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First, you need a broadband USB air data card that is compatible with your cellular service provider. This one is a Verizon 595U, made by Sierra Wireless. Most EVDO routers have a USB interface, so you'll want to choose a USB data card that is compatible with the router you choose. Notice the small rubber cover on the side where you can plug in an external antenna. The antenna port is essential, if you want to use the card with an external antenna like those made by Wilson. | ||
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This is the EVDO wireless router that
transmits and receives the signal between the air card and your
computer. The air card plugs into a USB port on the other side
of the router. I chose the Cradlepoint CR350 because of it's
extremely small size and plentiful features. Notice that there
is no antenna on the router. The antenna is internal, but this
little unit is strong enough to offer "excellent" connections
throughout the coach and outside as well. You can use
encryption on it, just like any other 80211b/g wireless router.
An EVDO router is like any other 80211b/g router you might use at
home, except that it is compatible with EVDO broadband cellular
signals from an air card.
Obviously, your computer will need to have a WiFi receiver to communicate with the router. |
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A good external antenna for your air card greatly enhances your performance and transmission speeds. I choose the roof mountable Wilson Dual Band Trucker Antenna, had a hole drilled in my roof right above the front right cabinet, and mounted the antenna there. You can get this antenna outfitted with a variety of mounting options. (Others have purchased it in the mirror-mount configuration and mounted it to the arm of their batwing TV antenna.) Notice the radial spokes that create the antenna's ground plane, which makes this antenna an excellent choice for fiberglass applications like RV's and boats. In the second view, you can see that under the rubber cover, is a heavy spring, which allows this antenna to give way to tree branches, etc. | |
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You can connect the antenna directly
to the antenna jack on your air card, and it will work fine in most
populated areas. However, if you want to boost your signal
even more, so that you can achieve greater download speeds and/or
are hardly ever out of cellular data range, you can add a Wilson
Dual Band cellular amplifier. This one is a Wilson 8111201
direct connection amplifier that is made to go with the Wilson
antenna above and transmit/receive signals through a cable from and
to your air card or cell phone. "Dual Band" implies that it
works in the 800 MHz range, which is where cell phones operate, and
also the 1900 MHz range where EVDO broadband air cards operate. Alternately, you could get a dual band wireless amplifier/repeater that connects to another internal antenna. That way you could use it with an air card and multiple cell phones at the same time. (See "Optional Method" below.) |
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Most cellular amplifiers intended for vehicle use have a 12v power plug. If you want to run this off your inverter, you will need a 120v power supply. This one is specifically marketed for Wilson cellular amplifiers. | ||
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This is the cell phone adapter cable that goes between your air card antenna and the amplifier. Wilson adaptor cables all have a male FME fitting at one end. The fittings on the amplifier is also an FME male fitting. Therefore, you must connect it to the amplifier with cable or connector that has an FME female plug on each end. (See next item.) | ||
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You will need an FME female-to-female barrel connector to connect the adapter above to the amplifier. Alternately, you could use a two-foot low-loss cable with FME female plugs on both ends. | ||
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Optional
Method: Instead of a direct connection amplifier and
antenna adaptor cable, you could simply get a dual band wireless
amplifier/repeater intended for indoor use, and an indoor antenna. The
one pictured is
a
Wilson 801245 Wireless Dual Band Repeater with a
Dual Band Right Angle Stubby Antenna attached. Advantages: You could use it for both your EVDO data card and multiple cell phones at the same time. You have less wires and adaptors to buy. Less clutter. Since this repeater is designed for indoor use, it will come with a 120v power cord. Disadvantages: You will pay an additional $100 or more for a wireless amplifier/repeater. Because there is no direct connection between the amplifier/repeater and the device antenna (on the cell phone or air card) you loose some performance when compared to a direct connection. There are cheaper wireless repeaters intended for automobiles, but they do not have the range needed to work well in a motor home. |
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