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Post Info TOPIC: re: Have done it!!
adreamer


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re: Have done it!!
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Hi,  Was on here sometime back dreaming of buying a campervan.  Well have just done it!  Yah Hoo!  Had to sell my home and downsize but it has freed up some money for me, otherwise I would have been sitting there in 10 years time still wishing.

I hope to go in September up first to Broken Hill and through Bourke etc. depending on the heat onto Cooktown.  Taking my little dog with me and she does not take the heat too well.  Else will change direction and go through all the outback towns of Victoria, NSW.

I will need to ask some technical advice along the way as I have not yet put a small TV in van (only for the news) and not sure how to go about this (ps a mere 68 yo GIRL).

Anyway hope to make some nice new friends on here for hints, whatever.

Helenbiggrin



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liddle


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Onya Helen I hope you enjoy your new lifestyle. Welcome to the Greynomads



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Hoping everyone has a pleasant and safe journey

all the best from

Liddle
Mobi Condo


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It makes us happy just to read of your exploits here. Great stuff and wish you all the best. We meet so many 'older' folk and admire their determination to remain out and about and enjoying being intrepid active folk.
Cheers Mobi (AKA Ian & Sally)

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Cheers - Ian

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yeoeleven


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Helen,

Good to see a young person as yourself getting out and about enjoying life, age is relative to your mind set and that makes me in my 50's.

John



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neilnruth


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Welcome from us too to this great forum adreamer. Enjoy the big wide country of ours whichever road you take. Well done.

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NeilnRuth
jules47


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Enjoy whatever trip you decide "adreamer" - never too young to get out there and "just do it"!!!! Read Yeoeleven's blog and you will be doubly inspired!!!!

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jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)
jetj


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Hi Helen,

You can get small ish 16 inch flatscreen tele fairly cheaply and they often run straight off 12v (battery) directly. You need an antenna of some description. Lots of helpful people here to give some advice.



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Janette
Nelly


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Good on you Helen - Go and enjoy your time - way to go!! - Happy camping

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Where there is a will there is a way!!
GypsyBob


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G'day Helen (adreamer)

I too am about to start on my adventures having though about it for way too long.

Do you use a laptop computer? If so have you considered buying a USB stick that turns your computer into a TV? Something like www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Computer-Accessories/USB-TV-Tuners/LAKBA01008 is $50 but there are some USB TV sticks for less than half that. You'll still need an antenna.

Cheers
Bob

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milo


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how are those portable satellite systems ?
are they heavy to put up?

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adreamer


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Hi Gypsy,  Tell me more about those usb's.  I have a laptop but everyone is telling me to get an ipad?  I am always one or two steps behind techno.  I shouldn't worry about TV as there is too much other stuff to do but just would like to see the news occasionaly.

Thanks

helen



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adreamer


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Hi Janette,

Thanks for your advice,  I'm sure I will work something out as I go along.  I don't even know how batteries work lol.

Are you travelling alone?  If so tell me some of your experiences?

Cheers - Helen



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jules47


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Solo Steve has a usb stick that has a small aeriel which hooks onto the top of his laptop - turns his laptop into TV - he got if from Aldi, I think, quite cheaply!

And Milo - the satellite TV dishes aren't heavy, but you have to be able to store them somewhere, or mount them on the roof (pricey, I think), and you also need a decoder box - they used to be only 240v, but believe you can now get 12v - don't know the price of them though.

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jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)
eureka


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From one Helen to another, welcome and happy days !!!!



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Cruising Cruze


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Laptop is using around 65 watt / hr

22 inch tv on 12 volt only 35 watt















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yeoeleven


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Cruising Cruze wrote:

Laptop is using around 65 watt / hr

22 inch tv on 12 volt only 35 watt



Interested in your comment but the TV will use power 100% of the time and the laptop can have no power usage whilst unplugged and being used.

Am currently looking at the Ultra Book series of laptops which use much less power or possibly a tablet providing it can use a USB.

Watch movies and TV series from a hard drive and rarely put the antenna up to watch TV.  John

 



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bill12


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A lotof netbook type laptops work on 12v as an operating voltage , and don,t need an expensive voltage changer. They don,t have cd burners , but some have 500 gig hard drives , and are easy to use. try to get a win7 version as win 8 is more complicated. $250 will get you a good one.Ihave a 500 gig external hard drive with 50 movies on it and it runs into a usb plug on the 21 inch flat screen lcd tv.Also use on laptop.Isn,t technology fun..........Bill

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GaryKelly


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You can always see the news on radio, Helen. That way, you get to enjoy the scenery as well.

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03_troopy


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milo wrote:

how are those portable satellite systems ?
are they heavy to put up?

 I imagine they wouldn't be light. You might have to add an Antares Rocket to your pfleet though Milo. ;)



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jetj


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Hi Helen, Yes I do travel alone with 2small dogs. I use a 10 inch netbook which has a battery life of 10hours. I also carry a small tablet. The USB TV stick is a great way to save space. My 16 inch tv cost less than $100 but stays home because of space restrictions. Good on you, you should have a ball and lots of ladies out there.

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Janette
Dunmowin


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jules47 wrote:


 And Milo - the satellite TV dishes aren't heavy, but you have to be able to store them somewhere, or mount them on the roof (pricey, I think), and you also need a decoder box - they used to be only 240v, but believe you can now get 12v - don't know the price of them though.

 Milo, our sat dish set up weighs about 8kg, (this includes the 12v decoder, cables, dish & tripod - the tripod is the heaviest part)

The dish + tripod travel on the bed, the decoder & cables live in the cupboard where the 12v plus is.  Our van was already wired for satellite, so the total set up cost us $700, totally ready to go.  We left the shop in Albany, with instructions, arrived back at the van, plugged it in and it was ready to go.  Living in an area for two months where we were unable to get any TV reception, to getting 109 stations + radio, this was a bonus.  Talk to your local tv installer for advice.



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countryroad


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Hi Helen....what are you travelling in, I've been trying to decide will I or won't I but have finally retired so have no excuse now to continue procrastinating.

trying to decide on a T5 VW which have the swivle passenger seat and appear easier to climb into than a Toyota, for which I'd need a stepladder.

Hope life will be exciting and relaxing...a different view every week...and lots to see wherever you stay, and a safe journey.

Robyn



-- Edited by countryroad on Wednesday 21st of August 2013 03:54:43 PM

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