Ashley Marina now provides free 802.11b Wi-Fi access via DSL from two
transmitters to all its permanent residents and transient visitors.
Turn on your Wi-Fi notebook and simply pick Ashley Marina from the
list of things it hears. No passwords, etc., it's free.

If you come up the Ashley River about 6 miles, my SSID at 50 ft up the
tower is 3 and it's open, too, on my system. Help yourselves. It has
a range of about a mile without an external antenna, 2 miles if you
use a Pringle's can Wi-Fi antenna at 25'. Pringle's can antennas are
easy to build from:
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/has.html

and, if you're cruising the Red Sea lazing about on the quarterdeck:
http://www.d128.com/wireless/

Many seaport communities have community networks rising up:
http://www.toaster.net/wireless/community.html

And, if you're lucky enough to be spending Christmas in Auckland, NZ:
http://www.roamad.com/roam_home_demo_nf.html

Here's another great place to cruise:
http://www.bbwexchange.com/





On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 11:58:47 -0400, Vito wrote:

Julian wrote:

"GJ Walsh" wrote in message ...
Has anyone heard of companies offering Broadband for boats?

Do you mean in a marina or while underway? ...

If in a marina check out "wifi". Basically, if anyone buys broadband and
a wireless modem and does not reset the presets so the modem "sees" only
his IP addresses (most do not) then anybody in RF range of his modem
with a wireless card in his PC can access the internet via that person's
node. Legal? AFAIK it's not illegal but it kinda smacks of theft.
Anyway, this has led some broadband ISPs to legitimately offer "wifi"
service to campgrounds, truckstops, etc where it is proving very
popular. When camping I pay a small daily fee ($0-5) and rent a card if
I don't have my own and presto - broadband access! No reason marinas
couldn't do the same if the demand was there.


Larry W4CSC

3600 planes with transponders are burning 8-10 million
gallons of kerosene per hour over the USA. R-12 car air
conditioners are responsible for the ozone hole, right?