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My wireless EVDO router and Verizon air card
connected together |
I have a USB
Sierra AirCard 595U, from Verizon. It allows me to access the internet from
almost anywhere. Where EVDO Rev-A service is available, the download speed
is comparable to DSL. However, my wife and I both have laptops, so I
wanted to be able to use the air card with more than one laptop and not have to get
it out and plug it in each time. So I set up a wireless network
inside the coach using the
CradlePoint CTR-350 wireless EVDO router (purchased for $135.99 from
Solid Signal). The router is very small - about the size of a
pack of cigarettes. But it's powerful enough to cover the entire
coach and immediate outside area with a connection that is rated
"excellent". And this little router is loaded
with capabilities. The Verizon USB modem just plugs into the side of
the router and both units are always on and ready. Power for the
router was routed into the cabinet from the TV receptacle. Because I disabled the ignition cut-off to
the TV power outlet, the co-pilot or passengers can use the router to
access the internet while the coach is underway. When not traveling
in the motor home, the small router and air card are kept in my
computer case so I can use them anywhere.
 To
boost the data signal, I also purchased an external
Wilson Trucker Cellular Antenna, and mounted that on the roof directly over
the right front cabinet. It has a built-in ground plane, so it
works well mounted on a fiberglass surface. With the appropriate
phone antenna connector, it will also work with a cell phone, if the need arises. I also
purchased a
Wilson
direct connection duel band signal amplifier which goes between the antenna and
the air card. Wireless duel band repeaters (with an internal
antenna) are much more
versatile, because you don't have to switch cables around to use them
with your cell phone. But the ones that are wired directly to an air card or a
phone offer better performance. I saved a bunch of money on
this item from Amazon.com. |
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| Here is a
close up of the front right cabinet next to the TV where I
installed all the EVDO G3 equipment. (Sorry about the
picture quality - it's dark in there.) The antenna
lead comes down through the roof and is coiled and secured
to the right cabinet wall. It then plugs into the left
side of the amplifier. The amp is powered via a 12v
plug from a receptacle just out of picture range on the
right sidewall of the cabinet. I installed a double
female FME adaptor to the output of the amp and then the
adaptor cable that fits my USB Air Card. The Air
Card is plugged into the small Wi-Fi router which is powered
from the 120v power strip on the left side of the cabinet.
The power strip is plugged into the TV receptacle through a
hole cut in the upper left side of the cabinet. (See
the complete component list
here.) |
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If you would like a complete
list and descriptions of all components needed to set up a wireless
network and EVDO broadband internet service in your coach,
click here. |
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| A Side-note about networking with Vista
and Windows XP: My wife's new laptop runs Vista and mine uses
Windows XP operating system. I initially ran into some compatibility
problems networking the two.
Click Here for a detailed
description of the tweaks that worked to resolve the issues for me. |
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A close-up view of the Wilson Trucker
Antenna mounted on the roof.
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| Check out the download/upload
speeds on the test I ran with this setup. Typical download
speeds for EVDO Rev A is an average of about 700 kbps with
peak bursts generally not exceeding 1.5Mbps. Typical
upload speeds are round 400 kbps. So you can see the speed
shown on my test above with this equipment is certainly optimum. |
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