Ok, how would you get a PC in a vehicle to get on the internet?

[KDOG]

I have built a compact PC to go in our car and van (for trips and storm chasing ) It has a DVD drive and a TV tuner card in it so I'm good as far as the entertainment goes, but as far as connecting to the internet, how would I do that? Cell Phone? Suggestions?

In case anyone is interested the specs are:
Biostar M7VIQ KM266 mobo (1 AGP, 3PCI)
Onboard Video - S3 ProSavage
Onboard Audio

Maxtor 30GB 7200RPM ATA133 HDD

MSI DVD drive

MSI TV Tuner

512MB Corsair PC3200 CL2 (overkill I know, long story )

KDS RAD-5 15" LCD (soon)

DeLorme GPS attatchment (soon)

I'll be going to an auto parts store here soon and getting a DC-AC power adapter, any ideas on how big?

 

[bignick]

go to verizonwireless and get a cell phone that is express network capable, and get the usb cable for it. all you'll need is the drivers for the phone if your using windows, otherwise linux should detect it as a standard usb modem.

just setup a dial up connection using the phone number #777, and you'll connect to the internet averaging 80k (at least i do). the express network will use up your minutes, unless you get an express network specific plan. check out howardforums.com for more info on the verizon wireless express network.

 

[KDOG]

Site bookmarked, I'll look into it... my Cingular phone sucks so I'll be dumping that soon... keep 'em coming!!

 

[Von Ribbentrop]

If you already have a cell phone check and see if it has a data port. Buy a USB cable as stated above. With Cingular you will have to pay a monthly fee for data transfers($4.95, I think). Install the drivers and the cell will show up as a second modem. I hooked my parents up with a similar system, since they travel all the time. It works great for checking e-mail but sucks for anything else. I think the fastest you can connect is 14.4K. You didn't mention what you were going to use it for.

 

[Amorphus]

unless you can leech internet with Bluetooth... =D

Wi-Fi is also a possibility. park outside StarBucks and enjoy!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Ditch the whole desktop parts. Mini-ITX with a laptop drive and slim DVD drive. Power drain is the enemy, and a car outlet plug isn't exactly the most stable source of DC power.

- M4H

 

[dkozloski]

Be aware that anything visible to the driver other than the navigation setup can get you a nice ticket for negligent driving. All we need on the highways is more distracted drivers. I saw a woman the other day trying to drive and read a newspaper.

 

[corkyg]

Am doing that at the present time - this note is being composed and sent from my laptop connected to the Internet via my SprintPCS Vision phone. The connection is a hardware specific USB cable and is driven by PCS Connection software. Great for checking email and replying - faster than dialup. (Bandwidth speed check - 150 kbps.) It is part of Sprint's PCS package. Verizon is good, also T-Mobile. But where I am now (Sun River, OR) Sprint has the best connection.

I do not ever try to do this while driving - not a very prudent idea and illegal in my home state (AZ).

I usually do it when I am in a good Rest Area stopped for other reasons.

 

[bigpow]

playing UT2003 deatmatch while doing 85MPH on 101... LOL
I live to see that happen

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: dkozloski
Be aware that anything visible to the driver other than the navigation setup can get you a nice ticket for negligent driving. All we need on the highways is more distracted drivers. I saw a woman the other day trying to drive and read a newspaper.

I like the smoking, drinking coffee, holding the cell phone drivers on the way to work myself.

I especially like when they are driving below the speed of other traffic in the left lane and drifting left and right across the lines. :disgust: :|

 

[spclwpns]

You'll also need to deal with vibration, at some point. Socketed cpus, chipsets, are not made for 'endurance'.

 

[KDOG]

I can't ditch it, I already have it. Its not for the driver to see, I am designing it for the back seaters, but the front passenger will have access to it as well. It won't be a permanant rig, I'll be able to move it from vehicle to vehicle and into the house. I am also going to put some semi-soft foam under the base to deal with vibration.... I'll have to check around for this stuff... thanks all.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: KDOG
I can't ditch it, I already have it. Its not for the driver to see, I am designing it for the back seaters, but the front passenger will have access to it as well. It won't be a permanant rig, I'll be able to move it from vehicle to vehicle and into the house. I am also going to put some semi-soft foam under the base to deal with vibration.... I'll have to check around for this stuff... thanks all.

Since the silencing crew abhors vibration (but for different reasons) I suggest suspending the entire machine in a webbing made from sturdy bungee cords.

- M4H

 

[eriqesque]

Originally posted by: bigpow
playing UT2003 deatmatch while doing 85MPH on 101... LOL
I live to see that happen

I would like to know when the 101 has so little traffic that you could actually go 85MPH LOL

 

[StraightPipe]

I heard that they were making wireless modems a while back, but they were pretty slow (7800 and 12000b/s)

keep in mind that this was probly a year ago when I heard about this, and I not really sure where I heard it, and am not sure of the validity, but it might be worth looking in to.

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

I have Sprint PCS and use it with my laptop in my vehicle. As far as I can tell I have not been charged any airtime for use on the internet and my roomate who works for RadioShack has heard that it is free with the plan. The USB cable to hook it up can be purchased at RadioShack for whichever phone you have and they give you the software for free. I think it also works with verizon and probably with other services.

As far as AC/DC adapters for the car are concerned, I went to voltageconverters.com and found a 400W unit for under $40.00 but found that the company actually sells them on EBAY auctions and I got it for $29.00. I read that a cigarette lighter only supports up to 300W so fortunately the converter also comes with a battery clip attachement to connect it directly to the battery if needed, or it can be wired in to the terminals from the battery.

Hope that helps

 

[cfspawn]

also with Sprint I get 115k connection, not the fastest but works for surfing and mild downloads

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

woah, a 6-post

 

[cfspawn]

Yes, I am sorry about that. While trying to submit and sign up for the forums I kept getting server not found and I had to reload the page a few times. I realized afterwards that the posts were going through I just hadn't been receiving the acknowledgements. My appologies! :frown: