WIFI

Burgo1 · Veteran Member

WIFI

Santa · Guru

Yep. wink

macka17 · Guru

Dongle\laptop. radius to tower etc.

I use tablet all over the place and if not in range. head for Mcdonalds. Shopping centre,
library, airport etc. Some van parks but they normally charge.

ALL over the world.
Don't even bother with lappie nowadays
I just use my phone as link.

PeterD · Guru

This could get people talking about different things so firstly let us define what Wi-Fi is. The following comes from Wikipedia.

Wi-Fi or WiFi is a technology for wireless local area networking with devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance, which restricts the use of the term Wi-Fi Certified to products that successfully complete interoperability certification testing

There are a few common ways you can use Wi-Fi in your van:

Firstly there is the Wi-Fi used to connect a wireless modem to your computer. These are available from the major mobile telephone providers. You can purchase them on a plan to use continuously or you can purchase a prepaid modem that you can use for a period of time, use up the allowance, put it in a safe place and reactivate it next time you go travelling. The connection process can be a little daunting for the non technical but the networks all have good phone in help desks that will get you connected, usually in the one phone call. I have a BigPond (now Telstra) 4G wireless modem that will connect up to 10 computers simultaneously, I use it both on the road and my main internet connection when at home as I can not get a good fast line connection at home.

Secondly many parks offer you internet connection via their local Wi-Fi network. Some are free and some charge for the privilege. You get a login and password when you book in, the office can usually assist you if you take your computer to the office and ask when you are having difficulties. I use these to save my download allowance on my wireless connection. It is possible to plan your route and have at least every second park supply a Wi-Fi connection for your use, Wickicamps has a symbol to indicate if Wi-Fi internet is available. Other places you can use this is in large shopping centres, rural transaction centres and Macdonalds.

In addition you can get wireless dongles that plug into a USB port and connect directly to your computer and do not rely on Wi-Fi. They are available from all the mobile phone companies. These can be a simpler way to go if you do not need internet connection to more than one computer at a time.

When you have digested the above you can come back with more specific questions on your needs.

macka17 · Guru

Easiest I found when mobile and NOT wanting permanent linking,
just to catch up when in range , or in Hotel.

was turn on Tablet/Lappie.

hit "wi-fi. See what comes up and link to whichever is either free.
or add password that the hotel,Condo gives you.

Most are free nowadays I find.
That way covers us several months a yr over most of Western world we use.
Just a $250 10in tablet and hotel link.
or use ph as link if wanting to use your allowances through local carrier.

I stopped taking lappie several trips ago,
and you don't need a phone link built in tablet as the prev one had.
Just the basic Samsung with your ph when necessary.

Di spends hrs on games and net when in rooms and I walking
we found it the best basic, cheapest way.

It's always on free when you use 2\3 bed Condo's.

$25 grand for ten yrs. = 2 1\2 grand a yr. for 5 star mainly,
multiple room condo's.
Thousands of Hotels/condo's ALL over the world
and ALL cost UP TO $340 pw MAX. for 2 bed units, regardless of market costs.
Some"on special" $120 pw.
Just remember to look out for them and book cars from here.
It's cheaper than they\you pay at source of veh's.

This is one of the reasons we go O\S nowadays.
Cheap cars. Cheap Condo's NOT motel rooms. and cheap tpt, fuel.

There's very little difference in long term touring O\S and here when you cost it out.

We've done it now for last 7 or 8 yrs and it makes a nice change.
Canada\Nth America (family), Mexico. Sth America.
then 10 days in Nth Island of NZ for some wind down fishing b4 home.
was last yr's trip. Grrrreat.

We got rid of big van.Just a little 535 Coromal tandem cheapie nowadays.
for shorter trips.

Some who are, comfortable should check it out.
Our first one was a week then a further 4 weeks in the one yr
it was soooo good.

Bagmaker · Senior Member

a smartphone can easily be configured as a WIFI hotspot.
Getting the data cheap enough is another thing...........

Dickodownunder · Guru

Hi Burgo1
While public wifi is good at times and from listening to my grandchildren is great for teenage girls posting "selfies" on facebook
it is quite often difficult to find a Maccas in a national park or a freecamp etc.
Public wifi can have security problems so if travelling and needing secure internet you can get a dongle from a telco.
I have a Testra one in a cradle that charges on 12v.
We have disconnected our home phone and landline internet and just take this cradle and dongle wherever we travel.
We have a 50 gig a month but you can buy any plan you like.
The cradle I have comes with a connection for a yaggy style aerial to increase reception in poor areas.
This is a private connection and we feel confident with banking etc in using it.
At home it comes with a charger or you may charge it on a USB or it will charge from a standard 12v automotive /caravan mobile charger.
Just sit the cradle anywhere it suits in your van and use it wireless or plug the dongle into your device direct and use it that way.
I am happy with this option and I hope it removes some of the confusion.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We have a Netgear Telstra 4G Wi Fi modem, purchased outright and prepay $140 for 16g (365 day expiry). Takes multiple users, and is easy to set up.

We also have an aerial that we can connect to the modem if in poor reception areas. Both items work well.

Our bank - which bank? - yeh that one - have free wi fi for customers - just walk in and login - quick and safe. Some of the public ones are very slow I have found.

Macka17's reply is probably a great idea, but not really an answer to your question.

macka17 · Guru

works for me girl.
All over the world.

Most towns have a library or Airport.
Bush. I just watch movies for a while.

Don't get chained to your internet.

Once a month is good for me. Bills.

Catch up with mail and such when near to civilisation.

Any messages sit in phone messagebank. and ring me whenever in range of a
Telstra Tower.

Like I said. Don't let it control you. We didn't even had it ten yrs or so ago.
Not like today anyway.

Try spending YOUR lives with Yourselves.
Not the ether world. You might like it.
I do.

Watched the new Star wars and Fantastic beasts again Last night.

and just finished Underworld, blood wars earlier this evening.

My naughty ones are on line again. Yeaaaaay.

Early night tonight. Nighters.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

I go into my local Maccas about 3-4 times a week before starting work to enjoy my mandatory daily (or I stay a grumpy old man) coffee and read their free local newspaper.

Every time I go in there, theres 3 different grumpy old men with their laptops or Pads using the free WIFI and they apparently sit there for hours, 7 days a week, according the staff, doing all their internet stuff. Often they buy nothing - I wouldn't have the cheek to do this................

Santa · Guru

Ahhh yes, silly me, we frequently pass a McDonalds when we're out and about. biggrin

DarylC · Veteran Member

For your interest. Telstra currently have a deal for mobile phone plans for extra 5g data for free if you sign up now, I'm not sure when the deal ends.
I have a plan with free calls, free sms & 25gb per month for $160 which includes $40 per month for a Samsung Galaxy 7s.

PeterD · Guru

Dickodownunder wrote:
1.. Public wifi can have security problems so if travelling and needing secure internet you can get a dongle from a telco.
I have a Testra one in a cradle that charges on 12v.

2.. We have disconnected our home phone and landline internet and just take this cradle and dongle wherever we travel.
We have a 50 gig a month but you can buy any plan you like.

3.. The cradle I have comes with a connection for a yaggy style aerial to increase reception in poor areas.
This is a private connection and we feel confident with banking etc in using it.

1.. Which cradle do you have? Which model is your modem? My modem is the Telstra 4F Advanced II. I have been looking around for a cradle for my modem.

2.. Which plan are you on? I am currently on the BigPond Mobile Super G Liberty 15GB @$90/month (including discounts for other complying services.) I am thinking of restructuring my services as NBN is just around the corner

3.. I take it that yaggy is a typo for Yagi antenna.

Dickodownunder · Guru

Hi Peter
My modem is a Telstra 4GX 3
The cradle is a Netgear unit from Telstra It sounds similar to the one Jules mentioned above.
My Plan is 50g / month for $150 including the purchase of the modem and cradle.
I had the option of including an aerial but Telstra wanted another $15 per month which was rediculous.
I am on my phone at the moment but will post pics of the unit a little later tonight

Dickodownunder · Guru

Hi Peter,
Here are some pics....

PeterD · Guru

Thanks Geoff, I see what you have - Home Wireless Broadband

Dickodownunder · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Thanks Geoff, I see what you have - Home Wireless Broadband

Yes, that is it Peter....got it at the local Telstra outlet.

PeterD · Guru

I went shopping today and found that Telstra have a special offer that ends on 27 March 2017. Mobile Broadband Plans. However, be warned, there is no shaping on Telstra plans these days, note the price per MHz for excess data on each of the plans. The 15 GB plan excess equates to $540 per GB, the saving grace is you can opt for an automatic extension of $10/GB for excess use.

This new offer is cheaper than the Home Wireless Broadband we were mentioning above. Anyone not on fixed contracts should consider opting for these new plans, particularly if you have a Telstra/Bigpond modem If you BYO modem it looks like you can get onto one of these plans on a casual basis.

-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 30th of December 2016 08:08:18 AM

Pondy · Senior Member

I go to the public libraries and us there computer free Internet for 30 mins I have also seen people using there own devices there

-- Edited by Pondy on Friday 30th of December 2016 11:47:54 AM

The Belmont Bear · Guru

I recently bought an Apple iPad Pro unfortunately the model that doesn't have the built in wifi, I also bought a Telstra prepaid dongle for $10 from Woolies which is a USB plug in. Unfortunately I found that the new iPad didn't have a USB port so I got a prepaid Telstra 4GX Wifi for $59. It came with 4GB of free data and when it ran out I recharged it. Telstra currently have a special where you get extra data when you recharge so it ended up costing $60 for 13GB which will last up to 3 months (longer if we happen to recharge again before it runs out). We own our phones which we also have on Telstra prepaid, we have never bothered getting locked into any long term plans as I figure we can just walk away if we are not happy with the service that they are providing. I'm interested in the cradle and aerial options though might check that out.