Internet In Europe

biggirafe said:
:( doesn't sound hopeful. I think that I'm going to order a nice big ugly roof ariel first and see what networks I can then see which I could not before having it.
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Yes me too. Want to go for the RepeatIT but I need to work out the best way to mount it. Dont really want wires trailing through the windows but may be the only way.

I did wonder about siting it on the top of the ladder and then just trailing the USB lead through the badly fitting garage doors and up behind the rear loundge seats. Obviously talking it down when we move. What do you think?

Going to order one when I get home which will now be Sunday!

BD
 
barryd said:
Ybadly fitting garage doors and up behind the rear loundge seats. Obviously talking it down when we move. What do you think?
BD
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Well mine were badly fitting I managed to fix mine and stop em leaking. It would work but not sure whether they are built for being driven into the wind at 70mph :confused:

As the van is fibre glass you have got to wonder if there is a need to mount it outside and gain maybe 1 foot over having it in say the top of the wardrobe. then maybe if you are parked for a few days put it outside.

You could almost do with a usb port being fitted outside somehow, have you looked at boat sites as they have some pretty good outdoor connections and lifting covers for this type of thing, deapth finers and cockpit equipment needs to be plugged in and then stowed later after use.

If you are worried about the holes and fitting on the roof come and park on my drive I've done a few now :)

Added a bit later

Here you go
http://www.indexmarine.co.uk/pages/wtrprfconns1.htm
 
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Had a play around tonight after looking at the fon hotspots shown on the map I have a few around me. With just my internal wifi I can see my network & my neighbours. I plugged in my wifi dongle using an extension USB cable, in fact I have 2 wifi dongles (not bragging I had one the daughter lost it got me to send for one to replace it & bought herself one then when the wife was helping her tidy up she found it :rolleyes:) If I plug them both in I can connect both of them to the same or different wifi connections (it used to be possible to connect a couple of modems 'shotgunning' to increase the overall speed) not sure if there is any benefit to doing this.

With the extra wifi I can see about a dozen wifi spots & at least one BTFon. I connected to it & got the start page where I could buy a day/week or month pass. :rolleyes:
 
Kontiki said:
Had a play around tonight after looking at the fon hotspots shown on the map I have a few around me. With just my internal wifi I can see my network & my neighbours. I plugged in my wifi dongle using an extension USB cable, in fact I have 2 wifi dongles (not bragging I had one the daughter lost it got me to send for one to replace it & bought herself one then when the wife was helping her tidy up she found it :rolleyes:) If I plug them both in I can connect both of them to the same or different wifi connections (it used to be possible to connect a couple of modems 'shotgunning' to increase the overall speed) not sure if there is any benefit to doing this.

With the extra wifi I can see about a dozen wifi spots & at least one BTFon. I connected to it & got the start page where I could buy a day/week or month pass. :rolleyes:
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Good work, certainly proves the idea that using external wifi is the better way to go, I guess you will be taking one and a usb cable with you in the van from now on :)
 
.

i've been following this fred...still havn't clue wtf your all onabout :eek:

retards:eek:
aj
 
Whose 'Fred' :confused::confused::confused: Next you'll be saying you don't play with your dongle.:rolleyes:

My old laptop didn't have wifi & so I first bought a usb dongle down in Spain. I started messing about with the wifi on the end of a cable, used to stick on the large wind up Heki skylight & it was suprising what you can pick up. They only cost a tenner or less & can dramatically increase your wifi. If you are only using the internal wifi on your laptop you are sitting inside an aluminum box (not good for getting signals) I noticed the difference to our old van which was GRP which gave much stronger signals.
 
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Kontiki said:
Whose 'Fred' :confused::confused::confused: Next you'll be saying you don't play with your dongle.:rolleyes:

My old laptop didn't have wifi & so I first bought a usb dongle down in Spain. I started messing about with the wifi on the end of a cable, used to stick on the large wind up Heki skylight & it was suprising what you can pick up. They only cost a tenner or less & can dramatically increase your wifi. If you are only using the internal wifi on your laptop you are sitting inside an aluminum box (not good for getting signals) I noticed the difference to our old van which was GRP which gave much stronger signals.
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If you fancy spending some money then look at things like this
Faculty-X Homeplug WiFi & Wireless Antenna Systems

or

http://www.faculty-x.net/8db long range usb antenna.htm

or

+30dBm NextG USB-Yagi High Power WiFi Antenna Ubuntu W7 on eBay (end time 16-Jan-10 19:16:44 GMT)

These will pull in WiFi from a serious distance, we use similar to this to connect warehouse over quite long distances on industrial estates when we need to install networks without the expense of using BT landlines
 
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biggirafe said:
As the van is fibre glass you have got to wonder if there is a need to mount it outside and gain maybe 1 foot over having it in say the top of the wardrobe. then maybe if you are parked for a few days put it outside.

You could almost do with a usb port being fitted outside somehow, have you looked at boat sites as they have some pretty good outdoor connections and lifting covers for this type of thing, deapth finers and cockpit equipment needs to be plugged in and then stowed later after use.
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So do you reckon the device will work as well in the van as out? Presumably height is an advantage but I guess the only thing to do is just get one and try it.

ajs said:
.

i've been following this fred...still havn't clue wtf your all onabout :eek:

retards:eek:
aj
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Dont worry your little shiny head about it. When we have found a solution to get free internet in your van every where we will gladly sell you it.

BD
 
barryd said:
So do you reckon the device will work as well in the van as out? Presumably height is an advantage but I guess the only thing to do is just get one and try it.
BD
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Morning :)
Well fibre glass won't stop the signal, your right of course the higher the better, but if you are going to bolt it to the ladder then you are only gaining a foot + a hole in the van :(

If you trail a cable down the van and in through the door you might need an extention will the power drop make a difference, I take it these are self powered from the usb port so perhaps this could be an issue.

As you say 'trial and error', try it inside the wardrobe first and see where you go from there :)
 
It is a difficult one when it comes to the best way in using internet abroad. Satellite is by far the most reliable, as you have to plan your route around WiFi use if you depend on it. This can then reflect on the true nature of wild camping.
I can quote quite a few people that do both (Satellite and Wifi), but each with their own different circumstances, more important is the length if time you are spending in the van, this will have a big effect on which option you take. From speaking to customers, people whom spend alot of time in their vans or are working from home normally bite the bullet and purchace satellite as it also provides TV. Customer's whom are just on stop gaps will use WiFi. There are a few people that use dongles but whilst 3G and GPRS (these are the terms for the technology used) are still patchy, that comes with it's own set of problems for people whom really want to travel around.
Bottom line is this.................. if you want reliable and stable internet anywhere, satellite is the answer. I you want cheap Wifi, but be prepared to plan your route if you depend on it! Dongle I don't consider as a cheap alternative as over a long period of time, you still are paying for it (whether it be contract or PAYG). This I know as my Blackberry Phone uses both Wifi and GPRS/3G on orange, but had the shock when I got home and saw the bill! Won't be taking it again, will use the wife phone for calls!
 
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nickjvanbitz said:
It is a difficult one when it comes to the best way in using internet abroad. Satellite is by far the most reliable, as you have to plan your route around WiFi use if you depend on it. This can then reflect on the true nature of wild camping.
I can quote quite a few people that do both (Satellite and Wifi), but each with their own different circumstances, more important is the length if time you are spending in the van, this will have a big effect on which option you take. From speaking to customers, people whom spend alot of time in their vans or are working from home normally bite the bullet and purchace satellite as it also provides TV. Customer's whom are just on stop gaps will use WiFi. There are a few people that use dongles but whilst 3G and GPRS (these are the terms for the technology used) are still patchy, that comes with it's own set of problems for people whom really want to travel around.
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You might be right about satellite but I think I will explore the Antenna route and test it first. £100 as apose to £4000 plus £50 per month. If it doesnt work or proves to be a pain then maybe this is what we will have to do.
 
We will be full timing in about 5 years time so will be interesting to see if technology alters in this time.Probably sattelite for me for the tv,but with regards to the price,lets just see how things pan out.
 
coolasluck said:
We will be full timing in about 5 years time so will be interesting to see if technology alters in this time.Probably sattelite for me for the tv,but with regards to the price,lets just see how things pan out.
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A valid point to make, I think the only thing that will be cheaper is tarrifs on the satellite rather than equipment. This observation was made when a certain manufacturer didn't include a package when the equipment was installed, and left the customer to decide what was best for him/her.

Good luck with the 5 year plan ;)
 
What is frustrating is that we all carry the 3G dongles around with us in the UK, pay £15 per month and they work nearly everywhere. The technology is all over Europe but the providers cant seem to get together and provide an EU wide package. Vodafone managed to waive there passport charges in June, July and August for phone calls which meant I could call all over Europe and just use my normal UK contract minutes. Brilliant, but it didnt include data. If they can somehow do this so we can simply use our dongles at a set tarrif anywhere then problem solved, for ever!

Is there anyone out there in the telecoms industry that can explain why they are reluctant to do this?

It cant be because they are creaming it in when people connect their dongles abroad because as far as I am aware nobody is daft enough to use them outside the UK so we arent getting connected and they arent making any money from us.

Perhaps this will be the next stage over the next 5 years. EU wide tarrifs? Wont hold me breath!
 
barryd said:
What is frustrating is that we all carry the 3G dongles around with us in the UK, pay £15 per month and they work nearly everywhere. The technology is all over Europe but the providers cant seem to get together and provide an EU wide package. Vodafone managed to waive there passport charges in June, July and August for phone calls which meant I could call all over Europe and just use my normal UK contract minutes. Brilliant, but it didnt include data. If they can somehow do this so we can simply use our dongles at a set tarrif anywhere then problem solved, for ever!

Is there anyone out there in the telecoms industry that can explain why they are reluctant to do this?

It cant be because they are creaming it in when people connect their dongles abroad because as far as I am aware nobody is daft enough to use them outside the UK so we arent getting connected and they arent making any money from us.

Perhaps this will be the next stage over the next 5 years. EU wide tarrifs? Wont hold me breath!
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If only!!!! The main problem I had with my Blackberry phone (along with some other internet phones), is that it automaticly access's the internet to check for updates and emails on it's own, so you end up paying for that as well, hence why mine's staying at home!!:mad:
 
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