| Author |
Message |
Bob Vandawalker (Rav221)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 7:10 pm: | |
Our Ground Control/Datastorm Dish system is being installed next week. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using these system during winter months (not Florida winters, northern type winters). Any deployment problems from snow or ice buildup, freezing temps, etc?
Bob V |
Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 9:04 pm: | |
Bob,
Don't have one yet but seriously looking at the Motosat design. I have talked to a few folks that have them and the only complaint was dish control via the PC. That has been eliminated by using direct control from control unit to dish pod.
Ask the installer about the above issues and also check out http://www.datastormusers.com/
The forum will answer all your questions, plus you have tech support at Ground Control.
Good luck, and let us know how well it works.
Chuck Newman
Oroville, CA |
David Hartley (Drdave)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 9:43 pm: | |
There are thermal covers and heater blankets for use in cold climates for just about all dish systems.
Over time I have seen lnb heaters and vinyl covers for use in snowy or frozen places.
Might try a google search for "satellite dish covers"... |
Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 11:24 pm: | |
Bob, there are two issues. The first is snow on the dish. Not much you can do there except to get on the roof and brush it off or wait for it to melt. Obviously, climbing on the roof with snow on it is not a very safe thing to do. Some folks have low “handrails” that makes it a bit safer. This week we lost the signal on our fixed dish at the house for about a day due to snow on the dish. We maintain a dial-up account for just such a situation.
The second issue is the one you seem to be interested in. That is deployment and retraction of the dish. We have not done ours in the snow, but it should not be an issue with deployment since the gear mechanism is all protected from the weather. However, retraction could be an issue as the snow could pile up under where the arms rest when parked. The mechanism is not real robust, but I am pretty sure it is protected by an over amp protection which would prevent damage to the mechanism. Again, you might have to make provision for being able to get on the roof and clean the base off if the snow really piles up.
You will love the system. We have to have internet access for our businesses. Very comforting to know that you can be on line in a matter of minutes (assuming you can find a clear southern exposure).
I am not sure where you are located, but I would strongly suggest you consider using Scott Whitney (http://dustyfoot.com) for your installation. He is a member of our bus conversion family. He is located in OK, but will be in Quartzsite in Jan/Feb.
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
’85 Eagle 10
http://rvsafetysystems.com
Bus Project details: http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/busproject.htm (updated 2/17/05) |
Bob Vandawalker (Rav221)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 5:45 am: | |
Forgot one question, with the Ground Control System we get free VOIP Telephone Service (1 hour per month, then 5 cents per minute after). Has anyone used VOIP through the dish yet, I would have to guess there is a voice delay? Our dish is being install by a installer out of New Jersey (we are in upstate NY).
Bob V |
Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 11:17 am: | |
Hi Bob. Go to:
http://www.datastormusers.com
and then to the forums. You will find a forum that includes VOIP discussions.
A quick review of the threads this morning confirms that VOIP with a satellite is not very reliable. The biggest issue is the rather slow up-link speed.
When reviewing, I noted that the DataStorm harware can have an impact. You will need to make sure you have a 2 watt BUC as a part of your package. You will also want to make sure you are getting the latest hardware (7000 modems). With the latest hardware you will have at least a fighting chance to use VOIP. While technology tends to improve with time, it appears that VOIP has not.
One more comment on the 7000 modems. You will be able to save $20 per month over what I have to pay ($79 vs $99). You will also be assigned to the newest satellite (IA8 at 89W) which appears to have a very good foot print for the lower 48.
There is a big hub-bub in the industry over VARs. Ground Control seems to have fallen out of favor with the big installers. Their support is not terribly good and they are developing a competing product – thus the fear that their support for the MotoSat units will deteriorate. The big installers have all switched to MotoSat as the Var. The reports on their support have all been very good. I believe that all new DataStroms from MotoSat have the 7000 hardware, but I am not sure about Ground Control. I would not settle for any previous hardware. The 6000 modems appear to have some issues and were not on the market very long.
This is a big purchase, so be sure to do a bit of research to make sure you have the latest technology. It would pay you dividends to spend a few hours reading the posts on the above link. You may only understand 30% of the technical jargon, but you will quickly see that there are probing questions you will want to ask your installer.
BTW, you will also see that there are more premium plans that will get you faster up-link speeds. If you are using this for business, and plan to rely on VOIP, you will want to consider these plans.
Jim |
Jim and Myrna Lawrence (Daffycanuck)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 12:15 pm: | |
Bob
We have had the datastorm now for amost three years. We're extremely happy, even with the D1 controller and the 4000 modems.
Our experience with VOIP is also positive. We do not have a cell phone and travel to alot of areas where there are no phones or cell service (mexico). We keep in touch with our family via e-mail and VOIP.
The thing that helped 'clarify' the VOIP connection was a change of service to CrystalVoice (they're optimized for Satellite), but most of all, switching to a USB VOIP optimized headset. The headset by-passes the onboard sound board which improved the overall use of VOIP.
This does not eliminate the delay, the problem with satellite communication. We always announce 'please do not hang up' as soon as the other person answers the phone. We then announce 'we a calling, using a satellite phone'. 90% of the time, the rest of the conversation goes good.
If the delay (it varies) is real bad, we will also use 'over' when finished talking and expecting a reply from the other person....same as using a CB.
VOIP via satellite isn't a good way to do business, unless maybe the person you're calling is the same person each time....you will both get used to a different way of communicating.
Works for us!! |
Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 4:57 pm: | |
Jim,
Great information. If I may, a few questions that I have not been able to clairfy in my mind at least.
MotoSat developed the basic motorized dish unit. Ground Control uses this same unit, but appears to have devleoped their own controller -- much smaller than the Motosat controller. Both companies use the latest generation modems as Hughes comes out with them (4000, then 6000, now 7000 series).
1. I have not seen the acronym "BUC". What is that? The transmitter?
2. Ground Control now has a much smaller control unit than Motosat. To your knowledge, are their trade offs in using one controller vs another?
3. Isn't the $79.00 package slower than the $99.00 package, or are the prices finally beginning to fall?
4. Are the D1 and D2 controllers the versions that are driven via software from the PC?
From my brief reads of the Datastorm, Motosat, and Ground Control sites, the newer "stand alone" controllers have basically eliminated the problems they had with interfacing various versions of Windows OS. Now you access the controller with your browser (Mozilla, IE, Netscape, etc.)
Thanks,
Chuck Newman
Oroville, CA |
Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 5:08 pm: | |
Jim and Myrna,
We plan to travel and use VoIP as you do, but were dismayed with the negative comments about satellite delay issues. Which is mainly an issue of distance, not bandwidth. Anyway, other than using the VoIP USB headset, is there any other hardware changes or just new software program?
Regarding software, will it work with any ISP or are you locked in to using only CrystalVoice?
Thanks,
Chuck Newman
Oroville, CA |
Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 9:26 pm: | |
Chuck I am close to the limit of my comfortable knowledge level here. I obtained a certification to install DataStorms, but everything has changed now. I try to stay up with the technology, but it is easy to get behind. Having said that, the following information is correct (I think):
1. I had to check on this one to make sure I was correct. The BUC is the transmitter. With the 7000 and 7700 the BUC could be increased from 1 watt to 2 watts IF you use the larger antenna. There are folks playing with the 2 watt BUC and the .74 dish, but I don’t think you can buy that system
2. I don’t know anything about the GC system. However, given the development problems that MotoSat had, I would not go with the GC system until it has a track record. As mentioned above, GC has not been the best company in terms of customer support (my experience and most others as well). It make you wonder how they will support their new hardware. Other than a few teething problems and some delay in deliveries, I have not heard of any problems with MotoSat. Indeed, most folks think they are great. In addition, I have not heard of any significant hardware issues with the DataStorm unit in the last couple of years
3. My understanding is that both have the same bandwidth. The $79 is for a dynamic IP address while the $99 is for the static IP address. Not sure what the real impact on the average customer would be.
4. The D1 controller requires a connection with a PC that has the software needed to drive the system. It is always a challenge to get things working, especially if you do not have a serial port (not all serial to USB adapters work). They no longer sell D1 controllers. The D2 controller has the software embedded and does not require a computer to operate the system. You simply push the up and down button. Once the antenna is on signal, you simply surf as normal. You need to hook up a router, but other than that, it is very straight forward from what I read (I have the D1). I sometimes have to do a lot of tweaking on the PC to get on signal at times. I am not sure how you do that with the D2
As you know, the down speed is pretty darn good, but the up speed is not much better than dial-up at times. Normally that is not an issue. However, latency (time for the commands to travel back and forth to the bird) can be frustrating. For example, most, if not all, POP3 mail systems require a “handshake” for each message. That really slows email. Also, apparently secure web sites require some handshaking since they seem to be very slow.
All in all, it is a great system. We use the DataStorm on the road and then bring the modems into the house and use a fixed antenna when we are home.
Jim |
Jim (Jim_in_california)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 12:27 am: | |
In my opinion (and experience), as long as you're not going too far off the beaten path (read: you're inside of typical cellphone coverage areas) the Verizon EVDO high-bandwidth cellmodem is a viable alternative to Motosat and the like.
In over 50 metro areas, speed is better than Motosat ("Broadbandaccess"). In other areas you'll get the "slightly better than dialup" "National Access", which I find quite usable.
Monthly cost is $59.99. Hardware startup costs range but guesstimate $300ish because you want a decent plug-in antenna system...the "Arc Tombstone" is the best, I'm running the $20 Verizon "stick it to the window" type plus a $10 adapter to my particular card (you plug these into a Cardbus higher-speed PCMCIA card on a laptop).
One big caveat: the Verizon-brand stores are selling a card made by Audiovox that has no antenna plug-in port. Avoid that at all costs. Find one of the older-but-better 620 or 650 cards - the latter made by Kyocera is considered the fastest available to date.
Verizon says that by 2007 their entire network will support the broadband speeds. At which point they're going to take a real bite out of Motosat.
What else...there's a device coming soon that will help a lot if you have a desktop PC. Kyocera is about to ship a box that takes the PCMCIA cellmodem card directly and translates it's signal to WiFi. You can then share the EVDO connection with more than one computer of any type, so long as it has WiFi. Should be around $200.
Not trying to intrude on the thread but with startup costs for Motosat up over $5,000 y'all should be aware of alternatives.
The EVDO equivelent to the Datastormusers forum is:
http://www.evdoforums.com/ |
Jim and Myrna Lawrence (Daffycanuck)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 12:55 am: | |
Chuck
The USB headset is the only change we've made to make our VOIP 'better'. We use the CrystalVoice service because we'e tried others and it is the only one (of the ones we tried) that is optimized for Satellite.
Jim Shepherd has the answers to the rest of your questions. He has much more knowledge than I of the new systems.
ANY Cell phone service...as far as I am concerned, you cannot compare a cell phone to a Datastorm. I have parked in MANY places where cell service is NOT available, unless you run up to the top of the hill...and then MAYBE the service will be there. Take your laptop with you!! |
|