The DigitalRV Blog

It’s been a while since I’ve written on the Kyocera KR1 and Verizon’s Wireless Data service. Today I put together a podcast on mobile internet, and thought I’d also post further on my experiences.

It’s been a little over 6 months of “Full-Timing” in my Airstream. During that time I’ve gotten a ton of use out of Verizon’s Wireless Data network, and my KR1. Both have done extremely well!

During my travels I’ve found myself without appropriate network coverage less than 2 weeks total. What does that mean? That means less than 14 days out of 6 months I haven’t had Verizon coverage, or a roaming partner’s coverage, that allowed me access to a wireless data network. So, 1/12th of my travel time I had issues with Verizon’s coverage for data. Put another way, 91% of my time on the road I was able to use my Verizon card. I’m not complaining at all.

While using the card, it was almost always running out of the KR1. The one outstanding glitch with the KR1 came when I updated the firmware on the system many months ago, and found myself with a dead KR1. Once the replacement arrived I’ve had smooth sailing.

Has everything been perfect with the equipment? Pretty much, yes! Has everything been perfect with the network coverage? Are you kidding me? No, not at all. But what do you expect. Running off of a “digital cellular network” is going to have issues. If there are no towers, there will be no service. Not all the towers have been converted to high speed network. Often I found myself getting between 100 & 200 Kbps. Not super fast, but better than dial up.

Now the big question….Would I change anything today if I could? Sure, if someone gave me a satellite setup I’d start using it. But if I had to choose between satellite and my current setup today, I’d still pick what I have. Why? Price first off. Secondly, while satellite download speeds can beat my wireless card, satellite upload speeds aren’t much better. With that in mind, the gains do not out weigh the costs (for me at least).

In the last article, Podcasts were generically covered. For this installment, we’ll get into more detail on getting podcasts, playing podcasts, and podcasts that might be of interest to Digital RV’ers.

How to get Podcasts

There’s a host of Podcasts out there for listeners today. From replays of your favorite radio show, to new and cutting edge material from unknown podcasters, there’s something for everyone.

The first place I look for podcasts is Apple’s ITunes Store. If you have ITunes on your computer (works with Windows and Macintosh), and you’re connected to the internet, you can sort through many Podcasts that are available.

Keep in mind, with the ITunes music store you can find free podcasts and pay for podcasts. Pay attention when looking through the ITunes music store before signing up. For instance, I enjoy listening to Dave Ramsey (a financial guy). He offers a 1 hour daily podcast update from his 3 hour show. If you want more, you can sign up for the full 3 hours as a pay for podcast.

If you can read the graphic above, you’ll see the Podcast button on the left hand side. In the main window you’ll see several of the podcasts I currently subscribe to (more about those later).

You don’t have to use ITunes to listen to or watch podcasts, there are many other ways. You can download directly from some podcasters web sites. For instance, my personal blog has started carrying Gadget’s Airstream Blog Podcasts. Readers can watch the podcasts right on the website, or download them directly to their hard drives.

There are of course many ways to find and subscribe to podcasts now. Don’t feel restricted to ITunes alone. How else can you find podcasts of interest to you?

Finding Podcasts

As quickly as a new technology pops up, services show up to help you make use of the new technology.

Here are some of the big Podcast Subscription services. You can subscribe to podcasts, find podcasts, or even list your own (we’ll talk more on that in the next installment):

• PodcastAlley.com
• Feedburner.com
• DigitalPodcast.com
• Apple’s Web Site

There are many more sites out there. Do a simple search on finding podcasts. You’ll come up with a ton.

Types of Podcasts Available

Podcasts cover the whole spectrum. Just like TV and radio. If you’re interested in a topic, there’s bound to be a podcast on it. Personally, I’ve got a few favorites. They’re listed below:

• The VAP: The Vintage Airstream Project. This is a fun podcast covering Vintage Airstream Restoration. It’s interesting to more than just Airstreamers.
• Dave Ramsey: A favorite financial radio talk show host. There’s a free daily hour of his show available.
• Inside Mac: This podcast covers all things Macintosh. I enjoy learning the latest from Inside Mac.

Like I said, if you have an interest, you’ll find a podcast on it.

Today marks 2 months since I began full-timing as a “well connected” RV’er. With a few months in now, the big question of “What’s been working?”, comes to mind.

Therefore I’ll give you the top list of what’s been used, not used, acts as a paper weight, or I wouldn’t leave behind for anything.

Items you couldn’t pry away from me….

1. My Mac Laptop: For other folks building their Digital RV, you can use a Windows too. But my laptop has been my primary mode of communications, entertainment, work, new source, and more.
2. Kyocera KR1 & Verizon Wireless Card: Put these two together, because they work hand in hand. Not my number one item, as I could find other ways to connect to the internet if push came to shove. So the laptop beats them out.
3. Verizon Wireless Cell Phone: Pretty straight forward here. This is my only phone now….
4. Garmin 2610 GPS: This thing has been super while traveling, and in new towns. I’ve found groceries, laundry mats, and Rich Luhr, all with this device!
5. LaCie’s 100GB FireWire / UBS 2.0 Drive: This drive is FireWire or USB powered. No additional power source beyond your computer. That’s a huge plus. My Lacie stores my media files (entertainment), photography (your entertainment), business documents, etc.
6. Canon SD550: This is my little pocket sized camera. If you’ve been following my personal journal, you know that I supply a great number of photos. The Canon has been fantastic for photos and short video clips!
7. Mobile Mate SD Card Reader: This little card reader was featured in a previous post here. It’s used every day, and is ultra convinient!
8. IPod: For both travel days, and rest days, the IPod is super. Been listening to tons of music as I travel, and then background music in the trailer as I type. The IPod has now passed my XM on daily usage time.
9. XM Radio: The XM has been quieter lately. When I’m driving it’s on often (after the IPod), but getting to camping locations I don’t use it as much. Too busy meeting new people, talking tech, selling a few books, etc. When I want my news though, the XM is my first choice!
10. IGo 130:  This is my little portable power supply.  It rocks.  Recharges my Mac, Windows PC, IPod.  I need more adapters for it to cover my phone and a few other items.

There’s my top 8 items. Basically, these devices are used every day, often! That’s the hallmark of a good product / digital device in your RV. How often do you use it. Once a day, sounds pretty necessary. Once a week, does it really need to come along? Good question.

Less used items that I’ll still keep with me

1. Elgato EyeTV EZ: I haven’t been watching TV every day, so the EyeTV hasn’t been getting exercised enough. It’s nice though, not constantly viewing TV. While I might be super “connected”, at least I’m not watching a screen the second I come into the trailer (except when I’m typing).
2. Canon Printer: My printer sits stored away the bulk of the time. However, I need it to print out business documents, letters, etc. I wish I had a smaller one, but I’m unwilling to spend several hundred dollars on an ultra portable one that only gets used once or twice a week.

That’s it for the top device list today.  And for the “not so top” list as well.  Basically, my digital devices have indeed helped enhance my RV living so far.  I expect that they will continue to as well.

For the past few weeks I’ve been looking into doing a podcast for the site twice a month. First though we’ll need to see if there’s some interest. So, the link below is to our first demo podcast. Let us know what you think!

Digital RV’s First Podcast!