Motosat Datastorm Satellite Internet

Several readers have written asking how The Camping Journal connects to the internet and can ship books while on the road. More and more RVers are working from the road via the internet and conducting business via email. More and more RV parks are installing wireless networks and more and more campers are traveling with laptops. But the days of lugging your laptop to the campground laundry room are nearly over.

Now it is possible to have a high-speed internet connection from nearly anywhere you can drive your RV, with no need for a campground, telephone line or even a cell phone - mobile satellite internet. With the MotoSat DataStorm on the roof of our motorhome, we can be on the road, and still check orders for The Camping Journal from anywhere in North America with the push of a button.

There are various systems available, but basically they all have three components: a roof-mounted satellite dish (not unlike a satellite television dish), a control box to move the dish, and a modem. (Together, the control box and modem in our unit require a 10x10-inch space in a cabinet and are 3.5 inches tall.)

The procedure is simple. First, your rig needs to be parked, level, and you need to have an open view of the southern sky (like a television satellite situation). Push the "SEARCH" button on the control box and the dish will deploy (from stowed-flat on the roof of your rig) and turn up towards the heavens and begin searching for your satellite. It has an on-board GPS system for this purpose, and within a few moments it will find the Mother Ship and begin fine-tuning and adjusting, in mere millimeters, to lock-on at the highest possible signal strength. After it locks-on, your system sends a shout-out to the satellite, "Hey, it's me down here... talk to me." Usually in less than a minute, the satellite talks back and you are surfing with your laptop or desktop computer! When it's time to hit the road, the dish will disconnect from the satellite and return to a flat position with a touch of the "STOW" button. You will be ready to roll in less than two minutes.

Because this system usually takes less than ten minutes to initialize, we have used it check orders and email in rest stops from New Jersey to California, surfed the internet from Acadia to Zion (no kidding!) and updated The Camping Journal website from Mexico and Canada.

Surf's up! On-line while dry camping in Death Valley National Park

High-speed mobile satellite internet technology also offers the RVer opportunities for video conferencing, and VOIP (internet telephone). By installing a LNB (called a bird on a wire in satellite internet lingo) it is possible to use one dish for internet and satellite television (Dish or DirecTV) reception - again, with the touch of a button. Set up a wireless network in your RV and you can surf by campfire!

Be aware the systems are still high-priced and an investment along with your trailer, 5th wheel or motorhome. We had our system professionally installed and kindly suggest you do the same. Salt Lake City-based MotoSat (no I do not get a commission, dang!) offers several different systems and internet-use packages through DirecWay/HughesNet. They also offer free 24/7 telephone support - and yes, you will need it for a while before you become familiar with your system. There is a fabulous network of DataStorm Users and we all help each other and offer advice to newcomers at our forum.

It is also possible to buy a tri-pod mounted portable folding system that you set-up yourself at each campsite. Satellite internet is also useful for extreme rural situations where high-speed internet is not available via a phone or cable television system.

All-in-all, the internet is an invaluable tool when traveling. You can check the weather at your next destination or pay bills on-line so you don't have to rush back home. Chat on-line with the grandkids or send them photos from your bungee jumping excursion. Keep a website of your adventures! Simply stated: having the internet allows you to be using your RV - not looking at it parked in the driveway.