Tethered Toaster

Tethered Toaster

Internet!!!!

My skinny on getting free wi-fi so far..


FIRST - I recommend bringing a power strip. That way if you get somewhere with limited options, you can offer to let people plug in on your power strip provided you get a spot on the wall!

Local libraries - Usually have great internet. Plenty of plugs and seating. Some like the one in Florida Keys is super friendly and relaxed. Others like the one in New Bern, NC has strict rules on phones and talking and I have to take business meetings into the hallway.

Starbucks - Usually decent wi-fi. Can be hard to get a table with plug. Can be pretty noisy for business calls. Sometimes wi-fi drops.

Barnes & Nobles - Usually decent wi-fi. I have about a 50/50 chance of it being strong enough though. Generally there is only 1 plug for the whole coffee area it seems. Can be pretty noisy.

Panera Break - Good wi-fi, pretty quite, good seating. However, during busy hours 11am - 2 pm, they limit your wi-fi session to 30 minutes.

Restaurants - Restaurants are iffy. Often times internet is protected or weak and limited. If you find a good one, let them know you want to work for a bit so the waiter doesn't feel obligated to stop by every 5 minutes, order some food and enjoy slowly.

RV Park Wi-Fi - So far I've only had one park (Compass RV Park in St. Augustine) with decent enough wi-fi to work on and stream Netflix. It was limited though to 250 MB a day (most days I got to around 450 before it cut me off). Generally, I no longer bother to ask if Wi-Fi is available. Instead I work off of my cellular hotspot Jetpack.

Cellular - I bought a Jetpack from Verizon and it seems to be pretty weak at picking up signals. I get better signal using my phone as a hotspot, but you can't talk on phone while on internet (iPhone) so that is limited. Jetpack is fine in good areas. Bought a WeBoost  4G-X to boost signal in ok areas. Seems to do a good job increasing signal on phone, but Jetpack is still flaky (I think it's got issues).



Check out this article for tips: http://www.technomadia.com/2014/08/how-we-keep-online-illustrated-tour-of-our-rv-mobile-internet-setup/

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