I was told by Telstra that I'd have to buy a modem at around $150, then there would be monthly costs. I wonder if there's a better way? How are others managing their internet?
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Geoff & Jennifer
Red Hat Queen and her Royal Consort
Coaster - "Priscilla 11"
"If you haven't grown up by aged 60, you don't have to"
We use an optus dongle, using amysim, costs us $9.90 a month for 1 gig and we rarely ever use it all. Unlike some providers if you don't use it you lose it. When we aren't travelling it adds up and we normally leave with at least 3gig.
I have a iPhone and have extra data package. I just turn on "WiFi"and "Personal Hotspot" then my iPad or Laptop connect to the internet through that. I don't have a base camp landline. Works great. The iPhone is the 4s (Blue tick).
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
We have a Telstra 3g USB device at home (too far from the exchange for ADSL etc) which works off the Next G mobile network. Cost $39 pm with 7GB of data which we have never come close to using. (correction, close when the Grandkids are staying and using the wifi). I mounted a Yagi antenna on my roof and patched into the device to improve signal strength as the roof is zincalume which acts a 'shield'.
Being in a rural area Telstra is really our only choice of supplier, and in our travels have found the same, additionally we are both VBF members and this is borne out time and again.
I am sure others have their own impression, experiences and preference.
When we go away in the van the device goes with us and used in a laptop so no additional cost for duplication of Internet requirements. When we had our van built it came as standard with a Next G ariel and through a patch cable this just plugs into the top of the 3G device and really helps with signal strength. Mobile ariel's with magnet bases are also readily available.
Occasionally used the wifi in CV parks if it's available.
I was told by Telstra that I'd have to buy a modem at around $150, then there would be monthly costs. I wonder if there's a better way? How are others managing their internet?
Poodles we are with Bigpond (as opposed to Telstra deals - which look very similar). I depends on where you travel and what coverage you want. Only you can assess this based on advice like this OR from experience.
New 4G modem we use at home and on the road with external antenna,,, cost $49 and we are on $45 plan for 4gb per month. Best coverage for us, ie we are out bush about 30km from Naracoorte SA and have excellent coverage. Likewise, we have been to MANY other places out bush and are the only ones with coverage.
Suggest go to a Telsra SHOP and NOT an agent and hopefully one with tech support/advice.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
I got sick of the van parks that offer free wifi that never seems to work when I want it to or drops out after the office has closed, To overcome the problem I got a cheap smart phone and put a 1gig Amaysim data pack on it when I hit the road and use it as my own hot spot. I found it faster than my hard wired telstra system, if I don't use it all up while away I run my home service on it till it runs out and just recharge it when I hit the run again .
Point to remember if emailing photos to the kids back home if the pixel content is high it can chew up the available data download. I use a program called Razor to reduce the pixel size, it's a free download off the net easy to use as well as transmitting much faster in the reduced form. I normal take all my pics set on high quality 16 mega pixel format (a real overkill for emails) but it takes a long time to download using wifi, I reduce them down to between 3 -4 MP transmits fast and provides great email viewing
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:02:22 PM
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:04:56 PM
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I got sick of the van parks that offer free wifi that never seems to work when I want it to or drops out after the office has closed, To overcome the problem I got a cheap smart phone and put a 1gig Amaysim data pack on it when I hit the road and use it as my own hot spot. I found it faster than my hard wired telstra system, if I don't use it all up while away I run my home service on it till it runs out and just recharge it when I hit the run again .
Point to remember if emailing photos to the kids back home if the pixel content is high it can chew up the available data download. I use a program called Razor to reduce the pixel size, it's a free download off the net easy to use as well as transmitting much faster in the reduced form. I normal take all my pics set on high quality 16 mega pixel format (a real overkill for emails) but it takes a long time to download using wifi, I reduce them down to between 3 -4 MP transmits fast and provides great email viewing
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:02:22 PM
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:04:56 PM
Are you saying windows doesn't come with software to edit and automatically reduce your photos to send able size and you have to get a dedicated program to do it. Pretty prehistoric OS, our systems come with every piece of software you need to do anything you want to your graphic and media content.
We also use amyasim data packs and never run out, we use the sim card in an optus dongle rather than through phones, which leave our phones free to use. Send heaps of photo's and other graphic material over the net daily, I take lots of photo's, collate them into slide shows and send them home to our server and friends so we don't over load our on road system. You learn something new every day and the more I learn about windows, the more I realise how ripped off people are. But everyone to their own choice.
I got sick of the van parks that offer free wifi that never seems to work when I want it to or drops out after the office has closed, To overcome the problem I got a cheap smart phone and put a 1gig Amaysim data pack on it when I hit the road and use it as my own hot spot. I found it faster than my hard wired telstra system, if I don't use it all up while away I run my home service on it till it runs out and just recharge it when I hit the run again .
Point to remember if emailing photos to the kids back home if the pixel content is high it can chew up the available data download. I use a program called Razor to reduce the pixel size, it's a free download off the net easy to use as well as transmitting much faster in the reduced form. I normal take all my pics set on high quality 16 mega pixel format (a real overkill for emails) but it takes a long time to download using wifi, I reduce them down to between 3 -4 MP transmits fast and provides great email viewing
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:02:22 PM
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Monday 19th of May 2014 10:04:56 PM
I had that issue in USA last year and when I queried was told that they have a limit of connections and when they are gone that is it. So I asked is there a time limit so others can get a go, I was told no, so if campers have several items logged into WIFI there you go no one new coming in gets a look in until they logout.
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Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
We have essentially the same set up as most have already provided being a Telstra 4G Wireless Broadband modem that allows us to connect up to 5 toys at one time via WiFi.
It cost $149 to buy the device and then you need to purchase (PrePaid) your data which can easily be done via a voucher (supermarket or servo) or online if needed. We buy 12Gb at $180 a go and although it has an expiry date of 12 months, we seem to be buying a recharge every couple of months ... So it can be very expensive, we learnt the hard way that the pictures uploaded to our Blog and to Facebook will chew thru your data very quickly (we use Razor now too ... Very impressed with it too). Also, make sure your modem is disconnected to the internet when not using it as many iPad apps will keep searching for updates and alike which typically will add to your data usage.
Unfortunately, Telstra own the Australian Telecommunications infrastructure and can charge what they want to, especially as the government no longer restricts their pricing regime to allow competition to survive. If you travel outside the metro area in any state your best bet is with Telstra, but you will need to be aware of the data costs to stay connected to the world ...
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