Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

Internet Via Satellite

     Paul is a retired Civil Engineer. But retirement gave him time to become involved with the Internet and the many aspects of this wondrous new media. He continues to work on SMARTERyellowpages.com, and on this website and others.

     Since Paul uses the Internet to work on websites, not just recreation, he needed a reliable Internet connection. Verizon, Sprint, etc, do offer cards for laptops that enable high speed connection to their networks, but such a connection is not always available in every location. The only way to get on the Internet anywhere is via satellite - if you have a clear view of the Southern sky - and trees don't keep jumping in your way.

     Internet via satellite requires a dish. A dish that is mounted on a tripod is the least expensive way for RVers to go - say US$1500 or so. This requires you to assemble the dish, tripod, cables to to modem in the RV by hand every time you setup in a new location. And to find a place to store a large oval dish 0.74 meter (long diameter), tripod, etc, when you travel. You also have to align the dish on the satellite by hand. Many do this, but it's not convenient. It's less of a nuisance if you stay in one place longer times. Don't believe anyone that tells you it's illegal for individuals to use a tripod mounted dish.

     We opted for a dish that is attached to the roof of our RV - called a Datastorm. Same sized dish as the tripod mount. It also automatically deploys and finds the satellite and connects literally with the push of one button. Such a convenience comes at a price, of course, US$5000 or so, and we've seen used units for US$2000. In addition to a modem just like that used for a tripod mounted dish you need another box called a positioner that enables automatic connection.

     Looking at pictures on our website you may have noticed we have not one, BUT TWO, Datastorms on the roof of our current RV (the Foretravel). One in front and one in back. These are not his and hers units :o) We got the front Datastorm first. In addition to Internet it has so-called "birds-on-a-wire" that enables TV reception. But Internet connection was not always up to Paul's needs to be able to update a website NOW. So we obtained the rear Datastorm unit that has a round 0.98 meter dish and has a much better Internet connection. Of course, this comes at a price, too, US$8000 or so. When Paul told one daughter his plans to upgrade, she said, "Boys have their toys." He replied, "The way I look at it, it's out of your pocket not mine" (considering our age).

Should you want more information DatastormUsers.com is an outstanding place for it, including tripod mounted, and dealers. Of course, we'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Use the Comment link below.

You might have noticed it's hard for Paul to resist titling a photo of our Foretravel with Datastorms deployed fore and aft, SHIELDS UP! - Our apologies - It must be an engineer thing :o)

"NO DEAL BASICALLY means that if we can't find a solution that wold benefit us both, we agree to disagree agreeably--No Deal. No expectations have been created, no performance contracts established. I don't hire you or we don't take on a particular assignment together because it's obvious that our values or our goals are going in opposite directions. It is so much better to realize this up front instead of downstream when expectations have been created and both parties have been disillusioned.
When you have No Deal as an option in your mind, you feel liberated because you have no need to manipulate people, to push your own agenda, to drive for what you want. You can be open. You can really try to understand the deeper issues underlying the positions." (9/9)

Paul & Kathleen Smith | 173 Rainbow Dr #7329 | Livingston, TX 77399-1073 | (510) 386-8973

Life on the Road with Paul & Kathleen: "Not bad for two dumb kids from Ohio" - Proving once again that it's never too late to have a happy childhood

Our Lazy Daze at Kirk Creek Camp on CA Hwy 1 40 mi N of Hearst's Castle 11/24/03: Shortly after full-timing began.	Foretravel at 3 T's RV Products in Lake Havasu City, AZ 5/11/06