Thread: Satellites, Internet and TV?

I'm only on my phone at the moment, depending on how expensive and it's overall size when packed, it could be an alternative to a Sat Phone maybe.

I might have to check it properly when I'm next on the comp.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

...............................Any clever ideas out there?

It depends on what you're trying to achieve here .


If it's a relatively simple one stop solution for TV and internet then for around $3500 (plus ongoings) this may do it.

If it's just TV then for around $800 you could have one of these

VANSAT - WHAT YOU GET

Whilst the 2 way sat system works well it is a pretty expensive way of getting internet access. Its big benefit is that it will work pretty well anywhere in Australia (perhaps getting a bit flaky as you head further south ie. southern Tasmania). The (technical) downside being latency or round trip signal delay, ping times are appalling. Not really an issue for internet/e-mail stuff but a major fail for internet gamers.
If you want internet access in the middle of the Simpson Desert etc. then this is the technology needed.

A 'better' solution could be internet access via a mobile phone network. Telstras NextG network has by far the best coverage in the country and may be a much cheaper and simpler solution. Optus/ Vodaphone etc just don't have the rural/remote coverage. Even the Telstra re-sellers Aldi, Boost etc don't necessarily offer remote Telstra network access.

At it's simplest a mobile phone plugged into a laptop via USB and a bit of software and away you go. For 'fringe' areas a phone that takes an external aerial may suffice (Telstras cheapest $45 pre-paid has this option). If you're really keen an external yagi (like a mini TV aerial) really makes a difference. A few years ago I trialled this setup and worked just under 100Km from Deal Island in Bass Strait to the Mt. Oberon mobile tower on Wisons Prom and achieved a real world file download rate of over 100 kB/sec. Not too shabby.
In this situation we used one of these

Ericsson W25 Fixed Wireless Terminal, 3G Fixed Wireless Terminal, EDGE, UTMS, 3G, Gateway, HSDPA


More recently I've been 'playing with one of these, bought on e-bay for $50 and it works fine.

VF110 / VoloFone / Products / Home - Vololink. The future is wireless.

Both these units offer Ethernet access and a standard phone line using a common or garden variety SIM card. Just make sure your mobile plan has data included as Telstras 'ad hoc' data rates are murderous and there's no tapering, so be warned.

The Ericsson unit runs on 12/24 volts and has Wi-Fi. The Volophone runs on a 9 volt supply and has the ability to send/receive text messages via laptop. Both have a back up battery and external aerial mounting and are perfect for a simple mobile home/caravan phone/internet system.

The only downside being that you need to be in a mobile phone coverage area, but as explained, this can be greatly enhanced with an external, especially directional, antenna.

Pedro, unless you're going uber remote I reckon one of these fixed wireless terminals or a mobile phone with an external antenna plus the cheaper Vansat offering could offer a better value solution.

Deano

Disclaimer. I used to work for Telstra installing 1 and 2 way sat services and also the Ericsson W25.

I was hoping you'd pop in Deano

As the van only has 14's I doubt we will ever be that far away from a town,,

am I right in thinking your Volofone replaces this-
Telstra Business - Mobile Broadband Hardware & Wi-Fi Devices
?
and will there be a 4g model?

Deano,, your opinion of these two aeriels?
VANSAT INTERNET - UPGRADES
as opposed to this 400mm jobby

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

am I right in thinking your Volofone replaces this-
Telstra Business - Mobile Broadband Hardware & Wi-Fi Devices
?
and will there be a 4g model?

Hi Pedro, no the Volophone is a different box of tricks.

This Telstra device (as far as I can tell) is basically a battery powered wireless hot spot. Good for portable internet access, training etc in a good signal environment. It's down side (for semi permanent use) seems to be the battery and how it's charged/changed over to the spare battery and also no external antenna port or power pack.

The Volophone or the Ericcson 'Fixed Wireless terminal' (FWT) is a more serious piece of equipment.
eg. both are powered by an external source with a battery backup and both have Ethernet access. The Ericsson has built in Wi-Fi the Volophone doesn't (but an Ethernet Wi-Fi adaptor could be easily connected). Both have an external USB port so external storage or a printer can be connected to the 'network'. Both have a 2 wire telephone interface meaning a standard telephone (even a cordless phone) can be connected. You can even connected a separate FAX to the W25.

As to a 4G FWT, I don't really know if there is such a thing but for the average internet and e-mail access the speed capability of 4G is not really necessary.

I reckon these are pretty good devices.

Telstra Elite Mobile WI FI Unlocked Next G 3G Broadband Modem Including 1GB Data | eBay


Basically a 3G wireless hot spot, externally powered via the USB connection from a laptop OR a 240 volt powerpack. Note this is wi fi, the USB cable is to provide power only. Also it has an external antenna port which is a big plus over the one you linked to. Also a fair bit cheaper I'd reckon.

As for external antennas, they come in all shapes and sizes, from simple suction cup stick on the window types to high gain directional Yagis such as this one.

Yagi 15nu llDirection alAnten naNe x tG8 50M HZTerminat e' sNFema | eBay

or this one

14dBi Multi Band GSM 3G 4G Antenna Mobile Phone Internet Booster Repeater Yagi | eBay


For a simple non directional antenna, especially one mounted on the side of a van I'd look at something with a ground independent base (meaning you don't need a largeish metallic area under the antenna for it to work efficiently) such as this one.

Detachable 9nu llMobi lePho neAnten naBla ckNe x | eBay

The Vansat 'upgrade' antenna appears to be base loaded (ground independent) but it isn't specified, nor is a gain value just 'high gain' which can mean whatever. The standard antenna is just a simple whip and needs a 'ground plane' underneath it to work best, ie. in the middle of a car roof .

Another thing to consider is length of co-ax from an external antenna to the mobile device. It's no good having an efficient external antenna if the gain in signal is lost in the feeder. The shorter the co-ax the better.

One solution that would fit the bill (and not break the bank) would be the Telstra Elite Mobile Wi-Fi (linked to above) with a ground independent whip antenna (same or similar to the one I linked to).

I'd stick it to a window (on the van off road side) with a blob of silicon so it's up high and out of the way and also close to the roof so a short antenna feeder , also gives good Wi-Fi access (not through metal wall). The length of the power cable from the plug pack is not critical and can be run from an inverter if necessary. You can sit outside with laptop in hand sipping on a cool drink whilst SWMBO or kids or whatever can also be on line via Wi-Fi as well.

A cheaper alternative would be one of these, some of which can also have an external antenna.

Telstra 3G Next G USB Prepaid Mobile Broadband Modem 1GB Data Bonus | eBay

This is a single device (laptop) USB connection and can be very prone to damage (also the PC motherboard) when plugged in and inadvertently knocked. Definitely use with care. Whilst these are an effective and cheap option I reckon they're more trouble than they're worth.

Confused yet ?


Deano