Internet/Email from Boat/Cell Phone

Byrdman

OK, I am about to upgrade some electronics and need some help from other users on internet conectivity on the boat via cell phone/laptop. What is working well out there?? About to purchase a new laptop, have cell phone (AT&T), and currently have web conectivity thru Mindspring/Earthlink (but about to change due to junk mail..) My base thoughts are that I need a web provider with a toll free dial up so when I travel the rivers I can dial in without long distance charges.. On target or not? Any particular devises/software I need to be sure and get on the laptop? Wide open for input/suggestions/feedback/experiences....

Thanks!
Byrdman on FreeByrd

Da Nag · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 10:24 am Post subject:

Howdy, Byrdman.

Had a recent conversation abou this - link is here.

Short of it - cellular is the most widely available, but slow. Dedicated wireless data options are faster with decent coverage, but expensive. Get an 802.11 card, they are cheap and many marinas are installing access points, so you can often have high-speed at the dock.

Good luck!

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 9:03 pm Post subject:

Byrdman,

I have Earthlink and get no spam through it. What could be the difference in Mindspring/Earthlink vs Earthlink?

Let's see if Shearwater chimes in here. He has CD/DVD/Movies/dial-up/dial-down and everything in between.

Jammin · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 3:58 am Post subject:

I've been using T-Mobile unlimited internet for $19.99 when added to a voice plan. Only alternatives are ham-ssb radio or very expensive sat.

Check t-mobile.com

Dennis

stevej · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:55 pm Post subject:

Shearwater (stevej) chiming in here. Just saw the post so here goes my two cents worth.
I engineer computer networks for a living so this topic is right up my alley and I have spent some effort looking for a reasonable answer.
Bottom line is there are not any real good solutions at this time that will allow you move from place to place, are affordable and give good access speed.

802.11 wireless is available at some of the large Portland area marinas and as Da Nag said this is the best solution for the dock but has limited availability today and does not offer connectivity as you move around.

Looked into a cell modem but have reservations due to per minute charges and poor reception that would kill the typical data transfer process. Have not heard much positive about this type of connectivity from those who have tried it.

Sat phone is the accepted solution for those who must have a mobil internet connection. Not sure of the exact cost but it is spendy like 80 cents a minute plus the cost of the Sat phone system

Some of the newer technology such as ATT Blackberry may help with internet access via cell phone in the next year or so but for right now stick with your basic phone dial-in.

stevej

Larry H · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 3:27 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

If you only need email, Pocketmail is an alternative. It is a small keyboard device on which you compose your mail and access the server by any phone via an 800 number. To use, dial the number and hold the Pocketmail device to the phone. Pocketmail then uploads your outgoing messages and downloads incoming messages. The device is about $100 and service is about $10.00 per month. It can get your messages from your regular email service, so you can keep your existing email addresses. It is limited to text only, no attachments.

I don't have one yet, but Ell & Bill on Halcyon use one and they are satisfied with it.

Search Google for a link.

Byrdman · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 6:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input. The Pocketmail looks good at this time, and Bill and El do seem happy with theirs. I will travel with a yet purchased laptop, so getting the 802.11 will be easy. The cost of the Sat phones & follow on user cost are a bit more than I need at this time, with no real business to conduct while on board. I do not really plan much long travel until next spring after my Apr Fools day retirement day...followed by about a month on board. So, I figure in about a month some new gagets will pop up just in time for the Christmas surge.

Islander · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:17 am Post subject:

I have both 802.11 and hooked to my PC via USB my cell phone. The cell phone option is widely available for checking emails, any where Verizon has coverage. It connects easy to the PC via USB cable. The speed I get is 240kbps. Slow relative to 802.11. The cost is a phone call, whatever my plan is; free calls on weekends. Not as fast as 802.11 but it gets the job done.

The 802.11 is starting to show up in more locations and that will be the future.

Byrdman · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:39 am Post subject:

Thanks Ron ! That looks like a good set up.

El and Bill · Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:28 am Post subject:

Yep - still like pocketmail if you just want to send and receive email, can use from any phone and relatively inexpensive. Public phones are on easily found on the road, on the water, and pocketmail even works overseas!