Virgin Mobile - Broadband2Go Wireless USB Card

[Feelin' Goofy]

Has anyone used this or other air cards at the fort?
Thanks

 

[SinceDay1]

I use my AT&T air card at FW and it worked good, sometimes it was kinda slow, but typical for an air card.

 

[mnsprk]

I've had good luck with my Verizon Netbook.

 

[bradisgoofy]

I have had excellent service from my Sprint USB aircard ( I'm using it to write this ) anywhere on property. I bought a Cradlepoint router for it so it becomes a wireless access point for all of us to use. This aircard is fast enough that I can run World of Warcraft online, which requires a fast connection to work correctly.

 

[Shan-man]

I'm Brad's carbon-copy! I use my Sprint Aircard and Cradlepoint router to create a wifi access point and we have great connections at the Fort and all along the route from Raleigh to the Fort. My wife works from 'home' (wherever that might be) so she HAS to have a solid connection. She has her laptop out on the dining table and I have mine in the dash running GoogleEarth (constantly downloading satellite imagery) as we move down the road, never missing a beat. This is the setup we use at home, too, so again like Brad, I'm using it to write this.

 

[Shan-man]

I just wanted to add that Virgin (Sprint-owned) is offering prepaid aircard service.

Virgin Mobile will be providing service via the Ovation MC760 USB modem which features zero-CD automatic software install with usage meter, EVDO Rev. A support and a microSDHC expansion slot. Pricing for the service starts at $10 for 100 MB with a 10 day usage cycle all the way up to $60 for 1 GB of data access with a 30 day cycle.

It's a pretty good option for RVers who have wired broadband at home but want mobile broadband when travelling. You pay $100 for the aircard, and then buy as much data as you'll need for your trip (taking particular note of the expirations). I assume the coverage is identical to Sprint's since Virgin is now a Sprint company... so the Fort should be solid.

 

[itch1]

So what would I need to run two laptops (Toshiba,IBM)at the Fort?
We have Att at home can I get the Virgin air-card(Sprint) just for my laptop then get a router. How do I gage what I am going to use we wont be doing any work while on vacation but if rains I guess we might be on it some.
ITCH

 

[Feelin' Goofy]

Thanks.
I think that I might get this for our trip in June.

 

[Shan-man]

The cheapest would be to simply share the aircard, moving it from computer to computer. But, if you both need to use it at once, I highly recommend the Cradlepoint routers. The aircard plugs right into the router and with almost no setup creates a wifi access point. They even have one that can be battery operated for the ultimate in portability (I think it's called the PHS300?). I had the CTR350 and it was a great, tiny little router... until I accidentally plugged the wrong adapter into it and fried it! Now I have the MBR1000, which is even nicer, if not as portable. It has better range and the faster "n" speed, and adds ethernet ports too (which I need for my satellite receiver). You can find good deals for Cradlepoint routers on eBay all the time... I think I got the CTR350 for $70 and the MBR1000 for $120. BTW, if you have a business for which internet access is essential, the MBR1000 is also a great choice because it will automatically fail-over between a wired connection to the aircard, so if the ISDN goes down you'll be back online in seconds over the aircard automatically and then automatically switch back when ISDN is restored. Anyway, I highly recommend Cradlepoint routers, and no, I receive no compensation whatsoever for my endorsement! LOL

As far as knowing how much time is left on your prepaid aircard, I think the aircard has to be directly connected to a laptop, and that laptop has the connection software installed, and that software tells you how much throughput you have left. This is the impression I got by scanning the material on the plan. You should carefully read the material yourself before making any decisions. You would also want to confirm that their prepaid aircard will work with the router if you are planning on going that route.

 

[2goofycampers]

My Verizon aircard works great at The Fort also.

 

[caveat lector]

There is one other cheap method for connecting mutliple PCs (I think?). I'm not a computer guru, so someone else might have to provide details. The short of it: One PC has the broadband connection, then the 2nd PC wirelessly connects to the 1st PC and shares the connection. I'm sure there are downsides to thsi method, otherwise routers would be so widespreadh.

 

[docbrown]

We have used aircard and router before, but recently upgraded to the new mifi2200 from verizon. It basically is a tiny aircard and router in one device
big as a credit card and a little bit more then a 1/4 inc thick. You can power it from a pc or wall or car lighter. It works for up to 5 devices. Higher speed than previous card.

 

[ghester]

we used our verizon air card at wilderness lodge last year and it worked well outside but not in the room.we also use a ctr350 router at home it works very well we will be takeing it back to FW in june. by the way this is DH NOT Ghester