Cell reception is not the most reliable on the water here in Maine. Just wondering about some form of inexpensive satelite or other method of providing data connectivity while cruising.
Wireless Data On My Boat?
- Thread starter Muscongus
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You can never use 'inexpensive' and 'satellite' in the same sentence. Not a good option for coastal cruising unless your have serios money to burn for equipment, subscriptions, and airtime.
If the reception is marginal, you should look at cell range extenders; external mast mounted antennas with a booster. Wilson makes decent ones.
http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/store/index/category/37/mobile-solutions
If the reception is marginal, you should look at cell range extenders; external mast mounted antennas with a booster. Wilson makes decent ones.
http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/store/index/category/37/mobile-solutions
They work quite well but perform best if the marine antenna is mast mounted at the top of the spar. On a small boat the antenna can create a feedback issue if not installed far enough away from the phone end antenna.. They also simply like the added height... Ours works very well..
i am only online when i am anchored or in marinas...i dont want to play with a puter when i am in reality thankyou! is way too pretty out there to get into the online bs when sailing, imho....
i have banda ancha on board in mexico and i have wifi in marinas and on land here, also--so far, the wifi is more reliable than the wifi, but less bandwidth....but this is mexico.
i have banda ancha on board in mexico and i have wifi in marinas and on land here, also--so far, the wifi is more reliable than the wifi, but less bandwidth....but this is mexico.
This is so very true. We had complaints about poor cell service at the local hospital here. The cell tower is right next door and generally covers this medium sized hospital fairly well. We found some interference in the area and traced it to an 18 wheeler truck parked at a nearby truck stop. We could show, based on system performance, when the truck was there and when it wasn't. Improperly installed Bi-directional amplifiers, even the one's that claim to have feedback prevention circuits, must be installed properly. It can cause problems for everyone on the network in the area.
Zeehag: I was thinking of having better data available for the passengers (while underway) and when anchored for the night. I can't see myself cruising the internet while piloting the boat for more reasons than the fact that I really enjoy sailing my boat. Bottom line - I'm with you.
To the rest: Thank you for the insights and tips. I'm not sure that I should do it at all, from the sound of things. My little boat is a Bristol 24 (24'-9" LOA). I just know my wife and she would love to have the internet available, especially when we are stopped for the night.
I don't know about you, but, if I can do a little something to help her feel more comfortable on the boat and help her learn to love sailing, I am all for it.
To the rest: Thank you for the insights and tips. I'm not sure that I should do it at all, from the sound of things. My little boat is a Bristol 24 (24'-9" LOA). I just know my wife and she would love to have the internet available, especially when we are stopped for the night.
I don't know about you, but, if I can do a little something to help her feel more comfortable on the boat and help her learn to love sailing, I am all for it.
muscongus--i, too, want interwebz when stopped for the night, if there is a signal, i want it.
in usa, i found that sprint and verizon have good service and signals with their systems.
here in mexico. i am with unreliable signals, which is ok, as much cool stuff happens when one is not online...
passengers! wow--you are luxury yacht, me love.....mine is crew only and beware--make sure ye sign the waiver!!! aaarrrgghhhh..
mebbe she could help plan the stopovers and menus and help sail the boat some.....you can do it...teach her as ye go.
in usa, i found that sprint and verizon have good service and signals with their systems.
here in mexico. i am with unreliable signals, which is ok, as much cool stuff happens when one is not online...
passengers! wow--you are luxury yacht, me love.....mine is crew only and beware--make sure ye sign the waiver!!! aaarrrgghhhh..
mebbe she could help plan the stopovers and menus and help sail the boat some.....you can do it...teach her as ye go.
I have been to Mexico quite a few times - just to Baja California, though. I can only imagine that the sailing is awesome. Great coasts, warm waters, fun people and nice weather. Hope to sail there someday.
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