HOW do I get my cell phone and notebook hooked together so I can access Internet and e-mail while aboard. I know many people are doing this but I don't know where to get the right equipment and advice. Please help.
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Try a computer mail order catalog
PCconnection.com or perhaps everythingwireless.com What you need is a modem that has cellular capability (it's some kind of error-checking algorythm, I think). You plug the modem into the pci slot on your notebook, then run a provided cable from the pci card/modem to your phone. the notebook dials out on the cell phone. Be advsed, though, it is s-l-o-w. Email will be grinding, web access near-unthinkable.
PCconnection.com or perhaps everythingwireless.com What you need is a modem that has cellular capability (it's some kind of error-checking algorythm, I think). You plug the modem into the pci slot on your notebook, then run a provided cable from the pci card/modem to your phone. the notebook dials out on the cell phone. Be advsed, though, it is s-l-o-w. Email will be grinding, web access near-unthinkable.
Cellular PC card.
Mike: I think that you need a cellular PC card/modem that will fit in one of the slots. I was also going to do this but decided that $200-300 for another modem was going to displace a LOT of beer, so I have put it off for a while. If you check with the mfg of your c-phone they should be able to tell you which cards will work. My phone is a Qualcomm and these things are expensive.
Mike: I think that you need a cellular PC card/modem that will fit in one of the slots. I was also going to do this but decided that $200-300 for another modem was going to displace a LOT of beer, so I have put it off for a while. If you check with the mfg of your c-phone they should be able to tell you which cards will work. My phone is a Qualcomm and these things are expensive.
Sanyo 4000 with Sprint PCS works
Mike: I have a Sanyo 4000 (dual band) and am signed up with Sprint PCS. I bought a $99 accessory that consists of a communication program and a small cable that connects the phone to the 9-pin serial port on my notebook. This does not require a modem since I'm using a digital signal, not an analog one. This works like a charm, and I surf the web reasonably well, although Sprint claims the download speed is only 14K (it seems faster). The only drawback is that it only works when I'm in range of Sprint PCS signal, which isn't everywhere (yet).
Mike: I have a Sanyo 4000 (dual band) and am signed up with Sprint PCS. I bought a $99 accessory that consists of a communication program and a small cable that connects the phone to the 9-pin serial port on my notebook. This does not require a modem since I'm using a digital signal, not an analog one. This works like a charm, and I surf the web reasonably well, although Sprint claims the download speed is only 14K (it seems faster). The only drawback is that it only works when I'm in range of Sprint PCS signal, which isn't everywhere (yet).
AM in a thunder storm
I would check on a back issue from Cruising World regarding Cell phones and data connections. I work in the oil field and do our data communications for U.S. and Gulf Coast. I have not seen Cell phones that could send data work over several different sites or towns. You may find one or two sites that make the system look like it going to be a good bet, until you move to the next town. Back about 5-6 years ago, testing was done with most major radio and electronic organizations. They found out what we already knew only about 50% successful. Not going to work, part of the data bits are made from the amplitude of the signal along with phase shifts, towers are designed to clip or limit this, which cause lost peaks and therefor loss data bits. You could also compare it to listening to an AM (amplitude modulation) radio in a thunderstorm and not get any noise, that’s not going to happen either. I have designed very special modulation system, which could be view as a FM type signal with very little noise. This however is not off the shelf stuff and will not work with ISP. Cruising World had an issue about 1.5-2 years ago and this is the most recent one I have seen, since most communications organizations should know it doesn’t work, therefor articles are now rare. Some cruiser bought just about every gadget for Cell phones including digital phones. I believe the cruiser after about a year trying, now uses a pay phone with an acoustic coupler.
I would check on a back issue from Cruising World regarding Cell phones and data connections. I work in the oil field and do our data communications for U.S. and Gulf Coast. I have not seen Cell phones that could send data work over several different sites or towns. You may find one or two sites that make the system look like it going to be a good bet, until you move to the next town. Back about 5-6 years ago, testing was done with most major radio and electronic organizations. They found out what we already knew only about 50% successful. Not going to work, part of the data bits are made from the amplitude of the signal along with phase shifts, towers are designed to clip or limit this, which cause lost peaks and therefor loss data bits. You could also compare it to listening to an AM (amplitude modulation) radio in a thunderstorm and not get any noise, that’s not going to happen either. I have designed very special modulation system, which could be view as a FM type signal with very little noise. This however is not off the shelf stuff and will not work with ISP. Cruising World had an issue about 1.5-2 years ago and this is the most recent one I have seen, since most communications organizations should know it doesn’t work, therefor articles are now rare. Some cruiser bought just about every gadget for Cell phones including digital phones. I believe the cruiser after about a year trying, now uses a pay phone with an acoustic coupler.
Connecting to the 'net with a cell phone
You said that you already have a laptop, cell phone, etc. So, you may be able to connect with what you have - or you might not. To connect, you need to have a digital cell service (Analog signals require too much overhead and, therefore, are too slow to be practical). There are 3 primary commercial types: GSM, CDMA, TDMA. Connection speed will range from about 8 kbps to about 14 kbps, depending on which type you have. There are others, too, but these three make up the majority of the market. Digital networks are not as widespread as analog networks. GSM has the widest footprint in the US and globally, but also the slowest connection speed at 8 kbps. GSM would be my choice. Once you have a digital phone and digital cellular service, you need a means to connect your phone to your laptop. This can be acheived by a PCMCIA card and cord, or with an infra-red connection. You can use the infra-red if both your laptop and cell phone have the hardware to do it. If you do not have infra-red capability, a PCMCIA card and cord work quite well. PCMCIA cards will work in any laptop that has PC card slots, but you will need to buy equipment that will work with your phone. You may want to buy directly from your cell phone manufacturer or cell service provider. There is also a catalog called 'Anything Wireless'. Their website now requires a login - not very smart for retailer. By the way, cell phone manufacturers tell me there will be 2 MBPS of bandwidth in 18 months or so. With that kind of bandwidth, you will be able to surf the web! Of course, it will probably take years for the infrastructure to develop. And, we will have to buy all new cell phone equipment. Hope this helps! Jamie Byrd UniversityAccess.com
You said that you already have a laptop, cell phone, etc. So, you may be able to connect with what you have - or you might not. To connect, you need to have a digital cell service (Analog signals require too much overhead and, therefore, are too slow to be practical). There are 3 primary commercial types: GSM, CDMA, TDMA. Connection speed will range from about 8 kbps to about 14 kbps, depending on which type you have. There are others, too, but these three make up the majority of the market. Digital networks are not as widespread as analog networks. GSM has the widest footprint in the US and globally, but also the slowest connection speed at 8 kbps. GSM would be my choice. Once you have a digital phone and digital cellular service, you need a means to connect your phone to your laptop. This can be acheived by a PCMCIA card and cord, or with an infra-red connection. You can use the infra-red if both your laptop and cell phone have the hardware to do it. If you do not have infra-red capability, a PCMCIA card and cord work quite well. PCMCIA cards will work in any laptop that has PC card slots, but you will need to buy equipment that will work with your phone. You may want to buy directly from your cell phone manufacturer or cell service provider. There is also a catalog called 'Anything Wireless'. Their website now requires a login - not very smart for retailer. By the way, cell phone manufacturers tell me there will be 2 MBPS of bandwidth in 18 months or so. With that kind of bandwidth, you will be able to surf the web! Of course, it will probably take years for the infrastructure to develop. And, we will have to buy all new cell phone equipment. Hope this helps! Jamie Byrd UniversityAccess.com
Thank you for the information
I think I'll start by talking with my cell service provider and go from there. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
I think I'll start by talking with my cell service provider and go from there. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Wireless Internet
Mike, I'm up the road from you in Dallas (sail on Texoma) and took a slightly different approach. There are several companies that make CDPD (part of the cellular network) PCMCIA cards. With it, you've got "always on" Internet access. There are a few catches: 1. The card is about $200-$300 up front. 2. You've got to be in a cellular area that supports CDPD (that's usually AT&T). 3. There's a monthly fee (I pay about $50 flat rate). Now, the good news: It is flat rate. The speeds are great right now but will get better. I use it to track email, look at the weather sites for radar, etc. and it works just fine. A couple of sites to check out are www.snapscape.com and www.nextcell.com dd
Mike, I'm up the road from you in Dallas (sail on Texoma) and took a slightly different approach. There are several companies that make CDPD (part of the cellular network) PCMCIA cards. With it, you've got "always on" Internet access. There are a few catches: 1. The card is about $200-$300 up front. 2. You've got to be in a cellular area that supports CDPD (that's usually AT&T). 3. There's a monthly fee (I pay about $50 flat rate). Now, the good news: It is flat rate. The speeds are great right now but will get better. I use it to track email, look at the weather sites for radar, etc. and it works just fine. A couple of sites to check out are www.snapscape.com and www.nextcell.com dd
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