BajaNomad

Anyone using satellite to for emails when boondocking in the middle of nowhere while traveling in Mexico and Central America?

magentawave - 11-19-2012 at 06:49 PM

I was wondering if anyone is using a satellite dish for email when boondocking in the middle of nowhere when traveling in Baja, Mex mainland, and Central America so you can still tend to business when needed?

ya...yes...sure !!!

captkw - 11-19-2012 at 06:59 PM

In baja Ive used in the boondocks and its slOOOOw !! and ifd go over a set limet they pull your pants down and spank you !!! LOL no what do is punish you and turn you basicly off or close enough that your laptop isnt usable for I think 12 hrs >>>>K&T:cool: PS..Hughs net...but your looking for moblie so as said check with the cruiser's ...

[Edited on 11-20-2012 by captkw]

magentawave - 11-19-2012 at 07:33 PM

Do you know if there are any "pay as you go" satellite internet plans now? I would only use it for emailing so wouldn't use much bandwidth at all.

satalite tech

captkw - 11-19-2012 at 07:39 PM

I think your best answer woud be on a a cruisers net/website Ive been reading on all kinds of sat stuff that is now in reach of the avage joe...and you might try latitude 38 on line...dont think the answer your looking for is here unless some racers are using it now !!! K&T:cool:
And any second someone will bring up spot !!!
[Edited on 11-20-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-20-2012 by captkw]

Jack Swords - 11-19-2012 at 09:42 PM

http://www.sailmail.com/

The attached link is to Sailmail which allows business uses, or you can use Airmail for personal e-mails with a ham license. We have used Airmail both on our boat in remote areas and also in the backcountry of Baja from our car. Wih the ham license with world-wide communication from a mobile unit, e-mail is quite easy reasonably fast (no photos), reliable, and pretty much unlimited. Do some research on both and the Pactor unit (modem) needed. The answer is out there depending on your needs and resources.

Jack, N1IY
s/v La Paloma

thanks jack

captkw - 11-19-2012 at 09:56 PM

I was thinking about what we call "snail mail" but there is so much new stuff coming out daily,, I avoided that... and yes thats a old option..the new satalite tech is getting cheaper and better by the day.......K&T :cool: .................PS s/v LA PALOMA Hola,,we have talked many times on the mornig net in la paz..Marta Castiilo..me uralla "el castillo & Dos Aguia's" Tu recordo ??.......K&T:cool:

[Edited on 11-20-2012 by captkw]

Islandbuilder - 11-19-2012 at 10:20 PM

Sat phone with the data plan?

CarlVon - 11-21-2012 at 07:32 PM

Tell them it is a land yacht


http://www.skymate.com/products.html

magentawave - 11-23-2012 at 02:30 PM

Hey thats a great idea! I totally forgot about how cruisers do email so thanks! Any idea how cheaply I could set myself up with used equipment?

CarlVon - 11-23-2012 at 05:03 PM

Haven't seen any used systems out there, most stay with the boat.
For email it is the best, down fall no pics

Jack Swords - 11-23-2012 at 05:16 PM

"The Ham networks offer greater geographic coverage and contain more stations than SailMail or any other HF network. Further, the ham networks do not have any limits on connect-time, and permit users to send and receive file attachments like images and binary executables. By comparison, SailMail has usage limits of 90 minutes per week and only passes certain attachments (e.g. weather data). Note, however, that while it is appropriate to send business-related messages over the SailMail system, business messages are not permitted on the Ham networks."...from the link I posted.

Winlink (http://www.winlink.org/) is the ham version of Sailmail, it is free to use, software is free. You need a ham license to use the system which can be obtained with some studying. Testing for the ham license is now being done by volunteer examiners. The equipment needed is the ham radio and Pactor modem. Cost? Depends on used, new, etc. Lots of info on the web.

Jack, N1IY
s/v La Paloma

magentawave - 11-23-2012 at 10:34 PM

What is the CHEAPEST way I could set myself up to send emails like this? I assume that would mean buying used equipment...

Yo DUDE!!

captkw - 11-23-2012 at 10:42 PM

UMM ,,Not being rude,,,but if you wanna travel mode >>> nothing is wrote in stone !! I tell you what,,,the world ran before wifi and if you want to travel ?????? you life with a laptop can/will STOP !! yep I said the harsh truth !...do you want to travel ?? or do you NeeD ??....wi/fi..If the latter ,,stay Home !!

magentawave - 11-23-2012 at 11:25 PM

I hear ya but I have a website that will pay for my travels and requires me to check email every couple days. I'm just checking all of my options here. If I can't do this remote email thing SIMPLE and CHEAP then I'll have to hire one of those customer service outfits to handle customer issues and questions for me.

AmoPescar - 11-24-2012 at 06:25 PM

Hi Magentawave...


E-mail George at this web site... http://blog.vagabonders-supreme.net/

He has been writing his Blog and posting it via Satellite dish from all over remote locations in Baja, Mainland, MX and the U.S. for about 10 years.

Also...you can U2U 'Desertbull' about what he is using. He has used his all over Baja and much of the U.S. while covering Off-road events.


Miguelamo :yes: :light: :yes: ;)

JZ - 11-24-2012 at 07:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Yo DUDE!!

UMM ,,Not being rude,,,but if you wanna travel mode >>> nothing is wrote in stone !! I tell you what,,,the world ran before wifi and if you want to travel ?????? you life with a laptop can/will STOP !! yep I said the harsh truth !...do you want to travel ?? or do you NeeD ??....wi/fi..If the latter ,,stay Home !!


Yo dude... you aren't as smart as you think you are....

[Edited on 11-25-2012 by JZ]

magentawave - 11-25-2012 at 02:29 PM

If I had a pile of money to dip into or monthly checks from a pension or SS then I'd say "to hell with email" but since I'll be doing this on a pay-as-I-go basis then I need to figure this stuff out.
Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Yo DUDE!!

UMM ,,Not being rude,,,but if you wanna travel mode >>> nothing is wrote in stone !! I tell you what,,,the world ran before wifi and if you want to travel ?????? you life with a laptop can/will STOP !! yep I said the harsh truth !...do you want to travel ?? or do you NeeD ??....wi/fi..If the latter ,,stay Home !!


Yo dude... you aren't as smart as you think you are....

[Edited on 11-25-2012 by JZ]

magentawave - 11-25-2012 at 02:30 PM

I didn't realize Tioga George was using satellite. I will contact him and thanks!
Quote:
Originally posted by AmoPescar
Hi Magentawave...


E-mail George at this web site... http://blog.vagabonders-supreme.net/

He has been writing his Blog and posting it via Satellite dish from all over remote locations in Baja, Mainland, MX and the U.S. for about 10 years.

Also...you can U2U 'Desertbull' about what he is using. He has used his all over Baja and much of the U.S. while covering Off-road events.


Miguelamo :yes: :light: :yes: ;)

PASSING THRU

captkw - 11-25-2012 at 02:56 PM

To be Truly challenging, a journey, like a life,must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest..otherwise you are doomed to routine tranverse..travel belongs to the wanderers of the the world who cannot,or will not, fit in..if you are contemplating a journey and you have the means,abandon the adventure until your fortune change..only then will you know what travel is about !! " I have always wanted to go, but I cant afford it !! what these folks can't afford is NOT to go..They are emeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security" And in worship of sercecurity we fling are lives beneath the wheels of routine---and before we know it our lives are gone...what do we need---really need?? A few pounds of food each day,heat and shelter,six feet to lie down in--and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment...Thats all--in the material sense,and we know it..But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention from the sheer idiocy of the charade..The years thunder by..The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelfs of patience..Before we know it,,the tomp is sealed...Where,then,lies the answer?? In choice..Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of LIFE ??

degoma - 11-25-2012 at 03:23 PM

Holy S---! --- I mean, Ahmen!....Gulp.

AmoPescar - 11-25-2012 at 04:11 PM

HEY CAPTAIN....

Why don't you go back and read magenta's first post...then take a deep breath and read it again and maybe one more time after that!

He was asking about a SATELLITE connection to the Internet while boondocking in rural areas....he wasn't asking for a long explanation as to why he should be traveling!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
To be Truly challenging, a journey, like a life,must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest..otherwise you are doomed to routine tranverse..travel belongs to the wanderers of the the world who cannot,or will not, fit in..if you are contemplating a journey and you have the means,abandon the adventure until your fortune change..only then will you know what travel is about !! " I have always wanted to go, but I cant afford it !! what these folks can't afford is NOT to go..They are emeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security" And in worship of sercecurity we fling are lives beneath the wheels of routine---and before we know it our lives are gone...what do we need---really need?? A few pounds of food each day,heat and shelter,six feet to lie down in--and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment...Thats all--in the material sense,and we know it..But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention from the sheer idiocy of the charade..The years thunder by..The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelfs of patience..Before we know it,,the tomp is sealed...Where,then,lies the answer?? In choice..Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of LIFE ??



Miguelamo :yes: :?: :yes: :light:

David K - 11-25-2012 at 06:01 PM

Amo, sometimes when a question is asked on Baja Nomad, one needs to expect a LOT MORE than 'just an answer'! Like Capt. KW, (I am often guilty of giving more than what is asked.).. and for those who don't need the additional info., just pass over it... but it is amazing how much enrichment can be obtained from the thoughts or knowledge of others who give more than what was asked of them... and we get nothing from those who keep such things to themselves! ;D

BCSTech - 11-28-2012 at 07:49 AM

You might look at BGAN terminals.

Small, portable, easy to deploy, pay as you go, Email and voice. New terminals can be had from $1,500, with service from $80/mo. Used terminals from $150

http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/bgan_sabre1.html?gclid=CJ6D...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/?_nkw=bgan&clk_rvr_id=4171383279...

magentawave - 11-28-2012 at 11:42 AM

That looks very interesting. Thank you for the links. I see that I can buy pre-paid service which would be perfect for when I need to check email out in the middle of nowhere. Sorry for such a dumb question here, but I assume BGAN still requires a satellite dish or some kind of antenna, right?


[Edited on 11-28-2012 by magentawave]

Wanderglobe - 11-29-2012 at 03:11 PM

An option that I used was SPOT. It's a small, emergency transmitter that you can use to send messages. I believe the new ones will allow you to receive as well but I'm not sure. The one I had sends short messages from anywhere in the world to an email list, facebook and twitter...sending your exact location as well. The newer units come with an Android or iPhone app.

More info here.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Option 2 is Telcel and please, correct me if I'm wrong on this but from what I understand you can get a small USB stick for your computer that is sold for around $100 which gives you internet access whereever there is a cell phone signal. I've researched a bit and you can get plans for around $40 for 10GBs of data and down from there.

Option 3 A lot of places have internet access and there was only one or two spots that really didn't. Internet cafes are everywhere and most restaurants/bars have wifi. Just ask. Even in Cabo Pulmo, camped on the beach, we were able to pick up a signal from 7 KM's away although it was weak. A short drive into town for a cold beer, some ice and some wifi. Mexico is pretty well connected.

[Edited on 11-29-2012 by Wanderglobe]