Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:43:21 -0700
Reply-To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Advice needed for cross-country trip
In-Reply-To: <BLU144-W37F4E0CA4BCF2A79C8F53EB8730@phx.gbl>
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I pay around $75 a month for cell service with unlimited internet access through AT&T. My phone has a built-in web browser (Nokia E62) similar to a Palm. I can access most websites with my phone including the list archives.
I use a USB cable to connect it to my laptop; it serves as my wireless modem and is my only connection at my home. There are some areas that you can't get data (or voice) service, but overall I have been happy with the coverage. Plus, you can still answer voice calls while you are online.
My current phone has EDGE connect speed - 3 to 4 times dial up speed. I will upgrade to a 3G phone when that service is available at my house; the current coverage is about 11 miles away.
You could probably get away with a "smartphone" and an upgrade to your wireless service. Make sure you get a phone with a full keyboard. Most will have some type of GPS option, but with data access, you can use Google!Earth or Mapquest.
Good luck,
Tim
Ellen <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
The short story is this: I'm planning on quitting my job the first part of October, and embarking on a cross-country trip to see all my relatives. This trip will take me from Oregon to Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, California, then back home to Oregon. About 6000 miles in all. I don't have any particular time schedule. I have a pension, and will look for more satisfying work when I get back home. Lola (with just under 53,000 original miles) will make the trip. I have AAA plus and sufficient funds should anything go wrong on the road. I guess my question is logistics. I don't have a laptop currently, but I see the need for one. A wireless internet service? GPS? What else do I need to know? This is all new ground for me. Anyone who has done this, please let me know what worked, what didn't work, what you wish you had known.
TIA,
Ellen & Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI Don't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel; stride down there.....and light the bloody thing yourself.' ~Dara Henderson
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TJ Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33SB
Des Allemands, Louisiana
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FC_wanderlodge
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