Well, it all really comes down to a difference in style and what you like to do. So what would drive you one way or the other? That depends on a lot of factors. Here's just a few reasons why some people think private campgrounds are better than state parks:

1. They provide full hookups, cable TV, Internet access, etc.
2. They are cleaner
3. They are easier to find
4. For long-term visits, they provide more activities and people interaction

OK, so let's take a look at these one by one and compare them to the state parks.

Full hookups, cable TV, Internet access

Yes, it's generally true that a larger percentage of private campgrounds have more of the amenities than the public ones. But there are a growing number of public parks that have full hookups (water, sewer, and electricity). I have yet to see a public park with Cable TV and Internet access, but there are other ways around that (see the High-Tech section for other ideas). Plus, if you truly like the outdoors, you can't beat a state park.

Buy a Tote-Along Tank, and you'll have an easy way to keep those tanks empty. Water and Electric hookups are common at most parts, it's sewer that's the most difficult to find. With a portable dump station, you just dump you tanks into that, roll it over to the dump station, and you're good to go!

Cleaner?

Yet another issue that's seldom true. In fact, most state parks are cleaner than the private ones. If you've got a self contained rig, then showers and toilets aren't as big an issue, anyway.

Easier to find

It's true, it's easier to find a private campground than a state park. However, more and more state parks are listing online (check out www.reserveamerica.com). The biggest can actually be locating the place on the map! If you can't find good directions online, call ahead to the ranger station and they'll usually be able happy to give you easy directions.

More activities and people

This is a lifestyle choice... it just depends on what you're interested in. If you want busy activity, then a private campground will almost always win out for a place to winter. If you're after a quiet, beautiful spot, then the state parks are a better choice.

So that's what it really comes down to for both... a lifestye choice. My personal preference is state parks if I can find one close to where we want to go. But I'm just as happy with a nice, clean private campground if that's what is available. The choice is yours, just enjoy and have fun!

Hi-speed Cellular and Satellite Internet

January 8, 2008 - Last week we talked about some of the low-tech ways to stay online while you're traveling, including Dial-up access and WiFi. By far, the best way to stay in touch while your on the road is with your own connection that goes where you do.

Which brings us to Hi-Speed Cellular and Satellite Internet. Both are excellent options, depending on you exact circumstances and budget.

High-Speed Cellular

High-Speed Cellular, also known as WLAN, is an excellent way to get online if you frequent larger cities, or when you're staying on the major highways. Coverage over most of the U.S. is excellent, although some of the Northwest states are sparse. Here's a map that shows the major coverage areas of one service company:

In order to get online for High-Speed Cellular, you're going to need a WLAN card. The Sony Ericsson GC83 PC Air Card is one such card that provides good coverage. If you're going to be on the fringe areas of usage, getting a Wilson Electronics external antenna and booster for it is highly recommended. Check out Trissle Computers for some good options. Depending on your cell phone, you can also get an adapter for it, which extends coverage up to 50 miles!

Satellite Internet

This is my personnal favorite, and what I've been using as my primary Internet connection for the past 3 years to stay online while we've been on the road. With the right equipment, you can get online almost anywhere in North America, except for maybe the fringe areas of Alaska.

Direcway two-way satellite with the MotoSat mobile dish is the way to go. There are two basic versions available, the DataStorm F1 (53" stowed) or the BIG DataStorm F3 (64" stowed). The biggest difference between the two is speed and coverage. Again, I've been using the F1 for almost 3 years now without issue in the U.S.. Canada, however, had limited coverage with the satellite I was using (SatMex 5). There are other satellites available, and the other option is the F3 which has much better however. You can also get a VoIP phone for use with the satellite so that you've got phone access everywhere as well.

So what's the drawbacks of the Satellite? The first is price... F1s are going for about $4K plus $800 for installation at the time of this publication, and F3s are a whopping $14K plus another $1K for installation! Monthly access is more than cellular, too, starting at about $100/month.

The other major drawback is location. If you can't see the satellite, you can't get online. Which means you generally need a site that is clear to the South, just like for DirecTV.

For me personally, it's the next best thing to having a hard-wired DSL or Cable Modem!

Conclusion

That's it for now... Check back next week for the article in the High-Tech Series, or sign up here:

January 1, 2008 - So you've got your brand new RV, or you've had one for a while, and you want to be able to stay in touch on the Internet while you're on the road. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy solution that is only used intermittently, or you are a true RV Road Warrior and need your high speed connection to survive, there are many options available.

First off, get a laptop. Let's face it, weight is always an issue when it comes to safely outfitting your RV or fifth wheel, and having a bulky, heavy computer system and monitor is not what you want. A laptop just makes much more sense. Be sure you get one that has a modem jack, as well as a 802.11b (or g) wireless WiFi interface installed. You can always add the WiFi later if you don't want it now, but an integrate solution is one less thing to worry about.

Next, let's take a look at what you can do to get online, from simpliest (and usually least expensive), to the elaborate and high-tech. Here's some of your choices:

• Dial-up access through the local campground
• Dial-up access through your cell phone
• WiFi access at a local WiFi HotSpot
• High-Speed Cellular WLAN Access
• Satellite Internet Access

Part 1 - Dial-up local, cell phone, and WiFi

Dial-up Access through the local campground

The simpliest way to get online is to use the local campgrounds dialup connection. Most have, at a minimum, a place where you can plug in your laptops modem. If you don't already have a dialup ISP account, there are tons out there. Netzero for only $9.95 per month!is one that offers a number of good options you can use on the road or at home, including a free dialup account, with thousands of local dialup numbers nationwide.

Dial-up access through your Cell Phone

OK, so you've got your cell phone and you can call nationwide, why not use it to connect to the Internet as well? This option is a little trickier, as you will need to get a modem adapter for your cell phone. You'll also want to check and make sure there are no additional charges with using your cell phone as a modem. One plan I had charged $0.34 per minute for using it as a cell phone modem (which, of course, I didn't discover until AFTER I'd used it for a month)!

Again, you'll need a dialup ISP account, just like the first option above. However, instead of using the local campground phone, just plug in your cell phone, an dial the number using your cell phone modem.

WiFi access at a local WiFi HotSpot

This is, in my opinion, one of the best options for high-speed nationwide access. WiFi HotSpots are cropping up all over the nation, with many free locations around. All you need is a WiFi adapter for your laptop, and you can be online and surfing. Here's a couple of good sites for locating free hotspots:

• http://www.wififreespot.com/rv.html
  • Campgrounds that offer free WiFi
• http://www.freeap.com/
  • WiFi across the nation

Just go to the site location, fire up your laptop, and connect to the WiFi and you're good to go!

If you prefer to have more choices for where you can connect, for about $20 a month you can get a WiFi ISP account. It works just like your dialup ISP account, except you only connect with your WiFi.

Many campgrounds are also starting to offer WiFi access, with a large number of them being affiliated with Boingo. What that means is that you can signup for Boingo Wireless, and connect for one monthly rate anywhere in the US, instead of paying the $5 a day that many campgrounds charge!

Part 2 - Hi-speed Cellular and Satellite Internet

Check back next week for part 2 of this series to look at Hi-speed cellular and satellite internet access. Or sign up here to receive the weekly RV Road Warrior report via email, and not miss a single one!