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communication:internet [2021/12/17 22:57]
princess_fluffypants [Satellite Internet]
communication:internet [2022/05/11 19:13]
princess_fluffypants [Satellite Internet]
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 {{:communication:squishy.jpg?direct&200 |}} {{:communication:squishy.jpg?direct&200 |}}
  
-This is the holy grail of long-term van life. Historically Satellite internet services have been plagued by //very// high prices for minuscule data usage, and unrealistically bulky equipment (think DirectTV dishes). However with the advent of Starlink this may be about to change: https://www.tuckstruck.net/truck-and-kit/geekery/starlink-for-overlanders/+This is the holy grail of long-term van life, especially for those who prefer wilderness and remote areas. Historically Satellite internet services have been plagued by //very// high prices for minuscule data usage, and unrealistically bulky equipment (think DirectTV dishes). However with the advent of Starlink this is changing: https://www.tuckstruck.net/truck-and-kit/geekery/starlink-for-overlanders/
  
-Starlink is the satellite internet service offered by Space-X. $100/mo (and a $500 receiver) gets you //blisteringly// fast unlimited internet.((and the discomforting feeling of giving even more money to a twitter-addicted manchild billionare)) +Starlink is the satellite internet service offered by Space-X. $110/mo + $25/mo "Portability" fee (and a $600 receiver) gets you extremely fast unlimited internet in most places in the country.
  
  
-The catch to Starlink is that it //only// works in remote areas. If you have a cell phone signal, you're probably not far away enough from civilization to get Starlink.  The receiver((who's official name is "Dishy McFlatface")) is also fairly large (about the size of a pizza box) and takes a lot of power (~50w continuous draw).  It's a //portable// solution, but not a //mobile// solution. The current technology does not function while moving, and you have to manually update your location every time you move more than ~15 miles.+The catch is that Starlink //only// works in remote areas. If you have a cell phone signal, you're probably not far away enough from civilization to get Starlink.  See the coverage availability map here: https://www.starlink.com/map 
 + 
 +The receiver((who's official name is "Dishy McFlatface")) is also fairly large (about the size of a pizza box) and takes a lot of power (50-100w continuous draw).  It's a //portable// solution, but not a //mobile// solution.  The receiver isn't designed for the sort of vibration and forces imparted when drivingso the majority of Starlink users keep the dish inside the van with them and only deploy it when they're stopped somewhere for an extended period of time. 
 + 
 +When using Starlink outside of your designated service address, your traffic is de-prioritized over other users in the area and you may experience slower speeds. 
 + 
 +The Starlink dish is powered from the included router, or a PoE injector which runs off of AC wall power.  Experiments with powering the injector directly off of 12v DC using a Buck/Boost converter have yielded [[https://www.tuckstruck.net/truck-and-kit/geekery/modifying-the-starlink-power-supply-to-run-on-ac-and-dc/|net power savings of ~30%]].
  
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 === Cellular Routers === === Cellular Routers ===
  
-Bigger versions of "Hotspot" devices, they offer more speed and capabilities at a higher cost.  They typically have external antenna connection options, and sometimes the ability to bond multiple connection types together at once. Functionally they offer similiarty to a consumer home Wi-Fi router, with the addition that you can stick a SIM card in them for internet instead of needing to plug them into your cable modem.+Bigger versions of "Hotspot" devices, they offer more speed and capabilities at a higher cost.  They typically have external antenna connection options, and sometimes the ability to bond multiple connection types together at once. Functionally they offer similarity to a consumer home Wi-Fi router, with the addition that you can stick a SIM card in them for internet instead of needing to plug them into your cable modem.
  
 [[https://www.peplink.com\Peplink]] is extremely popular in the world of overlanders and cruisers (boaters).  They offer good capabilities in terms of speed, features, and connectivity at a price that is more paletable to most people who are living in a van.  Their [[https://www.peplink.com/products/max-br1-series/|Max BR1]] line of cellular routers offer a reasonable blend of capacity and capabilities for the price. [[https://www.peplink.com\Peplink]] is extremely popular in the world of overlanders and cruisers (boaters).  They offer good capabilities in terms of speed, features, and connectivity at a price that is more paletable to most people who are living in a van.  Their [[https://www.peplink.com/products/max-br1-series/|Max BR1]] line of cellular routers offer a reasonable blend of capacity and capabilities for the price.
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 [[https://www.cradlepoint.com|Cradlepoint]] dominates the professional end of the market. Their equipment is extremely durable, very powerful, and comes with a completely baller cloud-management interface. They also have full enterprise-grade support, which is a shell-shock for people who've never experienced what //real// tech support is like. [[https://www.cradlepoint.com|Cradlepoint]] dominates the professional end of the market. Their equipment is extremely durable, very powerful, and comes with a completely baller cloud-management interface. They also have full enterprise-grade support, which is a shell-shock for people who've never experienced what //real// tech support is like.
  
-These are commonly used to provide wifi or data in buses, trains, delivery vans, and are targeted to fleets with hundreds of vehicles. However they are a lot more expensive than consumer are accustomed to, and much more complicated to set up. They are intended to be deployed and managed by IT professionals, and to be used with [[https://panorama-antennas.com/site/High-Performance-4x4-MiMo-Antennas|roof-mounted antennas]] which can add complexity to a build.+These are commonly used commercially to provide wifi or data in buses, trains, delivery vans, and are targeted to companies with hundreds of vehicles. Because of this they are a lot more expensive than consumers are accustomed to, and much more complicated to set up. They are intended to be deployed and managed by IT professionals, and to be used with [[https://panorama-antennas.com/site/High-Performance-4x4-MiMo-Antennas|roof-mounted antennas]] which can add complexity to a build.
  
 {{:communication:cp.jpg?direct&200 |}} {{:communication:cp.jpg?direct&200 |}}
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 > Go inside wherever you can find wifi service. make sure you at least buy a drink or something so they know you are a customer. Be quiet, respectful, stay out of the way, leave if all the tables are full and there isn't room for other paying customers, etc. You can often stay for quite a long time - just be considerate of others and you'll likely never be asked to leave. -- DollBabyLG((https://www.reddit.com/r/urbancarliving/comments/oswdqf/18f_and_might_be_homeless_soon_advice/h6shcpb/)) > Go inside wherever you can find wifi service. make sure you at least buy a drink or something so they know you are a customer. Be quiet, respectful, stay out of the way, leave if all the tables are full and there isn't room for other paying customers, etc. You can often stay for quite a long time - just be considerate of others and you'll likely never be asked to leave. -- DollBabyLG((https://www.reddit.com/r/urbancarliving/comments/oswdqf/18f_and_might_be_homeless_soon_advice/h6shcpb/))
  
-==== Connecting to Shore WiFi ====+==== Connecting to WiFi ==== 
 + 
 +Wifi is often available in cities, but the Access Points may be too far to hit with individual devices. Solutions often include better antennas, better placement of existing antennas, or the installation of repeaters/routers. 
  
 In order from simplest/cheapest to most complex/$$$ In order from simplest/cheapest to most complex/$$$
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 +===== further reading =====
  
 +  * [[https://www.technomadia.com/|TechNomadia]] are experts in mobile connectivity, and have [[https://www.rvmobileinternet.com|a dedicated website]] for sharing that information.  
communication/internet.txt · Last modified: 2023/12/06 18:29 by princess_fluffypants