Satellite ??

[copsindafamily]

I am an IT admin and just thought of a question to ask the knowledgeable LEO's here!!

I got pulled over the other day and the LEO took me to sit in the front of his car to show me what the computer said about my traffic record. It is amazing to me all the info he could pull up in such a short time going back about 10 years. Anyway I just wonder if the cruiser laptops are connected via satellite
modem or is there a DB (database) on the laptop?

The main reason I would like to know is I have a contract with an insurance apprasial company that appraises collisions on the spot. I have been researching satellite modem technology for a while but it's damn expensive! I would be interested in the method they use as so it could help me with my contract.

Thanks in advance for any insight provided!

[samseed101]

generally it's just a regular wireless modem, much like the ones you can buy through cellular telephone dealiers. (picture the PCMCIA wireless cards you can get from sprint). If you are looking for something that's fast and inexpensive, check out one of the links below. They are fairly cheap and are actually faster than dial-up. Basically, if you are in an area that can get cellphone service (digital) then you can use one.

=url=http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccess ories%7CconnectionCards%7C&selectSkuId=merlinc201& FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476483&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EAT R_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURR ENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1097219632 435]Sprint connection card[/url]
Verizon card

Depending on where you are, you can actually connect at decent speeds (equal or better than DSL / cable) and the service is Nationwide.

[samseed101]

**sigh** guess I cant edit the post to fix the first link, so here it is again.

Sprint connection card

[copsindafamily]

thanks. I'll check it out. Because they appraise accidents, they could be ANYWHERE in the Eastern US. So one would assume there might be times no cell sig is availible. I wonder if nextel has a modem,.......

[scott715us]

Alot of the MDT's (mobile data terminals) are becoming pretty common in the south for law enforcement. A good majority of them have gps capability. There is a well funded agency nearby who has their calls dispatched through their MDT's, maps on where their vehicle is and how to get to the call. The supervisors also have maps and can see where there patrol officers are at any time. Talk about keeping track of your officers! We have our MDT's, but they have not been installed yet. It is pretty amazing what they can do with them these days if you have decent equipment. ;)

[tpd_six]

thanks. I'll check it out. Because they appraise accidents, they could be ANYWHERE in the Eastern US. So one would assume there might be times no cell sig is availible. I wonder if nextel has a modem,.......

We use Nextels, they charge us I think a flat $50/month for unlimited wireless internet. There is a USB plug the runs the laptop directly to the phone. The speed's not great yet, but supposedly they will have an update this winter, or may possibly be changing to an aircard type setup. As far as the information, it is all transmitted back and forth. All the record information comes from the state computer, our local records are accessed through the sheriff's dept. server.

[mcsap]

We run the GPS system on our MDC's. I now know where the highest elevation in my jurisdiction is. They aren't tracking us yet though...

[copsindafamily]

that is pretty amazing stuff. I had no idea law enforcement was so high tech!!!

Thnx for all the replies you guys have helped me make a decision that I have been pondering for some time now!!

[DeputyMadMax]

We use a wireless system that is trunk mounted and broadcasts to several towers throughout the county. There are a lot of dead spots still, but it's still very new and improving. The radio's are 11mbs, but we only get about 1mbs. Still, pushing near T1 speed through the car is nothing to complain about. The laptops are hooked up to the radio units through the RJ45 NIC.

[P01IC3M4N]

we use their stuff...
http://www.sierrawireless.com/Produc...ng/pccards.asp