Satellite Broadband connection

[JLycett]

Just wondering if any of you have ever used this type of connection before. It looks like I will be going to Satellite as the property I will be moving to does not have access to ADSL and the wireless signal is to weak. I have looked at a number of plans and the limits for the plans are crap but I need a dose of pc gaming once a day or I foam at the mouth

[CDN-SMOKEJUMPER]

Yep, you need your COD4.

[McDethWivFries]

haven't used it myself but unless things have changed be aware that downloads come down via satalite but your uploads will go out of your place via a 56k link to the uplink station . . .

[JLycett]

No it is 2 way sat. had a mate get the old version after Telstra said no worries you can still game I checked that out. Plus where I will be living the gear should be free.

[Psyrus]

Unless it is two way satellite, and even if, your latency is going to be shocking. Think 200ms minimum, worse if it's one way satellite (uses dial up for the upstream). I doubt 1-way could even handle most games, since dial-up maxes out at about 5kB/s half duplex.

Is it so bad that NextG doesn't even work (with their touted 98% coverage)?

Worthwhile having a good squizz through here:
http://forums.whirlpool.net .au/forum-threads.cfm?f=67

[JLycett]

Originally Posted by Psyrus

Unless it is two way satellite, and even if, your latency is going to be shocking. Think 200ms minimum, worse if it's one way satellite (uses dial up for the upstream). I doubt 1-way could even handle most games, since dial-up maxes out at about 5kB/s half duplex.

Is it so bad that NextG doesn't even work (with their touted 98% coverage)?

2 bars on the old mobile so I would say it is a FAIL!!! Some spots my car with a special aerial and the NEXTG is not usable

[mobius]

Originally Posted by JLycett

Just wondering if any of you have ever used this type of connection before. It looks like I will be going to Satellite as the property I will be moving to does not have access to ADSL and the wireless signal is to weak. I have looked at a number of plans and the limits for the plans are crap but I need a dose of pc gaming once a day or I foam at the mouth

You sure about the ADSL?.

Also is the signal too weak WITH an external anntena?.

Edit:

If you know your new address/number you can use this site and see if you are near an exchange ect.

http://www.adsl2exchanges.c om.au/

[JLycett]

Positive about the broad band the closet town is bout 8km away and it doesn't have broadband. I was thinking wireless until I went out today and tested my mobile with the the kit in my car and had very patchy reception.

[mobius]

Originally Posted by JLycett

Positive about the broad band the closet town is bout 8km away and it doesn't have broadband. I was thinking wireless until I went out today and tested my mobile with the the kit in my car and had very patchy reception.

You try the site above?

Also this site will tell you how far the phone towers are from you, Just put your new address in. If one is close by an external antenna on a pole outside might work out ok , or one companies tower might be closer and yield better results

http://yourbroadband.com.au

[Zardez]

why you moving to the middle of nowhere JL?

[Bammo]

JL,

I know a little about this subject Satellite is a no-go for PR, sorry. The minimum ping you will get is around 500mS (not 200) and you cannot stay connected, let alone play. I'm happy to sell you a connection from the company that I helped setup (www.orionsat.com.au) but I am telling you now it won't work.

NextG isn't great as the pings are still pretty high but probably closer to 200mS than 500mS so PR is still a possibility. For normal broadband connection, NextG is sweet and surprisingly fast (I mean, ADSL2 fast). Telstra's plans are still pretty pricey compared to the others but the service in marginal/regional areas is heaps better and they are slowly reducing their prices. I have both 3 and NextG modems for bush usage and there is no comparison in speed and performance - nextG is the only way to go.

Now, provided you have at least some NextG coverage at the place you want to go we can drastically improve the signal strength you receive. You want to order a Yagi antenna in 850-900MHz - the YBS809-81 from RF Industries is a pretty standard unit and the aluminium version retails around the $100 mark. This has about 10dB gain over a normal antenna and probably 15dB gain over your average handheld phone.

Get yourself a pole or a roof mount and some high quality coaxial cable (CNT-400 or better, not the cheap-ass RG-58 that comes with your CB radio). You want a good quality modem, something like the Call Direct 882SEU or similar. Overall, this setup will produce significantly faster throughput and better reliability than a USB type solution, although it won't help you much with ping times.

HTH

[Fallen.]

Bammo has done everything !

2 way sat is getting better to the point voip phone is viable but not good enough for fps shooters.
And your best bet is a static yagi on the roof dialed in to your nearest tower.
If the property doesnt have a landline connected yet you may also be able to get Tel$tra to supply and fit that. Often if its cheaper than laying fresh cable to a new house away from a in place cable run they will connect you via a home phone connected to a 3g "box" accessing through the cell network.
Alternativly you could fund a regular bus and bring in players for a rural lan party a couple of times a week.

[JLycett]

There is a phone line. When it comes to Next G my work phone is next G attached to the best antenna you can get for the car and it still gets 2 bars. The area is know as a Telstra blackhole so I may be screwed. The local exchange which I think is mangoplah NSW does not have ADSL. The tower is on the other side of the hill so no signal.

The plan I am looking at comes down at about 2mps or better possible 4

[Zardez]

if there is a phone line what stops you from using that? sorry i'm a little technologically challenged compared to you lot

[Sgt.trip]

how far is this place from wagga wagga lycett....

[JLycett]

35 minute drive the road is not a main road it is a back road to a town called Holbrook. I will have to call and see what exchange it will be on I am assuming Mangoplah as that is the closet one it could be another small community. I kmow the clients have out there are on Sat. as they can't get ADSL or wireless because of the bad reception

[Psyrus]

Well by the sounds of it... gaming wise you're screwed

Maybe OPEL could have been your saving grace. Go kick Conjob in the nads for us

[Xavo]

Project Reality Singleplayer ?

[JLycett]

At least I will be able to down load at great speeds LOL

[Bammo]

Just remember, a NextG phone with antenna on the car is probably about 12dB down from the signal strength of a dedicated modem with Yagi. 12dB is 16 times higher signal strength so not to be sneezed at. I would be very surprised if you couldn't get a decent bandwidth through NextG, maybe 2-3Mbps. The ping won't be great, sure, but it is probably playable.