Broadband wireless...

J

JamesTXSD

Active member
I have been checking into broadband wireless for our upcoming cruising, including visiting with some folks here. We finally bit the bullet and got the card. Verizon is our carrier and we have had some "issues" with them. Since they do have the most extensive US coverage, we decided to stay with them. Of course, installing the card and software didn't go as smooth as they would have you believe... but after a long wait on hold, a very pleasant tech person got me connected; and admitted that the problem was on their end, not something I did wrong. Refreshing.

Here's what we're finding out so far: being in the boonies (our zip code is E-I-E-I-O) we are not able to get broadband speed, but rather have what Verizon calls "National Access". It appears to be faster than dialup, around 75-80k. I am told that when we are anywhere near population centers, the broadband will provide up to 2mg download speeds. So, as long as we have cell coverage, we should have some sort of internet connection. It should be very interesting to be able to connect from the boat.

Since we have wi-fi via cable modem here in our house, I will stay with that for the short time we have left here. And try to use the computer remotely occasionally to see how the connection holds.

Posting a photo or being able to ask a "real time" question should be good. Any others using this on their boats? We have generally maintained cell coverage to about 10 miles offshore when near any population.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,

I have been using a Sprint PCS broadband card about six months now and I get 'dial up' speed where I live. I used the computer on my boat in the Ventura CA harbor and got broadband speed. I uploaded pictures and downloaded images quickly and web pages just 'click' onto the screen, with no delay.

Having the online access made life easier, for finding stores, checking the bank accounts, as a 'yellow pages', and for keeping up with email and the C-Brats!

You can also access tide tables, current tables, coast pilots, chart viewers, download charts, check weather forecasts, and the read the news.

If you cruise near 'civilization', you might as well enjoy the benefits!
 
Jim, I too have one of the Verizon cards. :lol: I had some modem conflicts within my laptop when I first tried to install it. After I got those problems sorted out, here are some of the speed results that I have experienced (speeds are in megabits):

Sacramento Metropolitan area - 400k :D
6 miles west of Salton Sea (South of Palm Springs, CA) - 100k :o
Palm Springs - 400k :D
Los Angeles Basin - 400k
Santa Barbara, CA - 100-500k depending on location. :D
At home, Western El Dorado County, CA - 75k :shock:

There are a couple of interesting things that might help you make more sense of the available speeds.

The National Access is the same as standard digital or analog signal availability. To obtain the Broadband speed, your card must be able to "see" the higher frequency (1.8 or 1.9 ghz) signal. This is currently only available in higher density market areas where the hardware cost can be borne by more users. This would be why you and I are not able to get the high speed out in the boonies. :amgry

While 2GB download speeds are supposedly available, they are only available in short bursts. :embarrased From what I have been able to gather, normal top speeds will be about 400k. Having said that, I was ecstatic to get 100k in the middle of the desert while camping near the Salton Sea last March. :smiled

One more thing. Did you get an Kyocera card? If so, did you get an external antenna? I did. The difference in signal strength was significant. :thup I ran the external up to the windshield of my motorhome. The difference at Salton Sea was no signal w/out to 100k. In LA it was about 75k to 400k. At home it is 25k to 75k.

Please keep us updated on your availability of signals during your travels. One of the reasons that I got the card was with an eye to the future when I am able to travel extensively as you are about to do. :wink :wink :wink :wink :wink :wink
 
Jim, there is a "back door" method to connect with Verizon's Nat'l Access using certain phones that have a "Mobile Office Kit" available and you can have unlimited nights/weekends internet access while just staying on (and paying for) the "America's Choice" plan.

Extensive "how to" tutorials are available in the Yahoo Group called InternetbycellPhone files section.

RV'ers initially discovered it and use it a lot, and Verizon never got around to cutting it off mainly because the newest phones can't do it and it likely costs more to plug the hole than let it die on it's own.

Basically one plugs the cell phone into the laptop via a USB cord, launches the Mobile Office Kit software and you're online at the same speeds your card gets without the nasty bills each month.

I have and use an LG7000 which does have external antenna capability as well. I've even logged on in Prime Time on occasion, but ya gotta be quick 'cause minutes fly by pretty fast if yer on the web....

Don
 
Sam, thanks for sharing your experience. We have been spoiled with cable modem in one house and DSL in the other... seems I can live without satellite TV, but I darn sure need my internet and Sirius satellite radio (is that "keeping it simple"? :crook ). But, 100k will sure beat the heck out of dial up. Being a long-time RVer as well, we had gone the route Don spoke of, but as we upgraded phones, we didn't bother with the different cables necessary ('cause the connect speeds were downright nasty slow). Still it was one way to get e-mail while traveling; internet surfing was too frustrating. This new card should take care of that situation. As y'all can probably tell, I enjoy the comradarie here and will certainly do all I can to stay connected... and let you know how it is working. Thanks for all the help, ideas, and encouragement folks; this forum is such a wonderful resource!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
The last couple of months I have been checking into internet access via cell phone. I need internet access so I can stay connected to the different offices, up-date the web sites and still be able to travel more. I have had the same cell phone provider since 1989 although it has been sold twice. Started as Cell One then AT&T now Cingular. I can live with 100K, would be ecstatic with 400K and anything above that would be icing on the cake. Has anyone had experience with Cingular internet service? I hesitate to change providers because it means I would be changing service on four phones.
 
Real intersting thread...and I am watching this real close.

The retired budget has me looking real close to the monthly cost. i.e. Bell South, then ATT long distance for home service...which 98% of the time is not my family or friends who know to use my cell phone...but someone raising money or votes.. or just selling $hit I do not need...and that is why I do not feel like I need or have to answer when my home phone rings... I just pay it cause I always have... Hummmm

Cell phone is like just above...and today it is called Cingular with a nice what I consider good coverage (I have been able to talk whenever anyone else with any other service could)...and unlimited in the US minutes...or at least so many of them I get buy with it..

Internet Service Provider: Mindspring, now called Earthlink...DSL thru Bell South due to having Bell South as my local phone provider...Humm...is this why I keep Bell South?? ANd then...I only get 20 hours a month dial-up from locations that I can not find a wireless signal that I can tap into. You find just about any mall and drive slowly and you woiuld be surprised what you find for free to keep you off dial up. Have a cup of Joe...and your ready to go...

But... Sherryl and I are close to cutting land line ties...tossing the ropes and travel....so I needed this thread. Just think... If I just had a broadband wireless what all I could get rid of... and those are cruising dollars!!!
 
Hey, Byrdman,
We've already eliminated the landline in the (sold) house up north. The cable and cable-modem bill will go away. Likewise the landline and the DSL in the house in TX. This move will cut my communitcations bill in half AND give me access from the boat (when we have cell coverage - which is already pretty comprehensive and continues to expand). With a bit more experience with traveling with this, I can let you know if it works like we intend. Ain't technology grand?! :wink

A couple clicks for weather, entertainment, and staying in touch. At least, that's the plan.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim...not to bog this link/thread down... please PM or Email me yall's "kinda-sorta travel plan and time line..." Sherryl's fun meter is starting to peak a bit faster than we thought so we too could be cruising prior to years end.
 
PM on its way. When the wife says, "It's time", who are we to argue??? The Blonde said that last fall and we put the house and business up for sale the next day. I was ready. It has to be right for both.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I have a question that you may be able to answer, thats you as in " you all". Susan has a lap top with wireless modem that she uses in the house and most of the marines in our area have wireless access at the docks. so do i need to have a cell phone for that? I just need to log on to the wireless provider at the dock right? I guess the cell phone is for anchoring out away from docks and marines right?? I really try to stay away form the web while in the boat, phones and t.v.s to. I do know that a lot of use full info is on the net that I could use while underway and Thats why we are thinking about bringing the lap top with us from now on.
 
one other thing, for those of you who have not cut off the bell compnays leech line. We switched to comcast cable dsl,cable tv and cable phone. this has saved me about $200 a month. the phone is 49.00 a month unlimited. I can call anyone in the us for a whole month 24/7 and its still only 49 bucks. I dont hav eto worry aobut the kid calling his freinds in everret, along distance call form marysville, for two hours about what happened in school a hour ago. I can talk to my mom and score points with out racking up my phone bill. really nice gig.
 
Hi Tom,
There are two types of cards that are frequently discussed. The most common is an 802.11 G (or B, older) that picks up a signal from a wireless access point or a modem with built-in wireless. It is generally broadcast over a specific area; places like Starbucks, campgrounds, marinas, etc. offer this as an enticement to keep you in their business. Many people have this as part of DSL or cable modem, providing wireless access in their homes. But, get more than 100 feet or so away, and you can't get a signal.

The wireless broadband card that I posted about is a cellular product. It is available anywhere you can get a cellular signal. My computer has a built-in 802.11G card, but I had to add this cellular wireless broadband card (in the PCMCIA slot). It also required us to have another cellular line. Since we are already cellular customers, the cost to add this was $59.99 (plus a gazillion dollars in tax, I am sure), giving me unlimited internet/e-mail access, anytime. I may just let the thing run 24 hours a day to get the most return on my "investment" (???) with Verizon (who I consider as customer-friendly as most oil companies)... yes, that is tongue in cheek.

HTH

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Oldgrowth, the last time that I checked, Cingular was lagging behind Verizon and Sprint/Nextel on the cellular cards. :cry However, I think that they are working on some form of the market and it is only a matter of time before they catch up. :disgust If you are really stuck on staying w/ Cingular, I would suggust that you wait them out. I am thinking that they will catch up within a year. :smiled
 
Sam Walker – thanks for the info. I am not necessarily stuck on/with Cingular, I just don’t make changes easy. I have four phones on my account and have partners with Cingular phones. It’s convenient because there is no airtime charged when you talk to another Cingular customer. If I switch providers, I have to do so, on all phones and my partners phones also. I can wait for a while, hopefully it won’t take a year.
 
I've got one of the new Palm 700W phones with the broadband internet on Verizon. The speeds aren't great but I only use it for Email for work. I know there is a program I can download that turns this into a modem for a laptop but I haven't tried it yet. I've gotten so that I really enjoy having this phone. Always having my email available is great! The screen is pretty small so surfing the web just isn't practical for most things though.
 
I recently upgraded my Thinkpad laptop since one of my sons needed a laptop also. I gave him my 6 month old one and got a spiffier widescreen Thinkpad z60m for myself (and the boat). It has the built in Broadband wireless card. Since I previously had the service through a PCMCIA card Verizon PC5740, and I am only paying for 1 ESN for broadband I have an extra card. Does anyone want it? Make me a reasonable offer and I'll FedEx it to you. I paid about a couple hundred bucks but would discount it. If you have to pay for a new card maybe you could use mine. Its brand new and works great. Oh yeah, the service works great on my new Thinkpad too.
 
I have checked into it and am going to try Cingular wireless for my laptop. I have checked the coverage area map and it will supposedly give me coverage for most areas I need. I will let you know how it works for me, after I have used it for awhile.
 
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