Wireless For The Masses By

Wireless For The Masses
By: Editor

Disclaimer:
We haven't personally tried any of these out, and before buying or subscribing
please make sure you check your dealers out.

Now wireless can be more affordable than your internet bill.

We discuss all the current technology for wireless communications.
This article focuses on strictly "packet" data related.

HF Radio
For many years now the sailing community have had wireless radio,
but now through the same system a boat can send and recieve email.
The HF means High Frequency - like from 2Mhz to 10Mhz or so.

An organization called SailMail along with some very talented individuals
have pioneered this technology.

If you already own a SSB marine radio rig, you may want to look into
using it for email as well.

What is required is a Radio Modem - otherwise known as a TNC or
Terminal Node Controller and your laptop (besides your radio setup).

Most radios are already setup to work well with a TNC if your radio
has a Data Port on the rear panel. You can still get it to work with the
older ones through a special setup - but it isn't quiet as good.

Even at top rates you can only download your email at 140 cps (2400 baud), but you
are more likely to get 60 cps (1200 baud). The plus side is you can leave the unit
unattended until all your email is downloaded.

Just because this is sailing technology doesn't mean you can't equip your
car or RV. In fact in the out-back in the Australian arid-lands there are
SUVs equipped with HF email capability.

In order to use this system you will have to be within the range of
a "local" station. Most locations are since they can transmit up to
7000 miles or so.

Talk to your local marine radio shop and see what input they can
give you. The installation can be very difficult.

Click here for a crude diagram:
HF Network Diagram

You will also need some software, which can be downloaded here:
Airmail wireless Email homepage

Summary:
Requires specialized equipment
Requires complicated set-up
Requires large antenna
Fees: $200 a year (generally)
Equipment: $3000 or slightly less.

You can find out more on SailMail here:
www.sailmail.com

A place to purchase radio equipment:
www.hamradio.com

Satellite Radio Email

There are several LEOs - Low Earth Orbit satellites which you might be
able to get access to. The range is limited to the orbit the satellite is on.

It also requires tracking the satellites position in order to uplink. (login)

The dues and expenses are similar to marine radio - but the installation
is even more complicated and the equipment more specialized.

You can find out more on the Amsat method here:
The Amsat Non-Profit group

The "Pagerway"

One way of receiving your email is by making use of the existing
two-way network pager services in your area.

What is required is a two-way paging device like the AccessLink II pager and a service such as the ones offered by SkyTel and a PDA such as the Palm Pilot or a Windows CE 2.0 compatible device.

The system works by accessing a service (you can even set your own up)
and using the IR - Infra-Red communication between your pager and
your palm computer.

Costs:
Pager $199
Paging Service: $24.95 or more/month
PDA: $249+
Email Service: $10 a month
(or do it yourself)
Software: $49 (BeamLink)

Although easy to use, the price is a little high.

For more details look at:
www.goamerica.net

Software:
BeamLink

Email Services:
www.instantemail.net

www.incontact.com

www.mailtel.com

The "Palmway"

Another way of getting those elusive emails is by purchasing a
cellular modem for you palm-computer or laptop.

The modems are roughly $299 and fit nicely in your PCMIA slot,
others may require adapters or specialized equipment.

NOTE: Some cellular phones may not be compatible, most
require some sort of interface cable that lower end models may
not support. Contact your cellular phone provider before
making any decisions on going this route.

Find the best price by going here:
www.bestbargains.com

If you have a Palm-Pilot series PDA you will need a wireless modem
like the Minstrel Pro which runs $399. You will need a IP capable
cellular provider, which for now is just for the larger areas.

NOTE: You will need to check with your local wireless company to
ensure that you can use this modem. They have to be able to offer
CDPD services. (Cellular Digital Packet Data)

Right now the max speeds on the cellular modems are right about 19.2Kbps.

You can find out more here:
www.novatelwireless.com
www.mypilot.com

For more general cellular connection information:
www.mobileaccessphone.com

Also they have a product that makes a MobileAccess phone a serial modem for $110

And purchase the Minstrel at: www.tigerdirect.com

The Minstrel does require a Palm III or better, other
compatible PDA such as the WorkPad.

Pocketmail

This is perhaps the very best option for wireless email.

The palm computer is only $99 for a low end system and $149 for a better one.

The cost is $9.95 a month and is available anywhere in the world.

You can use a analog cellular phone or some digital cellular phones
or even a pay-phone by calling a 800 number.

There are no expensive modems to buy, and the higher end model
has a link cable to send/receive email stored on your PC.

The technology was developed at NASA and it works quiet well,
even on poor lines.

One of the features is being able to download the from & subject only
and deciding which messages you want to download - this comes in
handy if you get a lot of junk e-mail.

You can go here for more information:
www.pocketmail.com

You can purchase the pocketmail computer at Staples and Office Depot.

The two availble units are the:
JVC - Low end system
Sharp - Higher end system

Pocketmail Users:
PocketMail News

Drawbacks:
Small clumsy keyboard
Small screen

There are other methods, but we will not mention them here, because
they either require a FCC license of some sort, or are to expensive
or difficult for our average reader to use.

Example:
Other wireless options:
Satellite phone - cost $3000+
Charges: $3.00 per minute.

Well I hope this article has helped some of you to "snip" that restraining
cable/wire ball & chain for a more mobile and convenient way of communicating
in the new millennium.