Cell/Satphone/Internet at sea?
Once and Future
2010-11-13 02:20:24
I remember a couple years ago Jon led a discussion about how he could get internet on the drag most of the time via mobile phone. 2 years is a long time in the communications industry, so I was wondering if there is a mobile phone network that has emerged as having the best coverage at sea in SE. Also, what Sat phone system is the best and how do the costs compare?
I would appreciate any posts by users revealing what is working well for them now. Thanks.
JYDPDX
2010-11-13 03:17:19
I run an iPhone through a Wilson cell booster on AT&T. I get better reception than anyone I know. However, AT&T only has available in Alaska it's "Edge" network which is really slow for Internet but perfectly sufficient. I can email, pay bills and surf the web anywhere I have a cell signal.
Salty
2010-11-13 07:18:35
I have also upgraded to an I phone with a booster and antenna recommended by Current Navigation and am quite impressed with the service both all over Sitka Sound and off Kruzof. A couple of dead spots off of Beaver Pt. and Georgiana into Salisbury, but much better than my previous boosted system.
I also changed from Globalstar to an Iridium Satellite Phone last year and am quite happy with the improved service.
carojae
2010-11-22 05:05:46
Let me try asking
I'm thinking you want to know about how to hook up a laptop on board - right? Me too.
So....
How can I hook up my laptop to my external cell phone antenna with booster and make this work? Anyone? I am not interested in iphone internet. I want my laptop to get up and running with the internet while I am out at sea.
I know I need a air card for my laptop but which one accepts a external antenna connection? AT&T tech's don't seen to know (nope, not the ones I've talked to) and since Dave Walton/Radar Marine of Elfin Cove passed, I know nothing anymore.
Most commercial Land lubbers/cell phone crapologists don't seem to understand the need for a external antenna nor do they have good opinions about boosters. Blank stares and grunts is all I get for answers.
I know this is all possible and a easy solution is there but man.....I am running out of creative ways to ask this same question.
Anyone? :?
Jim
Katlian
2010-11-22 06:42:37
i have seen the solution installed at someone's house. It is a external at&t 3g modem. they took apart the little antenae and plugged in a cell phone booster. I think it is really cheaper and faster to get a web enable phone of any brand and plug it into a booster. if you are hooked on using a full size computer, I think that these folks could sell you everything you need http://www.wirelessnwifi.com/ .
I,of course, suggest that full internet connection on a salmon troller is antithetical. Boat to boat communications are valuable and worthy. Cruising the web makes it seem like you don't really want to unplug and leave the dock.
slr
JYDPDX
2010-11-22 16:57:12
I'm thinking you want to know about how to hook up a laptop on board - right? Me too.
So....
How can I hook up my laptop to my external cell phone antenna with booster and make this work? Anyone? I am not interested in iphone internet. I want my laptop to get up and running with the internet while I am out at sea.
I know I need a air card for my laptop but which one accepts a external antenna connection? AT&T tech's don't seen to know (nope, not the ones I've talked to) and since Dave Walton/Radar Marine of Elfin Cove passed, I know nothing anymore.
Most commercial Land lubbers/cell phone crapologists don't seem to understand the need for a external antenna nor do they have good opinions about boosters. Blank stares and grunts is all I get for answers.
I know this is all possible and a easy solution is there but man.....I am running out of creative ways to ask this same question.
Anyone? :?
Jim
what you are looking for is not the holly grail. ATT offers internet service over the cell networks (3G and Edge)
this can be achieved by purchasing a little antenna that plugs into a usb port on you computer or by purchasing one of their computers that is 3g enabled.
a wilson cell booster would probably work to amplify the signal as their universal adapter simply velcros on.
I am pretty sure verizon also offers a similar service.
i believe this service requires a separate service agreement and charges from you cell service.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Samsung+GO+(TM)+with+Windows®+7+Starter&q_sku=sku4160282#fbid=kWOqZ9I64S3
yet another option available is tethering from you iphone (sending the internet connection from you phone to you computer via wifi or usb)
initially, when iphone was first released this was supposed to be included and free. but they delayed support for tethering for the first year after a bunch of feet dragging from ATT and then announced it was going to cost an additional fee.
carojae
2010-11-25 07:34:16
My previous post should have said, "Let me try asking
Simple reason is I want to know too and want to improve on what I got. My current system consists of a 10db antenna, LMR-400 coax cable, cell phone booster and of course the cell phone - all hard wired from antenna to cell phone. I don't care for the internet service my cell phone provides - one reason it is too small for these old eyes and fat fingers although it is functional. However, I know that if I can get this signal and internet service to my laptop I think I would be happier or at least getting my money's worth. I do get a very good cell signal and am very happy with my phone for communication. Anyway.......
3G signal/service? We don't have it yet on most remote cell towers. e.g., Cape Spencer. So 3G gadgetry (cell phones) is useless out on the grounds. I'm just saying. Funny they charge you for it if you have a "3G cell phone" even if they don't provide the correct signal out at sea or any other remote area for that matter. *
Okay..
This subject interests me. I am surprised there is so little knowledge about it - at least in the circle I'm in.
Katlians' link may have some good answers.
Thanks.
Jim
Once and Future
2011-07-19 22:02:40
I have to revisit this issue again because my cell phone screen has gone blank. It had the antenna port in the back so I could plug into that in weak areas. Now ATT rep tells me only the Motorola "Tundra" has an antenna port, and you have to remove the back cover to access it. Plus the phone costs $425, is no longer made and the adapters you need for the antenna are getting scarce.
So the current solution seems to be buy a booster for $200 something. And then I could technically get slow internet over the booster on to a laptop, if I understand correctly.
But here is my question, if I understand Salty correctly, he has a sat phone yet still relies on cell phone for internet. I thought I had see sat phones advertised with internet connectivity. If you had a sat phone, why not use that (presumably more reliable) signal for internet? How expensive are sat phone set-up and monthly service fees?
I too find it somewhat sacrilegious to have internet or even cell phones at sea. But if it gives me the peace of mind to stay at sea longer, maybe I have to do it. I know where my wife is on the issue. :)
Abundance
2011-07-20 02:51:23
I used to have those ones with the antennae port, but mine broke a long time ago. I switched to a Wilson booster for truckers that attaches with Velcro. I have used it for the past five years without a hitch, and I get pretty good cell service almost everywhere on the west coast of PoW. I have have even found pretty good service in odd places, like twenty miles out of Roller Bay. I have to say that I am unimpressed by the cell service over the rest of southeast though. Even with my booster, much of Baranof shore is a blank, and its much the same over toward Wrangell. I know a few guys with sat phones, but there seems to be a great deal of difference in service between brands and they are a bit too expensive for me to try for one.
Katlian
2011-07-21 05:22:47
after a few years of playing with many options on internet on the boat, I have found a happy place. While my description is brief, the recipe has via the school of hard knocks.
I have an iridium phone for out of service areas. I use prepair 200 minute cards for $175, the northern lights plan. Good up to 15 miles from shore. Global minutes are available and expensive
I use and iphone for internet access
I bought a wilson ibooster cradle and hooked it up to my cell antenna in the rigging. It is a combination booster, charger, and pass thru for sync cable.
Jailbreak the iphone. Legal, but naughty.
Buy mywi for $20.
I now can broadcast a wifi signal to any computer on the boat using my 3g data service. Att wants to charge $20 a month for tethering service. MyWI is a pay once product. It has brought my ability to conduct business to a new level.
Good luck
slr
Salty
2011-07-26 02:26:23
I highly recommend Katlian's recommendations. I have followed his advice with the Iridium phone and the booster. Will have him set up my wifi signal from my iphone as soon as he is in town.
carriehere
2011-11-21 08:20:47
In this rapidly changing world, no wonder that a pace faster than others the more you will gain! It is significant for us to have a better coverage of our mobile phone! So a booster will help to enchance your mobile phone coverage and you will have the best signal even you are at sea. You will always quick step than others if you possess a booster http://www.cellphonejammers.co.uk/.
RoverCranker
2011-11-21 19:22:52
Iv'e only ever used ACS and they have fairly decent coverage of all the northern channels and some outside waters. I forced my Dad to learn to text so I could send him the "I'm safe" message in the scratchy service areas. At Cape Cross I would have to have the text ready to press send as soon as I trolled by the rock.I would get 1 bar for about 30 seconds. Enough to get the message out. I've never needed a booster on the boat. I've got along well enough with out it, but I do have one at my house and it does wonders for my cell and 3g modem for internet.
JYDPDX
2011-11-21 23:48:30
I'm sorry but one bar at yakobi rock is not good cell coverage
RoverCranker
2011-11-22 00:45:57
lol Yakobi's actually not that bad for me, but South of Deer Harbor, I've got nothing. There's something about the isolation that's made me hesitate to upgrade.