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11-08-2018, 09:57 PM
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#1
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Happy Camper
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Jupiter
Posts: 3
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OnStar Device for my RV
I’m looking for a device like on star to install in my RV, Sunseeker 2860 2018. I have a Chevy express 4500 body. We have ATT for our cell service but we get dead spots when we travel. If we ever break down we will have no way to call for help. Any device that works in similar fashion will help.
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11-08-2018, 10:31 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 127
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tobysails
I’m looking for a device like on star to install in my RV, Sunseeker 2860 2018. I have a Chevy express 4500 body. We have ATT for our cell service but we get dead spots when we travel. If we ever break down we will have no way to call for help. Any device that works in similar fashion will help.
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Switch to Verizon or Sprint . Seriously there are several cell phone signal boosters for RVs. Here is a link to one - weboost https://www.weboost.com/boosters/veh...YaArtJEALw_wcB
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11-08-2018, 10:43 PM
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#3
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-09-2018, 12:25 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 270
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OnStar is cellular based so it’s not guaranteed to work in all locations just like a cell phone.
__________________
John Taylor
2019 Newmar Bay Star 3609
2018 Cardinal 3350RLX - sold
2013 Cardinal 3030RLS - sold
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11-09-2018, 12:55 AM
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#5
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Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
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OnStar Service works using cellular or other wireless phone networks in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada, as well as the Global Positioning System ("GPS") satellite network. OnStar services are not available everywhere, particularly in enclosed or remote areas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnStar
__________________
Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
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11-09-2018, 12:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
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AT&T is second only to Verizon in cell coverage. I have gotten coverage in the past year or two where I did not have an AT&T signal before so they are almost equal to Verizon coverage. Neither cover the US 100%. Out west or in mountainous areas both will have dead spots, but both will also have nearly continuous coverage along interstates and major highways.
I don't believe getting an Onstar type system is necessary if you have cell coverage. Weboost makes great RV based cell signal boosters for weak areas... but you still need a signal to boost. Visit their webpage for details and prices...
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807
2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
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11-09-2018, 01:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 316
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If you peruse the wikipedia link above you'll find that:
- "Blondestar" uses CDMA, which is predominatly Verizon with Sprint and US cellular being minor players, especially outside urban areas. So if you happen to be in an area where even Verizon doesn't have coverage On-star is of no help.
- The aftermarket On-star mirrors have been discontinued in 2014, apparently they didn't work well in RVs and some other vehicles with steep windshields. Currently On-star is only available on GM products.
Personally I found the marketing highly questionable, with TV commercials showing a vehicle having an accident in the middle of nowhere and On-star coming to the rescue. And people fell for it, I used to hang out on Death Valley related message boards when traveling there frequently. Some guy came across a broken down vehicle on Hunter Mountain (not a very busy area) and the occupants initially refused help because they already had "pressed the On-star button". Nevermind they didn't get any response....
If you really feel the need to cover all the bases a satellite phone is the solution.
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11-09-2018, 01:42 PM
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#8
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Hand held cell phones have 0.5 to 1 watt of transmit power depending on manufacturer and model. iPhones have a maximum of 600 Milliwatts (0.6 Watts) of transmit power for example.
Car cell phones (like Onstar) have a maximum of 3 watts of transmit power.
The ACTUAL power used varies by the distance to the closest cell phone tower and the quality of the two way signal.
In rural areas, Onstar will connect MANY miles away from where the most powerful hand held cell phone would connect.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-09-2018, 02:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
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Quote:
Car cell phones (like Onstar) have a maximum of 3 watts of transmit power.
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Herk,
can you supply any links to an official site that talks about the 3 watt transmit signal?
I found 3 unofficial sites, but those are not from the factory...
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807
2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
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11-09-2018, 03:00 PM
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#10
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsdata
Herk,
can you supply any links to an official site that talks about the 3 watt transmit signal?
I found 3 unofficial sites, but those are not from the factory...
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https://auto.howstuffworks.com/onstar2.htm
Lou
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-09-2018, 04:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
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Herk,
and that is the only site that I could find that references 3 watts... I only found a couple of others that quote that site... so I am somewhat skeptical since Onstar does NOT toot their own horn over this benefit. I find no other references for the 3 watts output. Yes, the shark fin does make a better antenna then a handheld phone.
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807
2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
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11-09-2018, 04:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Media, PA
Posts: 2,931
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
Hand held cell phones have 0.5 to 1 watt of transmit power depending on manufacturer and model. iPhones have a maximum of 600 Milliwatts (0.6 Watts) of transmit power for example.
Car cell phones (like Onstar) have a maximum of 3 watts of transmit power.
The ACTUAL power used varies by the distance to the closest cell phone tower and the quality of the two way signal.
In rural areas, Onstar will connect MANY miles away from where the most powerful hand held cell phone would connect.
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I don’t know if this is still true but OnStar used to be an analog system. As far as I know all newer cell phones are digital. I was told that analog signals are stronger and can cover a greater distance.
__________________
2017 Dynamax REV 24RB
2018 Ford F-150
Formerly a 2013 Sunseeker 2250 SLEC.
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11-09-2018, 08:45 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Right Half of OR
Posts: 593
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Get a "Spot" device used by off roaders. You can send pre-programed msgs to selected individuals with your GPS location. Not perfect, but better than nothing and cheaper than a sat phone.
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11-09-2018, 08:58 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 9,458
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OnStar can be blocked
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrapper
OnStar Service works using cellular or other wireless phone networks in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada, as well as the Global Positioning System ("GPS") satellite network. OnStar services are not available everywhere, particularly in enclosed or remote areas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnStar
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DW was up at the resort where the Cherokee 38P is parked, a heavily wooded area. She locked her keys in the car (as she is prone to do).
She called OnStar but they could not communicate with the vehicle for an unlock. She had to wait a couple of hours for the person they dispatched with a SlimJim to arrive.
Larry
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11-10-2018, 12:03 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Delco Bobby
I don’t know if this is still true but OnStar used to be an analog system. As far as I know all newer cell phones are digital. I was told that analog signals are stronger and can cover a greater distance.
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Analog phones were phased out around 2008-09. GM moved On-Star service from Verizon to AT&T around 2012. Chrysler/Ram/Jeep are all AT&T with the uConnect service. Don’t know about Ford but their RV rigs are still using roadside pay phones or the tin can & string technology.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
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11-10-2018, 12:26 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Media, PA
Posts: 2,931
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emm-dee
Analog phones were phased out around 2008-09. GM moved On-Star service from Verizon to AT&T around 2012. Chrysler/Ram/Jeep are all AT&T with the uConnect service. Don’t know about Ford but their RV rigs are still using roadside pay phones or the tin can & string technology.
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My 2018 F150 uses my cell phone.
I haven’t had a GM product since 2011 or 2012.
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11-10-2018, 02:29 AM
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#17
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Denver To Yuma In 90 Days
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 3,882
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Ain't nuthin' like a big old 10-4...
A good, old fashioned CB radio!
There is almost always someone out there near your 20!
No matter where you are.
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11-10-2018, 06:17 AM
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#18
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World Wide Wanderer
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sprung Leak, NC
Posts: 1,732
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emm-dee
Analog phones were phased out around 2008-09. GM moved On-Star service from Verizon to AT&T around 2012. Chrysler/Ram/Jeep are all AT&T with the uConnect service. Don’t know about Ford but their RV rigs are still using roadside pay phones or the tin can & string technology.
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Nah... Ford owners are self sufficient and don't need no stinkin' help!
Aaron
__________________
Aaron & Rhonda
wahoonc & Airangel60
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Fusion Hybrid following along
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11-10-2018, 09:12 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Media, PA
Posts: 2,931
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnD10
Ain't nuthin' like a big old 10-4...
A good, old fashioned CB radio!
There is almost always someone out there near your 20!
No matter where you are.
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Good point. When I listened to CB regularly I would occasionally hear someone calling for help. Some police used to monitor the CB channels but I suspect many don’t anymore.
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11-10-2018, 11:29 AM
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#20
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Denver To Yuma In 90 Days
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 3,882
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Delco Bobby
Good point. When I listened to CB regularly I would occasionally hear someone calling for help. Some police used to monitor the CB channels but I suspect many don’t anymore.
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Truckers still use them (CB radios)...
And those small multi-channel walkie-talkies are using the CB channels also.
I have a set of Uniden walkie-talkies and keep them in the truck, but don't use them much as they munch down the batteries fast.
But I keep them handy!
I have a really nice Uniden CB radio that I modified the power cord to a cigarette lighter adapter and a magnetic mount antenna...haven't used it in years!
I've been meaning to install it in my truck.
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