Dongles

Nomad1946 · Veteran Member

Dongles

Glenelg · Guru

it goes into a USB port on your laptop to pick up the internet. won't work on ipad nowhere to put it. google it,then it should tell you what it is

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Does not have to go into a USB port, depends on the type.
Some operate wirelessly and provide an internet "hot spot" that can be used by several computers or devices at one time. Recharge from time to time just like a mobile phone.

Cheers,
Peter

Glenelg · Guru

thanks Peter i have learnt a lot this morning to, have to get one of them wirelessly things .

The Hats · Senior Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Does not have to go into a USB port, depends on the type.
Some operate wirelessly and provide an internet "hot spot" that can be used by several computers or devices at one time. Recharge from time to time just like a mobile phone.

Cheers,
Peter

G/Day

Re hot spot

This is what I use and the good thing about it is that if you are any other server you can still use the internet.

My mobil is with Optus but I can still use it with this devise on these forums and FB ect.

it will suport up to 10 devices with a rang up to 60- 80 ft. it also give a readout of how much data you have used and how many days left on that cycle.

here is a pic

hot spot.jpg

Cheers

The HAts

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

Gday Nomad
The wifi works like your mobile - only where your ISP provides service. Won't work in the bush etc. So if travelling around I'd suggest you purchase a unit from one of the major service providers (eg Telstra). I use one with a $150 yearly prepaid service. Enough to check/write emails daily, use iView, download heaps off the net etc. Would suggest you leave the default set up so that only you know the access key (password).

Glen

beiffe · Guru

I use the same modem as Peter and have an aerial as well on my bus. For 4G it is best to have a aerial with two leads and I use a window mount and if needed a yahgi which is directional
Being wireless you can sit outside and still use your computer tablet etc without the hassles of inserting the dongle and making sure you don't knock or break it plus you can connect a computer tablet and phone all at the same time if needed while a dongle is good for only one computer or tablet and no good for apple products and all phones to my knowledge.
When getting your contract just ask for the better modem, it can be run from any 12v phone charger with the correct plug but usually only comes with a 240v charger.
Regards
Brian

Baz421 · Guru

The Hats wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Does not have to go into a USB port, depends on the type.
Some operate wirelessly and provide an internet "hot spot" that can be used by several computers or devices at one time. Recharge from time to time just like a mobile phone.

Cheers,
Peter
G/Day
Re hot spot
This is what I use and the good thing about it is that if you are any other server you can still use the internet.
My mobil is with Optus but I can still use it with this devise on these forums and FB ect.
it will suport up to 10 devices with a rang up to 60- 80 ft. it also give a readout of how much data you have used and how many days left on that cycle.
here is a pic
Cheers
The HAts

Yep we use this one as well,, works great with external antennae on van.

Has own battery and lasts for hours,,, can recharge 240v or USB from puter.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Thursday 26th of June 2014 11:41:11 AM

aussie_paul · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Does not have to go into a USB port, depends on the type.
Some operate wirelessly and provide an internet "hot spot" that can be used by several computers or devices at one time. Recharge from time to time just like a mobile phone.

Cheers,
Peter

That is what we use Peter. Telstra 12 gb with an expiry of 12 months, and around $185. You can use as much as you need when away, and then we use NBN wireless at home. That saves the wireless "hot spot" data to use when away. And yes we can run up to 5 devices while away from the wireless "hot spot".

Aussie Paul. smile

Glenelg · Guru

i'm not savvy with all this stuff. so wot your saying is you can use it eny ware in range of provider with out a modem for around $185 a year.

i pay $49 a month with optus. i'm going to look into this further. keep telling me more guys thanks for info.

aussie_paul · Guru

Our working adult children have around 1gb of data per month available with their phone contracts. They seem to know how to get the most economical deals. They use the nbn or adsl wirelesly while they are at home. So Dave, the unit we use will not be enough if we were always on the road.

I doubt if anyone could be satisfied with 1gb per month. While we are on the road we may use 4 gb for a month. The problem with pre paid monthly data allowance is you lose what you have not used during the time frame.

Aussie Paul. smile

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Thursday 26th of June 2014 02:39:59 PM

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

Dave

This is a modem, so depending on how heavy a user you are - ie do you watch heaps of movies over the internet - then just get the $185 wifi modem and cancel your Optus one! With my Telstra wifi modem, you can check on your usage, see what you have left in credit, and top it up if reqd before the end of the 12 months. Saving yourself the $49 per month!

Maybe also buy an aerial so that you get better reception?

Cruising Cruze · Guru

@ Paul & Dave Sutton

It all depends what you do with it
at home we use around 300 sometimes 400 gig a month
so we have to be sensible when we go away
my wife only use skype when we are on the road to talk 3 times a week to her mum
And Dave ask around mate maybe the people full time on the road can give you an idea how much they use
for example it seems that uncle Doug is using this website a fair bit but I would not know how much and what
he is using a month

maybe you can ask him
I hope this will help you a bit

Cheers John

CMan · Member

12 gig a month will see you good if you are a heavy user. Best to go with telstra as they have by far the best coverage as well as the other advantages mentioned earlier. I also have an optus dongle but find that quite often ( even in big towns) there is no service. I have 1.5 gig with the optus dongle

The wireless modems are the best as you can connect printers and all sorts of stuff up to them. We have a wireless printer and the ability to print from the computer without wires everywhere is very very handy. Make sure it is a 4G model.

Nomad1946 · Veteran Member

[spoiler]

Hi folks, just to reiterate .... We are looking at taking our laptop with us to use as a communication device to kids and grand kids back home .. E-mails mostly ; maybe Skype(??) ; sharing photographs, news, etc. ......
We have heard n read about "dongles" are are wondering if they would suffice. Else maybe a device (????) installed in the caravan that will enable us to access the Internet whilst parked/ camped .... be it at a park or free camp.
Example, we are looking at traveling up The Kidson Way for a couple of weeks after that not sure re the return journey .... Via Alice, or down Qld/NSW coast ?? Guessing we'll be away about 4 - 5 weeks.

Glenelg · Guru

thanks guys again. & no i don't download movies. just surf, bank & emails i have 5 or 6 gig per month at home . never run out yet

Baz421 · Guru

Nomad1946 wrote:
[spoiler]

Hi folks, just to reiterate .... We are looking at taking our laptop with us to use as a communication device to kids and grand kids back home .. E-mails mostly ; maybe Skype(??) ; sharing photographs, news, etc. ......
We have heard n read about "dongles" are are wondering if they would suffice. Else maybe a device (????) installed in the caravan that will enable us to access the Internet whilst parked/ camped .... be it at a park or free camp.
Example, we are looking at traveling up The Kidson Way for a couple of weeks after that not sure re the return journey .... Via Alice, or down Qld/NSW coast ?? Guessing we'll be away about 4 - 5 weeks.

Hi Nomad

I know where you are going a dongle would be useless for a great %age of the time.

Suggest a modem that connects to external antenna, (see previous post re Telsta 4G as an example).

These links explain some things -

http://broadbandantennas.com.au/

In this one scroll down to stick antennas - I mount one on A frame on a square extendable camping pole.

http://onwireless.com.au/mobile-phone-antennas/apple-iphone-antennas/antenna-patch-cable-for-iphone-4s.html

cheers Baz

Olley46 · Guru

This is the one that we have ,I don't know if it is a modem or a dongle, this is worth it weight in gold, it cost me first up$ 99.00 that included $ 50.00 SIM card for one month1gig they through 2 more gig FOC ,you can get a SIM card 12gig $ 185 for twelve months,but here is the killer,if you don't use it in the required time you loose your Data.

Lance C

exa41 · Guru

Hi I use a different system ,an old telstra wireless modum (dongle) plugged into a 2300mah battery with an aldi sim wifi ,works great

Nomad1946 · Veteran Member

Olley46 wrote:

This is the one that we have ,I don't know if it is a modem or a dongle, this is worth it weight in gold, it cost me first up$ 99.00 that included $ 50.00 SIM card for one month1gig they through 2 more gig FOC ,you can get a SIM card 12gig $ 185 for twelve months,but here is the killer,if you don't use it in the required time you loose your Data.
Lance C

[spoiler]

Yup, that's the one .... I've followed up and others have recommended same thing. Will be visiting Telstra tomorrow and "negotiate" a good price ... Looking at a 4 G to start.
Thanks for your input folks,

wauri · Veteran Member

I have an earlier 3G Dongle from Telstra that I have been using for about three years
In the van or away on my motorbike it works very well.
I make sure I renew just before the end of the year term for the data and then that means I keep the unused portion.
I have transferred some of this as credit to my grandsons mobile phone as well.

The trick from Telstra is though if you only renew for a shorter time the whoile of the credit runs out then so I renew for another year.
Started at $150 then to $180 and I expect another rise this month when I renew.

PeterD · Guru

I think people are getting their dongles mixed up. Originally a dongle in computing was (quot from Wikipedia.)

A dongle is a small piece of hardware that attaches to computer, TV, or other electronic device, and that, when attached, enables additional functions such as copy protection, audio, video, games, data, or other services. These services are available only when the dongle is attached.

They commonly came with software as a form of copy protection. Often a software installation on your computer would not run unless you had the dongle plugged into the COM port (remember COM ports?) The term has shifted to mean any device plugged into our computer to provide a function for that computer, today they usually plug into the USB port.

The one that most people seem to have referred to is the one that is a modem that access the mobile radio network. Where it plugs into the USB port it is referred to as a dogle.

The Wi-Fi dongle is not very common these days. Most of us have computers where the Wi-Fi device is built into them. Back in the goodold/badold days the Wi-Fi transceiver was built into a dongle. Three laptops back I used a Wi-Fi dongle plugged into a USB port to connect with the Wi-Fi hotspot built into my my blue toaster (Next-G modem, anyone still using one of them?)

Here endeth the trivia lesson for the day.

Olley46 · Guru

All I have been told is to don't let your Dingle Dongle Dangle in the dirt.

Lance C

robo24 · Senior Member

Hi.I have been using an Optus dongle for over 3 years.I pay $130.for 15gig and top up 6 monthly.I also sometimes need to clip a small antenna to my laptop lid if signal weak.