telecommunications and computers

[Henry Rozanski]

If you plan on surfing the net forget about CDPD. It takes about 60 secs everytime you change web pages. Try Verizon Express Network. You'll connect at about 6 to 8 times the speed of your CDPD connection. The same account will also feed your cell phone for reguler calls (2 for the price of one). I've tried both ways - belive me you don't want to experience the WEB at 14 to 19k !!!!!

[christopher bayer]

i will (shortly) be the proud owner of a new hunter 426. can i utilize my mac laptop from home on the boat. also, can i use a regular telepone on the boat. i believe the 426 is equipped with 3 telephone jacks. please advise. thanks. chris bayer.

[Cap'n D]

Chris:I've used computers on my various Hunters (310, now 380) for many years. I use a Compaq laptop, but work with Macs and they would work, too.If you have phoneline access at the dock, telecommuting should be no different than a hotel room.<Warning: Geek-speak>I use a PCMCIA card from Enfora that gives me CDPD access to the Internet. In other words: I have "always on" access to the Internet without wires. It's not fast (19.2Kb) but gives me email and the ability to pull weather radar. And, I can use it while on the hook.<Geek off>The big thing with any computer equipment is to use it's native 12vdc power, not the 120vac power bricks. That way, you conserve your battery life.Cap'n Ds/v Mollie Jean

[christopher bayer]

i really appreciate your help. i will study your input. happy sailing!

[Deac Manross]

Could you please elaborate a little more on that approach. I currently use my Verizon cell phone as my modem while on the hook but it has range only about a mile or so off shore on Lake Erie (plus, Canada has a nasty habit of aiming it's towers our way and whacking us with roaming charges even though we're not using their system). I get 14k on the cell phone, but could upgrade to 3 times that for a bout $30 a month, but for email, 14k is fine. But I'm intersted in your PCMIA CDPD solutionThanks

[Jason]

How your verizon setup works. Are there extra pieces of hardware or software? Are there extra expenses? I'm about ready to reup for cell service and I'm considering verizon. Thanks.

[Ed Schenck]

Just did "reup" with Verizon. Curious why only one mile from shore that you would lose line-of-sight to a Verizon tower. We bought the nationwide contract because it looked like Lake Erie and the East Coast would have coverage.Is the standard Verizon modem and phone adequate for e-mail?

[Cap'n D]

Here's my configuration. I've used it for about 3+ years:Compaq laptop (I've also used IBM)"Spider II" CDPD card from Enfora (www.enfora.com) Sierra Wireless (www.sierrawireless.com) also makes a good card.CDPD service from AT&T. Other providers are available and will sell you the service and the modem (www.budgetweb.com/cdpd/providers.html). Most providers have a flat rate plan so it does not matter how much/often you use the card. The only catch is that you have to be in a CDPD-enabled area. I've used my card everywhere from Lake Texoma (60 mi north of Dallas), to Houston, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.CDPD is a cellular-based service, so most populated areas with decent cellular coverage will have CDPD.Once the card is installed and configured, it's basically the same as any dialup or broadband internet account (but only at 19.2Kb). You fire up your laptop, start the CDPD modem, and surf or get email. The card is not a big power draw on your laptop, but I normally keep my 12v adapter on my laptop plugged in at all times.Even though we are on an inland lake, I've had great weather radar updates on spring storms that roll in way before alerts came out. Plus, I've been able to work from the boat (to help pay for it!!!).Cap'n D

[Deac Manross]

I just connect my laptop through a USB adaptor cable (and software....both for $80) to my USB port on my laptop. It really works great even at 14K.........with the supplied compression software you actually get closer to 28K.I actually can get reception out 2 or 3 miles except for some dead spots......but the Canadian tower problem is a REAL issue and you have to look at your cell phone often to make sure it is not 'roaming"Verizon charges an extra $5 a month to do this, and you can also pay $30 or so a month with the same equipment to get bursting up to 140K. I tried that last summer and actually didn't find it much faster than the base service.

[Steve Akseizer]

Where did you purchase the USB connector and will it fit any mobile phone or do you require a specific phone.

[Deac Manross]

Each phone you buy usually has it's own USB modem cable that is custom for that phone. One thing to look for in a phone (mine didn't have it) is a modem cable that you can use WHILE your phone is also charging plugged into DC or AC. With mine, I can either use the cell modem (I get aabout 3-4 hours of connect time) or the battery charger .....but not both