Ok! Finally got a lap top so we can have a computer when we are on the road. Any of you traveling types got tips or suggestions on where to get free wi-fi for checking e-mail etc?

 

Verizon sells a portable wi-fi card. about $50 a month

 

download netstumbler.
it doesn't work well at high way speeds, but as you roll thru a town, you can see who has an unsecured hot spot available. most hotels, mcdonalds, coffee shops, and some restaraunts have wifi available.

 

To add on that , a lot of hotels use a room number as the user name and password, if it is a locked system.

 

i run mine thru my cell company that way i have a service where ever i have phone service even going down the road

 

I think the Key word in his question is FREE...
as said above netstumbler is an easy way to locate Free unsecured hot spots.
for sure Name brand Motels, most are unsecured.
Depending on your laptop you may need to get a something stronger then the built in Wi-Fi adapter, you can get good USB ones that work very well for less then $40

 

Dang!! I guess the only sure way to actually pay for it. Notice Verizon has a USB modem for their mobile broadband with an External Antenna Connector for $99 bucks but it takes a two year commitment. Havent quite figured out how much the monthly charge would be. I just thought there might be certain locations that the RVers were using.

 

More and more RV parks are offering free WiFi to those staying there. There are also many "internet cafes", like Starbucks, where all it costs you is a cup of coffee.
In addition, places like Border's Book stores and the like have internet service for customers but don't object to browsers looking at magazines and using the net. Plus there are a lot of "stray" unsecured wireless connections.

You do need an Internet Service Provider but Yahoo and others offer free basic service.

Dan

 

i understand free but if your rolling down the highway its hard to find and stay around free wifi. mine thru sprint cost me 60. per month and has unlimited usage

 

WiFi is limited to about 300 yrds under IDEAL conditions. moving at 90 ft/sec down the highway, its tough to stay in range long.
If you want internet while moving, you will have to go with a wireless cellular device.

 

Most libraries have wifi for free

 

Around Here You Can Pull In To Burger-king Parking Lot -and Have Yi-fi
If You Stop Where They Have It Park & Take A Short Rest Stop -you Can Always Check In!
We Use It With 5th Wheel As Well As When We Are Outof Town In Car>

 

that is where netstumbler comes in handy. it constantly monitors so you can see whats available.

 

To not stray off the topic make sure when you use wifi make the connection a public one so that way no one can look in on your computer.

 

I realize that my original post made it seem like I wanted to be able to cruse the internet while driving down the highway. I would wind up in a ditch. I really appreciate the input guys. I dont plan on doing a bunch of web surfing while RVing so it looks like I might be able to check my email, rockhounding sites and stuff without having to purchase anything except coffee or burgers. Dont want to do anything illegal so would make sure its ok before I log on to an unsecured network.
Checking on it as I type...Thanks.