To do all
this we need:
Laptop
Computer:
Any recent and
decent laptop will do. Remember, you are not going to do fancy
computing; only communicating, some word-processing and document
handling. What is very important are sturdiness, reliability and
stability. My recommendation goes toward the Windows XP as
operating system. A laptop with a 15inch screen, 128MB Memory,
20GB harddrive, built in modem and network card, PCMCIA Slots,
Lion batteries are now standard most of the times.
Click here for Laptop Computer prices and offerings!
Cellular Phone
(dual-mode, Analog and digital):
Uniform mobile
phone coverage across America is still spotty. With digital
coverage in the eastern half and in densely populated area and
analog in between. Digital modem speed is currently up to 14,400
baud and analog is slower. Surfing the net at these speeds is
not a pleasure, but it is adequate for e-mail and occasional
surfing. Click
here for more info on cell phones. Fill in your Zip Code
then click on the link on the left for more phones
Cellular Contract:
National coverage is important if you drive all of the US. If
know your area then you may tailor the coverage area to what you
need. It is best to get combined digital and analog with as few
roaming areas as possible. Depending on your contract, roaming
charges add up. Try to include long distance calls in the
contract.
Cellular Modem:
It should fit into
the PCMCIA slot or your built in modem should work via a cable
with your phone.
Power Inverter:
Converts your
trucks DC into AC. A unit with 140 Watts continuous load should
be sufficient for this application.
Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS):
It protects your
laptops delicate electronics from electric noise, power spikes
and power drops as well as you loosing work should the power
stop flowing for whatever reason. The built in battery powers
your setup for up to 15 minutes or more.
The small stuff:
To connect your
cellular phone to the laptop you need: a cellular modem, a
cable, an adaptor, and of course the cell phone.
Also a cigarette lighter charger for the cell phone.
Here only one with
national scope will do. Since you are on the road and in the
truck your cellular plan will dictate which access numbers you
will use. In motels and restaurants that let you hook into a
telephone line you will want use the closest number. Be sure to
check the cost of that local call, it may be more than if you
were to use the cell phone. Restaurant phone rooms may not let
you make local calls. Instead you may have to use your ISP's
tollfree access number. There is an extra charge and it may just
be cheaper to again use your cell phone.
At Home:
Aside from the low
priced long
distance calling plan, your home phone telephone number
should be setup with an additional toll free number so that you
can call in from anywhere. The cost of the calls get charged to
your home phone at calling plan rate which could be as low as
3.9 cts. per minute. Calls from a payphone usually incur a $0.35
per call surcharge to reimburse the payphone operator. The cost
for the toll free number is either none or maybe $2.50 per
month.
Here are two outstanding plans:
PNG and
Unitel
Calling cards,
either billable or prepaid come in handy for those unpredictable
situations when all else fails. They don't have to be expensive
or even with your long distance phone provider.
You may want to
have your own website to advertise your services to the public
or sending visitors to when you are negotiating for additional
information that is best conveyed in "printed" form saving you
faxing time.
Your own e-mail address: It is so much more impressive if your
e-mail reads
Joe@YourTruckingCompany.com than
Joe127422u@hotmail.com
.
I hope this helps.
Please use the links to research the products and services
further. You may also e-mail me with questions you may have.
Lowest Discount Long Distance Phone Rates:
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