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Slow, but it works...
I have the software and cable to attache my laptop to the internet. It is slow, but it does work. I hope your cell phone has a lot of air time available, without long distance and roaming charges.
I have the software and cable to attache my laptop to the internet. It is slow, but it does work. I hope your cell phone has a lot of air time available, without long distance and roaming charges.
Hope to.
We are hoping it works, need to keep in touch with the kids and grandkids.
I have all the pieces/parts but have yet to finish the testing. We signed a new Verizon contract for nationwide coverage and lots of minutes, unlimited weekends and after 21:00. Bought the software and cable at Radio Shack. It should be adequate for e-mail, not much else. Also bought an older laptop(Toshiba) off E-Bay to be certain we had a serial port. Too many bad tales about trying to make the USB adapters work.
We are hoping it works, need to keep in touch with the kids and grandkids.
I have all the pieces/parts but have yet to finish the testing. We signed a new Verizon contract for nationwide coverage and lots of minutes, unlimited weekends and after 21:00. Bought the software and cable at Radio Shack. It should be adequate for e-mail, not much else. Also bought an older laptop(Toshiba) off E-Bay to be certain we had a serial port. Too many bad tales about trying to make the USB adapters work.Steve and Ed are right on
Works for email but if you intend to cruise the internet better get alot of coffee and valium.
Works for email but if you intend to cruise the internet better get alot of coffee and valium.
Internet Access
Another option if you would like to have higher speed access is a Marine Satellite. All downloads come via the satellite and uploads are via the cell phone. It's expensive though. Around $5000 but it works well and since most of the traffic is coming down. One other option is a satellite connection that uploads and downloads which then removes the neccessity of having the cell phone. But again, more cost and you have to make sure the satellite is mounted in a safe location where there is no chance of getting zapped by it as it sends a signal up to the sat. The link below is to one supplier of toys like these.
Another option if you would like to have higher speed access is a Marine Satellite. All downloads come via the satellite and uploads are via the cell phone. It's expensive though. Around $5000 but it works well and since most of the traffic is coming down. One other option is a satellite connection that uploads and downloads which then removes the neccessity of having the cell phone. But again, more cost and you have to make sure the satellite is mounted in a safe location where there is no chance of getting zapped by it as it sends a signal up to the sat. The link below is to one supplier of toys like these.
Cell Phone access to internet
Yes....it does work..I have made many an attempt and last year was the most successful. I have a Nokia connected to my Navigation Computer through a special cable connection from the phone to a 3COM 56k Global GSM & Cellular Modem PC card. Other "things" have worked after tremendous effort, this works the best...almost like it was made for the application. I cruise off the lake for a couple months every year...across the Erie Canal and either up to Lake Ontario or down the Hudson ..off shore LI and up around into Marthas Vineyard...Boston ect. The connection regardless of the technology has always provided a good connection to the internet for emails and more inportantly the weather fax access. Let me know if you need more detailed info....
Yes....it does work..I have made many an attempt and last year was the most successful. I have a Nokia connected to my Navigation Computer through a special cable connection from the phone to a 3COM 56k Global GSM & Cellular Modem PC card. Other "things" have worked after tremendous effort, this works the best...almost like it was made for the application. I cruise off the lake for a couple months every year...across the Erie Canal and either up to Lake Ontario or down the Hudson ..off shore LI and up around into Marthas Vineyard...Boston ect. The connection regardless of the technology has always provided a good connection to the internet for emails and more inportantly the weather fax access. Let me know if you need more detailed info....
cell phone
we just hooked up our laptop with a sprint pcs plan and phone. It works but can be very frustrating because connectivity maybe there but speed can be bad.We have the pcs vision plan which is suppose to be unlimited time for the net. so cost is fixed. still it can be frustrating. We have surfed and picked up hunterowners.com sailnet.com and NOAA as well as aol e-mail but do not try to look at e-mail with pictures of the kids cause it will just sit there and stare at you.
we just hooked up our laptop with a sprint pcs plan and phone. It works but can be very frustrating because connectivity maybe there but speed can be bad.We have the pcs vision plan which is suppose to be unlimited time for the net. so cost is fixed. still it can be frustrating. We have surfed and picked up hunterowners.com sailnet.com and NOAA as well as aol e-mail but do not try to look at e-mail with pictures of the kids cause it will just sit there and stare at you.
The Real Limitation Is Cell Phone Battery...
time. When on continiously for about 2 hours, the cell phone battery will finally run down. This is on a digital connection. The Verizon connection is at 14.4 but it is not as bad as you would expect. Photos download slowly but they do download. It works....slowly.
time. When on continiously for about 2 hours, the cell phone battery will finally run down. This is on a digital connection. The Verizon connection is at 14.4 but it is not as bad as you would expect. Photos download slowly but they do download. It works....slowly.
Fixed mount phone . ..
Depends on how bad you want access but you will increase your apparent bandwith by ensuring a clean connection - at minimum consider a cell phone antenna mounted as high as possible wired to the phone. Even better, there are still fixed mount phones with better transmission power and good dsp noise filtering on the receiving end. Whether you will notice the difference depends primarily on how good the signal is where you're going to be. Justin - O'day OWners' Web
Depends on how bad you want access but you will increase your apparent bandwith by ensuring a clean connection - at minimum consider a cell phone antenna mounted as high as possible wired to the phone. Even better, there are still fixed mount phones with better transmission power and good dsp noise filtering on the receiving end. Whether you will notice the difference depends primarily on how good the signal is where you're going to be. Justin - O'day OWners' Web
Verizon Wireless Modem
I have the Verizon package with a wireless modem in my laptop - $99/mo unlimited access, no phone involved. I started out with a phone connection but couldn't use the charger and pc cable at the same time. As someone said earlier, the phone battery kept running down. I stay on for long periods for work. This setup works great where there is serice, which I believe is most of the East Cost except NC/SC/GA. Much faster than dial-up, and approaces T-1 at times. Very pleased although it's requires babying. If you're shy or timid around computers it's not for you. Otherwise well worth the investment. You can use alternative dial-ups in those other areas but per minute charge is high. Note: I had to argue long and hard with Verizon to get just the internet access ($99) alone without an also-included phone package (another $50). They have this plan but it seems that few of their employees and none of their computers understand the offering. Anyway, persistence paid off for once, I got what I wanted. Highly recommend it if you're on line a lot and comfortable with computers. Their help line stinks, at least it did last fall when I got started.
I have the Verizon package with a wireless modem in my laptop - $99/mo unlimited access, no phone involved. I started out with a phone connection but couldn't use the charger and pc cable at the same time. As someone said earlier, the phone battery kept running down. I stay on for long periods for work. This setup works great where there is serice, which I believe is most of the East Cost except NC/SC/GA. Much faster than dial-up, and approaces T-1 at times. Very pleased although it's requires babying. If you're shy or timid around computers it's not for you. Otherwise well worth the investment. You can use alternative dial-ups in those other areas but per minute charge is high. Note: I had to argue long and hard with Verizon to get just the internet access ($99) alone without an also-included phone package (another $50). They have this plan but it seems that few of their employees and none of their computers understand the offering. Anyway, persistence paid off for once, I got what I wanted. Highly recommend it if you're on line a lot and comfortable with computers. Their help line stinks, at least it did last fall when I got started.
Hey Carisea, question about Sprint!!!
What do you need to connect your vision phone to the computer? I have spoken to Sprint reps and no one gives me a straight answer. They end up saying they don't know, or that it can't be done or that you can only browse the internet in the phone (phone browser, not computer). My other question was whether this is possible with the old free and clear plan, not the vision plan. All I want is to check text email, and weather while in route. No heavy duty websurfing or pictures or graphic intensive sites.
What do you need to connect your vision phone to the computer? I have spoken to Sprint reps and no one gives me a straight answer. They end up saying they don't know, or that it can't be done or that you can only browse the internet in the phone (phone browser, not computer). My other question was whether this is possible with the old free and clear plan, not the vision plan. All I want is to check text email, and weather while in route. No heavy duty websurfing or pictures or graphic intensive sites.
Thanks all for your feedback and recommendations
I appreciate all your comments on this matter. G.
I appreciate all your comments on this matter. G.
Sprint YISO Card
I have the Sprint YISO card (CF2031) and it works great at least along the NC part of the ICW. This card will double as a cell phone (just plug in a headset). But if you get the right Sprint plan (you have to tell them you want the plan for the data card with embedded phone) you can have your card AND a regular Sprint cell phone share the same plan. $100/month plan with UNLIMITED data connection and 1,500 minutes of talk time. If you happen to work for IBM, the same plan is $75/month. Other companies may have similar discounts. The card itself was only $79 (with corporate discount). BTW, this is a high speed card and depending on signal strength provides wireless connection that is FASTER than dial-up. The same card will work in your laptop and your PocketPC PDA. One other amazing thing, the software installation was easy. I install a lot of software products in my job, and I was impressed with the ease of set-up both on my laptop and on my iPaq. A few weekends ago, I was sitting in my cockpit at the Beaufort NC town dock and was able to check the nearby TV station's live Doppler radar on my iPaq before leaving port. At the same time, I was checking my e-mail, looking up the name of a movie starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (for the guy on the next boat) AND using AOL IM to chat with a friend --- all from a wireless device that fit in the palm of my hand. WOW! BTW, I do not work for Sprint... I just have one of these cards and have been very impressed with it. Gary
I have the Sprint YISO card (CF2031) and it works great at least along the NC part of the ICW. This card will double as a cell phone (just plug in a headset). But if you get the right Sprint plan (you have to tell them you want the plan for the data card with embedded phone) you can have your card AND a regular Sprint cell phone share the same plan. $100/month plan with UNLIMITED data connection and 1,500 minutes of talk time. If you happen to work for IBM, the same plan is $75/month. Other companies may have similar discounts. The card itself was only $79 (with corporate discount). BTW, this is a high speed card and depending on signal strength provides wireless connection that is FASTER than dial-up. The same card will work in your laptop and your PocketPC PDA. One other amazing thing, the software installation was easy. I install a lot of software products in my job, and I was impressed with the ease of set-up both on my laptop and on my iPaq. A few weekends ago, I was sitting in my cockpit at the Beaufort NC town dock and was able to check the nearby TV station's live Doppler radar on my iPaq before leaving port. At the same time, I was checking my e-mail, looking up the name of a movie starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (for the guy on the next boat) AND using AOL IM to chat with a friend --- all from a wireless device that fit in the palm of my hand. WOW! BTW, I do not work for Sprint... I just have one of these cards and have been very impressed with it. Gary
Sprint USB cable
Go to radio shack with your cell phone and ask for a usb cable to connect phone to computer. Trying to view stuff on the cell phone screen is a joke!!!! I am using the cell phone as a modem. When hooked to the computer with internet explorer it works just like a land line only slow. A guy told me that to help speed things up you need to hit refresh button alot. I have PCS vision plan which for $10 extra a month gives you unlimited web time. As one guy said on this thread battery time can be an issue. I am told they make a cable that is a combination charger and usb cable but have yet to look for it. I only want to use the system for e-mail to the family. When we go to the islands I will have to switch to a sat phone.
Go to radio shack with your cell phone and ask for a usb cable to connect phone to computer. Trying to view stuff on the cell phone screen is a joke!!!! I am using the cell phone as a modem. When hooked to the computer with internet explorer it works just like a land line only slow. A guy told me that to help speed things up you need to hit refresh button alot. I have PCS vision plan which for $10 extra a month gives you unlimited web time. As one guy said on this thread battery time can be an issue. I am told they make a cable that is a combination charger and usb cable but have yet to look for it. I only want to use the system for e-mail to the family. When we go to the islands I will have to switch to a sat phone.
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