Satellite Internet
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5306
Printed Date: 14 Jun 2025 at 1:23am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Satellite Internet
Posted By: Luv2Q
Subject: Satellite Internet
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 12:16am
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Having internet is pretty important to us for work reasons. And wifi can be pretty skimpy even with your own hotspot. So .. I've been researching the possibilities of getting internet via satellite with a dish antenna. Works for TV so should work for internet, right? We're all familiar with HughesNet, ViaSat, et al so surely something can be done, right? Short answer: No, can't be done. TV signal via a dish is receive-only and is evidently more forgiving than the digital signal used in internet connections .. which is also send and receive. I'm no communications engineer so am only relaying what I've learned to date. If anyone can tell me where this is bad info, I'll sure be grateful. We were really in hopes of being out in the boonies & still be able to handle the little work problems that can crop up. Looks like we're limited to air cards and/or hot spots where we can find any cellular service. Drat! ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Replies:
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 5:05am
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Not sure what you mean when you say it can't be done, it certainly can. There are several mobile internet via satellite solutions. However it can't be done cheaply! Some of the solutions cost way more than your r-pod.... On our travels I've been dismayed by how poor cellular service can be, especially in terrain blocked areas aka mountains. I've been spoiled by near total coverage in my otherwise backwards home state of South Carolina. We spent a week in Colorado where we had to go 10 miles to check email, receive texts, talk etc. Of course I also understand a cell carrier can't pop a half million dollar cellsite up to serve 3 people in a canyon. Don't know anything about these guys but it looks to be a good source of info- http://www.groundcontrol.com/one-touch-flyaway_001.htm - http://www.groundcontrol.com/one-touch-flyaway_001.htm ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 9:27am
The lousy cell service in CO is exactly what started me on this search. Had to drive into Pagosa Springs, to their library, to get decent internet. Later found a hot spot closer to where we were but it was slow. Yes, there are portable solutions out there; the military has been using them for years. But if they're affordable by only gov't agencies and oil companies, that really doesn't help us much, does it? A lot of things are "possible" but whether they're feasible is often something else again. Ergo, "can't be done" still applies (with the unspoken but obvious caveat that it needs to be as practical and affordable as satellite TV solutions). Satellite TV can be had for as little as a few hundred bucks plus subscription. I'm still hoping someone knows of a satellite internet solution in that price range. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 9:32am
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You are correct that the send + receive nature of satellite internet requires very precise dish aiming. Where you can get away with "good enough" when just receiving, when you are sending you must hit a pinprick in the sky. You can buy the equipment that the satellite installers use to aim the dishes so you could get it done yourself with a standard Direcway dish (instead of an expensive self-aiming dish), but it could be tedious. One option to improve your cellular reception in marginal areas, is to use a booster. That would help in areas where a cell phone or cell hotspot has a bad signal - but it won't help in areas where there is no signal. Some examples here: http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/ - http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/ ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 9:54am
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Here is a reference that might help a bit: http://www.rvmobileinternet.com - http://www.rvmobileinternet.com fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 11:51pm
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Bud, Doug, Fred .. Thanks for the suggestions & references. A good booster is probably going to be the best solution. The rvmobileinternet link looks useful, too. Thanks again, gents. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |