Wireless network in vehicle

http://www.iamatechie.com/simplest-wifi-car/

I was wondering if anyone has set up wireless internet in their vehicle. Sometimes on long trips my wife would like to access the internet for work/etc and my daughter would like to surf the net if she gets bored watching DVDs (this is a little tongue in cheek, here - I mean a kid getting bored watching DVDs in a vehicle or a wife having to work while on vacation?).

I was just curious if anyone has set up a wireless network in their vehicle. What ISP do you use? How did you set up your router?

 

The guide you linked to is nothing special. One laptop is connecting to the internet via a broadband anywhere (WWAN) card. You want to check out what is available in your area for which "ISP" to use. Around me, Verizon has the best coverage so that would be my choice.

Then, once that first computer is connected to the internet, you go into network adapter properties, and on your standard (802.11x) wireless adapter, you check off the "share internet through this network connection" box. Then you simply connect the other laptops to that laptop via ad-hoc connection - no router involved at all.

I am currently unsure of the process/availability of this for OSX, however if you used a Windows laptop to host (meaning the Windows laptop has the WWAN card) then you would have no problems connecting your MBP to it.

 

Alternatively, you could use the Software 'Joikuspot Light' which uses a cell phone as an access point and router. And while you're driving, the possibility to have somebody else joining your network is very low...*g*
This way you could avoid buying a modem.

But: Did you really try to use your cell phone in the car (on longer trips) for internet? Even when you're only using it for calls, the connection is pretty unstable, but internet is really not funny. It's near to impossible to get a stable, performant connection to work with.
When you're on a longer trip, driving faster, it should be even more difficult.

My experiences setting up such things would be less useful for you - I'm using Linux and O2/Telefonica (not available in US?!).

 

If you don't have a data plan using a cell phone as a modem can become very expensive very quickly - talking hundreds of dollars in just a couple minutes as you usually have to pay per kb if you don't have a data plan.

 

Have a look at the MiFi - Ultra Portable WiFi hotspot.

The question remains, who's the 3G ISP in your area or travel route?

For the past 3,5 years I've roamed GPRS/EDGE connections using prepaid flat-fee based simcards. Got me connected in the weirdest places in Asia and the Middle-East. Although GPRS/EDGE is not the fastest connection it got me the info i needed - such as Google Earth views.

Cheers,