"John" wrote in
:

lets back up a minute. first how much are you willing to spend? what
size vessel is it going on? what is the space available? what is the
usage, i.e. email, internet surfing, both or more? these questions
will determine and weed out unneeded answers. for instance if your
dollars are tight and the vessel is small $500 (approx) can get a
product that works well about 1 mile from the dock. now if money is no
option and its a large vessel i can tell you about a high-speed
internet system that will support VoIP, Video-Conferencing, and
internet surfing at the same time while offshore. John
ShipBoard Networks
9548010951

"Wet-n-Wild Bill" wrote in message
...
FYI

I use the new 3G HSDPA wireless from Sierra wireless Aircard 860 with
my laptop over the Cingular GSM network for unlimited data at
60$/momth.

What i like about it: 1- My laptop can surf the net off the boat at
home or on the road. I'm not stuck with a cost for the boat only. i
can take this system with me when I travel by airplane too 2- I can
downlod NOAA weather info and charts, 3- unlinited email access.
4-speed is like broadband when in metroplian areas like Seattle.
5-Flat rate for use when linked to Cingular GSM 6- i can listern to
web radio.

Dislikes: When crossing into Canada the rate is .01cents per kilobyte
(ok for email and weather by cost alot when getting NOAA Charts) 2 -
Cannot use when line of sight to land is lost when in the Pacific (OK
in puget sound)

I have had the NEW 3G system for 4 months befor i use Sprint PCS Data
Card for the last 3 years, Sprint does not use GSM so i could not
use the system in Canada or overseas. And sprint cost was $99/Month.

Bill
"Bill Kearney" wrote in message
...
Many wireless PCMCIA cards have a (very small!) jack for an
external antenna. There is really no practical and effective way
to add an antenna to an internal wireless card

Entirely not true. Most internal cards have a connector that wires
them up
to an internal antenna. It's a matter of splicing in a new
connector to allow using an external cable. If you're handy with a
soldering iron and wiring then it's really not that difficult.

It may, however, be better to use a card that already supports one.

OR use a wireless bridge that lets you repeat the detected signal to
one your built-in card can use.

- you are going to have to spring
for a new card. Of course you will be looking for one with an
antenna jack, but also pay attention to the emitted power from the
card. These apparently come either as 20 milliwatts or 300
milliwatts. More is better if your problem is getting the base
station to hear your signal.

When you buy an external antenna, get one which is either two or 3
stacked verticals (two or three straight sections of wire,
separated by coiled sections). Then insert this antenna at the
focal point of a parabolic reflector:
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

This combination will get you gain into the 20db range.

Which may be entirely illegal according to the FCC limits. While
this may
not bother some folks be aware that the regs don't allow you to just
tack on
different antennas without the *whole setup* having been approved
for it.

That and using a parabolic antenna on a boat that's moving might be
a bit pointless (pun intended!).






The boat is 45 ft. and the budget is $4,000. to $5,000. for email and
surfing.