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#1
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Internet connectivity
Me again, ask, learn, ask, learn.
This one is about internet connectivity. The marina has wireless connectivity which is great but what are my options underway or at anchor? Are there any options for a substantial connection, something through which I could move larger files? I imagine that if cost is no issue then there is certainly an answer but last time I checked, cost was an issue. If nothing affordable then even something to beam a few e-mails through would be good. Maybe I should be looking more closely at those PDAs ... just replaced my cell phone, wonder if they'll let me return it. Any of you guys connected while away from the docks? If so, tell us what rigs you're using and what's good/bad about them. |
#2
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Internet connectivity
My brother uses his cell phone and an adapter on his laptop to connect
to the 'net when he's away from home. It works well for a few short text messages, though the connect speed of about 14k isn't adequate for a lot of surfing. I think he uses Sprint wireless. "Paul" wrote in message le.rogers.com... Me again, ask, learn, ask, learn. This one is about internet connectivity. The marina has wireless connectivity which is great but what are my options underway or at anchor? Are there any options for a substantial connection, something through which I could move larger files? I imagine that if cost is no issue then there is certainly an answer but last time I checked, cost was an issue. If nothing affordable then even something to beam a few e-mails through would be good. Maybe I should be looking more closely at those PDAs .... just replaced my cell phone, wonder if they'll let me return it. Any of you guys connected while away from the docks? If so, tell us what rigs you're using and what's good/bad about them. |
#3
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Internet connectivity
About your only real option for any kind of speed would be satellite such as
directTV. http://directv.direcway.com/ It uses both upload and download from the dish. You can also get TV as well. Price is not great but it does work and you can adjust the dish for wherever you are (can't be moving though). -- Tony My boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com "Paul" wrote in message le.rogers.com... Me again, ask, learn, ask, learn. This one is about internet connectivity. The marina has wireless connectivity which is great but what are my options underway or at anchor? Are there any options for a substantial connection, something through which I could move larger files? I imagine that if cost is no issue then there is certainly an answer but last time I checked, cost was an issue. If nothing affordable then even something to beam a few e-mails through would be good. Maybe I should be looking more closely at those PDAs ... just replaced my cell phone, wonder if they'll let me return it. Any of you guys connected while away from the docks? If so, tell us what rigs you're using and what's good/bad about them. |
#4
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Internet connectivity
On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 22:51:30 GMT, "Tony Thomas"
wrote: About your only real option for any kind of speed would be satellite such as directTV. http://directv.direcway.com/ It uses both upload and download from the dish. You can also get TV as well. Price is not great but it does work and you can adjust the dish for wherever you are (can't be moving though). I was wondering about that- wouldn't the slight roll from wave action screw up the dish "aiming point"?. noah Courtesy of Lee Yeaton, See the boats of rec.boats www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats |
#5
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Internet connectivity
On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 20:22:29 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: On 4 Aug 2003 18:05:14 -0500, noah wrote: On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 22:51:30 GMT, "Tony Thomas" wrote: About your only real option for any kind of speed would be satellite such as directTV. http://directv.direcway.com/ It uses both upload and download from the dish. You can also get TV as well. Price is not great but it does work and you can adjust the dish for wherever you are (can't be moving though). I was wondering about that- wouldn't the slight roll from wave action screw up the dish "aiming point"?. =============================================== == It absolutely would. The last I knew Direct TV would only certify their system for internet use if permanently mounted on a fixed structure, i.e., no boats, no RVs. Based on the chatter I've heard, DTV's satellite internet service is none too reliable even when used as intended. There are other satellite options but they carry very high per minute charges. Best option I've seen for coastal cruising is either Verizon or Sprint digital service coupled with an external antenna and an amplifier. Verizon has better coverage but speed is limited to 14KB or so, Sprint PCS is supposed to be good for about 90KB. I saw an actual "on boat" demo recently of Verizon's service and was surprised at how usable the 14KB service seemed to be. This was without an external antenna or amp, but was within the NY metro 'burbs area. Thanks. noah Courtesy of Lee Yeaton, See the boats of rec.boats www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats |
#6
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Internet connectivity
That is just what I'm doing this summer while onboard my boat in the Pac.
NW. I'm using Verison 500 min., with free long distance and roaming plan.. I check my email and check the these news groups about 3 time a day and my connect time is running about 2 to 4 min. each time. I set up an new email account and ask everyone I exchange email with, to use plain text only, no attachments, no html and please don't include the message I had sent them.. (some people just don't understand how slow 14.4 kbs is..) So far the spammers haven't discovered my new address (I'm not using it for this NG response). Since I'm anchoring offthe shoreline of some upscale homes, I'm thinking of using a wireless card/reciever with some special antenna and connecting through any Wi-Fi hub that I can find. (My son does that in the Bay Area all the time.) I'll let you-all know how that trick works out. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
#7
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Internet connectivity
other options. www. kvh.com has mobile direc pc buts its very expensive. 5k
last time I looked and its only satellite download. www. seatel.com seatel's new wavecall 3000. This is the one I bought the phone works great but never did get the touted internet 56k to work. probably will only I lost interest in fiddling with it. it would connect and quickly disconnect. they offer compression service as an additional fee from global star. I wanted it for bahamas cruising. ended up going ashore for needed weather maps etc. another option: if you are doing only u.s. cruising and are you are fairly secure when you want to connect you can... connect via cell uplink, and download with direcpc one way. now called direcway. the one way is the old system but works great for me. only thing is you have to be sure your cell phone connection will connect via analog connection. I am dailing up aol through direcpc as we speak. you can buy a used one way ssytem on ebay for cheap if you look. the mobile two sat system for RV's is called motosat see motosat.com (I think) I called them and they absolutely refuse to install on a boat. hope this helps. g |
#8
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Internet connectivity
Since I'm anchoring offthe shoreline of some upscale homes, I'm thinking of
using a wireless card/reciever with some special antenna and connecting through any Wi-Fi hub that I can find. (My son does that in the Bay Area all the time.) I'll let you-all know how that trick works out. Steve s/v Good Intentions Sailors! :-) (The wind is free so everything else ought to be.) |
#9
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Internet connectivity
On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 12:24:56 GMT, "Paul" wrote:
Me again, ask, learn, ask, learn. This one is about internet connectivity. The marina has wireless connectivity which is great but what are my options underway or at anchor? Are there any options for a substantial connection, something through which I could move larger files? I imagine that if cost is no issue then there is certainly an answer but last time I checked, cost was an issue. If nothing affordable then even something to beam a few e-mails through would be good. Maybe I should be looking more closely at those PDAs ... just replaced my cell phone, wonder if they'll let me return it. Any of you guys connected while away from the docks? If so, tell us what rigs you're using and what's good/bad about them. I have an old Ericsson R380W cellphone. It's a PDA/cellphone combo that works pretty good for email. Does IMAP, POP and SMTP access to your normal ISP's mail account. Also does WAP for sites that are WAP enabled, which places like yahoo are so you can access your yahoo mail accounts without having to upgrade to the POP/SMTP option. With the little onscreen keyboard, it's fast and easy enough to use for email that I don't even use it with a laptop on the boat. But I have tried it as a modem for my laptop and it does that very well also, over the serial line or infrared. However, connection speeds are limited to 14k so you aren't going to be transferring very large files. They are being liquidated on ebay brand new for around $70. All you need is to have a GSM service like TMobile or ATT, take the SIM card out of the phone they give you and plug it into the R380W and you're in business. And for cruisers, it'll work pretty much anywhere in the world that has cell service, as GSM is the most popular service outside the US. Steve |
#10
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Internet connectivity
About your only real option for any kind of speed would be satellite such as
directTV. http://directv.direcway.com/ It uses both upload and download from the dish. You can also get TV as well. Price is not great but it does work and you can adjust the dish for wherever you are (can't be moving though). I was wondering about that- wouldn't the slight roll from wave action screw up the dish "aiming point"?. noah KVH or someone with a similar name makes a dish that can be used while in full motion, spinning on an anchor, and rolling. It's not cheap though... (hense me not testing it yet). |