Are Big Rig Satellite Systems Available For You To Watch TV or Surf the Internet?
Some satellite systems require the truck to be parked while some systems allow In-Motion viewing. The In-Motion satellite systems can cost almost 4 times the amount of a system used when your truck is parked with a view of the Southern sky. With the focus in the past mostly on the RV market, companies are now looking to cash in on the growing consumer demand for vehicle-in-motion access to TV and Internet service. Satellite Systems Available for Truckers
The
Vu Qube V10 satellite dish
protected by a waterproof box is designed to be permanently mounted on the rear of the truck cab. No more having to move the dish or temporarily trying to set up a dish to watch TV.
The dish is only part of what is needed. You will still need the following to complete the system. Television or a computer capable of receiving television signals Subscribing to a satellite TV service like Dishnetwork or DirectTv. The service will also provide the needed satellite TV receiver. Tip to save you money: It should be possible to add an additional receiver to your home satellite plan to take on the road with you.
A mounting bracket will be required for permanent mounting or you can keep the Vu Qube V10 satellit dish as a portable system. Your truck will need to be parked with a view of the southern sky.
Another company, mobilsat ,offers In-Motion TV service and In-Motion Internet Service but they are two separate systems. In-Motion satellite TV systems run in the range of $2500 or more depending on the system.
Before you decide that is too costly and you are an owner operator who deducts expenses as a business owner; check with your tax accountant to see if it possible to deduct the system as a business expense since you will be doing business by looking for freight loads, sending faxes to brokers and business emails. You may also be allowed to depreciate the cost of the unit over the life of the unit. "Sounds Great But What Else Is Out There?"Use Your Existing Satellite System Used at HomeYou can do what some truckers are doing to get access when they are stuck out in remote areas. Some truckers are utilizing their Direct TV or Dish network system by signing up for TV and Internet service that allows you to take the dish with you while out on the road. The service is no different than taking your system with you to the lake for the week.
What are the limitations of taking my satellite system on the road?
•You will need room to store the dish
•You will need an unobstructed view of the southern US sky to use the system of your choice.
•Your rig would have to be stationary to get a fixed signal to the satellite positioned in the southern sky.
•The mini dish would have to be mounted on a tripod or placed temporarily on the roof of your tractor to use the system. They are lightweight and easily set up to get you connected.
Who Has Satellite Systems That Offer Internet and TV Access?•DirectTV and Dishnetwork are the two providers used to access TV programming via the satellite systems in the United States.•Wildblue is the provider of satellite internet access. Wildblue offers internet access only.
•Both Direct TV and Dish Network have teamed up with Wild Blue to offer their customers TV and Internet access where you can save money by ordering both services as a combination package Forget TV – I Want Internet Access OnlyYou have three options:
Use satellite systems that offer internet access only, wait until you are in areas where Wi-Fi (wireless) internet service is available or use internet wireless services through a cell phone carrier when you are in range of a digital signal.
Companies with satellite internet access:
•Flying J truckstop •TravelCenters of America •Love's Travel Stops •Rip Griffin Travel Centers •Pilot Travel Centers
That is a lot of money to spend for internet access when you get lucky to get to the truck stop early enough to get a spot for the night.
The other options where 24-7 coast to coast internet access to the internet is available sure sound good when not having internet access could mean the difference between deadheading home and finding a good paying load. Finding that load to keep from deadheading back home just a couple times would pay for a year’s worth of satellite service for internet access and TV programming access.
Internet Service is usually available as long as you have a digital signal. Caution: Typically, you need to be in a digital area to be able to use internet service and in an EVDO area for access to high speed capability especially when usually Verizon’s cell phone service. Verify internet access capability with your cell phone carrier to know what to expect before you rely on this option to find your freight loads. It would be costly to drive two hundred miles only to go back the same way to pick up a load.
•Use your cell phone as a high speed modem connected to your computer by using a data connection kit – Verify requirements with your cell phone service provider •Cell data cards that transmit data via cell phone towers by plugging the device into your computer’s PCMCIA or PC Express slot can be used to connect with the internet. Verify requirements with your cell phone service provider and computer manufacturer as needed
•Basic 1X Internet-in-Motion Cellular Router – Transparent interface
•Advanced EVDO Internet-in-Motion Cellular Router – Check to see if your cell phone carrier supports this device.
Get Paid Quicker For Delivered Shipments - Use Scanner and Fax/EmailTo help speed up getting paid quicker for delivered shipments, fax and receive BOL documents via fax/email services while sitting comfortably in your truck by linking your computer with a cellular, Wifi or satellite internet connection service to gain internet access.So how do you handle the hard copy of the Bill of Lading paperwork or any other hard copies of paperwork?  and Pentax PocketJet 3 Plus 300-DPI Mobile Printer with Integrated USB/IrDA to print and resend signed documents straight from your truck at a cost in the long run definitely cheaper than the average of $1.00 to $2.00 or more per sheet typically charged for faxing documents at truck stops.
Plus, the time lost standing in line at the truck stop puts your competition hundreds of miles and promises of earlier delivery's times ahead of you while you wait for your turn to fax the BOL documents to get paid.
The use of linking the computer, scanner, printer and fax / email service to increase your productivity to make more money is a very important reason to seriously think hard about how many air time minutes you may need for the month. Trying to decide how many minutes are needed in a monthly plan to get the job done without having to pay a penalty for the extra minutes used is hard to do. One strategy plan to consider to help control air time expenses: 1. Go with a plan that allows you to easily change your monthly minute allowance from month to month preferably at mid-month. Try to also negotiate the per minute penalty charge for going over the minutes alloted in your monthly plan. 2. You also want a plan that allows unused minute rollover each month. 3. This way you can start your account with a higher monthly minute plan than needed to avoid paying the high penalty per minute charge. Then scale down the monthly minute plan as needed.
You will be able to better judge the monthly minute allowance needed for your operation. Start faxing your BOL papers today.
"It's Your Decision!"There are many products out on the market to consider using for your business or entertaiment when out on the road.Whether it is a big rig satellite system, cell phone internet access or using Wi-Fi access, the decision is yours to make. Big Rig Central.com can’t make that decision for you.
We do suggest that you be diligent in doing your homework to make the decision that is best for you. Keep in mind some internet big rig satellite systems per minute usage cost is high compared to cell phone or Wi-Fi internet access.
Is 24-7 connection to the internet worth it in your quest to earn top dollar in the industry?
You will have to decide if the higher cost is worth it to you especially in the highly competitive hunt for good paying loads.
Good Luck and Stay Safe! Return to Top Of Big Rig Satellite Page
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