Internet access at sea
 

I am an experienced IT professional, 22 years in the business, but I'm at a
loss when it comes to "marine" access to the Internet.

The only option I've got so far is some type of Inmarsat that will give me
a lousy connection, good for text-only e-mail, and I can't seem to get a
better option, probably because I'm not talking to the right people.
I saw the VOR racers 2 years ago send mpeg videos and digital stills while
sailing in places as remote as the southern ocean.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as getting on-line while at sea, and
still be able to "surf the web", send/receive still pictures ?

Arnold

Internet access at sea
 

The technology is there if you have the pocketbook to back it up.
http://outfittersatellite.com/satellitemain.htm




On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 02:13:25 GMT, "Arnold Pieper"
wrote:

I am an experienced IT professional, 22 years in the business, but I'm at a
loss when it comes to "marine" access to the Internet.

The only option I've got so far is some type of Inmarsat that will give me
a lousy connection, good for text-only e-mail, and I can't seem to get a
better option, probably because I'm not talking to the right people.
I saw the VOR racers 2 years ago send mpeg videos and digital stills while
sailing in places as remote as the southern ocean.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as getting on-line while at sea, and
still be able to "surf the web", send/receive still pictures ?

Arnold

How about Ham options?
 

Isn't it possible to do this via SSB radio?
Padeen

Internet access at sea
 

One of the best recourses on this topic is Dan Piltch at
http://www.MarineComputer.com/
In a word: there are really good solutions for this need.
Dan


"Surfman" wrote in message
...
The technology is there if you have the pocketbook to back it up.
http://outfittersatellite.com/satellitemain.htm




On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 02:13:25 GMT, "Arnold Pieper"
wrote:

I am an experienced IT professional, 22 years in the business, but I'm at
a
loss when it comes to "marine" access to the Internet.

The only option I've got so far is some type of Inmarsat that will give
me
a lousy connection, good for text-only e-mail, and I can't seem to get a
better option, probably because I'm not talking to the right people.
I saw the VOR racers 2 years ago send mpeg videos and digital stills
while
sailing in places as remote as the southern ocean.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as getting on-line while at sea,
and
still be able to "surf the web", send/receive still pictures ?

Arnold

How about Ham options?
 

"padeen" wrote in message
...
Isn't it possible to do this via SSB radio?
Padeen

Radio waves are a possible data transfer medium. Unfortunately, the kind of
hardware to stabilize the waveform enough for proper clarity will cost you
about as much as satellite internet, if not even more.

Satellite connection is generally the most effective system, while the
satellites are in range.
Unfortunately, it can also cost a bit of green.

How about Ham options?
 

"Chris" wrote in message
om...

Also, thought I'd mention this. Almost any static medium you're going to
use to trasfer your data, no matter how secure, is pretty much at the mercy
of good ol' mother nature, even moreso than land-side cable or telephone
line transmissions.

Satellite internet is stable while the satellites are in range, as I've
already mentioned, but interrupt that line-of-sight, and your connection is
going bye bye.

Atmospheric disturbances (like thunderstorms), smoke, fog, heavy rain, just
about anything in the proper concentration can interfere with the signal.
It's simple physics.

Getting enough clarity for basic text emails should be plenty of novelty.
Besides, the local internet kiosk is always just a runabout's ride away,
right?

How about Ham options?
 

padeen wrote:

Isn't it possible to do this via SSB radio?

Yes, but it is slower and since it is run by hams a license is needed
and business comm's are illegal. Any good Ham HF or marine SSB works and
software can be downloaded from http://www.airmail2000.com/. The
better modems cost about $1000. 73, K3DWW

Internet access at sea
 

Arnold Pieper wrote:

I am an experienced IT professional, 22 years in the business, but I'm at a
loss when it comes to "marine" access to the Internet.

The only option I've got so far is some type of Inmarsat that will give me
a lousy connection, good for text-only e-mail, and I can't seem to get a
better option, probably because I'm not talking to the right people.
I saw the VOR racers 2 years ago send mpeg videos and digital stills while
sailing in places as remote as the southern ocean.


They were probably using inmarsat. With it, a pilot channel
allows you to configure a user channel that can handle anything,
up to live video, etc. The channel charges depend on your
requirement for bandwidth.

Any satellite link will depend on this basic mechanism, with auto
configured voice phones possibly serviced on other satellite
links, but all will still charge 'buy the ton' of data.

What are you willing to pay for is the only limitation. You will
need to shop satellite service providers. All satellite links
require expensive satellite tracking dish antennae usually found
under pretty fiberglass domes housing fancy servo driven dish
steering devices.

An alternative is HF radio. SSB (Single SideBand) sets at about
5 -30 Mhz can communicate much more cheaply, but do not provide
the costly type of heavy data capacity you may wish to purchase
for text and pictures web surfing. SSB service is provided by
interested ham radio enthusiasts who offer signal relay services,
often at their own expense. I would expect there to be at least a
few commercial service providers. Someone here may post contact
info. Your local radio ham club is the place to start.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as getting on-line while at sea, and
still be able to "surf the web", send/receive still pictures ?

Arnold

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