Ideas for onboard wifi and gps.

[sleeper00]

So im setting up my rig and I have been throwing around the idea of running a laptop in the cabin and use it for real time gps navigation via google earth. I would also like to access the internet and be able to have cell phone reception (figuring i can use my phone through wifi connection) even in some of the most remote areas of north america. I apologize for my noob ness with this subject, but I am hoping to set this system up within the next year or so. Can it be done? Questions, comments, critisims?

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[sleeper00]

Did some research, and it looks like i can run a cellular booster antenna allong with a garmen dome antenna to get what im after. I will be building a full replacement roof rack soon and i will include a metal bridge for the antennas. As for the wifi, im still researching this part. If anyone has info to assist me please feel free to comment.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[sleeper00]

Thank you very much for your input. Now I know where to start!

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[Rovertrader]

simple question as I am NOT tech savvy- if you do the antenna booster, and use a flip phone for phone service, and a tablet for wifi, both via Verizon- will the booster work for increased remote service and to what degree? Twice as good, 10x? The claims and various test I have read state this is the simplest/best improvement for the least dollars. Sorry for lack of knowledge, but not my 'hot spot' if you will, and just need coverage to facilitate working while remote, with the advantage of a 'backstop' and ready communication if needed. Thanks!!

 

[mep1811]

And how does this work when you leave the mall parking lot and get into the back country with out a cell signal?

 

[Buliwyf]

If you are going to run an entire laptop, then Delorme should be at least one of the GPS programs.

Best nav program I've ever used. I especially like being able to draw on my maps and mark locations, even shade interesting areas I want to explore later.

 

[bfdiesel]

And how does this work when you leave the mall parking lot and get into the back country with out a cell signal?

dido

 

[charlieaarons]

Get a Inmarsat BGAN system. for true 100% phone and Internet coverage worldwide.

Charlie

 

[Sirocco]

Get a Inmarsat BGAN system. for true 100% phone and Internet coverage worldwide.

Charlie

Yer that will work out real cheap runing google earth :Wow1:

The BGAN units need to be static and pointing to the correct sats wherever in the world you are. For nav use a dedicated program and simple external GPS mouse coupled to a tablet cannot be beaten.

wifi and GE whilst moving? thats just fancy.

G

 

[mep1811]

ha ha I guess the truth was too much

 

[charlieaarons]

Yer that will work out real cheap runing google earth :Wow1:

The BGAN units need to be static and pointing to the correct sats wherever in the world you are. For nav use a dedicated program and simple external GPS mouse coupled to a tablet cannot be beaten.

wifi and GE whilst moving? thats just fancy.

G

Not be repetitive, but what happens when out of cell range?
I'm doing this on BGAN, no wifi where I'm at.

Charlie

Charlie

 

[bftank]

for work i occasionally go out of cellphone range to watch injection wells. when i do this i take a wilson signal booster for my droid 2. this allows me to get 4 bars of service vs. none. it also allows me to use pdanet on my phone for internet. whereas without the booster i had nothing. internet is not fast enough for playing videos suchas hulu, but it does work for checking on forums answering emails etc.

 

[strider3700]

You can search google and find tutorials on how to pre-cache google earth maps on the computer for when you're out of cell range. You can't do an entire state (last time I checked) but it's easy enough to pre-cache most trips.

 

[Sirocco]

Not be repetitive, but what happens when out of cell range?
I'm doing this on BGAN, no wifi where I'm at.

was this aimed at me? or just a x2 on what I allready said?

You can search google and find tutorials on how to pre-cache google earth maps on the computer for when you're out of cell range. You can't do an entire state (last time I checked) but it's easy enough to pre-cache most trips.

There is an excellent thread on this over on the HUBB. I did consider doing it, but dont think it is worth it considering that most areas are mapped to an excellent standard. If you are exploring, especially desert environs then yes Sat imagery would come in useful. Even more so if you could grid them for use.

G

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

I use a Wilson cell phone booster to. The few places I had no signal before I now have 2 or more bars, and in places it used to go down to one bar I've usually got full signal. The only downside is you have to be pretty close to the inside antenna. It's worth the 240 just for the extra safety net.