How We Roll: Tech Use While on the Road
Every week we get at least one question about how we use technology while traveling. In this edition of How We Roll in our RV, you get to see the way I stay connected all the time. Updating this blog, our Facebook Page and Facebook Group, plus the newsletter, means I need a reliable connection to the Internet.
I've written before about my tech gear and the the MiFi card I use from Verizon Wireless to create a 4G network in my Roadtrek Class B motorhome. And some time ago, I added a cell phone booster. This report shows you the extended length magnetic antenna I recently upgraded to, how I stuck it up on the roof and how I handle all the gizmos that need charging.
Jennifer talks about her main tech activity, too.
Here's the video:
We'd love to hear how you use tech.
Sheldon Hopper
Wow something new to me. Mmm rubber or. Metal
Very creative.
At least it doesn’t have a rubber roof!!!! I hate rubber roofs on RV’s!!!
lol another use for duct tape I see
We did that years ago. Smart Husband
🙂
Westgate RV Campground in London, KY has digital cable tv at no additional charge! 🙂
Can you put your mifi device in the cradle of your booster to get internet service?
Mary Kathryn and Steven , what do you know about cell phone boosters? Sounds interesting. Talk to me!
What is the make and modal of your cell phone booster?
My husband and I are new at owning an RV….. We just bought a 2012 210 popular and love it! We are enjoying reading through all of your info and saw your rave reviews of a Rand McNally gps. Sounded like you thought it was a must have…..then I found another comment that all gps don’t work. So, now that you had the Rand McNally one, what do you think?
I understood about your cell phone booster providing phone access. What do you use for Internet access? Did I miss something?
I like to solar panel . Is that providing direct power to something or just trickle charge to batteries?
Difficult to find metal on top of a 190 🙁
Love the duct tape cable strap.
Looks like its missing some sealant
What am I supposed to be looking at?
Oh ya!
Rhonda Myler
Mike – Where did you get the extended antenna?
Great video and tips, Mike. One quick question. I tried using the cigarette lighter style jack in the back of our Agile SS where you have your cell phone booster plugged in, but it didn’t seem to put out any power. I was trying to charge my iPhone with the car lighter cord. Since I obviously don’t know how to use it, what do you have to turn on on the Roadtrek to get that lighter plug back there to power the booster? I’m assuming you don’t have to be plugged into shore power since you use it boondocking. Thanks again. Really enjoy your newsletter and videos,
Jim Langley
Great article Mike and Jennifer! Your site has become my go to site every morning. Have a great family trip, Bigfoot Dave
What do you do about your regular postal mail while you travel?
We fill out a stop mail request with the Post Office. They will hold your mail for as long as 30 days and then deliver it on the day you return. We picked up a supply of the little yellow cards so we always have one handy. We fill it out for the mail carrier a couple of days before we take off.
Mike, you can also do a “hold mail” on line. Go to http://www.usps.com You can schedule 30 days in advance or by 2:00 a.m. on the start date, Monday-Saturday. This is great when it hits you after the mail has ran or after hours and you remember what it was that you forgot, lol.
Mike, you can go online to https://www.usps.com/ and do many of the things you would do at your post office, including holding your mail. This comes in very handy if you forgot to do it before you left home or you decide to extend your trip.
Great tips, thanks
I never thought of using a power strip. Duh! I, too, have lots of camera gear that needs recharging. Good tip. Thank you.
What wireless provider do you use? Do you ever wish you had satellite Internet instead?
I use Verizon Wireless. As a tech reporter for NBC, I have tried all the networks and Verizon consistently delivers the best coverage for me. I have only been without any wireless signal at all once or twice and then very briefly. We go to some pretty remote spots and usually there’s always some sort of signal I can pull out, especially with out cell phone booster. That said, if we were to boondock for extended periods of time in remote spots like Campskunk does, I would probably use satellite Internet. We move around a lot and rarely stay in the same place for more than two or three days. We are not fulltimers, though it may seem like it. We typically go two or three weeks at a time and then return home for a week or so.
If you’ve only been without internet a couple of times, you’re obviously staying near cities, and away from wide open spaces. While travelling from the gulf coast to Alaska, we experienced so many outages we got rid of our WiFi subscription altogether. It only works well if you’re in or near an area with cell towers, which isn’t all that often when you live on the road. (Yes, we had Verizon).
What is the Cell phone booster you are using?