How continuous are satellite pc modems in trucks?

[ddog]

I know a lot of truckers day trade on the side of the road or in the sleeper.

Could you trade the markets in the morning with satellite modems? Or would data feeds break up.

I hear satellite modems are fast like cable, but both type connections break up quite a lot which just won't work with data feeds.

>> Any satellite modem maker name/model that you use would be appreciated.

Thank You.

[BigWheels]

Good question--I've wondered about that myself.

My hat's off to you if you can day-trade while doing OTR! (I'm not a day trader -- only an after hour's trader)

Should be interesting to see if anyone responds to this topic.

[Malaki86]

I'm assuming when you say "satelite pc modem" that you're talking about the cellular wireless pda cards put out by the big carriers (Sprint, Verizon, AT & T, etc).

I've had my s595 from Sprint for a year or so now and absolutely LOVE it. There are some areas where I have have a "low" signal or no signal, but not very often. For the most part, if my cell phone works, it has an internet connection.

The one thing that may affect you is the amount of bandwidth needed. If you're in the middle of nowhere, even with a signal, the internet speed may be too slow for you. I don't know for sure because it depends on the amount of data that's being transferred with what you're using.

I normally, even with a low speed connection, have no trouble browsing web sites, posting/receiving e-mails, etc.

My "normal" speed is about 2-3k/sec upload, 10-15k/sec download on a low speed and about 10-15k/sec upload, 120-150k/sec download on a high speed connection. You'll have a high-speed connection mainlly close to a large metro area.

I pay $49.99/month for unlimited service for it through Sprint.

[Doghouse]

Try the Wilson signal amplifier, it makes a big difference in power levels, but it does cost like $400.00. It worth it if you are using an air card. It turns a weak signal into a stronger signal, and brings the signal farther into areas that usually have no signal.

http://www.wpsantennas.com/index.asp...S&Category=168

[ddog]

I'm a long way from doing it, but I eventually will; and will post results and findings. Keep the tech info coming in, since wireless product technology is probably 50 years behind what Industry already knows. They make us buy up all their obsolete inventory before they make the next big oboslete batch to obsolete their previous batch of products: for fat and easy profits. They just sit on patents so no-one else can make it, and we NEVER see the latest and greatest until its obsolete tech.

[Blind Driver]

I'm using a $40 aircard antenna that I bought off of e-bay. I go from 1 bar to 5 bars when I plug it in. I never saw the point of buying a $400 Wilson.

Oh, mine is also a Wilson :wink: