Hi Guys, We will be cruising next year and plan to for some time. We want to maxamise communication at a reasonable cost. Can someone assist us. We want to send and recieve e mails where ever practicable and perhaps use a laptop via plotter to display charts. Can we connect into our mobile for e mails? Can we use a port to connect with our GPS? We are a bit in experienced with electronics and are searching for help other than a (sales person). We want to set it up as cheaply but efficiently as practical. Regards Al
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Cell Connection Works
Go see Verizon and talk to them about their Mobile Office Kit. We have used it for the last two years, and it has served us well; regular email and useful internet capability, provided that you avoid content-rich, high-overhead sites. Connection speed is similar to land-based modem-telephone connection. We routinely accessed NOAA sites for hurricane tracking and weather information that went beyond the VHF auto-voice channels. We also use an external antenna that we run up the flag halyard when we need it and a cellular amplifier, both of which we got from Digital Antenna. This got us service in some notoriously poor signal places such as Cuttyhunk Island. You will also need an email server and account to receive and send email. Hooking up to someplace like Comcast to access email via this kind of connection is difficult because such sites are very content-rich and it takes a long time to get in. We have our own website, essentially zero overhead, and we were able to set up email accounts on that. It all works very well for us. The only problem is if you go outside Verizon's primary service area and go onto "extended service", such as we did in Maine two years ago; then you lose data transmission service. It's not just Verizon; many other providers offer similar stuff. Carl and Jule s/v Syzygy
Go see Verizon and talk to them about their Mobile Office Kit. We have used it for the last two years, and it has served us well; regular email and useful internet capability, provided that you avoid content-rich, high-overhead sites. Connection speed is similar to land-based modem-telephone connection. We routinely accessed NOAA sites for hurricane tracking and weather information that went beyond the VHF auto-voice channels. We also use an external antenna that we run up the flag halyard when we need it and a cellular amplifier, both of which we got from Digital Antenna. This got us service in some notoriously poor signal places such as Cuttyhunk Island. You will also need an email server and account to receive and send email. Hooking up to someplace like Comcast to access email via this kind of connection is difficult because such sites are very content-rich and it takes a long time to get in. We have our own website, essentially zero overhead, and we were able to set up email accounts on that. It all works very well for us. The only problem is if you go outside Verizon's primary service area and go onto "extended service", such as we did in Maine two years ago; then you lose data transmission service. It's not just Verizon; many other providers offer similar stuff. Carl and Jule s/v Syzygy
Verizon, Globalstar and Raytech 5.0
I agree with Carl on Verizon. I connect at speeds of 115 to 230 kbs in most areas when I travel. To the left of the laptop in the photo is the actual cell phone cable. You need to add National Access to your Verizon plan ($10.00 per month) for this access as well as have the cable and software. Go to the Verizon site to see where National Access is available. If is not there, then the data will not work. It is also limited offshore due to line of sight issues so typically, 10 to 15 miles is the limit. To the left and hanging on the wall with super velcro from Radio Shack, is the Globalstar phone. I can generally pick up a signal through the cabin top. Sometimes I have to put the antenna in front of the window to get a consistent signal. It connects at 9600 kbs and is slow and costs $1.00 per minute. Both systems use your regular ISP for internet connectivity. For additional navigation information, my laptop is integrated with my other Raymarine system through SeaTalk and HSB network. The program on the screen is Raytech 5.0 and shows Kentucky Lake. Charts available are C-map from the chartplotter over the network and raster, photo overlay and topo from installed charts provided through Maptech or other electronic chart supplier. The charts can be blended in overlay mode with various transparancies for each chart which allows for incredible detail. Also the boat instruments are shown like wind, speed, gps location etc. You can put the Raytech software in planning mode when not connected to the boat and prepare routes and waypoints, then when in onboard mode, transfer the data to the main chartplotter at the helm for navigation while also having a duplicate display and data at the navstation. Radar overlay is also available on the laptop if you set up the integrated network. If you are chartering another boat, then you can use your laptop as a separate back-up system with the simple additiion of a gps connection (I use the gps that comes with Microsoft Streets and Trips) and all except the boat data is still available - makes a consistent navstation when on a different boat.
I agree with Carl on Verizon. I connect at speeds of 115 to 230 kbs in most areas when I travel. To the left of the laptop in the photo is the actual cell phone cable. You need to add National Access to your Verizon plan ($10.00 per month) for this access as well as have the cable and software. Go to the Verizon site to see where National Access is available. If is not there, then the data will not work. It is also limited offshore due to line of sight issues so typically, 10 to 15 miles is the limit. To the left and hanging on the wall with super velcro from Radio Shack, is the Globalstar phone. I can generally pick up a signal through the cabin top. Sometimes I have to put the antenna in front of the window to get a consistent signal. It connects at 9600 kbs and is slow and costs $1.00 per minute. Both systems use your regular ISP for internet connectivity. For additional navigation information, my laptop is integrated with my other Raymarine system through SeaTalk and HSB network. The program on the screen is Raytech 5.0 and shows Kentucky Lake. Charts available are C-map from the chartplotter over the network and raster, photo overlay and topo from installed charts provided through Maptech or other electronic chart supplier. The charts can be blended in overlay mode with various transparancies for each chart which allows for incredible detail. Also the boat instruments are shown like wind, speed, gps location etc. You can put the Raytech software in planning mode when not connected to the boat and prepare routes and waypoints, then when in onboard mode, transfer the data to the main chartplotter at the helm for navigation while also having a duplicate display and data at the navstation. Radar overlay is also available on the laptop if you set up the integrated network. If you are chartering another boat, then you can use your laptop as a separate back-up system with the simple additiion of a gps connection (I use the gps that comes with Microsoft Streets and Trips) and all except the boat data is still available - makes a consistent navstation when on a different boat.
Questions...
Where are you planning to cruise? Near cell phone towers, marina each night? We use amateur radio (ham radio) and have full e-mail capability anywhere in the world. Called Winlink. The cost is free (but you must get a ham license). Another alternative is Sailmail which is $200 a year and uses the marine SSB radio. There are many options available (Wx charts, etc) from these services. Depends on your cruising plans. Google Winlink and Sailmail for more info. Talk to cruisers in your area for good advice, not salesmen. Jack N1IY
Where are you planning to cruise? Near cell phone towers, marina each night? We use amateur radio (ham radio) and have full e-mail capability anywhere in the world. Called Winlink. The cost is free (but you must get a ham license). Another alternative is Sailmail which is $200 a year and uses the marine SSB radio. There are many options available (Wx charts, etc) from these services. Depends on your cruising plans. Google Winlink and Sailmail for more info. Talk to cruisers in your area for good advice, not salesmen. Jack N1IY
Affordable Laptop System
I too wanted a system that was affordable and had an internet connection. I started with a Dell Inspiron 1000 laptop ($700) Added an Earthmate GPS ($100) which only has one wire. It gets it's power through the USB cord.The computer gets it's power from a DC adapter. Added an Audia X transmitter ($39) for playing surround sound through the stero from the computer. From the computer, I use Picasa (free) software for all digital photos. Musicmatch (free) for all my music through the stereo. Both cds and mp3 downloads. I use Win DVD (free) for playing DVDs through the stereo. For internet, I use T Mobile ($29.99 per month) that gives me internet anywhere I have a cell phone connection. It has a PC card that is inserted into the computer so there is no hassel getting connected. It takes about five seconds. I use Memory Map chart software with the GPS in the computer. So it looks like I'm into the whole system for $850 plus any chart software that you might like to add. I like the idea of having only two wires to run the whole system.Everything was purchased on the internet, so there is not a lot of running around trying to find what you need. Hope this helps. Sean
I too wanted a system that was affordable and had an internet connection. I started with a Dell Inspiron 1000 laptop ($700) Added an Earthmate GPS ($100) which only has one wire. It gets it's power through the USB cord.The computer gets it's power from a DC adapter. Added an Audia X transmitter ($39) for playing surround sound through the stero from the computer. From the computer, I use Picasa (free) software for all digital photos. Musicmatch (free) for all my music through the stereo. Both cds and mp3 downloads. I use Win DVD (free) for playing DVDs through the stereo. For internet, I use T Mobile ($29.99 per month) that gives me internet anywhere I have a cell phone connection. It has a PC card that is inserted into the computer so there is no hassel getting connected. It takes about five seconds. I use Memory Map chart software with the GPS in the computer. So it looks like I'm into the whole system for $850 plus any chart software that you might like to add. I like the idea of having only two wires to run the whole system.Everything was purchased on the internet, so there is not a lot of running around trying to find what you need. Hope this helps. Sean
Cruising Where?
Al, We've been using a laptop for about six years for navigation and for communication. We have a seven year old Toshiba laptop that we've interfaced with a hand-held Garmin gps through a wire that feeds into the laptop's serial port (old technology). We use First Mate navigation software from the Cap'n and love it. I can never remember which is raster and which is vector but we use the electronic charts that look like the paper ones. It's been a great setup for us with the only drawback that we have to go below to the nav station to use the system. We also use a laptop for internet access. Many of the marinas in our area now offer a wireless internet access and we use that extensively with a new Dell Inspiron that we also take on board. Where available that works great. Our backup plan is a cell phone plugged into a serial port using AT&T/RogersWireless (in Canada). This works ok if you have a strong signal, but is slow and can be expensive. We also invested in a four foot external cell phone antenna and amplifier. This helps to extend the range of the cell phone signal. It was fairly pricey, but it does help though you still have to be line of sight with a cell phone tower. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Al, We've been using a laptop for about six years for navigation and for communication. We have a seven year old Toshiba laptop that we've interfaced with a hand-held Garmin gps through a wire that feeds into the laptop's serial port (old technology). We use First Mate navigation software from the Cap'n and love it. I can never remember which is raster and which is vector but we use the electronic charts that look like the paper ones. It's been a great setup for us with the only drawback that we have to go below to the nav station to use the system. We also use a laptop for internet access. Many of the marinas in our area now offer a wireless internet access and we use that extensively with a new Dell Inspiron that we also take on board. Where available that works great. Our backup plan is a cell phone plugged into a serial port using AT&T/RogersWireless (in Canada). This works ok if you have a strong signal, but is slow and can be expensive. We also invested in a four foot external cell phone antenna and amplifier. This helps to extend the range of the cell phone signal. It was fairly pricey, but it does help though you still have to be line of sight with a cell phone tower. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
P.S.
We use a system similar to Jerry's for keeping the laptop on the nav station. We use a sail tie strapped around the laptop and around the lifting top piece of the nav station which keeps the laptop from flying around the cabin in rough conditions. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
We use a system similar to Jerry's for keeping the laptop on the nav station. We use a sail tie strapped around the laptop and around the lifting top piece of the nav station which keeps the laptop from flying around the cabin in rough conditions. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
I use Velcro
It's clean and nothing interferes with the limited tabletop area. And this thread has the potential to rival the Internet, size-wise.
It's clean and nothing interferes with the limited tabletop area. And this thread has the potential to rival the Internet, size-wise.
Yes, Yes, and Yes
I've been using Raytheon/Raymarine's Raytech version 4.1 with MapTech Raster charts on my older 700 mhz IBM Laptop running MS Windows 98SE, connected to my Raymarine Sea-Talk 'buss' via Raytheon's 'interface' box and my 'db9 serial port', all siting on a gimballed PC tray attached to the edge of my boat's chart-table (88 Catalina 30). For communications, I just disconnect the Raymarine's serial port cable and connect the 'data' cable between my Sprint 2G Cell phone (Samsung sch350) and connect to their 'digital' internet/network at 14,400 kbs. Newer 3G phones can do the same and much much faster, and have USB cables, so there would be no need to disconnect the Raytheon cable, albeit instead of my $5 'data' service and includes software, require $15 'vision' service and modem software such as 'SnapSync's Snapdialer'. I've been pleased with Sprint's service, but only cruise from Port Jefferson, NY (Long Island's north shore) to Cape May, NJ. BTW, regarding eMAIL, be sure to pick a eMAIL service which supports free 'web' based eMAIL, as sometimes their normal 'dial' in or internet based connections for use with MS Outlook do not work (as their server thinks it is an outside hacker). Hope this helpss..
I've been using Raytheon/Raymarine's Raytech version 4.1 with MapTech Raster charts on my older 700 mhz IBM Laptop running MS Windows 98SE, connected to my Raymarine Sea-Talk 'buss' via Raytheon's 'interface' box and my 'db9 serial port', all siting on a gimballed PC tray attached to the edge of my boat's chart-table (88 Catalina 30). For communications, I just disconnect the Raymarine's serial port cable and connect the 'data' cable between my Sprint 2G Cell phone (Samsung sch350) and connect to their 'digital' internet/network at 14,400 kbs. Newer 3G phones can do the same and much much faster, and have USB cables, so there would be no need to disconnect the Raytheon cable, albeit instead of my $5 'data' service and includes software, require $15 'vision' service and modem software such as 'SnapSync's Snapdialer'. I've been pleased with Sprint's service, but only cruise from Port Jefferson, NY (Long Island's north shore) to Cape May, NJ. BTW, regarding eMAIL, be sure to pick a eMAIL service which supports free 'web' based eMAIL, as sometimes their normal 'dial' in or internet based connections for use with MS Outlook do not work (as their server thinks it is an outside hacker). Hope this helpss..
Laptops and Communication
Thanks to those who responded. It has opened new avenues for us to explore before shelling out the bucks. On the same subject (Power Consumption) Do you know what are the pre inverted 12v current requirements for an average lap top? Cheers Al
Thanks to those who responded. It has opened new avenues for us to explore before shelling out the bucks. On the same subject (Power Consumption) Do you know what are the pre inverted 12v current requirements for an average lap top? Cheers Al
Al, the fam bought me a Garmin 178C...
for my birthday last year. Then I picked up a 32MB data card and reader from e-bay to go along with it. I now have real-time access to over 250 charts stored on the data card covering our northwest cruising grounds right at the helm. Of course I have paper charts as backup. No laptop needed to do this and it uses minimal power consumption. Terry
for my birthday last year. Then I picked up a 32MB data card and reader from e-bay to go along with it. I now have real-time access to over 250 charts stored on the data card covering our northwest cruising grounds right at the helm. Of course I have paper charts as backup. No laptop needed to do this and it uses minimal power consumption. Terry
HP 17 wide laptop
Al - See my photo post above - this laptop is a real energy user - 5.9 Amps. It's due to the large screen. This reading came directly off Link 200. Most laptops would be less.
Al - See my photo post above - this laptop is a real energy user - 5.9 Amps. It's due to the large screen. This reading came directly off Link 200. Most laptops would be less.
300 watt inverter works for my IBM 14" laptop
I just plug my AC adapter (100-240 vAC, 130-199 va, to 16v 4.5 amp) into a stat-power 300 watt inverter. I forget what the inverter's amperage is, but you should be able to find that on the WWW if your interested. Hope this also helps...
I just plug my AC adapter (100-240 vAC, 130-199 va, to 16v 4.5 amp) into a stat-power 300 watt inverter. I forget what the inverter's amperage is, but you should be able to find that on the WWW if your interested. Hope this also helps...
laptop software
Hi Garry greetings from Australia I also have a similar setup as you have described aboard my 1990 Beneteau Oceanis 390 and wonderd if you would care to send me details of your software and where i would be able to obtain it My contact email is timjf@optusnet.com.au I look forward to hearing from you at your convience Regards Tim " S.V Seduction of Melbourne "
Hi Garry greetings from Australia I also have a similar setup as you have described aboard my 1990 Beneteau Oceanis 390 and wonderd if you would care to send me details of your software and where i would be able to obtain it My contact email is timjf@optusnet.com.au I look forward to hearing from you at your convience Regards Tim " S.V Seduction of Melbourne "
Project "Free Plotter"
Great thread. I've set myself the task of building an essentially free PC based plotter. I've taken an old laptop (yup, you can get those for free). I'm using Sea Clear II, which is a superb plotter for the money $0. The big problem I ran into, was getting free raster charts. I simply can't find any, anywhere. The good news, is that NOAA now publishes their vector charts for free (hooray!). I download these, as they are available for the SF Bay, and are updated very frequently (even down to the location of the barges used in the bridge construction!). I have a free ENC viewer you can get from Fugawi, and I found that by using screenshots, I can pull them into Sea Clear using their stitch facility. Next job, is to The downside, is that due to my small screen size, creating a complete map of the bay, is rather laborious, which rather detracts from the up-to-the-minute data I get from NOAA. Also, it's incredibly difficult to adjust the scale on the free viewer, so I suspect sections of my map won't be to scale. Next job is to hook it up to my GPS and see where I am! Wish me luck!
Great thread. I've set myself the task of building an essentially free PC based plotter. I've taken an old laptop (yup, you can get those for free). I'm using Sea Clear II, which is a superb plotter for the money $0. The big problem I ran into, was getting free raster charts. I simply can't find any, anywhere. The good news, is that NOAA now publishes their vector charts for free (hooray!). I download these, as they are available for the SF Bay, and are updated very frequently (even down to the location of the barges used in the bridge construction!). I have a free ENC viewer you can get from Fugawi, and I found that by using screenshots, I can pull them into Sea Clear using their stitch facility. Next job, is to The downside, is that due to my small screen size, creating a complete map of the bay, is rather laborious, which rather detracts from the up-to-the-minute data I get from NOAA. Also, it's incredibly difficult to adjust the scale on the free viewer, so I suspect sections of my map won't be to scale. Next job is to hook it up to my GPS and see where I am! Wish me luck!
Apple Powerbook or iBook
For Mac users, there is a program GPSNavX or MacENC that works wonderfully. The first is raster based, and the latter is vector based. Both are way cheaper than the PC equivalents. I have a 75 watt inverter I got at Circuit City for charging. For email and internet, I connect my Verizon cell phone with a cable and software from SmithMicro.
For Mac users, there is a program GPSNavX or MacENC that works wonderfully. The first is raster based, and the latter is vector based. Both are way cheaper than the PC equivalents. I have a 75 watt inverter I got at Circuit City for charging. For email and internet, I connect my Verizon cell phone with a cable and software from SmithMicro.
Add the earth
Great ideas guys. Soupy T, I had similar thoughts but gave up do to the problems with map scaling. My newest addition is the satellite views available from MSN and Google. The link below to Flash Earth is the best. You get both sources and an easy way to navigate. I picked off the views of the islands I go to and other places and then view them in an image viewer. If the views are good the zoom feature works well.
Great ideas guys. Soupy T, I had similar thoughts but gave up do to the problems with map scaling. My newest addition is the satellite views available from MSN and Google. The link below to Flash Earth is the best. You get both sources and an easy way to navigate. I picked off the views of the islands I go to and other places and then view them in an image viewer. If the views are good the zoom feature works well.
Hey Seanshine
Since you've got it up and running perhaps you can answer this. I'm looking at the Delorme Earthmate GPS LT-20. Does your unit operate from the nav station or does it need to be outside?
Since you've got it up and running perhaps you can answer this. I'm looking at the Delorme Earthmate GPS LT-20. Does your unit operate from the nav station or does it need to be outside?
Rick
I just happened to see your post. My Earthmate is operating on the laptop from the nav station. No extra antenna is used and it works perfectly.Just a quick note, I had to download the driver off of the earthmate website to run my application. No big deal.
I just happened to see your post. My Earthmate is operating on the laptop from the nav station. No extra antenna is used and it works perfectly.Just a quick note, I had to download the driver off of the earthmate website to run my application. No big deal.
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