trailers and 5th wheels, but can't see myself ever wanting to tow one. I love my little C. And if towing, much prefer towing a car - but liked it best the 5 years I traveled with just the C. And today I'd look at both little C's and B's. Would look at the littler A's, too, but financially, I'm better off staying with a C or B - plus I prefer driving them. That's me

[WanderinMoon]

Bethers I've been doing some research about streaming internet access and have hope that one day I'll be able to do it. Seems it's been a big issue - campgrounds will not allow streaming because it uses the limited amount of resources available and slows things down for others, but more and more campers are wanting to stream (families that can extend their camping trips if they can work from their camper, and families who want the ability to stream movies). Could be they will have special spots available and charge more for those who want streaming in the future. Though it will probably be in the big RV Resorts where I wouldn't want to camp I could just do all my work there for a few days each week and move on to more primitive camp areas.
Soon I'm going to call some campgrounds and see if it's possible to pay extra to get streaming.
Even now if you snowbird at some spots they have phone lines and one could pay for DSL for a month.

Yeah I keep going back and forth......TT or class C. Am leaning toward class C again atm.

[Liz]

Welcome to our forum. This is a wonderful place to bide your time when you are recuperating, and while you dream and plan about your RVing future! We are a very supportive group of ladies during good times and hard times. Join right in anywhere.

[JoanE]

Hi WanderinMoon,

Welcome from someone still wet behind the ears but learning. I, too, was surprised to find out that there were many more like me traveling the US alone in their campers. I'm sure it says something about women today but not having been around the campfire yet with a group of sistahs, I can only surmise. For me, it has been a dream I've harbored for many years and suddenly realized that time was escaping. How much longer would I have to launch the dream?

So I hope to meet you in a cg somewhere down the road. I have found this group of women very friendly and willing to share their triumphs, foibles, fears and knowledge. When you describe something "stupid" that you just did with your camper, invariably someone is going to tell you "been there, done that". You'll realize that you are not alone, not the first and not the last to be having your adventure.

Joan

[Colliemom]

Welcome aboard. You sound like you are really going to enjoy seeing more of the country. You will find that right RV and when you see it, it will call "home" to you.

I'm tooling around northern Michigan with an 18ft TT right now. Like the ability to park, set up and have my truck free to go explore or whatever when I am at campgruond. Maybe eventually I will trade the whole mess for a small MH later on. Want to see more of this great country too. Been to a lot of it, but there is a lot more to see especially out west.

Hope you jump right in and join us in our various posting areas and do come and join us on "Campfire". Always some good insight, laughs etc. there.