Wait until you hear how you'll be soon using the Internet in your RV!
After lots of interesting reader questions, comments, tips and RV news, we do some visioneering about what's just over the horizon in terms of the Internet and RVing.
Our special guest of Paul Ulreich, the “Uber User” from Verizon Wireless. Paul has been involved in the Internet and cellular technology for two decades and in a wide-ranging conversation, he talks with Mike about RVing and its role in the iOT – the Internet of Things. Besides looking at what is possible now, the two talk about:
- The Connected RV – How RVers will connect to their home in powerful new ways and how, though apps, they can connect to their RV when out and about
5G LTE – faster than 4G and about to be tested for the first time - Cellular to satellite Internet broadcasts – Google is already testing this
- How technology has changed in the last five years
But before talking with Paul, Mike and Jennifer answer reader questions and share information about: How to diagnose and fix a common error problem with RV refrigerators
- How to fix RV window blinds that start to sag
- How Android users can automatically get podcasts like iPhone users do
In Jennifer's Tip of the Week, we learn about ways we can turn those photos we take on the road into postcards and have them printed, with a message, and mailed out, all online
We review bluetooth speakers perfect for RVing and we have an off the beaten path report from Northwestern Michigan, where fall colors are no reaching the spectacular stage
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Show Notes for Episode #56 Oct. 7, 2015 of Roadtreking – The RV Lifestyle Podcast:
First Things First: Getting Ready to Hit the Road Again
Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show by talking about where they are headed for their next trip – the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in northern Michigan. You can read more about it here: http://www.midarkskypark.org/ They also recap their travel year thus far and how the rest of 2015 is shaping up. [spp-timestamp time=”2:58″]
Jennifer's Tip of the Week: How to Make and Send Postcards
Jennifer's Tip of the Week for episode 56 is all about postcards. [spp-timestamp time=”6:25″]
Specifically, how grateful she and Mike are for everyone sending postcards to help their grandson, Jacob, with a school project. It opened their eyes, too, to how hard it is to find postcards these days. They also learned about two online sites to create and send postcards:
- Postino: This is an app that works with your smartphone and creates postcards using your photos. You select the photo and then write a message that will appear on the back. You enter the address where you want it to go and then, for $1.83 a postcard, the service will actually print out a real postcard with your photo and message and put it in the mail. Postino is available for iOS, Android, and Windows.
- Touchnote: This option is Web-based. Select a photo from your files on your computer, add a message and postal address and it will print and mail them for you. The cost is $1.99 a card so for a a dollar or so more than the cost of a stamp, you get to use your own photo and have it printed, stamped and mailed out for you.
Listener Question: How Can I Fix My RV's Window Shades?
A listener named Angelina checks in from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and wants to let everyone know about the great Eclipse Sun Shades she keeps seeing RVers using. Here's a link to the company's website: http://www.eclipsesunshades.net/
She also is looking for suggestions for RV shades that are sagging. Mike offers some suggestions, including a Pleated Shade First Aid Kit on Amazon for $15 (http://amzn.to/1QWH8KK) It lets you bring any pleated shade back to life with its restringing kit. Here’s a website that has other suggestions http://www.venetianblindparts.com/faqs.htm#Creeping_or_Sagging [spp-timestamp time=”10:25″]
Listener Question: How Do I Listen to Podcasts on an Android Device?
A reader asks how to listen to podcasts on an Android since she can’t access iTunes. Mike suggests getting the app Pocket Casts (http://www.shiftyjelly.com/pocketcasts) that works on all platforms, including iOS and Android. [spp-timestamp time=”15:32″]
Listener Tip: Dealing with an Error Message on Your Refrigerator
Roadtrekker Bob sends in a maintenance tip about what to do about an error message on his refrigerator – the “No FL” message. He shares an easy tip to prevent it. Here’s a video that also helps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpnG50EpQb0 [spp-timestamp time=”17:48″]
Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Missouri and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas.
Bringing you the largest inventory of Class B’s from three locations – all three have a great fly and drive program. That means they'll pick you up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. Dan the Van Man offers up the late specials for us.
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RV News of the Week: S.C. Flood Update, Bear Spray Saves Man, RV Recalls
Impact of Flooding in South Carolina: Devastating floods in South Carolina continue to impact the area, including more than 500 roads closed as of today. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time=”23:13″]
Bear Spray Saves Man's Life: At Glacier National Park, a 65-year-old Wisconsin man was able to fend off a grizzly bear using a can of bear spray. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time=”25:53″]
Keystone RV, Forest River Recalls: The National Highway Transportation Safety Association has compiled a list of recent recalls for RVs made by Keystone RV and Forest River. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time=”29:43″]
This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde, the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV.
The Alde hydronic system brings many features and benefits not found with any other product.
- Silent Radiant Heat – providing a warm even natural heated interior. Great for pets. (And Humans)
- Increased Interior Space by combining two systems in one.
- Efficiency. The whole system draws less than 1 amp on 12V DC and will extend the life of your propane roughly 40 percent over forced air.
- Heating on Electric or Gas.
- Multiple Options and Amenities: Towel Warmers, Floor Heat, Tank Heating, 4 Season Camping, Engine Heat, Driver Comfort,
- Modern Programable Color Touch Screen Thermostat and Interface
- Minimal Side-Wall Penetration. Small combined intake and exhaust eliminate big cut outs and sidewall congestion.
Thingamajig of the Week: Bluetooth Speakers
Paul Ulreich, Verizon's Uber User, joins the show to talk about Bluetooth speakers. [spp-timestamp time=”33:23″]
Here are the three Paul reviews:
- Ultimate Ears UE ROLL Wireless Speaker: http://www.verizonwireless.com/accessories/ultimate-ears-roll/
- JBL Charge: http://www.verizonwireless.com/accessories/jbl-charge/
- Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: http://www.verizonwireless.com/accessories/bose-soundlink-bluetooth-speaker-iii/
This part of the podcast is brought to you by Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Verizon’s HopeLine program is shining a national spotlight on the issue.
Throughout the month of October, Verizon will offer an exclusive line of purple HopeLine accessories, where each purchase will activate a $1 donation to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, up to $100,000. Featured accessories include phone cases, a headset, tablet case and more.
Verizon also continues its mission to collect 1 million donated phones by the end of 2015 to support domestic violence organizations. You can donate used wireless phones, chargers and accessories, from any carrier, at a Verizon store or through the HopeLine website and HopeLine will turn them into resources for victims and survivors nationwide.
Support the cause, and go purple! Visit this site for purple Verizon accessories: http://vz.to/1LmAu2o
RV Calendar: RV Shows in Colorado, Florida, California
Upcoming events from the Roadtreking RV Calendar: [spp-timestamp time=”38:30″]
- St. Johns Fall RV Show, Elkton, Florida, Oct. 8-11 (Read more)
- 63rd Annual California RV Show, Pomona, California, Oct. 9-18 (Read more)
- The Great American RV Show, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Oct. 9-11 (Read more)
Off the Beaten Path: Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula
This week we have a great report from Tom and Patti Burkett about the northwest region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and its Leelanau Peninsula. [spp-timestamp time=”41:02″]
Here are links to the places they mention:
- Kilcherman's Christmas Cove Farm: http://www.christmascovefarm.com/index.html
- Tandem Ciders: http://www.tandemciders.com/welcome-to-tandem-ciders.html
- Leland's Fishtown: http://www.lelandmi.com/fishtown/
- The Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/maritimemusem.htm
Interview: Paul Ulreich, Verizon's “Uber User”
In this week's Roadtreking interview segment, Mike brings back Paul Ulreich, Verizon's Uber User, to talk about the connected RV and its expected role in the Internet of Things. [spp-timestamp time=”47:07″]
Please Subscribe and Give Us a Rating and Review!
Many listeners are asking how they can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave me your review.
Here’s how:
First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top
> From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast.
> Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page
> From there (see photo above), you can…
1) Subscribe
2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much.
3) Leave a written review.
Thanks to all for the kind reviews we’ve received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review!
And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.
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