FULLTIMEWANABE Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Whilst we are having a wonderful time, tonight No 13 since we left on our two month jaunt from AB, we are struggling to find consistent good strength wifi to mix up with our very limited extortionate travel add on Canadian package. Would you experienced folks care to share where you have found the best resources for wifi during your travel days, outside of actual CGs. We are still in Washington for at least another week to ten days heading north from Seattle to Birch Bay tomorrow, then back down to start at Olympia and experience around the NP then down the rest of the coast towards Oregon. We found one Casino that had some coverage whilst sitting in our RV which was a treat, rather than sitting on steps near buildings or having to actually go inside somewhere. Currently doing laundry at Bellevue, whilst accessing the wifi after a day in Seattle but it's dire slow to load at times. Thanks for sharing. FTW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 McDonalds and Starbucks make my list for good WiFi hookups. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCClockDr Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Many Wal-Marts are coming online lately, Subway, public library, & Rest Areas come to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker56 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Denny's Have a $4 breakfast while there. Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmb Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Tell us about what equipment you're using. Internal antenna? External antenna? What is the gain of the antenna? Is the antenna directional? Do you have a display of the transmission's signal strength so that you can optimize the position of the antenna? Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmac9 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Most of the malls have free wi-fi...find a comfy seat and browse while the DW shops to her hearts content!! Also many Chick-Fil-A and Chicken Express places have free Wi-Fi now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 I use a WiFi signal monitor app on my tablet to find a good parking spot with decent signal. I go inside to buy something but do most of my surfing from the comfort of my car, softer seats, better music and less chance of any "shoulder surfing" getting me into trouble. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BooneDocks Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Good beer bars! Presently MotorHomeLessFollow Our Full-Time Travels Through Our Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmac9 Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 LOL!!! True Stanley!! I used to go to the mall to "people watch" but the older I get the stranger the people get and I'm almost afraid that if I look at them wrong I might get shot!!! I've also noticed that I dislike being around crowds of people less and less...turning into a hermit I guess!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FULLTIMEWANABE Posted September 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 OK thanks folks, had McD's, public libraries, malls and airports on our radar. We don't frequent places like Starbucks or Dennys, just wondering if there's somewhere we can sit like you Stanley in our vehicle outside and access. Does Lowes/HD generally have a good strong wifi accessible from outside? These are companies we support heavily in our regular lives so wouldn't feel bad about using theirs, just not sure if they typically have it at most stores or not. Interesting about Walmart, haven't found a store yet with it but to be honest didn't know "any" did so will keep eye out for that now, THANKS to you all as always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Most businesses that provide Wifi are primarily interested in providing it for their customers inside their premises. Depending on the capability of your WiFi equipment, you may or may not be able to get a usable connection through the walls of a building while sitting in your vehicle or RV at any distance from the building. I can not think of ever seeing any business other than a truck stop like Flying J having access points to broadcast a WiFi signal throughout the parking lot and some of them charge a fee for access. I have seen some highway rest areas and State Welcome Centers with Wifi. If you were a Comcast customer, then you would be able to access their Wifi hotspots which use business and even home systems to provide public access. I am not sure if they offer just a WiFi hotspot subscription or not. Verizon also has a WiFi Network. Again, not sure if you can subscribe just to that. This list is rather dated, but gives locations of city/town public Wifi systems. Many hotels/motels have now gone to protected systems to limit access. Some systems in public places like airports require a subscription for access. Be aware that using a Wifi service meant for customers can be considered theft of services under U.S. law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 11, 2015 Report Share Posted September 11, 2015 The signal outside at smaller places is often quite good, either leaking out from inside or an outside AP serving folks on the patio. Having an easy to use signal checker makes picking the right spot to park a lot easier. An example is a Starbucks we like, signal is weak out front and worse behind but if you park off to the side it is great. You'd not think to park over there as a customer but a lot of the staff are parked there so they can surf on their breaks. Another, at the nearest McDonalds the McD's signal is poor in their lot but pretty good from the Taco Bell's lot. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale P Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 What SCClockDr says, we are winding up a 4 mth trip from USA to AK and back. Currently in a Calgary Walmart writing this. Susan & Dale DaGirls Rv 2008 Alfa Gold SoLong ISL 425 Cummins 2015 Ford F-150 XLT Tow / Roadmaster Setup 1600W@45Vdc Magnum Inv/Chg&Solar880AmpHrDaGirlsRv Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 I have an app on my iPhone called "WiFi Finder." Sitting here in our sticks & bricks (which is for sale if anyone is interested ) it picks up 42 hot spots - 38 free, McDonalds, coffee shops, Barnes & Noble, local library, etc. Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FULLTIMEWANABE Posted October 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2015 Thanks to you all as always. Finally back in Chilly but sunny Alberta - RV being sadly winterised for putting to bed till the spring, and lots of maintenance things on engine, generator, A/Cs, electrical being done at the acreage as I write this by son-in-law and hubby with shout outs of "mum, can you google this and that" LOL. We treated this trip as best we could, albeit travelling more than we will when we become true FT's in a little over a year now hopefully, to assess what we might miss, and alas, one thing is very evident, we need more reliable and reasonable amount of internet when on the road. I truly missed my daily (I'd be happy for every other day even!) trading monitoring, as well keeping up to date with two programmes I've been following since they started in the 60's and 80's, but I can access on line for 2 or 3 hours average a week. We recognized that we also don't want to be moving anywhere near as far or as often as we did in the past when we are true FT's, and need an odd down day here and there, albeit we also know for right now at least, we couldn't stay in one place for months at a time either. The latter of course may well change as our time FT in the future evolves, and we are conscious of that. The key thing for us is "affordable internet access" on our laptop whilst in both the USA and across Canada when back on home soils travelling. We are thinking from previous readings by others that our best options might be either the Verizon Pay As You Go using a MIFI or Straight Talk that we can switch on or off for 3 to 5 months at a time. When at our daughter's future acreage of course we can log into their Wifi from outside in the RV, but when travelling across Canada we need to find a much better option than hyper expensive cellular data with Bell our current cellular provider. So we need two providers, one for each country we can switch on and off without expensive penalties when needed, and that are reliable in most places countries wide. Having the time we have had to do our research and obtaining such sage advice from others here long before us, we are realizing has been a major plus to make our transition as smooth as possible as the time rapidly approaches to our lift off. We absolutely love the flexibility and independence our solar/battery array has given us for being off grid, and that's all been thanks to many folks on here :) Thank you all for your guidance, suggestions, advice and experience sharing throughout many years of lurking and more recently my interaction with the forum. You've no idea how much you all help with your contributions to so many folks. My hubby often says to me now about things "so what would your RV buddies do" or "what do your RV buddies say/think". FTW PS: Looking forward to becoming fully fledged Escapee members in the very very near future now, as we believe that and possibly PPA to be the best two initial memberships for how we will likely roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted October 17, 2015 Report Share Posted October 17, 2015 A few days ago my wife and I were sitting in a Panera Bread have soup and sandwiches. I looked at the available WiFi on my smartphone, and was surprised to see that the signal from a Taco Bell a couple of stores away was stronger than the Panera Bread signal. Speed tests on both sources had similar results though and both stores were using Time Warner Cable. Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 One of the better WiFi spots we found while traveling to Alaska, was the Anchorage store of Cabela's. They had a newer store, with a great fire place and comfy chairs. Good people watching for sure. And the WiFi in the parking lot was strong too! Best to all, Smitty Be safe, have fun, Smitty 04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delawaretraveler Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 I have found Lowes has a great signal in the parking lot. Plus you can boondock usually without problems. I have never been awaken at Lowes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRum Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Is anyone using a wifi booster to pull the signal into their RV batter? If so which one and which model? I've always been a tinkerer and a fixer... So what better way to stay active in my retirement than to buy an RV... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Joyce Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Is anyone using a wifi booster to pull the signal into their RV batter? If so which one and which model? http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/resources/wifi-capture-device-testing-wavewifi-rogue-wave-vs-wifiranger-mobileti-pepwave-soho/ 2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, Fulltimer July 2003 to October 2018, Parttimer now. Travels through much of 2013 - http://www.sacnoth.com - Bill, Diane and Evita (the cat) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Is anyone using a wifi booster to pull the signal into their RV batter? If so which one and which model? We have a Pepwave Surf On-The-Go that works well for us. Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtmtnhiker Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 I have found the libraries to be a good resource. Of course you have to go to them which is not convenient most of the time. Garry 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2600RB 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFDR3116 Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Many of the rest areas at least have a hot spot marked with a bench to sit on. Gas stations with big parking lots (not always a truck stop) sometimes have good wifi. There is a website you can use to find public wifi, but I don't have the info. Had it bookmarked and lost all my bookmarks. Haven't tried searching for it yet either as we got our own service now. Pat DeJong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarDreamers.us Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Just remember that on the public or store provided WiFi hot spot that where you go and what you read is available to ALL. You may not want to do any banking or credit card payments. Safe Travels! Always Be Aware of YOUR Surrounding's! It may save your life and limb. SKP #89742 - Lifetime membership - Member of the SKP Class of 2007Good Sam Club - Lifetime MemberDataStorm #5423Passport America - Lifetime MemberSons Of The American Revolution (SAR) - Lifetime MemberAmerican Legion - USAF - Lifetime MemberRotary Club Member - 30 years Escapee CARE Supporter National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Like Lowes, Home Depot usually has wifi that reaches out to their large parking lots as a convenience for their customers. Lets contractors communicate with their offices, pull up plans, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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