Alan Spicer Marine Telecom All Blogs

Permanently mounted base unit with fixed omnidirectional antenna. 12vDC or 110vAC operation. Save on coax cable losses because the main unit can mount up closer to the antenna and Power and Network are passed over standard ethernet network cable.

A network can be created onboard for wired network computers as well as wireless access points for wireless laptops and such.

Contact: Alan Spicer

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
+1 954 683 3426
+1 954 977 5245

* Alan Spicer of Alan Spicer Marine Telecom has just authored a new article on the web site, located at:

http://www.marinetelecom.net/Yacht-Cellular-Internet/

...regarding Cellular Internet for Sailing and Motor Yachts

It gives somewhat of a history of the last 4 years of cellular Internet technology as used on sailing and motor yachts, and what's currently available today.

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Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
954-683-3426
communications (at) marinetelecom.net

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom has just shipped communications gear (Ericsson W25 cellular, antenna, etc.) to undisclosed client in Historic Island: Statia (St. Eustatius)

Not being aware of the historic significance until just now, some research on Google Earth and Wikipedia turns up the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint_Eustatius

Just coming off the 4th of July holiday in the United States, the history behind this island is quite interesting and probably little known by most U.S. Citizens. A partial quote from Wikipedia follows:

I was definately not aware of the historic signifigance of St. Eustatius. Having just come off the 4th of July Holiday - that little bit of history... that most Americans would definately not know, is quite amazing.

Since the island sold arms and ammunition to anyone willing to pay, the island was one of the few ways for the rebellious Thirteen colonies to obtain weaponry. This good relationship between Sint Eustatius and the United States resulted in the famous "flag incident" of 16 November 1776, when Commander Johannes de Graaff of Sint Eustatius decided to return the salute fire of the visiting American brigantine Andrew Doria. The United States gave the answering salute great publicity because the salute was the first international acknowledgment of the independence of the United States.

The British did not take the incident too seriously, although they protested against the continuous trade between the United States and Sint Eustatius. In 1778, Lord Stormont claimed in Parliament that, "if Sint Eustatius had sunk into the sea three years before, the United Kingdom would already have dealt with George Washington".

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Alan Spicer Marine Telecom / Alan Spicer Telecom
Consulting for U.S., Carribean, and other world locations -
and shipping to legal worldwide locations convered by Fedex
Shipping

http://www.marinetelecom.net
+1 954 683 3426
communications (at) marinetelecom.net

ASMT Bulletin: Trains, Automobiles, Yachts, and WiFi / Cellular Internet

I was just reading something about Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) deploying WiFi on their trains. It's interesting how some of the logistics (problems?) can be similar because a train is a traveling mobile platform like yachts and boats are. They can have the same problems of WiFi Internet not being everywhere, and even Cellular Internet not being available everyhere (unless they provide some special infrastructure.)

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/news/interview/0,289202,sid7_gci1318622,00.html?track=NL-79&ad=643937&asrc=EM_NLN_3905812&uid=809317

Because I found that interesting I went looking around some more for Amtrak WiFi related articles. I found this one:

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/05/amtraks_choice_1.html

This one was interesting as well because I guess I had no idea how the fuel prices have affected commuters. Some businesses could be severely adversely affected now (see the SUV Manufacturing stories), while other businesses that were previously hanging off the cliff so to speak, can suddenly be making a killing in business. Anyway the bottom line about the articles I've mentioned (and given links to) is that Amtrak is having to provide WiFi in order to continue to attract the business class customers that are (pardon the word usage) "fueling" it's comeback. It shouldn't be funny that fuel prices are Fueling a sudden Success Story. But I guess one mans junk is another mans treasure. And some companies mis-fortune (fuel costs) could be other companies Fortune.

I have to wonder if in the motor yacht industry some yachts are staying in dock more than they have in previous years when the fuel was less expensive?

I've also mentioned before, in other articles that I've written, that more and more Internet Access is becoming a "must have" on yachts as well. It's necessary for getting the business of running the yacht accomplished. It's necessary for vital communications. And it's necessary for crew morale in that they can keep in touch with family and friends and take care of their own personal business issues.

I strive to keep up with what's going on in Communications, in particular Marine Internet Access. I work with everything from Satellite to WiFi and Cellular. But I specialize in WiFi and Cellular Shared Internet Access Systems - along with Computers and Networking onboard yachts. I also work with voice, fax and other communications methods and technologies that are related to these things. I've even touched on Satellite TV and High Definition Television lately to keep my understanding and knowledge up on how things work.

I provide support services for yachts both near and far. Local onboard, and remote telephone and email support.

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Talk to you Soon,

Alan Spicer
Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
http://www.marinetelecom.net
954-683-3426

Computer and Laptop Servicing for Boats and Yachts - Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

ASMT provides computer services, re-installs, virus and spyware removal, computer replacements, and laptop services as well.

For marine vessels in the Fort Lauderdale (Southeast Florida) area - laptop pickup, estimate, and delivery is just $50.00. The cost of repairs if any will be estimated before any work is done.

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Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
Tel: 954-683-3426

Most Essential Tools for Wireless Internet and Communications for Land and Sea (Boats and Yachts)

More and more these days, yachts need communications services similar to businesses on land. They need fax, voice telephone, and high speed Internet Access. ASMT provides solutions for wireless communications using Cellular and WiFi technologies to provide these services, shared to multiple users, onboard marine vessels such as sailing and motor yachts.

Several Featured Products are available. WiFi Hotspot Sharing System for Yachts and the following 2 Cellular Internet Sharing Products:

1.) Ericsson W25 - Cellular Fast Internet and Voice Router. Features 4 port hub-switch, built-in voice jacks for PBX or Analog Phone gear, and onboard wireless for laptops all built-in to the unit. Great for small yachts, and great for large yachts because it's expandable to build a whole network onboard.
Have a look at: http://www.marinetelecom.net/Ericsson_W25/

2.) Cradlepoint MBR1000 - Cellular Fast Internet Sharing Router - Features 4 port hub-switch, onboard 802.11 N wireless for laptops, handles newer USB as well as Express type of Laptop Cards - which is something that other routers just cannot do.
Have a look at: http://www.marinetelecom.net/Cradlepoint-MBR1000.htm

* These days many marine vessels go for a better prepared communications setup - which means having more than one Internet Access System. Alan Spicer can set you up to be able to switch between multiple Internet Connection Systems such as Cellular, WiFi, and Satellite - Marine Internet Access Systems to an onboard network of any size from a few laptops to many laptops and desktop computers using any combination of wireless and wired network connections.

Contact me at communications (at) marine telecom.net, telephone 954-683-3426.

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom is a consultant in the marine, mobile, and fixed wireless industries.

* Some of the cellular carriers such as AT&T are coming out with USB (Universal Serial Bus) Internet Cards for their fast Internet Services. Alan Spicer Marine Telecom (ASMT) has the skinny on how to share the Internet using those devices onto your boat.

There's a new Internet router for USB (and other new) cellular Internet cards now available. I've just deployed my first one on a yacht and they are loving it. Sharing it across 5 Linksys wireless routers on the boat so that captain, crew, and owners can get on the fast Internet when they are in range of the signal.

And that's a lot better! -- they say, than having to plug it into individual laptops one at a time where the other laptops are starving for Internet Access. And they got it all done by ASMT without breaking the bank. That's what we're all about! Saving yachts money on Internet Connection Sharing (and other communications and computer services.)

This differs from in the past where most cellular Internet cards were Laptop PC Card type of network cards. I've done some other Internet router gear for those, but we've got to keep up with the times and technologies here and keep providing solutions for what's out there.

Any questions please give me a shout!

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Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
954-683-3426

Happy Summer Time from Alan Spicer Marine Telecom!

Some of my yachting customers and friends are up north on the East Coast of the U.S. Some are still here in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. Others are on the West Coast of the U.S., California, down in Mexico, and up in Canada. I've heard from others over in the Mediterranean Sea such as Genoa Italy. I love hearing from all of my customers and friends in the yachting industry, as well as from new friends and customers on yachts.

I hope everyone is having a good summer season. Things are warming up here in Southeast Florida. I've done some repeat business for captains that I've worked for on other yachts that have moved to new commands on different yachts, as well as worked on some new boats. This is an exciting and fun business to be in.

If anyone has any questions about communications (Internet for Yachts) or computers please give me a shout. I usually have the latest tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Internet and other Communications dollars for marine motor yachts.

Tight Lines and Following Seas....
God Bless you all and thanks for continuing to be a friend and customer!

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Alan Spicer (Marine) Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
communications (at) marinetelecom.net

Hello again...

Just a quick update. ASMT has been working on several local yachts for Internet Communications Services and other General Computer Services. I have mentioned on the main web page that ASMT now offers Laptop Repair Services for Yachts so you may be interested in that. ASMT is also, as always, doing a number of remote consultations by telephone and email. If you've got an problem or something that you need to accomplish related to marine communications, particularly related to satellite - cellular - wifi - and onboard networking (sharing Internet on the yacht) then you could contact me about it. I offer a very reasonable yearly consulting and support agreement that will consolidate the costs down to one very reasonable dollar amount.

ASMT has had server troubles in the past couple of weeks. A server suffered thermal CPU related shutdown problems and was taken offline. We throttled right away over to the backup server as soon as we became aware of the problem. The primary server CPU thermal problem was solved with a new CPU cooler, burn-in tested for 24 hours, and was just put back online. So we are back up on the primary server with the backup server still humming away ready to take over if neccessary. There are also more computers available here also in standby in case we need to do anything else to remain online. So we will not normally ever go down. We host our own web sites so we don't share server power or bandwidth with anyone else. We can also respond quicker to problems because the gear is right here. It also keeps us sharp as to how Internet, Server, and Networking things work.

Anyway... if anyone notices anything wrong, or out of date, please drop me a line and let me know.

Thanks,

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Alan Spicer
Alan Spicer Marine Telecom / Alan Spicer Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
http://telecom.dyndns.biz
http://www.wifiyacht.net

communications (at) marinetelecom.net
Telephone: 954-683-3426 (Mobile/Anywhere)

FIRMWARE RELEASE R10C

Ericsson today released new firmware for the Ericsson W25 which we recommend customers in the USA upgrade to.

Bug Fixes

- Sometimes not possible to register on 1900MHz networks (USA)

- Improved 850Mhz network connectivity (USA)

- Phone connected to the W25 will only ring once when connected to certain 2G networks in South America and Europe.

This current firmware release will mean that W25's shipped to the USA will now be open for the European bands. Previously we had lock units to US bands to avoid the connection issues above.

* Customers of ASMT - please contact me for the firmware and instructions. Thank You.

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Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
http://www.marinetelecom.net
954-683-3426