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orama43
Joined: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 52
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| Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 9:40 am Post subject: wifi connections |
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Okay, here's the million dollar question, what is the best (preferably least expensive) way to go wifi?
I have done so much research; heard so many differing opinions.
Yes, Verizon (and others like them) are the best for connectivity, but come on, a 2 year agreement?!?!?! I'm sure everyone knows, with the advances in the computer industry, why in the world would I sign a 2 year contract?!?!?!
So, next idea was to buy my own wifi card and just get connected at the truck stops (Pilot, etc). But now I'm hearing they are the worst for connectivity; some have even suggested not being able to connect in their parking lots, what is up with that?!?!?!
And yes, I've even researched the free hotspots, but my preference is to be able to connect while on the road. As everyone knows, we get paid to drive, not to stop; find a hotspot, and connect.
So, does anyone have any alternative suggestions, that I've not already considered? Or, do I just give up and wait a few months til the next wifi industry alternative is revealed????
Any help or reasonable suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
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meanbone79
Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 393
Location: 400 miles west of Bermuda Island
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| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 6:34 am Post subject: |
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| I usually use the truckstops wifi connection. Some areas of the parking lot are deadspots for wifi. Make sure that you can see the yagi antenna on top of the building for a good connection. Large trucks between you and the building will usually block your signal. I usually ride around the parking lot until I can find a spot where I will have a "line of sight" on the antenna. Usually if you can't see it from your driver seat you will usually have a difficult time connecting or have very low signal strength. |
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cdreid
Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 227
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| Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:01 am Post subject: Sorry |
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to bump an ooold thread.
But Verizon has a 1 year agreement. THe card just costs more. You could probably get a shorter agreement. The thing is you just choose whether you buy the card now or pay for it over time and are locked in. But you're going to pay for the card. PS make SURE you get a card that accepts an external antenna |
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ct77
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 172
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| Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| used to just surf the internet when i shut down and was at a truckstop that was close to a motel(free) u would be amazed how many places have wifi which is unsecured. but what i fell in love with is my blackberry (19.99) a month unlimited internet usage and other than the small screen is very practical. |
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tbaarr
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 126
Location: near fargo
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: wi fi i like mine for free |
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any bosselmans trk stop
pilot gives free wi fi
I80 in nebraska has 3 x107 is best
all rest stops in iowa are free for 1hr you can get 2 if you wait ten minutes and relog in
i like the one at the minn ia border as they have a casino there
the ttt trk stop in tuscon az has free wi fi
wal mart has a nice wi fi toshiba laptop for 598 right now
0% financing for 6 months
makes it cost 110 a month including tax |
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doodude
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 13
Location: Midwest, U.S.A.
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| Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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Has anybody got any updates to add to this post?
Im looking for a wifi service. I had a cingular GSM83 card & account for the past 2 years @ $40 a month. It was fairly reliable, even in out of the way places.
But Ive just purchased a new wifi laptop & PDA & want to sign on to someone.
What about this company that covers the Petro/Pilot/Loves TS? Anybody use or have anything to say about them?
Any other suggestions????
Thanks in advance... |
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slider64683
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 4:11 pm Post subject: wifi |
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Srpint. Unlimited bandwidth. Connects anywhere almost. 59.99 a month or if you have no voice plan its 79.99 great deal. better than a truck stop wifi
Happy Holidays |
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birddogg18603
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 19
Location: Berwick PA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I have Verizion DSL service at home and a wireless card for it. I took it to a local truck and had a easy time getting connetion. Also All McDonalds have WIFI connections that are free. McD's has a good range also in most places. |
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thebaldeagle655
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 289
Location: Wichita Falls, Tx
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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Check out www.goautonet.com/wp/ unfortunately it isn't available until spring but it looks like it has potential. If we can get Swift, Schnieder, JB Hunt and a couple other majors to supply them to all their drivers all we will have to do is pull up next to them in a truckstop and hack in with our wireless!
Seriously, it does look like it may have potential if not too overpriced. |
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Mtc_Is_Hell
Joined: 16 Aug 2006
Posts: 217
Location: Granite City, Il
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| I've been very pleased with TA's wifi.. I have been at the farthest side of the lot and got good reception.. Every ta I stopped at no matter where I parked I got on. Best part is I just use my road king card to pay for the internet 20.00 a month deal.. Also some shippers will have unsecured wifi. I cant picture my self signing a contract or paying 60 a month. |
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tndieselgrl
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 534
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
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| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Mtc_Is_Hell wrote: I've been very pleased with TA's wifi.. I have been at the farthest side of the lot and got good reception..
Now that's the first time I've heard that... TA was always the worst of the bunch from what I found. In fact, the TA's with the best reception were always the ones with the rouge Flying J antenna up...
If you're constantly stopping at the same chain, then using the truckstop wifi is a decent deal. I tended to hop around though, and paying $20 a month at Flying J, Pilot, AND TA got expensive when you totaled them up. Heck, for the same figure, I have a card through my cell carrier (Sprint), and get signal anywhere my phone does... even at shippers or rest areas. Sure, it's a two year contract, but if you end up relying on the wireless like I do, it works out better in the end. |
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tbaarr
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 126
Location: near fargo
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| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: t/a wi fi |
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the nice thing about their wi fi
is you can pay for it with roadmiles
unlike the flying hook
it only takes me an hour to do email
and they will give you an hour for 149 roadmiles
the last time i used it
it may be more now
449 roadmiles for 24 hours
i like putting on 80gal of company paid fuel which is doubled to 160 in jan
and getting a free hour of wi fi |
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billnliz
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:17 pm Post subject: Verizon |
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Verizone does not require a 2 year ageement if you use your verizone phone as the modem rather than a network card. I am currently using it now. And while I would NEVER recommend verizon for anything cus they are money hungry penny pinching..well you get the idea. anyway, All in all I have had VERY little problems with the WIFI side of it..I get connected just about anywhere I am at a minimum of dialup speeds. When I am in bigger cities and surrounding areas some upwards of 60 miles out I am in digital which means I get much faster speeds seeminlgy typical of lower DSL speeds.. It costs 60 bucks a month and like I said since I use the phone no contracts..When I get a call I can answer talk hangup and it reconnects automatically. Or I can just hit the ignore button and keep on surfin..
Bill
P.S. I have never had good luck with any of the truckstops WIFI..Unless your practically sittin on top of that antanea forget it. And you have to either pay the high daily rates or hope your next stop has the same connection your paying 20 bucks a mnth for |
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op6666
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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I have a razor3 phone with edge. usb connect to my pc. 2yr contract $53
works great . wfi is ok but why paid $6 to $9 for 24hr if you only want to go online to check weather. |
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mudawg
Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 118
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| I use the "J"s wifi and have been very happy.Sign up yearly and it ends up costing just over $16 per/month compared to most phone service cost of about $50.$600 vs.$199 a year,I can do plenty with $400 that's more fun then the net.There service works in a lot of non "J" places too,right now for example I'm at Jubitz all the way in the back corner with a full signal. |
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