I am sure everyone must have some thoughts on how to stay connected on
board. I'm thinking in terms of cruising along the East Coast US. Cell
range is only a mile or so and I suspect extra antennas don't help much,
neverthess I'm currently thinking in terms of the Pocket Mail worldwide
service (custserv@pocket.com)which seems very reasonable at 9.95 per
month no contract needed, and the new Audiovox unit which works with
both digital and analog cell phones and of course any pay phones for
reasonably fast up and downloads. Anybody got any input on this?

Also does anybody on the list have much experience with Follow Me TV and
their satellite set up?

Ron Barr

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com
[mailto:owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com]
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 12:00 AM
To: trawler-world-list-digest@samurai.com
Subject: trawler-world-list V4 #183

I recently came down the ICW from Charleston and thru the Okeechobee
waterway and up the west coast to Hernando Beach, Fl .  I have my cell phone
with an add on external antenna from Radio Shack attached to the rail on the
fly bridge.  Never had a problem at any point calling home to Hernando
Beach, day or night.  Of course roaming charges are incurred but just dont
talk long.

docmoss

I have used the FollowMe system for a year now. It works as advertised most
of the time, although it does require more manual adjustments than I
expected.

The basic device is a 2D rotator (left and right) connected to an internal
compass. Once you adjust the satellite dish to the right direction and get
the elevation set, the basic premise is that you can push the Home button
and the dish rotates back to the original direction.

This doesn't work all of the time, particularly in the Pacific Northwest if
you have traveled north or south more than 60-80 miles since the elevation
changes. In this case, you have to manually adjust the elevation. For me,
this means that I have to climb up onto the electronics arch and physically
adjust the elevation with a large screwdriver. I leave the satellite tuner
(DirecTV in my case) in the saloon and bring a 9 inch TV up to the upper
bridge so I can see the signal strength meter on the TV. This is a bit of a
drag.

Moving the boat east or west from home by more than 60-80 miles requires
azimuth changes (east or west). However these can be done in the cabin with
the control unit. Pushing the Left or Right buttons moves the dish by 0.5
degrees.

I haven't had much success while swinging on the anchor or tied to a buoy.
The FollowMe unit is placed in automatic mode and it swings the antenna
towards the proper compass heading. Unfortunately my unit continues to seek
left and right by one increment (0.5 degrees). This is by design according
to the manufacturer. Unfortunately, my signal level varies between 40 and 80
by the signal strength meter produced by the tuner box. With DirecTV at 48
degrees N, signals with strengths of less than 50 cause the picture to
freeze or pixilate. The constant seeking means that the signal I receive
doesn't provide continuous TV. I find the momentary picture break-up too
annoying to use. However, others may have better luck than I.

On the other hand, tied to a dock doesn't present any difficulties as long
as I don't have to manually adjust the elevation. Bottom line: I have seen
many boats just using a PVC mast and doing all adjustments manually for
dock-side usage.

Why have a TV while cruising? Why, to watch the X-Files, of course,

Regards,
Bob Miller
M/V Loon Song
HiStar 55
Anacortes, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com
[mailto:owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com]On Behalf Of ronald barr
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 8:18 PM
To: trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Subject: TWL: Internet/email on board & Follow Me TV

<<clip>>

Also does anybody on the list have much experience with Follow Me TV and
their satellite set up?

Ron Barr

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com
[mailto:owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com]
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 12:00 AM
To: trawler-world-list-digest@samurai.com
Subject: trawler-world-list V4 #183