T&T: T&T "Internet access" Cell phone issue

[Ken Bloomfield]

Just for what it's worth, I ordered the Digital Antenna unit about one 
year ago based on a recommendation on one of the lists (can't remember 
which one) and didn't check the given part number out.  What I ended up 
getting was the unit with the roof antenna, and a second antenna that 
ostensibly would transmit inside the boat.  As has been posted already, 
that system was made for automobiles where the metal cab would shield 
the two antennas from each other.  Not so on a fiberglass boat, so the 
system when into feedback oscillation and would shut down virtually 
instantly to protect itself. 

I fessed up to Digital Antenna and they were absolutely excellent in 
helping me out.  The short story is that I now have an antenna on the 
flybridge to "talk to" the cell towers, and an inductive coupler that 
they make that when intimate with either my cell phone or my AT&T Sierra 
USB-aircard, gives good additional signal that is very noticeable.  Goes 
from one bar of signal in our marina covered slips (all metal) to 4 bars 
with the inductive coupler on the cell phone.  Similar gain with the 
Sierra Mercury USB-card.  Granted, a bit less freedom that being able to 
wander the boat with the cell phone but it works for me.  On the 
normally dead Tenn Tom river system, I had very good cellphone and 
internet results.

All the best,
Ken Bloomfield
M/V Tellico Lady