21. September 2009 by admin.

If you are a new reader of this blog, it moves along pretty quickly at times. I recommend that you view at least 3 - 4 extra pages to make sure that you haven’[t missed anything interesting. Products. Stories. Articles. All good stuff (I hope.)

Join and post a comment, or email me and I will confirm if I can post your comment before using it.

Keep reading … and make sure you see more by going back SOME PAGES.

Thanks!

—

Alan Spicer

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21. September 2009 by admin.

Speaking of my Microsoft visit in Redmond Washington, while on a job for a yacht in the Seattle Washington area - The picture of the old original Microsoft company gang … reminded me that I recently started scanning old pictures that I have.

Ham Radio stuff from the 1980’s - Drake TR3 (I bought used at a Hamfest) Tube Transmitter and Receiver combo, and two other unknown mobile (probably vhf / uhf) radios in base operation on 12vDC converters. Note Navy Signalman picture (Morse Code by Flashing Light) which was one my job ratings in the U.S. Navy.

1980’s era computing horsepower for (not many people ha! ha!) the home - Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer II, TRS-80 Model I with after-market Expansion Unit (clone), Yes that’s a Hayes Smart Modem 300 Baud on the shelf (the start of smart modems which modems even today still follow), Cassette player for program save and load. Wow! Imagine that?

Computers from the 80’s a little bit later on past the CoCo and Model I - On the left this is a Tandy with an Intel 80286 processor (a what? before Pentium was 8086, 80286, 80386, and 80486 cpu models), on the right is an older Tandy 8086 model. Yes those are floppy disks. Yes that is a Radio Shack Programmers Calculator. What else … Microsoft Quick C, and I still had the Hayes Smart Modem 300 Baud. That might be some Ham Radio gear still in the picture as well that got pushed aside when I started spending TOO MANY HOURS on the computers.

“Contact - bearing 000 - range …” Photo take aboard U.S.S. Recovery ARS-43 in the late 1970’s - early 1980’s … I could be more specific, but I’d have to kill you!

Image from “My” Signal Bridge onboard U.S.S. Recovery ARS-43 - This is looking aft (astern) (towards the Not Pointy End of the Boat) the smoke stack is right there. Good morning Viet Something … I did (NOT) love the smell of Diesel (napalm) in the morning black crap that blew out of the stack after we’d been docked for a long time. I’m am still, many years later, rather proud of my fire hose rack (Damage Control Petty Office was one my gigs) all shiny and protected by plastic cover. You can see a signaling light with the lever on the left. I was originally a Signalman, later studied and also qualified as a radioman, and stood watch as Quatermaster of the Watch which was basically navigation watch at the chart table in the wheel house.

U.S.S. Recovery bow in seas on the deep blue - Not sure exactly when or where … at sea bow photo sometime in the late 70’s / early 80’s. Ummm we had no GPS, No Nobeltec, we actually used Charts and Loran C, and something called Omega (which sucked) and Sun Lines and Celestial … you know Shooting Stars Navigation. You captains know this stuff.

U.S.S. Recovery ARS 43 Wheelhouse and Chart Table - The wheelhouse, Portholes to Enclosed Conning Station, Chart Table, Sperry Gyro Compass Repeater. I shined and cleaned pretty much everything up there … and as DCPO I fixed the doorway gaskets, portholes everything, and labeled those nice Frame “FR” stencils that you see up high and the 02 numbers. Can I tell you a secret? We were supposed to go on watch by walking aft out onto the stern deck, and climb upwards outside to access the bridge wings and the Wheel House. Often in real inclement weather we were allowed to go up through the Officers Passage (ladder way). But us bridge crew types (Operations or “OPS” types) were *Elite* and I (and others) often went that way most of the time. A good excuse was to get the Officer (OOD / OOC “I have the deck and the conn!”) on watch a cup of coffee. I was once accused of spilling sugar or coffee or something and was  banished to a deserted island awaiting my doom. Not really. But I was chastised severely. The last XO was real character. You know, the “I had a headmaster like that once in Prep School” type (quote from the Band of Brothers movies) type of officer. I know everything, ummm now show me how we do that???? He absolutely hated me. I probably helped that somehow. And I was a Short Timer which meant that I was getting out of the Navy soon. That was like throwing fuel on an already hot fire. He bumped me from one getting off date/time (excuse “we need his services a bit longer”) in the Med that year. Yah, wait till he needs some coffee.

* That’s all for now

—

Alan Spicer Telecom and Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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20. September 2009 by admin.

Rescue Tape … saw this at the Seattle Boat Show. Capt. Bryan of Maximus II bought some. Check out this info:

http://www.rescuetape.com/news/boat-us-tom-neale-cruising 

—

Alan Spicer (Marine) Telecom

+1 954 683 3426

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20. September 2009 by admin.

I visited the Seattle Boats Afloat Show:

While I was in Seattle - it was just across the lake so I went with the crew of Maximus II in their tender boat. That’s a neat way to go into a boat show.

—

Alan Spicer (Marine) Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954-683-3426

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20. September 2009 by admin.

So you just got a Cradlepoint Router from me… and it won’t work with your brand new card from Verizon, Sprint, AT&T or such, right?

Make sure that you activate your data card (data usb thing, or data express card thing) first in a laptop or desktop computer.

Many new cellular broadband cards will come with the software installation in the card. An AT&T USB Connect Mercury was that way as it has a built-in Flash Drive included.

I just did a Verizon USB out in Seattle, WA for a yacht … and it came with a CD. So you install the CD and run the Setup, and they you have to find the “Activate” in the program (e.g. VZ Access Manager) and do that. If that still doesn’t work (I had a problem there) call Verizon (or your cellular company) and check your account and ask them if there’s anything else that you have to do. There are many resellers of Cellular Data Cards and they don’t all do the right things when they sell a data card. So follow my advice here and you should be able to get up and running!

Once you have successfully activated your Cellular 3G (3G+) or 4G data card (USB thing or Express Card thing) then you should be able to plug it right into a Cradlepoint Router and be sharing the Internet to your whole gang in No Time.

Many Cradlepoint Routers can work on DC Card Cords for the Automobile Cigarette Lighter (auxillary 12v DC car outlets for you non-smokers) and travel along quite nicely in the boat, car, truck, or SUV (and even bigger vehicles).

— 

“One if by land, and 2 if by sea”. Alan Spicer works with land/mobile/marine customers…

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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19. September 2009 by admin.

As I  always say I encourage the presentation of contrasting points of view… The following was emailed as a response or comment on my earlier blog post.

[quote]

I have a totally different opinion on the Coast Guard event. When I saw that CNN was reporting an overheard radio broadcast and did not confirm any of it before broadcasting it I had no sympathy for them (its their job to confirm). I believe that ANY agency that protects the USA and does practice runs to sharpen their skills should not pay any attention to a calendar. They should at random perform their drills. If it Christmas, July 4 or 9/11, go for it as the Bad Guys are most certainly watching. Because of this event, now the Bad Guys know that we are ready even on “special” American days. Even the radio frequencies they use should be random like using some public ones, some private ones and even ones no one suspects like satellite comms. Keep the Bad Guys guessing and keep our First Responders sharp and prepared. Oh, and by the way, if I’m a little inconvenienced for their efforts, I’ll get over that much faster than being dead.

Greg Johnson

[end quote]

—

Alan Spicer

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19. September 2009 by admin.

I flew out to Seattle Washington (State), not really to visit Microsoft but rather to re-work some things on a yacht customers vessel. But who could resist getting somewhere near Microsoft being in Washington State? So I did. An afternoon day trip was done in actually just a few hours. Including a drive through Seattle downtown and Fish and Chips and Clam Chowder with screeching seagulls on the waterfront.

So here are some pictures…

Map by the elevator from the massive 4 sub-level parking garage gaining access to Building #92 The Microsoft Visitors Center

Sign on the walking path to the Microsoft Visitors Center (Alan Spicer in the picture.)

Building 92 Microsoft Visitors Center from the outside almost at the entrance

Closer shot of Microsoft Building #92 sign just before the entrance steps

The entrance steps to Microsoft Building #92 Visitors Center

Microsoft Building #92 Entrance Steps with Alan Spicer there in person

* Note that I kept my hair longer for this trip, see later why… as I try to slip into the picture as one of the original Microsoft Founders Club (an optical and actual illusion.)

Welcome display just outside the entrance to the Microsoft Visitors Center Building #92

I sat down waiting to have a one and one conversation with Microsoft about their software … Not really! This is just inside the Visitors Center. A nice photo opportunity.

Microsoft Vistors Center - The famous purple wall - one of the 1st things you see inside

Microsoft Visitors Center - The Front Desk / Information Desk

Microsoft Visitors Center - The famous Bing Globe with Alan Spicer reporting live…

Microsoft Visitors Center - The famous Through the Magic of Software plaque

Microsoft Visitors Center - The history of technology (or whatever they call it)

Microsoft Visitors Center - The history of technology (or whatever they call it) another picture

Microsoft Visitors Center - Who would have imagined (Microsoft Founders) plaque

Microsoft Visitors Center - Microsoft Founders (the original Microsoft crew back in the day) including Alan Spicer (”it was my idea”. Well not really )

But I can fake it. Here is my Photoshop Alan Spicer in the original MS Founders Club

… Ok more on this later. I’ve had a WEEK, you know. And just flew all the way back to Fort Lauderdale from Seattle WA. Including one aircraft cracked windshield delay and one aircraft light bulb delay where they sent us another aircraft to replace it. What an adventure, right?

— 

“One if by land, and 2 if by sea”. Alan Spicer works with land/mobile/marine customers…

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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14. September 2009 by admin.

“Well if the government can trust me, then maybe you can too.” — Famous words from Maverick in the movie Top Gun. Well I quoted that to make a point, because maybe if HBO’s “Entourage” Production Company likes the Cradlepoint Router product, then maybe you will to. Read: TV Production Case Study

CradlePoint Keeps HBO’s “Entourage” Production Company Connected

MBR1000 Broadband Router Provides Web and Email Access to Members of TV Production Company While They’re Filming “Entourage” On Location

SITUATION

The award-winning hit series “Entourage” on HBO is shot almost entirely on location. Yet even though the production company is out of the office, they can’t be out of touch. Producer Wayne Carmona explains: “We’re always on the move, always on location. But I still need to be able to communicate and have web access. The reason I have three cell phones with three different carriers is because if one phone isn’t getting a signal, I have the other two for back up.”

CHALLENGE

The company had used a couple of different 3G cellular broadband router solutions before using the CradlePoint MBR1000 Mobile Broadband ‘N’ Router. “We were upgrading our air cards. We asked the company we work with that specializes in routers if they’d recommend anything new. They told us about the MBR1000.”

SOLUTION

“CradlePoint has designed a terrific piece of equipment,” Wayne reports. “I don’t know if it’s because it has three antennas, but I [sic: It] works better than anything we’ve had before. Technology is always advancing.”

BENEFITS

• Simple. “[The MBR1000] is plug-and-play,” Wayne
reports.

• Good Support. “The second time we used [the MBR1000],” recalls Wayne, “We had a small problem with the configuration. I called [CradlePoint] tech support and they helped me reconfigure it. The young man that I spoke with knew the product backwards and forwards.”

• Reliable. “We’ve had no issues,” reports Wayne. “The only problems we’ve experienced are inherent in the cellular system. It seems like we’re never in an ideal place, transmission-wise. But the [MBR1000] unit itself is solid.”

• Affordable. Contrary to popular perception, budget is always a concern one TV show set. “The price was competitive,” notes Wayne.

Wayne summed up his feelings about the MBR1000: “If I wasn’t doing this [producing a hit HBO] series,” Wayne jokes,
“I would look for a way to market [the MBR1000]. I would certainly do that.” “Terrific piece of equipment [that] works better than anything we’ve had before.”

—

* Thanks for the idea Wayne. I’ll look for a way to market the MBR1000 — Alan Spicer

— 

“One if by land, and 2 if by sea”. Alan Spicer works with land/mobile/marine customers…

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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14. September 2009 by admin.

I’ve done updates today to Marinetelecom.net (http://www.marinetelecom.net also known as http://www.alanspicermarinetelecom.com.)

If you haven’t driven your browser by that web site in awhile it might be a good time now. Don’t do it on your expensive Satellite phone though if you’ve got one of those per MB or Per minute ones, because the page is a heavy loader.

I’ve been a reseller of Ericsson gear (W25 and now W35) for a couple of years now. I’ve updated on there the latest W35 pricing for those that are interested. The price has gone down quite a bit. It might be time to get one if you were thinking about it.

I have become a Cradlepoint Authorized Partner which makes me a reseller of Cradlepoint Routers as well. For those that don’t know these are routers that share Cellular 3G / 4G Laptop style Data Cards with a built-in WiFi signal as well as jacks for Wired Ethernet Devices as well. And that accounts for a LOT of Devices that could use the Internet shared from such a router. I’ve put multimedia tours on there for personal and business users as well as pictures and pricing. And I believe that I’ll give a lot more support than most online stores will for these products. Many online sellers just sell stuff. They may not know how they really work or how to install and use them. I do.

My blog also echoes onto that page. If you keep scrolling down. There are some older articles and About Me stuff on there. So get a cup of Joe or your favorite drink and have a look. Let me know if you spot anything either wrong or right about that web site. Any suggestions for articles are appreciated, or if you have your own article that you’d like posted on there (or blogged about) let me know.

There are many marine links on there that my Sail and Motor Yacht visitors might like. But I also sell gear to land and mobile customers - small and medium business - and small office home office (SOHO) customers as well. So everyone is welcome. I can even hook you up with a guy, with a company, that sells Fractional Yachts if you want to get your feet wet in yachting for much less money and much less upkeep expense.

I look forward to hearing from you soon! And I wish you all MORE COW BELL!!!! (see my articles on here about that.)

— 

“One if by land, and 2 if by sea”. Alan Spicer works with land/mobile/marine customers…

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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13. September 2009 by admin.

I just realized that there’s a Cowbell application for the iPhone. That’s funny. Considering my earlier post where I said “AT&T We Need More Cow Bell” regarding the AT&T Network problems reported in some areas related to iPhone users using too much Bandwidth (Cow Bell) on the service.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-OyCDUzv1A

You can search for “AT&T Cow Bell” or “AT&T Cowbell” to find my post on AT&T Cow Bell problem, or just scroll down to find it.

Anyway it’s not a productivity app that’s for sure. Just something for fun. And I happened to find it while checking the above key words to see if I was being found.

On another note … according the NY Times source that I wrote about in my earlier post supposedly AT&T says the following:

AT&T says it has no intention of capping how much data iPhone owners use.

* That’s something that kind of irked me. If they don’t cap (don’t have a policy, have in the plan) iPhone 3G Data users then they should not be capping other 3G users at 5Gb per month. I’ve been on the phone with AT&T Customer Service and Billing and was told that there is no other plan for Laptop 3G users. The previously named “Unlimited” is now Data Connect 5Gb.

I don’t know what anyone else thinks but that seems like another “Network Neutrality” issue now with AT&T. If one 3G device gets unlimited Cow Bell (Data) then everyone else should too. It would not be fair to let iPhone 3G customers use *real* unlimited data service and to NOT let other 3G customers do the same thing.

— 

“One if by land, and 2 if by sea”. Alan Spicer works with land/mobile/marine customers…

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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