[Dick Locke]

On 31 Jul 2006 03:41:17 -0700, wrote:


Edoardo wrote:
Hi,

I am searching for some good source of information about installing a
satellite internet connection on sailing boats.
What's the best solution?
Is there a website/forum/group that is specifically talking about this?

Thanks a lot for your help
Eddy

THe original post has dropped off my computer, so I'm not sure if the
question was originally aimed at US coastal cruisiers or global
cruisers. For global cruisers who want something closer to "always on"
than SSB/Pactor rigs...

Has anyone looked into R-BGAN or BGAN from Inmarsat? . I've seen
R-BGAN prices around $500 for the antenna/terminal and $12 per
megabyte for satellite usage. Speed is "up to" 144K BITS per second,
but there is some new acceleration software. Looks adequate for email
but not much good for graphic downloading. It could give Skymate a
run for its money.

http://broadband.inmarsat.com/about/...extonly=False#

My main concern is directional sensitivity of the flat antenna and
whether it would work under way in a sailboat....or even in a
relatively calm anchorage.

[Glenn Ashmore]

Looks like it goes to a geosynchronus satellite. Use d a satphone for
several years over a geosync. Very picky. Useless on a boat. Had to sit
on the dock and let the people walking by be bewildered by the nut case
sitting on the dock talking on the phone.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Dick Locke" wrote in message
...
On 31 Jul 2006 03:41:17 -0700, wrote:


Edoardo wrote:
Hi,

I am searching for some good source of information about installing a
satellite internet connection on sailing boats.
What's the best solution?
Is there a website/forum/group that is specifically talking about this?

Thanks a lot for your help
Eddy

THe original post has dropped off my computer, so I'm not sure if the
question was originally aimed at US coastal cruisiers or global
cruisers. For global cruisers who want something closer to "always on"
than SSB/Pactor rigs...

Has anyone looked into R-BGAN or BGAN from Inmarsat? . I've seen
R-BGAN prices around $500 for the antenna/terminal and $12 per
megabyte for satellite usage. Speed is "up to" 144K BITS per second,
but there is some new acceleration software. Looks adequate for email
but not much good for graphic downloading. It could give Skymate a
run for its money.

http://broadband.inmarsat.com/about/...extonly=False#

My main concern is directional sensitivity of the flat antenna and
whether it would work under way in a sailboat....or even in a
relatively calm anchorage.

[krj]

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Looks like it goes to a geosynchronus satellite. Use d a satphone for
several years over a geosync. Very picky. Useless on a boat. Had to sit
on the dock and let the people walking by be bewildered by the nut case
sitting on the dock talking on the phone.

What satphone system uses geosync satellites? Both Iridium and
Globalstar use LEO satellites.
krj

[Glenn Ashmore]

This was long ago in ancient times. Like almost 7 or 8 years. :-) Before
Iridium and Globestar everything was geosync. Inmarsat (B, M and Mini-M)
were all there was. The unit was about the size of a lap top with a
telephone hand set attached. You aim the lid at the satellite. Had a
9600bps dataport too. This device looks like a stylized version of those
old sat phones but with ADSL. .

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"krj" wrote in message
. ..
Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Looks like it goes to a geosynchronus satellite. Use d a satphone for
several years over a geosync. Very picky. Useless on a boat. Had to
sit on the dock and let the people walking by be bewildered by the nut
case sitting on the dock talking on the phone.

What satphone system uses geosync satellites? Both Iridium and Globalstar
use LEO satellites.
krj