CarterComm
Mobile Internet Communications
Cellular internet anywhere, anytime.
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by John Stead, Orangeville, ON 
email jstead@CarterRV.com
"Sometimes you have to step back to get ahead." - Harold J. Carter My profession is an "applications developer" which means I make computer programs for people. Since establishing this career path in 1987, I have always had the requirement to go on-line to my clients' computers for product support or program changes. Back in those days it was "XT" and "286" computers. Modems were 2400 baud. Mobile phones were $2,000. Very few companies had a fax machine. Internet? What's that? I found that I was tied to an available phone line in order to service my clients. I had to gain the freedom to move around and do the same. I knew there was a way, ("Harold J. Carter" told me so). I was around 1993 when I finally go the issue resolved using the following components. - Mororola in-car 3 watt cell phone. - Motorola Cellular Connection interface (allows regular telephone devices to be plugged in). - Toshiba T3100 286 laptop with a huge 20 MB hard drive (1987 model). - GVC internal modem card 9600 baud. - Power inverter for the laptop (laptop was 120 volt only and had no batteries) - Carbon Copy Plus software to take control of client's PCs remotely. With this setup, I could dial into any client and do my work via cellular. The price tag on this freedom was hefty. Hey! I can go on vacation now! (and I did that year and every year since). Now the year is 2001 and technology has advanced tremendously ... or has it really? My wife had a Motorola "flip" phone and she wanted one of those purse models. I started learning and shopping around. Today's technology offered inexpensive phones with analog/digital switching, built in web browser, modem (14,400 baud), email and messaging. What a package!!! Harold J. Carter says go for it because "Digital-Data-to-go" was the way to go! When "Harold J. Carter" told me to "go for it" he made the assumption that the new phones would do the same as the old phones only better, faster, etc. He assumed ... (ass-u-me-d). The truth of "Digital-Data-to-go" is "to-go anywhere you have digital service". Leave the digital area and your web browser, modem (14,400 baud), email and messaging is useless. I guess the makers of this technology expected me to drive 50 or a hundred miles to make my modem call or get messages. My wife now has the "purse" size phone and I have lost the use of the Cellular Connection interface. It was time to scramble to gain what was lost in the technological advancement. I transferred the Motorola "flip" phone account into my old dusty Motorola in-car 3 watt phone, (analog only). This in now mounted in the van with the original Cellular Connection interface. When camped with the trailer, a typical 50 foot telephone extension cord runs from the van into the trailer where we have one of those $9.98 touch tone phones on the wall. The other end plugs into the RJ11 connection on the Cellular Connection interface. Internet connections from the van or the trailer are by plugging the typical phone cord into the laptop. I can run any telephone device you can think of. Even the home style answering machine. The current 2001 set up .... - Mororola in-car 3 watt cell phone with "hands free" operation. - Motorola Cellular Connection interface (allows regular telephone devices to be plugged in). ... look familiar? - Used Compaq Armada 7730MT laptop computer - Portawattz Power Inverter This setup allows me to update the construction information in my "Streets & Trips" mapping software at any time. I can send/receive email or just surf. For an ISP, I use Bell Symaptico who have the most "local" dialling stations available since they are associated to Bell Canada the telephone company. The package I use is the unlimited use for a flat rate monthy charge. The cellular service package I purchased is analog only, allows 20 hours per month and unlimited usage evenings and weekends. The "big bonus" with Sympatico is their "#surf" phone number. With this number I do not have to dial any other to connect to the internet. Cellular connection link ..... cellularconnection.html ... the one shown is for a motorola "flip" phone. cellconkit.htm ... all models. cellular interfaces ... many models. Other issues ... (a) Getting "out of service area" when you know you are close .... talk to Alvin at Alf Enterprises about the Wilson cellular antenna Wilson Dual-Band Cellular Antenna System (b) Getting "out of service area" and you know you are far out. yagiantennas.html You can "analog" anywhere anytime .... you do not need a digital cell phone or digital service .... you do not need a cell phone with a built in modem. See for yourself, analog coverage (green) vs digital coverage (red) ... Click here to see the map
Send your questions to jstead@CarterRV.com and include information such as the make/model of your phone. Harold and I will answer them all. Q: What is the difference in the system you used in 1993 and the one today? A: No changes on the cellular connection. This is the same phone I have used for more than eight years now. I do have another laptop now that has "Windows Internet Explorer" and my "Streets & Trips" mapping software on it. Q: Where can I get a full size mobile phone? I did not think they were available anymore. A: Go to this site and look around Cellular Surplus Traders. Q: Can I use my current cell phone for this? A: Probably, let me know what model you have and I'll ask Harold. Q: How can I get in touch with "Harold J. Carter"? A: You can email John Stead at jstead@CarterRV.com with any questions. John will summon Harold and present your information.
Portawattz Power Inverter Link to Portawattz 300 Power Inverter page.
RV Hometown! Where full-time RVers and wannabes share their dreams and knowledge. RV Companion Magazine News & entertainment for the road ... www.rvcompanion.com RVzone.com The Internet RV & Camping Guide
Highland Pines Campgound home page Link to Highland Pines campgound near Fergus Ontario. |
(1) Mobile phone mounted under GPS
The cellular handset is mounted to the dash with the cellular connection interface between. You can see the phone cord plugged into the top of the interface. (I will replace this picture with a clearer one soon.) (2) Cellular Connection Interface 
This one is for a motorola "flip" phone. 
This one is similar to the mobile phone model. Connection is between the handset and the cradle. (3) Used Compaq Armada 7730MT laptop computer 
This unit was obtained from a local computer shop for $550.00 . It is a Pentium 166mhz processor with a 6 gig hard drive, 64 MB RAM, CD ROM drive, floppy drive, battery, SVGA, built in modem, sound card and speakers. It is MORE than is required for this application.
(4) Portawattz Power Inverter 
Power source for the laptop. I believe you only need a small unit if you are only going to power the laptop. I have chosen a 300 watt unit which is also used to power the kids Nintendo. (5) Cellular POTS Adapter 
Works on NOKIA CDMA and TDMA cell phone models:5120,5120i, 5160, 5160i, 5165, 5170, 5180, 5185i, 6120, 6120i, 6160, 6160i, 6160m, 6161, 6161i, 6162, 6162i, 6162m, and 6185. 
Works on MOTOROLA CDMA and TDMA cell phone models: StarTac ST7868w, ST7867w, ST7860w, and ST7797; Timeport P8767, P8097, P8167, P8160, and P8090; and Talkabout T8167, T8160, T8097, and T8090 
Works on ERICSSON TDMA cell phone models: R280LX, A1228LX, A1228d, T19LX, T18LX, T18d, LX588, KF788, and KH668 (6) POTS 12v Power Cord 
(7) Cellular Adapter 
Fits Nokia 5100/6100/7100 Series Fits Nokia 3300 Series Fits Motorola Startac/Timeport 8000
(8) Wilson Dual-Band Cellular Antenna System 
RV/Truck Roof mount model. 
Door Jam or mirror mount (32" model). I have ordered this one on 6/19/2002. 
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