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Finally!!!!

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/14/2004 : 15:32:10

Some of you have expressed interst in my quest for mobile data, hence my sharing it here. To recap, I wanted wireless internet access, in as large a geographical area as possible. In hotels, airports, on the boat, in the Bay, 50 miles off shore......everywhere. But I am not going to pay through the nose.....Today I got it....80%, with the rest soon to come.

As we all know, technology has been growing leaps and bounds around us. WIFI, cellular coverage (analog-digital-GSM). WIFI is in almost every hotel, airport, many marina's. But unlike it's humble beginnings, it's no longer free! $29.95, for the service that works in many airports, Starbucks, Hilton.....but then there's another in other airports, the Radisson, some marina's....I've run into more that 10 different ones in the last year, and they all want money....not an option. Cellular, cards, 28K in some area's, not in others, not for mac. Then GSM phones....connect the phone via Bluetooth to a similar equippped laptop. But no coverage....then Cingular and AT&T merged......almost total GSM coverage, and unlimited internet access for $20.- add on to your phone plan.....SIGN ME UP, I'm IN!!!

So I got the phone, inspected their impressive coverage area (yes there will be gaps, but that's OK) and got to making it work.

I will not give you the play by play of the 24 grueling hour knock down drag out battle.....(I did sleep). Here are the highlights, finish the story color the pictures:
Motorola: I''m sorry sir I cannot answer that question, we do not support Mac.........Apple: I'm sorry sir, the modem script for the new model phone has to come from Motorola.....they won't talk to you? They should.......Cingular:(six calls.....10-15 minutes of waiting) Are you still located at......how can I help you.....you want to what? Let me get with tech support, may I place you on hold? ((music.....go to cingular .com and learn how our new digital service will even cure your asthma!!!)) yes sir? sir? Yes, I don't know why but apparently they gave you the wron username it's blah blah....the APN? What is an APN....Lady.....PLEASE, PLEASE let me talk to the tech myself...PLEASE......why not WHY NOT

You get the drift.....but it's working!!! Can't tell you how fast....GPRS is variable, the pewter doesn't know. But it feels 56ish or better. Now all I have to do is put an external cellular antenna on the boat to increase my range, and I will be all set...!

Yippeeeeee.

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

"Hindsight is 20/20, if I knew then what I know now, I would now be living on a small wooden sailboat, making a few bucks here and there playing a guitar and singing songs in bars."

Edited by - Oscar on 12/14/2004 15:36:20

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2004 : 16:29:59

Oscar,

Good info. Please keep us informed of your wireless Internet access adventures. For the ludites among us, are you saying that to do this one needs to:
<ul>
<li>Get a cellphone with Cingular/AT&T cellphone plan. (And a 12VDC phone charger.)</li>
<li>Give Cingular/AT&T another $20/mo. for an unlimited internet access add-on to the cell phone plan.</li>
<li>Connect the cellphone to a laptop (or other) PC via Bluetooth wireless technology. (Are there other cellphone-to-PC connection options?)</li>
<li>Who is the ISP? Cingular/AT&T? (Or someone else at an additional monthly cost?)</li>
<li>What seems to be the most energy efficient way to have a computer running off 12VDC aboard a small sailboat? (Laptop w/cig.ltr. plug? Compact desk system with special 12VDC power supply? Inverter?)</li>
</ul>I'll bet other inquiring minds would also like to know!

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

Members Avatar

452 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2004 : 16:44:52

For those of you craving more data, Cingular/AWS offer PC cards that can get 100-200kb depending on where you are. They are their own ISP.

http://onlinestoref.cingular.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ES_PCCARDS.jsp?leftMenuFlag=phone& storeId=14551& langId=-1& catalogId=14551& storeAlias=dcsbmi& svcAreaId=RAL

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2004 : 17:24:12

Get a cellphone with Cingular/AT&T cellphone plan. (And a 12VDC phone charger.)

Da. (Make sure it's a GSM)

Give Cingular/AT&T another $20/mo. for an unlimited internet access add-on to the cell phone plan.

Da-again

Connect the cellphone to a laptop (or other) PC via Bluetooth wireless technology. (Are there other cellphone-to-PC connection options?)

Yes, there are USB cables on some phones, also there is a way to add bluetooth technology to a laptop without. Especially for pc there is a lot more, but I'm not pc oriented.....NOTE: I don't have to convince anyone here of the value of a good forum......well guess what, there's a cellphone forum (don't tell these people they need a life...

)

http://cellphoneforums.net/

Who is the ISP? Cingular/AT&T? (Or someone else at an additional monthly cost?)

Yes and no....Cingular is the gateway....but no e-mail. O

What seems to be the most energy efficient way to have a computer running off 12VDC aboard a small sailboat? (Laptop w/cig.ltr. plug? Compact desk system with special 12VDC power supply? Inverter?)

IMO a laptop with a small inverter...they've come down in price a lot, 200W is plenty. If you go online for an extended period you need to plug in the phone....bluetooth is power hungry.

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

"Hindsight is 20/20, if I knew then what I know now, I would now be living on a small wooden sailboat, making a few bucks here and there playing a guitar and singing songs in bars."

Edited by - Oscar on 12/14/2004 17:29:03

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