Internet at sea

[Bad Obsession]

I am trying to find a way to be able to go on-line while at sea with my laptop. Where I cruise I have a cell signal most of the time and I was wondering on how to use my cell phone conection to get internet with my lap top. If anyone has any helpful information it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Verizon or Radio Shack

Stop in at your local Radio Shack. They have the connectivity for Verizon for sure. Do not know which of the other providers their hardware/software might support. You can also check at your provider's store. I know that Verizon also has the hardware/software.There are many cable combinations so think about what you need. I have one that allows me to plug in the cellphone and 12V on the boat at the same time.Performance is better than dialup but not as good as wireless. Depending upon where you sail a wireless plan might be an option. We have free wireless in the marina. For about $250./year you can have wireless in several anchorages/dockages around the marinas and islands of western Lake Erie for example.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

CHECK BPS SPEED!!!

BO...Make sure to check what BPS (baud rate) is guaranteed BEFORE you buy.We have CINGULAR, with a NOKIA phone and ordered the gizmo to hook the laptop to the phone right from NOKIA.They didn't bother telling us that 9,600bps was "average". They did take the gizmo back for a refund, less the S&H.Pauls/v The Lord Nelson

 

[patrick]

Saw this recently in my area

Check the link. I do not know anything else about it personally and would be interested in anyone elses input.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Verizon on the bay...

I use Verizon Wireless Expressnet. Not exactly cheap ($90 or so a month) and requires a modem card (or you can use the phone/cable hookup. I think there are less expensive options based on usage, etc. Works almost everywhere on the bay and is an incredible resourse for me.It actually works well most of the east coast except for eastern NC, my winter port. Go figure.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence]

Verizon and Motorola 730

I use Verizon and a Motorola 730. You can buy the software and cable from either Verizon or Motorola. I get 230,000 bps while at the lake and traveling around the country. It cost $4.95 or so a month on top of my standard bill and uses the minutes instead of a data rate. Very economical and works very well.Off shore, it has a very limited range. I have seen ads for cell antenna boosters and have considered putting an antenna on top of my mast, but haven't yet. This would improve coverage a lot.

 

[william3045]

another plug for verizon

i get a solid 230,000 bps. it has been perfectly reliable on land and sea....make that lake. i was in CA 2 weeks ago and while i had brodband in my hotel my e mail was acting-up so i hooked to my LG VX3100 cell and did e mail. i'm in NJ this week and have a solid verizon connection and nationwide service; about $50.00/mo so i don't pay extra for data or long distance/roaming. data costs only minuits. i too am thinking about a mast mounted antenna. first w/o a booster and see how that works and then if necessary add a booster. just as an added extra, if you call with an issue they have a specific "push x" if your question is regarding verizon wireless data and their "support" has actually been supportave! imagine that! some cell companies who i will not name, (but their initials are att), really discourage and try to stonewall you about wireless data.

 

[Jack Tyler]

'Real' offshore internet connectivity...

I'm adding this post because of the thread title, not because it relates to BO's needs. I attended a recent INMARSAT seminar in London, their Corp. HQ location and also the site of their main satellite coord. center. It was very eye-opening. They are just beginning to launch a new family of satellites (12,000# x 100M solar array and the size of a double-decker London bus).These will permit a number of new services in the megayacht market (e.g. true 500KB broadband access) but the sats also make possible a new low-end product (not yet named) that will have the following characteristics: -- passive array (no geostabilized array that requires thirsty power to remain locked on a sat) -- array size/weight about the same as the Mini C (big grapefruit size with less weight, to my eyeball) -- 12V powered -- hardware price target of $3K (USD) -- 56KBS speed for internet connectivity -- concurrent bandwidth sufficient for voice comms As we know, it's always easier for a vendor to promise than to deliver...or to deliver at the promised price point. But for those in the planning stages of equipping their cruising boat, or who are trying to sort out how to remain in a consulting loop while also cruising, this is pretty spectacular news worthy of reflection. They are unwilling to discuss data rate costs but it's my understanding Inmarsat has always priced their service on time and/or data passed rather than on mandatory monthly service fees, which would suggest that this cost will be driven by usage levels. IOW the cruising sailor would have control over the cost of the system's operation and could use cost-effective shore-based connectivity when available while relying on this service when in remote settings. The first new sat is to be launched in March from the Cape (on a zipped-up Atlas, as I recall); the second launch is scheduled mid-year. If interested, I'm told it would be worth monitoring the Inmarsat website for new product announcements and progress with their launch schedule. Jack