"TREVOR BURRIDGE" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Jim >> NB ScaryAmericansOnHireBoat > >>I think I am looking for WiFi access when near populated places. I do >> have external "wok-fi" antennas to improve range. >> >> Anything free? or by subscription? > >It is almost worth winging it on this issue. > >There are an increasing number of people that don't password protect their >home based wifi network and there is a chance you could get onto the net for >short periods (say to send and receive email or surf a few information >pages) without a problem.
I did this all through Belgium. I even found some I could use from the wheelhouse. I got a fit-in-the-pocket wifi detector that could tell me (a) if there were any signals, and (b) if they were unencrypted, and just turned it on as I neared where I wanted to moor. If that revealed no signals, I just wandered around the town with it until I found one conveniently near a park bench or sidewalk cafe. Especially the latter. Although at one in a small Belgian town, the proprietor said "don't bother. Come inside and use my connection". Belgians are much maligned. However, in France almost all hotspots were encrypted, so I used internet cafes (taking my laptop with me and plugging in) for between one and two euros/hour. Of course I had Skype, so this dealt with all my phone calls too at effectively no cost. I was very pleased with my Canary Hotspotter detector. Google it. But you may want to get some rechargeable batteries, as it is a bit thirsty. I assume you will have an inverter on board, so a cheap charger will refill them. Or by a bunch of AAA's in a bulk pack for a couple of quid, as that will probably do you for the trip. Adrian Adrian Stott 07956-299966
