Aircard

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject: Aircard

We have purchased an aircard for our laptop from Cingular and it allows wireless internet access. We put the aircard in our slot in the computer, tweak an antenna, and we're sitting here at anchor in middle Tennessee listening to Colorado Public Radio and writing to you folks. Neat! Free device and $90/month -- so that's for the ISP and Internet access from about anywhere that Cingular (AT&T) has a cellular tower. With a cell phone and an aircard you can disconnect the home phone line - for traveling or cruising on a boat it's great.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: Aircard

And are cell minutes included or on top of the $90 per month, or what? I have thought about this as an option, keep us posted!

Sneaks · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:33 pm Post subject:

Another alternative is to use Verizon. Several of the newer Verizon GSM capable phones can connect to the internet via higher speed (180 kbps). Of course, Verizon charges for the high speed service, called National Access, but the folks in the InternetByCellPhone Yahoo group have discovered a back door that allows one to connect if you have the much more feature rich (and cheaper) Americas Choice plan and only get charged for the minutes used. Evening and weekends means a C-Brat favorite price: Free.

My phone (A LG VX-7000) is connected to the laptop via USB cable and the Mobile Office software connects wherever one can access a Verizon tower. No good roaming.

Caveats:
No support from Verizon. (They know it's going on but choose to ignore it.)
One MUST have a GSM capable phone. (If your phone has a color screen, it's probably GSM capable)
One must have Mobile Office software, phone drivers, and a cable. (Software and drivers are available at the Yahoo group site, cables on Ebay)
One must have a separate email provider. Hotmail Gmail or any provider that allows you to both send and receive from a foreign host.

It works great too, btw.

El and Bill · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:32 am Post subject:

Pat --
No charge for minutes on our unlimited plan. You can pay much less per month, and have limited time. The ongoing competition between Verizon, Cingular, and others will probably add greater benefits for us all. Not advising Cingular over any other service, but it works great for us. We're swinging on a hook in Ol' Hickory Lake, listening to Colorado Public Radio, and watching the C-Brats.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:13 am Post subject:

Bill and El, Sounds just the ticket for someone in your mode of life. Water nomads.

Do you have an address that we can ship Theodore of too yet? We need to get him on his way so that he can be back to MN by end of May.

Getting ansy with no boat. Just received 6 Cabernet colored fenders with matching lines.