Hi all,
Were new to seabreeze and are looking for a bit of information in internet options for coastal sailing.
On out last boat (just sold) we had a Telstra (Netgear brand) wireless internet modem that gave us good reception along almost all of the coastline between Sydney and Cairns. The only place we had a problem connecting was for about five hours between Yeppoon and Mackay and a cpl of the islands north of Townsville. Most of the time we could overcome this by hoisting the modem to the top of the mast and using it that way.
The only REAL problem with this modem was the lack of data allowance. VERY limited.
Our QUESTION is. Does anyone know of and internet connection for yachties that offers the same sort (or better) performance with a much better data allowance.
We are in the process of transitioning into a cruising cat and would like a better internet setup.

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Eastcoasters said..
Hi all,
Were new to seabreeze and are looking for a bit of information in internet options for coastal sailing.
On out last boat (just sold) we had a Telstra (Netgear brand) wireless internet modem that gave us good reception along almost all of the coastline between Sydney and Cairns. The only place we had a problem connecting was for about five hours between Yeppoon and Mackay and a cpl of the islands north of Townsville. Most of the time we could overcome this by hoisting the modem to the top of the mast and using it that way.
The only REAL problem with this modem was the lack of data allowance. VERY limited.
Our QUESTION is. Does anyone know of and internet connection for yachties that offers the same sort (or better) performance with a much better data allowance.
We are in the process of transitioning into a cruising cat and would like a better internet setup.

Why not just use the data on your mobile plan? You can always use your phone (assuming it is a recent make no older than 4-5 years) as a mobile hotspot.

you can get a signal booster for under a $100 on ebay such as this https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2100MHz-70dB-3G-4G-Mobile-Signal-Booster-LTE-Phone-Repeater-Antenna-Kit-On-Sale/153034589658?epid=575197519&hash=item23a19285da

For anything further out you'd need a satellite set up.

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you can get a signal booster for under a $100 on ebay such as this https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2100MHz-70dB-3G-4G-Mobile-Signal-Booster-LTE-Phone-Repeater-Antenna-Kit-On-Sale/153034589658?epid=575197519&hash=item23a19285da

Be careful, last I knew signal boosters were illegal in Oz.

Instead, consider a mounting cradle and external antenna. I have this and it works very well. Keeps the phone safe form damage, always charged and dry, and I can always find it, plus hugely improved reception.

Cheers, Graeme

Hi Wongaga. I'm well aware of the signal booster issue and wont be going that way. The Netgear modem supplied by Telstra was REALLY good and worked well after my mobile phone had given up. I regularly had internet while I didn't have mobile coverage. I have a new (few months old) phone now and it is no better in this regard than the older one.
My issue is not with the modem or the reception of the modem, it works really well, I just need a much bigger data plan than the crappy amount Telstra give you for a grossly inflated price compared to home internet.
I'm not at all interested in a satphone hookup. A friend has that setup and although he has good internet he pays through the nose for it.
I found out today that I can get about 80g. a month from Telstra with a new modem similar to my current one. I will have a look at that.
Cheers, Rick.

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wongaga said..

you can get a signal booster for under a $100 on ebay such as this https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2100MHz-70dB-3G-4G-Mobile-Signal-Booster-LTE-Phone-Repeater-Antenna-Kit-On-Sale/153034589658?epid=575197519&hash=item23a19285da

Be careful, last I knew signal boosters were illegal in Oz.

Instead, consider a mounting cradle and external antenna. I have this and it works very well. Keeps the phone safe form damage, always charged and dry, and I can always find it, plus hugely improved reception.

Cheers, Graeme

true, forgot about that, my bad.

However acma website it states that you may get permission to use one if you ask:
"If you would like to improve the mobile phone reception at your home, it is suggested that you speak with your carrier. A number of carriers have products available that can be used by their customers to improve their mobile network coverage. These may include mobile phone repeaters."

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Eastcoasters said..
Hi Wongaga. I'm well aware of the signal booster issue and wont be going that way. The Netgear modem supplied by Telstra was REALLY good and worked well after my mobile phone had given up. I regularly had internet while I didn't have mobile coverage. I have a new (few months old) phone now and it is no better in this regard than the older one.
My issue is not with the modem or the reception of the modem, it works really well, I just need a much bigger data plan than the crappy amount Telstra give you for a grossly inflated price compared to home internet.
I'm not at all interested in a satphone hookup. A friend has that setup and although he has good internet he pays through the nose for it.
I found out today that I can get about 80g. a month from Telstra with a new modem similar to my current one. I will have a look at that.
Cheers, Rick.

We have been with Optus for the last 4 years and had no issues around the coastline. They are cheaper and offer more for the money. They also have prepaid plans, so maybe you should get a prepaid sim first and see how is the reception compare for you?

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Eastcoasters said..
Hi all,
Were new to seabreeze and are looking for a bit of information in internet options for coastal sailing.
On out last boat (just sold) we had a Telstra (Netgear brand) wireless internet modem that gave us good reception along almost all of the coastline between Sydney and Cairns. The only place we had a problem connecting was for about five hours between Yeppoon and Mackay and a cpl of the islands north of Townsville. Most of the time we could overcome this by hoisting the modem to the top of the mast and using it that way.
The only REAL problem with this modem was the lack of data allowance. VERY limited.
Our QUESTION is. Does anyone know of and internet connection for yachties that offers the same sort (or better) performance with a much better data allowance.
We are in the process of transitioning into a cruising cat and would like a better internet setup.

Hi, just to put your query in context, can you let us know what your data plan and cost has been to date?

I'm with ALDImobile (Telstra reseller) and my $35 pre paid plan gives me unlimited calls and 10gig a month data + rollover.

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2bish said..

Eastcoasters said..
Hi all,
Were new to seabreeze and are looking for a bit of information in internet options for coastal sailing.
On out last boat (just sold) we had a Telstra (Netgear brand) wireless internet modem that gave us good reception along almost all of the coastline between Sydney and Cairns. The only place we had a problem connecting was for about five hours between Yeppoon and Mackay and a cpl of the islands north of Townsville. Most of the time we could overcome this by hoisting the modem to the top of the mast and using it that way.
The only REAL problem with this modem was the lack of data allowance. VERY limited.
Our QUESTION is. Does anyone know of and internet connection for yachties that offers the same sort (or better) performance with a much better data allowance.
We are in the process of transitioning into a cruising cat and would like a better internet setup.

Hi, just to put your query in context, can you let us know what your data plan and cost has been to date?

I'm with ALDImobile (Telstra reseller) and my $35 pre paid plan gives me unlimited calls and 10gig a month data + rollover.

I think Eastcosters looking for a plan with 80 GB data

Sort of on topic , I used to haul my phone up the mast when I had dodgy internet until the day I accidentally left it leaning up against the chain plate in tha aft cabin , bingo great reception, it must use the backstay as an add hock aerial. So I would assume the aftermarket aerials would work a lot better. I use amaysim 40 gig $50 and I think most of them are now doing " unlimited " quite cheap but it's really only 70 gig from memory then they slow you down. I got rid of my modem because of cost.

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oldboyracer said..
Sort of on topic , I used to haul my phone up the mast when I had dodgy internet until the day I accidentally left it leaning up against the chain plate in tha aft cabin , bingo great reception, it must use the backstay as an add hock aerial. So I would assume the aftermarket aerials would work a lot better. I use amaysim 40 gig $50 and I think most of them are now doing " unlimited " quite cheap but it's really only 70 gig from memory then they slow you down. I got rid of my modem because of cost.

If you have an aluminium mast you could try to use your phone near it too. Sometimes a mast can act like an amplifier. I had an UHF/VHS splitter from GME on my VHF antenna and that used to do the trick for TV reception without adding more antennas.

We have (from memory) about 10gig a month that costs us about $45 from Telstra. We require substantially more. I wouldn't consider another carrier as although Telstra is the absolute pits to deal with they have a far greater coverage. We also spend a lot of time in outback Aus and are amazed at how many other carriers out there dont give service where we have no trouble with reception.
Apart from communication and general internet I am also a mad gamer and one or two of my games occasionally need updating online. The last update I did was 17gig. Luckily I was at home and not on the boat at the time
I will have to try putting my receiver next to the chainplate as Oldboyracer suggests, might save me hoisting it up the mast.

Telstra are becoming alot more competitive take this deal for example :
Telstra BYO $59/Month: 60GB Data + Unlimited National & International Calls to 15 Countries
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/408016

Thank you windwater, I will look into that

I have the same telstra modem fitted with an optus Sim. It worked out of the box, but I needed to fiddle with the apn setting which was no big deal. Just get a Sim only plan and don't tell the sales consultant it's for a modem because that will only confuse them and it doesn't matter anyway. My plan is $44 for calls and 50 gb data.

$44 for 50 gb!! Awesome. So Reef Magnet, what is the thing you put a SIM in?? Pic of it maybe? We like pics on the forum almost as much we like the places we hang off the pick in.....? Am I repeating myself here?

Anyway, speaking of the forum, welcome to it, it is a great place to hang out and I hope you hang about for a long time too.

So what's your yacht and where she hanging?

Have you got a play pen like this?

Like has been said already, why not just get a new mobile on a plan. Not only can you use the mobile as a wireless hotspot but plans these days are over 100Gb usually. Telstra is the most over priced yer, but also don't they have the best coverage too? I imagine coverage would be a big selling point for coastal cruising.

Hi reefmagnet, I thought of swapping the sim to another carrier but one thing I have learned after many trips up and down the east coast as well as remote places on the mainland is that Telstra have by far the best phone and internet coverage in Oz. On the east coast of Oz between Sydney and Cooktown there are only two places I cant get internet connection. One is between Yeppoon and Mackay where I lose it for about 60 miles and the other is around some of the islands north of Townsville. I can't really complain about that. Unfortunatly Telstra is up to **** when it comes to customer service etc.

Dale, I have a good mobile and associated data plan.

There are two problems with the mobile idea. One is that the mobile does not have the reception capabilities that the wireless modem has and the other is that I can often get online with the modem when I have no phone reception.

Also, in fringe areas I can hoist the modem up the mast for better reception and although I can also do this with a phone theres not much point having the phone up the mast when if starts ringing.

Siri!
Having your phone dangling up your mast whilst screaming "Accept! Accept!" in a freshening breeze is worthy of a Dilbert cartoon.

I have found Belong exactly the same coverage as Telstra , belong uses the Telstra network(actually owned by Telstra I believe), apparently it's 3G, and limited 4g. But I found it exactly the same as the full Telstra 4gplus or whatever it's called, testing signal strength of devices side by side up the east coast to Hook Island.

Shaggy, a quick trip up the mast steps to answer the phone will keep me fit, lol.

Blue Moon, havent heard of Belong, were based in north Qld. Will look it up. Thanks.

We have a masthead 3G/4G antenna, connected to a Telstra wifi modem similar to this: https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/mf910y-wifiplus. We get good internet reception on the Qld coast, including the offshore islands - the only places we've had difficulty are a few places around the Percies, and the eastern side of some of the Whitsunday islands.

Because we are only cruising for a few months a year, a dedicated plan would not be economical because it would be unused most of the time. We use a prepaid Telstra SIM, a recharge is $150 for 30gb, and that usually keeps us going for a couple of months aboard.

Yes, a lump amount of data might be a better way to go, if the sim is valid for a 12 month period say, a good thing with some of the smaller resellers is 'data banking', where any data unused at the end of the month gets rolled over, indefinitely (not just to the next month), Belong has this feature , as do some others. When I got mine it was $25 for unlimited calls and texts and 5gb.
cheers

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Eastcoasters said..
Blue Moon, havent heard of Belong, were based in north Qld. Will look it up. Thanks.

JB Hi Fi sell their plans and sims.

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cisco said..
$44 for 50 gb!! Awesome. So Reef Magnet, what is the thing you put a SIM in?? Pic of it maybe? We like pics on the forum almost as much we like the places we hang off the pick in.....? Am I repeating myself here?

Anyway, speaking of the forum, welcome to it, it is a great place to hang out and I hope you hang about for a long time too.

So what's your yacht and where she hanging?

Have you got a play pen like this?

Thanks for the warm welcome, Cisco. My wife and I have owned, at various times, a hobie 16, careel 18, triton 24 and Albin Vega 27 in the past and we currently sail a Nantucket Island 33. We moor in Shute Harbour, Qld but are currently on the hard in Mackay doing a rather extensive refit. When done, we're planning a lap of Oz in her.

Here's a picture of the telstra gadget I use. It's a branded netgear 790s modem with custom telstra firmware installed. Biggest advantage is that it can be hauled to the top of the mast in a waterproof bag to get the best reception (when used as a wifi hotspot)

I should mention the reason I have the telstra branded model rather than the netgear version is because I picked the one I own up for 40 bucks a couple of years ago, so I figured at the time it was worth the risk to see if it would work with an optus Sim because I would have just used it with the telstra prepaid if all else failed. I had set these up at remote sites for clients in the past, using external antennas at times, and found them to be a brilliant solution for providing internet data access in remote locations.

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Eastcoasters said..
Hi reefmagnet, I thought of swapping the sim to another carrier but one thing I have learned after many trips up and down the east coast as well as remote places on the mainland is that Telstra have by far the best phone and internet coverage in Oz. On the east coast of Oz between Sydney and Cooktown there are only two places I cant get internet connection. One is between Yeppoon and Mackay where I lose it for about 60 miles and the other is around some of the islands north of Townsville. I can't really complain about that. Unfortunately Telstra is up to **** when it comes to customer service etc.

True, telstra has unbeatable coverage. We find optus pretty good all the same, but have a telstra prepaid Sim we can use if we have to (which we rarely do). This is in a phone and we just hotspot it instead. For really remote travel though, a satphone with super expensive data becomes the fall back solution and even then the location of satellites of the various carriers needs to be considered in regard to planned cruising location.

Hi reefmagnet, we have the same unit as you. Not unhappy with it at all. When we need to put it up the mast we put it in a zip seal sandwich bag and then a small laundry bag and hoist it. It does an excellent job and we dont want to change it. We just want a bigger data allowance at a better price than we currently pay and although I am not a Telsatra fan at all It is still the best carrier in hard to reach places so will have to stick with it.

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ReefMagnet said..
Here's a picture of the telstra gadget I use. It's a branded netgear 790s modem with custom telstra firmware installed. Biggest advantage is that it can be hauled to the top of the mast in a waterproof bag to get the best reception (when used as a wifi hotspot)

Thanks for the info Reef Magnet. Now I know what to look for. The Island 33 is a lovely boat and shoud do you well aroundOz.