Sorry....wifi from marina/boat again....and tv on lap top?

D3B

D3B

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www.cutting-solutions.co.uk
Looks like a might be spending some time on the boat over the next few months.
I need regular connection to a remote land based server from my lap top using terminal services (the terminal services is already set up...its my current method using ordinary broadband)....data only transfered occasionally, but could be quite high usage.

Lowestoft has Oceanwave wifi broadband but the connection is rubbish....I still have 10 months to go on the subscription with unlimited downlaods....though most small downloads take ages....
Would a "dongle" outside the cabin improve reception/connection?
which one?

What other options to keep a "good" connection using Terminal services....


Is there something cheap i can get to watch tv/satelite on the laptop or would i be better off getting a seperate tv and satelite receiver
 
I have given up with Oceanwave myself - too many service failures and poor follow up once I complained.

Shame really as i supported these guys and the other start up with a lumpsum upfront years payment to get their cash flow moving.......

Now have Vodafone dongle which works well and I am very surprised how fast it is and the small amount of time and volume i am using.

The Tv is simple get a USB digital stick £30 and you have freeview. record to hard drive too.
 
Im
interesting that wifisparks list Lowesoft Haven Marina as one of its hotspots.....
thats the connection I have /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Must run and tell everyone in the marina that its a "hot-spot"


NOT!!!!!!
 
Yup, the wifi crowd have shot themselves in the foot, I reckon. Wifispark (MDL) were quite good and they provide the back end for Oceanwave (Premier and others) - but no roaming agreement between them last time I checked. By fannying around, they missed their opportunity.

At £9/month (wifispark) thats only of use in MDL marinas vs £15/month for a 3G dongle usable just about anywhere - I know which is better value.

Rick
 
Oceanwave state roaming in the agreement though not tried it anywhere else yet...Ipswich is nearest and they had the same problems as Lowestoft...


OK
I could google for the info but the fount of all knowledge (IPC fora) will probably tell me quicker.

3G.....
Do i need a new phone agreement?
download speeds/limits?
I presume it just plugs into lappy?
can it do the TV thing too?
 
Another vote for the voda dongle from me - I use this all the time on the boat, I was there this morning and rdp'd back to the server for a couple of hours no problem at all. Consistently get a 3g+ 7.2mbps connection in Gosport.

Worth checking in your area though, if you don't get a 3g connection then 2g is too slow to use rdp over.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Agreed 100%.

I get 7.2 speed at home / office and on the boat.

and.......no logging in malarky either just plug in and it authenticates itself and download the stuff. This saves endless time

The cost will come down too in the longer term I reckon .

50p a day is a snap
 
I have just started using a dongle for business and I have been impressed so far. It connects to the internet on 3G or to a wi fi if there is one near by. Mine happens to be on the Orange net work but most companies have them. The connection so far has been superb and the 4 meg download limit is more than enough for most needs. Not sure if streeming TV footage would need more or not effected as your not actually downloading. In my opinion worth a try compared to rediculous Marina Wi Fi.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I get 7.2 speed at home / office and on the boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahh, thats a bit of a con. The full 7.2Mb/s isn't available everywhere - just in London and a few airports. Everywhere else you're getting the 1.8Mb/s service which is still HSDPA, but not quite what they tell you. Time for those who complain about "up to 8Mb/s" on DSL to start a new campaign.

Voda list the sites where you can get 7.2Mb/s here

Rick
 
I think it just says 7.2 whenever it gets a HSDPA connection. I'm on t-mobile and use my own software, so I see the real throughput speeds. I get 1.4Mb/s download in Newtown Creek which is perfectly adequate for me to work over /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

In fact, not found an anchorage that I use in the Solent where I've not got an HSDPA connection /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Rick
 
3G although very good in most areas doesn't work in Padstow or Milford Haven. Hitched up to Oceanwave for a week. They were very helpfull over the phone. The worst is Sparks in Plymouth, interfears with you, but won't go all the way !!!
 
After further investigation I have decided that 3G may be the way to go.

Have been offered vodaphone dongle with unlimited down loads for 25 quid a month, 24 months contract with the first 6 months free.....and 14 days free trial period /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
as i am on holiday at the boat from next Friday it will get a very good testing with my proposed week taking in Lowestoft, Chatham, Ipswich and the Walton Backwaters.

Thanks for the help guys...

Doug
 
I have just been at Milford Haven and used the 3 dongle without too much problems. The reception is just adequate to get a connection and sometimes I moved the dongle on it's usb lead to a different position to get a more reliable conenction but at Hobb's Quay it worked great. Tenby was a no go though.

I'm paying £5 a month for the 1Gb Lite broadband package. With good reception, the connection speed is 3.2Mbits so I'm well pleased, thanks but no thanks MDL for your £5 a day access or whatever it is.

If anyone wants the same deal you can get it through referal only, otherwise it is £10 a month. The larger packages are half price too through referal. ie. £7.50 and £10.

I don't see why the marinas can't offer free wifi like McDonald's as we are paying the excessive prices for the marina berth. In Kilmore Quay Marina, the wifi is free and works great.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ocean wave is crap here at Gunwharf as well. see you next Sunday Doug

[/ QUOTE ]

Be fair - thats because they don't have a hotspot there and you're using Gosport (which is rightly targeted at the marina, not providing service to folks at Gunwharf).

Thats the other half of the wifi problem - unrealistic expectations.

Rick
 
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