I am thinking about cruising in Florida and the Bahamas for the winter on a 40 ft. CC sailboat, but still need to get 24/7 internet and telephone access. What's the best way to set up my equipment so that I can get access whether I'm in a marina or anchored out indefinitely? I'm looking for specifics and I do have somewhat of a budget, so I probably can't afford the ultimate solution. I currently have 3 4D reserve battery banks and a small 1000 Watt inverter. Plus, my current cell phone service is AT & T....
Internet access from the sailboat
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...see this WiFi deal with marine antenna and computer hook-up. As for your cell phone, I'd try a dedicated marine cell phone antenna with a specific adapter for your phone before spending the money for a 3 watt booster. The antenna may be all you need IMHO. Rick D.
...see this WiFi deal with marine antenna and computer hook-up. As for your cell phone, I'd try a dedicated marine cell phone antenna with a specific adapter for your phone before spending the money for a 3 watt booster. The antenna may be all you need IMHO. Rick D.
condo's ,... not the right thing but,...
While anchored out last year I started a conversation with a guy that lived on his boat and was anchored nearby. By the looks of his boat his was pretty broke and a small leak away from being homeless. I asked him about day to day living and he was ever bored? He stated that he had a lap top and would anchor near high rise condo's to get the web. Please don't take this personally, I know this isn't your solution nor the right thing to do but I would bet he wasn't the only one doing that.
Jack
While anchored out last year I started a conversation with a guy that lived on his boat and was anchored nearby. By the looks of his boat his was pretty broke and a small leak away from being homeless. I asked him about day to day living and he was ever bored? He stated that he had a lap top and would anchor near high rise condo's to get the web. Please don't take this personally, I know this isn't your solution nor the right thing to do but I would bet he wasn't the only one doing that.
Jack
Very interesting.
It is not high on my list of things that would be very cool for the sailboat, but 30 miles of reception is very geeky cool!
I had no idea you could get 30 miles of coverage.
The first link is for the $640 Cell booster package on Defender's website. You can select from the left for Cell antennas that are a lot more reasonable.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|295760|320660|847266&id=748366
The second link is to a Marine antenna, I read an 8 foot marine antenna can increase the cell signal 10X of that of just the phone. I am not sure how that translates to distance. At $129, that is still an impressive gain.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|295760|320660|847267&id=132670
It is not high on my list of things that would be very cool for the sailboat, but 30 miles of reception is very geeky cool!
I had no idea you could get 30 miles of coverage.
The first link is for the $640 Cell booster package on Defender's website. You can select from the left for Cell antennas that are a lot more reasonable.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|295760|320660|847266&id=748366
The second link is to a Marine antenna, I read an 8 foot marine antenna can increase the cell signal 10X of that of just the phone. I am not sure how that translates to distance. At $129, that is still an impressive gain.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|295760|320660|847267&id=132670
Big difference, U.S. vs. Bahamas
Last year we were never out of touch with Verizon. This was from western Lake Erie to offshore to ICW to North Carolina. A crew member from that trip is out there right now and I am getting e-mails from his Blackberry, also Verizon. So for U.S. a laptop with the Verizon card would be my option.
While in the Abacos I gave up on my own stuff. I used marina computers and landline phones with a phone card. Just Google on "cellphones in the Bahamas" to see the options.
Last year we were never out of touch with Verizon. This was from western Lake Erie to offshore to ICW to North Carolina. A crew member from that trip is out there right now and I am getting e-mails from his Blackberry, also Verizon. So for U.S. a laptop with the Verizon card would be my option.
While in the Abacos I gave up on my own stuff. I used marina computers and landline phones with a phone card. Just Google on "cellphones in the Bahamas" to see the options.
I graduated college with
a degree in computer science, the most advanced system at the time had less features than most calculators now days. If someone told me that in 15 yrs we would all have cellphones and could get t.v. and email over them I would have laughed in thier face.
man we have come a long way.
sorry I am no help with the question...just made me think of (back in the day)
come to think of it I am not sure my kids know what postage stamps are for?
a degree in computer science, the most advanced system at the time had less features than most calculators now days. If someone told me that in 15 yrs we would all have cellphones and could get t.v. and email over them I would have laughed in thier face.
man we have come a long way.
sorry I am no help with the question...just made me think of (back in the day)
come to think of it I am not sure my kids know what postage stamps are for?
Sierra Wireless AirCard
I get wireless broadband anywhere I can get an ATT signal through my AirCard. The 3G speeds are in the DSL range, and it helps to have a booster antenna in the more remote anchorages. Reception is sometimes marginal right at sunset for about 30 minutes, although this is not a problem when you've got a stronger signal. My wife and I both have cards, and we use them simultaneously in the saloon without cross-interference. It's a bit pricey, because each card has its own phone number and you pay for an extra account with ATT. However, we have unlimited data transmission, which is sweet because we can take the boat up into the Sacramento Delta, anchor wherever we want, and both still be "at work."
Not sure whether such services/devices are offered through other phone companies internationally, but it seems certain that as other countries add 3G capabilities to their wireless nets, wireless broadband will be available.
I get wireless broadband anywhere I can get an ATT signal through my AirCard. The 3G speeds are in the DSL range, and it helps to have a booster antenna in the more remote anchorages. Reception is sometimes marginal right at sunset for about 30 minutes, although this is not a problem when you've got a stronger signal. My wife and I both have cards, and we use them simultaneously in the saloon without cross-interference. It's a bit pricey, because each card has its own phone number and you pay for an extra account with ATT. However, we have unlimited data transmission, which is sweet because we can take the boat up into the Sacramento Delta, anchor wherever we want, and both still be "at work."
Not sure whether such services/devices are offered through other phone companies internationally, but it seems certain that as other countries add 3G capabilities to their wireless nets, wireless broadband will be available.
Rick,
The marine antenna & computer hookup, does this look for wifi in the area? in other words if someone has a wifi router in the area of the marina will this pick up the signal?
When I travel in the RV and go to campsites I find lots of different routers including the campsites internet with my laptop.
The marine antenna & computer hookup, does this look for wifi in the area? in other words if someone has a wifi router in the area of the marina will this pick up the signal?
When I travel in the RV and go to campsites I find lots of different routers including the campsites internet with my laptop.
I have an HTC Touch
and it is always on the outlook for a wireless connection. It is still up so it is up to you if you want to use it or not. If it is a KOA or some wifi that is set up for public use, I will use it. The phone downloads and uploads faster on a wifi signal. I post and check posts on it... you really have to put all this 21 century technology for good use vs. evil use.
Buwahahaha Whahahahahah whahahahahhahahahahahaha
It is really sweet acessing sites that are a no-no on the computer at work. It makes you feel like you have found a loophole around The Man.
.... of course the man in my situation is the tax paying public so it is best I check the newest greatest posts on my dime.
and it is always on the outlook for a wireless connection. It is still up so it is up to you if you want to use it or not. If it is a KOA or some wifi that is set up for public use, I will use it. The phone downloads and uploads faster on a wifi signal. I post and check posts on it... you really have to put all this 21 century technology for good use vs. evil use.
Buwahahaha Whahahahahah whahahahahhahahahahahaha
It is really sweet acessing sites that are a no-no on the computer at work. It makes you feel like you have found a loophole around The Man.
.... of course the man in my situation is the tax paying public so it is best I check the newest greatest posts on my dime.
RAD: Yes.
...of course, you still have to select a site, etc off your laptop, but it's just an extended wireless antenna. I use a dish-type antenna which works well for me in SoCal but for serious cruising, I think a dedicated marine antenna would be far superior for not much more cost/ RD
...of course, you still have to select a site, etc off your laptop, but it's just an extended wireless antenna. I use a dish-type antenna which works well for me in SoCal but for serious cruising, I think a dedicated marine antenna would be far superior for not much more cost/ RD
Now there's something to be proud of
Recess,
you say
"It is really sweet acessing sites that are a no-no on the computer at work. It makes you feel like you have found a loophole around The Man. .. of course the man in my situation is the tax paying public so it is best I check the newest greatest posts on my dime;"
Where was it you said you worked? Big brother is watching
Keep it up,
Ctskip
Recess,
you say
"It is really sweet acessing sites that are a no-no on the computer at work. It makes you feel like you have found a loophole around The Man. .. of course the man in my situation is the tax paying public so it is best I check the newest greatest posts on my dime;"
Where was it you said you worked? Big brother is watching
Keep it up,
Ctskip
I am a Teacher
I access a couple of sites during my lunch hour. I am not cool about doing web surfing on computers that were bought and maintained for education. Until I bought this phone I only posted or read posts from home.
I was being a bit tongue in cheek about sticking it to the man.
My wife was a Chemist and I was the Director of Purchasing when we decided to go into teaching. This year is the first year my 4 year old comes to school with me. When we decided to have a child, we decided to walk away from the 80 hour work weeks and also the damn sweet salaries. I think the thing that made us rethink exactly what we were living for was when we bought a 37' Egg Harbor. We loved having it but it cost so much to buy it and so much to fuel it. We decided to rethink what we really wanted. Once we decided to have a child, we decided we would like to see him grow up as much as possible. We are both very happy with the decision to go back and get Master's degrees in Education.
I access a couple of sites during my lunch hour. I am not cool about doing web surfing on computers that were bought and maintained for education. Until I bought this phone I only posted or read posts from home.
I was being a bit tongue in cheek about sticking it to the man.
My wife was a Chemist and I was the Director of Purchasing when we decided to go into teaching. This year is the first year my 4 year old comes to school with me. When we decided to have a child, we decided to walk away from the 80 hour work weeks and also the damn sweet salaries. I think the thing that made us rethink exactly what we were living for was when we bought a 37' Egg Harbor. We loved having it but it cost so much to buy it and so much to fuel it. We decided to rethink what we really wanted. Once we decided to have a child, we decided we would like to see him grow up as much as possible. We are both very happy with the decision to go back and get Master's degrees in Education.
verizon
verizon and betelco (bahamas phone company) have an agreement ... i used my cel in georgetown with no roaming fee and only paid $1.29 / min
verizon and betelco (bahamas phone company) have an agreement ... i used my cel in georgetown with no roaming fee and only paid $1.29 / min
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