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Pan Pacific RV Centers, Inc. Since 1948
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French Camp Roseville Sacramento
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RVs & Technology
Here are some thoughts on RVs and technology. Many more people are taking to the road full time or at least for extended periods of time, and they don't want to leave the conveniences of home behind! I have listed what I consider area where technology and RVs cross paths. Some is old news others are changing almost daily. If you have anything to add, or a specific technical question, feel free to send an email to paul@panpacificrv.com



Alarm systems
Includes keyless entry systems 		Keyless entry systems can be a convenience item on any motor home or trailer. You can get systems with as many as 6 channels to control 6 different devices on your RV. A few of the common uses are to turn the porch light and interior light on as you approach the RV in the dark. This can be very useful if you are dry camping since leaving a light on will drain your battery. You can use a channel to control the radio so you can turn it off from outside, or from in bed at night. You can get extra remotes and mount them in your RV to create a 3 way switch. Then you can turn a light on at the front door, and off from your bed for example. You can make the lights stay on, or have them go off after a predetermined number of seconds. Much like the dome light in newer cars. Options are available to control your deadbolt on the coach door so you can actually lock and unlock the rig with the remote. You can add a 'Tap-It' option to many systems to allow you to unlock your rig by tapping a code on a pre-determined window. A small microphone is mounted on the inside of the window and it decodes the tapping sounds. Perfect for the beach where you want to lock everything inside and not have to worry about losing your keys.

If you add alarm functions, you can lock yourself in so the alarm sounds if anyone opens your door. Prices and options vary. You will need to find an installer with an imagination, or an RV dealer that can do the installation for you. Most car stereo stores will have no idea how to start. Send an email and I can help you if you need it. We have a company we work with that understands RV's.

If you have a creative or unique installation of a remote system, I would like to hear about it. Send email to paul@panpacificrv.com.
Audio
Audio options. CD, AM, FM, Weather, etc 		Panasonic makes a great multi function unit that is close to perfect for motor homes. It is the model CQ-VA707W. It is a multi-function, fully integrated five-in-one Video Information Control System®. It's everything you ever wanted in a vehicle, and then some. Features a navigation system, AM/FM radio, CD changer, color backup camera, and a monitor. It's easy to view from all seating positions, too. Connect you satellite receiver and VCR and you have all the bases covered! It even has a video out port so you can connect a remote monitor. The remote monitor could be a larger screen for viewing while parked, or a screen in the back of the rig for bed time viewing. If you add a wireless video transmitter, you can watch all your video sources outside under the awning! Connect the audio out ports to your surround sound stereo and rock on. The model number CQ-VA707W is for the AM/FM/CD player. You have to look harder to find the all in one unit. I found one at www.mitocorp.com.
Calling cards
Some information on pre-paid calling cards 		Pre-paid calling cards can be a very inexpensive way to manage your long distance. Be careful though. Some cards charge a high per call connect fee that can eat up all the money on your card. Some expire if you don't use them, and other deduct a fixed number of minutes per month for maintenance. I like a card that allows me to recharge it by calling a toll free number with my credit card. That way I can only put the number of minutes I want on it, and it prevents me from throwing away cards with only a few minutes left on.

Use toll free numbers. If you are mostly calling your kids at home, have them get a toll free number. They are free of monthly charges from most phone companies and you can get rates around 5 cents per minute. You will pay a .25 surcharge for making a call from a payphone, but it is far and away the most cost effective way to stay in touch by phone.
Cellular Service
The best options for cellular service for RV'ers 		AT&T has the best nationwide coverage in my opinion. Especially in the more rural areas that RV'ers tend to go. Don't get a service just because it includes a free phone, and don't always take the free phone just because it's free. Think about how you will use it. I like the smallest phone I can get that has a decent battery life. I have found the Nokia 8260 to be that phone for now. It fits nicely in my pocket with no antenna stub to get caught as I try to extract it. The battery used to go for 5 days on standby when it was new, it is down to 3 days now. My phone is turned on 24x7, so you could extend that quite a bit by turning it on and off when you need it. It comes with a 110 volt charger and an earbud hands free unit.

AT&T National one rate plans include nationwide anytime minutes and night and weekend minutes. The lowest you can get is 300 minutes for $34,99 and the most is 2,200 minutes for $149.99. All plans include 3,000 night and weekend minutes. The nationwide minutes are only good on the AT&T network. It has wide coverage, but pay attention to the LCD display on your phone. If it does not say AT&T, you will be charged the roaming fee. At .69 per minute, it's not bad, but it would be a shock if you talked for 20 minutes thinking it was part of your bucket of minutes. At 149.99 for 2,200 anytime minutes and 3,000 night and weekend minutes, the top plan could be used for internet access with some planning and monitoring. 5,200 minutes is 86 hours. That allows you an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes of combined talking and online time per day. If you are spending much more time than that online or on the phone, you are not getting the most out of the RV lifestyle. You should be out hiking and visiting and sightseeing!

If you are outside the AT&T coverage area most of the time, they have a plan with no roaming fees anywhere, They range from $59.99 for 450 minutes to $199.99 for 2,000 minutes. There is no night and weekend plan available.

Prepaid - If all you want a phone for is emergencies, prepaid may be the way to go. The downside t prepaid is that you can only use it up to the amount of minutes that you have on the card. If you need to use the phone for 30 minutes and you have 20 left on the card, you are out of luck until you add more. Another downside is the minutes expire after 45 days unless you add more. So the cheapest a prepaid phone with minutes always available is 10.00 every 45 days or about $81.00 a year. If you only want minutes on it while you are on trips, you could get by with less. And you can always use any cellular phone to call 911 even if it is not activated. (See free option below)

Low cost option - AAA has a cell phone that can call 911 and up to 3 pre-programmed numbers. The monthly fee is $9.99 and you pay for each minute that you use it, but it is better than the free option and not as restricted as the prepaid option. I also found a 911 cell phone at www.mitocorp.com. It has only one button and it runs on 4 AAA alkaline batteries. Change the batteries once a year, or keep a spare set in the vehicle and you have emergency coverage.

Free option - Many people upgrade their cellular phones every couple of years. If you ask around, you will most likely find someone who has a portable phone that they would be willing to either give you or sell you very cheap. It will not be the latest technology, and it may have a dead battery, but with a car cord, you can use it. All cellular phone must by law be able to call 911 even if they are not activated. That means you can keep any cell phone in you glove box and use it to make an emergency call. No one will be able to call you, and you will only be able to call 911, but you will not have a monthly bill either.

Cellsocket - Lets you put your cellular phone in a cradle that connects it to a power source and an external antenna. You can then plug it into your RV phone wiring and use conventional cordless or wired phones. This is a lifesaver when you are camping in areas with marginal cell service. You no longer have to stand on a picnic table on one foot to get or make a phone call. Visit www.cellsocket.com for a list of compatible phones and pricing.
Note added 7/8/02: I bought a Cellsocket a few weeks ago. It works great at home. Our cellular plan allow unlimited cell to cell calling, and with the Cellsocket, it is easier to call to the house. I also used it in the motor home for the first time last week. We were in a campground that had very poor service. Most of the phones people brought didn't work at all, a couple worked poorly. I connected my Cellsocket, found the best place for the external antenna, then used my cordless phone all week. It worked beautifully. I made and received many calls. Another benefit I realized was the expensive cell phone was safely tucked away in the motor home. All that was outside on the picnic table was an old used cordless phone that could be replaced for $20.00!

Voxlink - Same concept as Cellsocket. It supports a few more phones, but costs a bit more. It also does not support an external antenna as far as I know. Cell socket is the better choice for your RV
Computers in RV's
Bringing your computer with you? 		Get a laptop! Laptops are so inexpensive these days that it is not worth trying to figure out how to make your desktop computer work in your RV. Get a laptop and a car cord and have fun. If you are getting a new one, I suggest looking for one with built in modem & Ethernet. If you can, get built in 802.11b and bluetooth wireless. You may not need the wireless now, but there is a high probability that you will in the future. If you get a DVD player, it can double as the DVD player for your TV. It can also play your favorite music without the need to carry a lot of CD's.
Cordless phones
Cordless phones and acessories. 		EnGenius cordless phone. This phone is capable of ranges up to 8 miles under ideal conditions and using the best antenna available for both the base station and the handsets. With the standard base and handset, you should be able to cover most campgrounds. It is not cheap. $359.00 for the base station and one handset, and $159.00 for each additional handset. the part I like about this setup for RV'ers is that the handsets can talk to each other like walkie talkies even if you aren't connected to a base station or a phone line. that means you can find each other when you are in a campsite, or when one of you is hiking or fishing. If you use it in conjunction with the Cellsocket below, you can answer your RV phone as well! The phone is digital so your calls are reasonably well protected from eavesdropping. www.telephonemagic.com/engenius_faq.htm has a good description of the phone.

Harvest HT-5 - This phone claims a range of up to 30 miles with boosters and antennas. That seems a little optimistic to me, but I thought I would report it. I doubt this phone is FCC approved.

Alcon - How does a 60 mile range grab you. That is what the Alcon claims. Even if it is overstated by a factor of 2, it still has good range. If you hike or boat any distance from your rig, and want to stay in touch, this could be for you. At $1,295.00 you are paying for the privilege. I doubt this phone is FCC approved.

Visit www.cordlessmart.com for information about these cordless units.

Cellsocket - Lets you put your cellular phone in a cradle that connects it to a power source and an external antenna. You can then plug it into your RV phone wiring and use conventional cordless or wired phones. This is a lifesaver when you are camping in areas with marginal cell service. You no longer have to stand on a picnic table on one foot to get or make a phone call. Plus you can both use the same cell phone more easily, and both talk on the same call at the same time. Visit www.cellsocket.com for a list of compatible phones and pricing. Look a the Cell phone section for more information on this little jewel.

Voxlink - Same concept as Cellsocket. It supports a few more phones, but costs a bit more. It also does not support an external antenna as far as I know. Cellsocket looks like the better choice for your RV.
E-mail only
If all you need is mobile email 		There are several devices on the market that are designed for short text email messages only. They range in price from $69.95 to $350.00. Monthly service fees range from $6.99 to a lot more than that. There are 2 categories of email devices. Wired and wireless.

Wired. these are the least expensive to use. Mymailstation by Cidco seems to be the best all around unit. You do need an RJ11 phone connection to send and receive email. You can read and compose emails anywhere any time. That means you can type emails as you think of them, or get time. they will be stored in the MailStation until it connects to the mail server then it will send all the emails you have typed, and it will pick up any that are waiting for you. You can call an 800 number to get your mail. Most truck stops have phones capable of making local and 800 calls at no charge. Many campgrounds will let you connect to their office phone for a couple minutes, especially if you do it when things are slow.

Another wired option is PocketMail. This is similar to the mailstaion except it can easily be used with payphones. You hold the handset up to the back of the unit and dial the 800 number. It uses what is called an acoustic connection to send and receive email. It is slow, but reliable. www.pocketmail.com

For wireless options, you have AOLanywhere (www.aolanywhere.com), Weblinkwireless (www.weblinkwireless.com), Research in Motion (www.rim.net), Skytel (www.skytel.com) and a variety of PDA devices. These are all small devices with tiny keyboards. You pay a subscription fee of anywhere from $29.95 to over $100.00. you are limited to the number of messages sent and received, and service is spotty in rural areas. These are not the best option for RV'ers, but I thought they were worth a mention. I would keep an eye on the rates. As the rates come down, and coverage improves, they could easily be a good option in the future. Two way text messaging is just now becoming available on your cell phone. It is not a bad way for someone to get a short message to you, but it is a real pain to try to type a message using a telephone keypad.
Engine Monitors
Systems to monitor engine performance and statistics 		These systems connect to your engine and provide information while you are driving. Some are simple and can be installed yourself. Others really need professional installation, but can provide a wealth of information. Engine speed, head temp, exhaust temp, avg. MPG, current MPG, time to destination, gallons to empty, miles to empty, time to empty, time/gallons/miles to destination.

Silver Leaf Electronics - www.simply-smarter.com
GPS/Navigation
Let technology show you where to go! 		GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a series of satellites launched by the US government that each stays in the exact same spot all the time. They all have atomic clock on board that keep very accurate time. The receiver can tell how far it is from each one by the amount of time it takes for the signal to get from the satellite to the receiver. If it can see 3 satellites, it can triangulate and tell where on the planet it is located. Accurate GPS receivers can pinpoint your location within inches. For our purposes, several yards is close enough.

GPS comes in several flavors. Handheld, stand alone, PC. Each has drawbacks and advantages. If you have a laptop and only use it in the vehicle, the PC version might be right for you. If you hike or boat, the handheld might be the best choice. Below is a list of companies that sell GPS hardware and software

If you are going to use it while driving, you need one that gives voice prompts.

Garmin - www.garmin.com - handheld, dash mounted
Hot Spots
Public places you can take your 802.11B device and get online. Some are free, some charge. 		Airpath Wireless is now selling "HotSpot in a Box" for businesses that want to provide hotspots for their customers.

I will list all locations that have wireless internet access available to the public as I find them. If you run across anywhere, please let me know at paul@pprv.com. It would be great if some RV parks started getting on the bandwagon by installing an 802.11 wireless access point. Currently we are seeing coffee shops, downtown areas, and airports. The technology is new and should continue to gain momentum. Since RV'ers are not likely to go to an airport or into a hotel to get RV access, we will mostly list coffee shops, restaurants, and public places. As the list of hotspots gets larger, I will start to eliminate places in highly congested areas. Again, not what RV'ers are likely to use.

If you want wireless access in your favorite RV park, you need to speak up and tell them how much you are willing to pay for it.

For a complete list, visit www.wifinder.com or boingo.com.
Internet Access
The fast moving mobile internet access industry 		02/15/03
A new service just came to my attention. http://www.groundcontrol.com offers fixed mobile internet access. 99.00 per month.

AOL is a good choice as an ISP if you are on the road a lot. they have more local phone numbers than any other ISP, the email system is the easiest to use, and their phone support is the best. On the downside, the connections tend to be a little slower than a pure ISP, and AOL users seem to get more junk email than others. The junk email is more of a nuisance than a problem. I rarely spend more than 30 seconds deleting the 40 or 50 junk emails I get each time I log on to AOL and that is only a couple times a week.

The next best choice is Earthlink in my opinion. They have good support and a lot of local numbers.

To connect to your ISP, you need a phone line.

Wireless modem - You can purchase a wireless modem to plug into many of the Nokia and Motorola phones. Speed is limited to 14.4k in most cases, and you pay per connected minute. Unless you have a lot of money to throw around, this option is really only good for getting email in batch mode. You can buy fairly large buckets of minutes from companies like AT&T. See our page on cellular phones for more information. Ositech makes a cellular modem card. www.ositech.com

For always on Internet access, you are very limited. You do not need an additional ISP for any of these services.

Datastorm - www.motosat.com. The system will cost $5,500.00 for the equipment installed and $89.00 a month for unlimited service. FCC approval is pending as of 5/1/2002. You will have to drive to SLC Utah for installation.

KVH - www.kvh.com. Currently available. About $8,000.00 for the hardware installed, and $1.19 per internet minute for usage. I assume an internet minute is time you actually spend downloading or uploading as opposed to time online. I am not too excited about this system because of the per minute charges, but if you need something now, it will work.

Other 802.11B - Once you have internet access in your RV, you can use 802.11B to connect your laptop or Palm device. That allows you to roam about the RV, or go sit under the awning and still have full internet access. Some systems have 802.11B built in. If you have not yet purchased a laptop or Palm device, consider getting 802.11B as a factory option.

3G - The cellular companies are all scrambling to deploy 3G high speed data access. So far none has announced pricing. You will be able to get internet access at speeds up to 384k depending on conditions. Coverage will mirror cellular coverage eventually with populated areas and main travel routes getting coverage before more rural areas. It may or may not have voice on the same account, and you may have to buy a new phone to access the new service

Stop by our links page. I put any interesting links there.
Inverter
Information on inverters from small to large 		You can use inverters to power small 100 volt (household) appliances from your RV battery. The bad news is it can drain your battery pretty quickly. I suggest no more than 300 watts of inverter unless you are prepared to add more batteries. Be sure the rating on the inverter matches the rating on the appliance. Do not try to use an inverter for a heating appliance like a coffee maker or toaster, They are designed for electronic devices like TV's, VCR, small computers, etc.
Pagers
Old reliable. Includes text pagers and digital pagers 		Nationwide numeric pagers are pretty cheap these days. you should be able to buy a pager for around $75.00 and get service for less than $10.00 per month.

Text pagers are around $100.00 and the service is about $20.00 a month. With cell phones able to recieve text messages, text pagers are losing popularity fast.

You can get voicemail with both types of pagers. The upside to pagers is you do not run the risk of a large phone bill. If you use them in conjunction with prepaid calling cards, your liability is limited to the amount on the prepaid card.
Satellite
Satellite TV systems. Manual, automatic, and in motion 		Full manual - That means you deploy the dish yourself. It may be on a tripod, or bolted to a piece of plywood. The advantages are cost, (it's the cheapest way to go) and flexibility (you can move the satellite to get a clear view of the southern sky) Any dish will work. You will need a compass and a book to tell you where the satellite is from your present location. After you have done it a few times, you will find it is pretty easy to find the bird. I would carry an extra 50 or 100 feet of cable in case you have to put the dish a ways from the rig. Make sure you secure the cable so on one trips over it and hurts themselves, or worse interrupts your TV viewing!

Automatic - Automatic systems will find and lock onto the satellite after you park your rig somewhere. As long as you have a clear view of the southern sky, it can find a signal. King-Dome - www.kingcontrols.com

In motion systems track the satellite while you are driving and stay locked onto the signal. They actually work fairly well. King-Dome - www.kingcontrols.com KVH TracStar - www.tracstar.net

All three type of systems can use any of the services. You can bring your receiver form home, or buy a spare for your RV. If you get a receiver for your RV, your service provider will charge you an extra monthly fee. Usually it is $5.00. You will have to connect to a phone line occasionally if you are going to buy pay per view movies. Otherwise they will stop letting you get them until you do.. Stop by our parts department and take a look. We have several systems set up on display so you can see what will work best for you. We can often install the dish while you wait,
Solar
Keep your batteries charged 		You can get small self contained solar panels that go on the dashboard and plug into the cigarette lighter, or you can get an elaborate system that mounts on the roof and keeps a bank of batteries topped off. Your choice should depend on your needs. If you only use your rig a few times a year, and park it in a storage lot, the small unit is great. You will not have dead batteries when you go to get your RV next time. If you spend a lot of time dry camping, the larger systems and extra batteries make it possible for you to go days without running the generator. (Unless you want to run the air conditioner.) They will provide plenty of power to watch a couple hours of TV and listen to the radio. There are many web sites that cover this topic. Pan Pacific sells a wide range of solar charging equipment. Stop by our parts department in French camp and take a look.
Video
Video options. Flat panel monitors, DVD players, Satellite TV 		RCA makes several under cabinet AM/FM/CD/DVD player and TV with a 5.6" screen. This is a great unit for smaller motor homes or trailers. It doesn't take up much space and has all your entertainment needs in one unit. With dimensions of 3.5 high, 11 5/8 wide, and 3.5 deep, you are going to be hard pressed to find something that takes up less room. An added advantage is it plays MP3 files. For those of you that are not computer people, that means you can put over 8 hours of near CD quality music on one CD. you will have to have access to a CD burner to do it, but what a great innovation. you just put the music you like on it. What could be better than 8 hours of your favorite music with no interruptions or commercials. I have a CD for country, one for classical, and one for other music. That's it. It has a video in port for any external device like a satellite dish, backup camera, or camcorder. I have seen them online for as low as $349.00. Not bad for all you get. It weighs only 8 1/2 lbs. and some even have a clock built in and come with a remote control.

You can buy flat panel TV's that are also a monitor for your computer. A great way to get a large monitor in your RV without giving up any valuable space. Combined with a wireless keyboard and mouse, with the laptop tucked away somewhere nearby, and you are really in business!
Wish List
My wish list. If anyone knows of these items, let me know! 		These are random thoughts about technology I would like to see developed. All these ideas are very doable although I can't say how marketable, or how much people would be willing to pay for them. If anyone wants to add suggestions, or discuss any ideas in more detail, feel free to send me an email at paul@panpacificrv.com An RV stereo with a built in clock radio and an RF remote control. I like to listen to the radio as I go to sleep. A timed shut off would be a great addition to the stereo system. The RF remote would be terrific to use when you are listening on the outside speakers or in bed and you want to adjust the volume, or change stations. A car radio with an "ignore" button. When I am travelling, I like to scan for radio stations. I would like to be able to press a button and have the scanning system ignore certain stations. It should cancel all the ignores every time the car is turned off, or after a set amount of time. An hour should be fine. You get new stations about every hour while driving 60. If I am scanning for stations, I personally am not interested in any foreign language station ( I only understand English), any farm news, rock and roll, rap, or religious stations. If I could skip those each trip around the dial, I would be a happier listener. Why doesn't someone convert one of the real quiet fuel efficient generators like the Honda 650 so it has electric start and runs off an external fuel tank. I often want to sit around the RV at night watching TV or using my computer. I also like to have my awning lights on. I either have to have a bunch of 12 volt batteries and an inverter, or I have to run my big generator. I don't like either option! So I get my small generator out, fill it with gas, and start it up. It would be so much nicer to be able to install it in a compartment. you could wire it to only one or two outlets in the rig to prevent someone from accidentally trying to start the air or microwave. If installed properly, I doubt you could hear one of those generators running from more than 10 ft away.


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01/05/2009