SatSig topic:

SkyFX

(Read 18717 times)

Aug 2^nd, 2006 at 6:09pm

So I just got this new SkyFX satellite internet service (web site (web site skyfx.us no longer working) and so far its great and quite a difference from ordinary dial-up. I live in Michigan and have no access to cable or DSL lines. The customer service has also been excellent. However, I am looking to set up a wireless or home network with the service....its a one way satellite system so it uses a phone line for uploading and the satellite for downloading so there is a small modem...Any advice or suggestions on how I could set this network up or if it would work with a one way system?

Aug 2^nd, 2006 at 11:52pm

their FAQ says yes?

(web site skyfx.us/faqs.html#Q12 no longer working)

I would make a call and find out. If they are no help try looking for DirePC directions for internet connection sharing for the computer connected to the service?

Oct 19^th, 2006 at 8:31am

Do I need to install any specificsoftware on my PC for using this service?

Dec 1^st, 2006 at 9:35pm

Careful with Skyfx...their website is EXTREMELY misleading! They claim to have a less restrictive fap / rup limit than Hughes or WB. That is far from the truth as their actal FAP/RUP limit is a very restrictive 2 gigs per month!!

Dec 5^th, 2006 at 5:32am

Just wondering, did you ever get your home networking going with Skyfx? I'm a new Skyfx user (very happy so far) but now I'm ready to add a 2nd PC to a home network. My Michigan support tech's told me to use an Ethernet Crossover cable between the PC's and that would work. Hummmmm, not yet. Got any ideas?

Dec 5^th, 2006 at 1:55pm

The cross-over cable is the easy part. Getting the 2 PCs to talk to each other is the hard part. That involves configuring the local connection in the respective Networking and Dialup Connections properties. This will establish the host/client relationship. If firewalls are involved, pertinent permissions must also be granted.

Once you have the two computers talking to each other, then the PC that already has the working SkyFX connection (host) must have ICS enabled (Internet Connection Sharing). That said, I don't know if ICS is capable of permitting the client computer to dial out on the host phone modem.

//greg//

Dec 6^th, 2006 at 5:12am

IT WORKS! I just got my home wired network going using Skyfx, a Windows XP Home PC (as the host) and a Windows 98se laptop (as a client). SLICK! Both can surf, pull email down into their own accounts and share printers and file folders. SWEET! I'm impressed and very happy with the service that Skyfx provides. Their customer service folks (Sue and Paul) are always available and excellent to work with! THANKS GUYS!

Dec 6^th, 2006 at 1:06pm

Good work. One thing I was never sure of - the capability of a client to dial the host phone modem. For my own info, would you confirm that you can get on the W98 client computer and launch the SkyFX dialup (customer transmit) on the XP host machine?

//greg//

Dec 6^th, 2006 at 4:23pm

Greg - Here's how it works ... my Win98se laptop (set up as Client) doesn't dial the modem at all. My XP Home tower PC is the host and I get Skyfx working on that one first. Then after the connection is flying, the client laptop can just jump on the existing Skyfx connection. It sees it through the home network (via the Ethernet Crossover cable link) and is able to "share" the already established internet connection for websurfing, emailing, downloading etc. NOTE: The client can not start the connection on it's own, the host PC needs to do that first. So both PC's need to be up and running during this time. It's slick! Hope this helps you out.

Dec 6^th, 2006 at 7:57pm

Thanks. I asked, because I tried to help someone out with the identical situation a while back - and they got mad (at me) when the client wouldn't launch the host dialer. Glad to think that I may now be exonerated.

//greg//

Feb 4^th, 2007 at 11:52pm

I purchased a Skyfx system and with the help of Allen, got things humming along at 400. It seems the problems are more with Microsoft Vista and IE7 than anything else. The Skyfx people know what to do. I would rate this the best system for rural internet users. Thanks Skyfx for helping us country people. I bought a new compter with Vista. Bad idea. Vista doesn't like anything. Skyfx would never act right with Vista and went back to XP and things are fine. The system is still running between 400 and 500.

Feb 5^th, 2007 at 5:09am

Quote:

I purchased a Skyfx system and installed it as directed. I can get no better than 25% strength signal no matter what I do. It also says out of lock on the status bar.

At first glance it sounds like pointing error. When "installing" did you adjust the POL angle?

Low signal can also be caused by cheap cable and/or connectors, by the wrong connectors, by improperly installed connectors, by an incorrect/defective cable block, by running the cable through the wrong kind of coaxial surge suppressor.

//greg//

Feb 17^th, 2007 at 10:31am

What about mooch's post? Is that true?

Feb 17^th, 2007 at 10:38am

I presently have WildBlue, and I'm rather sick of them.

I'd like to get SKyFx, but I need to set up a home network. Problem is, I'm not technically savvy, so I would need a professional installation of the satellite as well as the home network.

I talked with someone at the company, and one person told me I could use a router that I'm already using with my WB system, but another person I talked with said I couldn't. So, who is right?

Also, they gave me the names of some people in my general are who could do an installation, but none of them are in business anymore!

It's been extremely frustrating with WB; I was hoping things would be better if I could change to SkyFx, but I can't even find an installer!

Of course I'll lose money initially if I change over, but I'll save in the long run, and if they have no FAP I'll be even happier.

I welcome any suggestions.

Feb 20^th, 2007 at 8:55pm

Hey, can anyone give me a definite answer on SkyFx's FAP?

I can't take just 2 gigs a month, that is ridiculous, and the risk of having that is all that is preventing me from defecting from Hughes.

I mean a single game demo or anything media related is 400 mb+, I would reach my limit in 2 days.

Thanks.

Feb 22^nd, 2007 at 5:22pm

This page (web site skyfx.us/why.htm no longer working) says that they don't have an "RUP policy**". I interpret this to mean that the amount I could download would depend on how hard I tried in the face of competition from other downloaders.

There is a finite maximum download rate possible and many people competing for it.

If customers start downloading bandwidth hungry applications like CD sized software packages, video and audio then the capacity will soon get used up.

1000 customers each downloading an average of 10 kbit/s or 3 GB per month (which is typical useage) would saturate a 10,000 kbit/s downlink. Does anyone know what satellite and what carrier and what symbol rate and FEC ?

1000 x $39.99 = $39,950 per month income might just about cover the cost of running a 10 Mbit/s carrier.

Best regards, Eric.

Mar 22^nd, 2007 at 4:08am

Hello...

   In regards to their fair use policy....I subscribed to Skyfx in mid December. I, to this day, have never had a bandwidth restriction/limitation on my service.

   To verify this, I talked to Al in customer support at Skyfx. He reassured me that there is no bandwidth (R.U.P.) policy on their service. He also stated that if you are a heavy user, they will put your service/bandwidth on their "Commercial Side" of their Satellite network. This is basically designed to give Skyfx customers a more generous bandwidth allowance, who need extra bandwidth to download games, software mp3's etc. Al also stated that they monitor ALL bandwidth from their bird.

   With the exception of earlier this month, (March) I've never had ANY problem connecting, or receiving adequate bandwidth allowance. The exception in early March, was do a solar blackout, in which the sun's activity temporarily prevented one from connecting to the high speed bird for only a few hours each day. This only happens twice a year, and only for a period of about 10 days or so. (about 2 hours/day)

      A few years ago, I had an account with Direcway one-way satellite internet. First of all, their customer support sucked. None of then could answer my questions, or address my problems/concerns. (or even forward me to someone who was knowledgeable at all, for that matter) Secondly, their connection speed was s-l-o-w. Often, I was disconnected after only a few minutes on their bird. Thirdly, their R.U.P. was a rip. I can't remember exactly their bandwidth limitations, but it was WAY TO LOW!!! After downloading 5 or 6 mp3's and possibly a 4 minute 320x240 pixel video, I was done for the day, and pretty much done for the remainder of the two weeks in any given month. (down to 64kbs)

   To sum it up, Skyfx's customer support is somewhere between good and great. They know their equipment, and that's what counts. Pricing was good too. (About 150 bucks for the whole equipment, plus 20 bucks for activating your account. (one time fee)

   As with Direcway, I was able to set my system up myself. One thing I really got to appreciate, was it comes with a slightly larger dish, compared to the oval shaped, Direcway, or the smaller, circular shaped (18 inch) Dish Network System. You really become appreciative of the larger dish, especially with the major snowfall that Indiana has at times. (Snow was all the way up to the dish, and even on the dish, but didn't drop out once) Also, in times of thick clouds or rain, my Dish Network T.V. would go out temporarily, but so far, so good with Sky Fx's enlarged Dish. (about 30 inches in dia.)

I have Windows XP, and their software loaded flawlessly with my system. In addition, their dialup account to get you on your way to their bird, is also included in their service pachage as well. Installation took a little over two hours. (wind and darkness set in)

In short, download liberally, but download smart! I pretty much think that this will keep everybody's cost down. Don't download the same file over and over again for yourself, or for your friends. Use your CD/DVD burner for God's sake. Also. if you can pull it off, download at night. Bandwidth is 40%-50% more plentiful at these hours. (but I know with people's working schedule, this cannot always be achieved!) I think this will greatly help to keep this service "Up To Snuff." After the nightmare I had with Direcway, it's nice to have a satellite service that actually works!

Hope that helps!!!

Surf smart!!!...Surf Fast!!!

...Greg

   Bandwidth, (ah yes...bandwidth!!!) It's been a real joy kids! Average speed during the day has been around 500-600 kbs. After midnight, I have no problem surfing at over 1 MEG.

   In addition to your bandwidth concerns, I was informed by customer service, that they strictly monitor their bandwidth supply. This is not to cut you off, or slow down your connection, it is to ensure that their customers have enough bandwidth to go around! Personally, I have had no reason to doubt this. They have had a few recent transponder updates to meet the needs of their customers.

Apr 1^st, 2007 at 3:43am

I had emailed them with many questions. They finally got around to my question about how much I can download...they replied easily with this exactly:

"3GB a Month"

So...what's the deal, if I use P2P programs to download videos and stuff (Free mind you, not the illegal crap) they don't care right? I just want to know before I order the satellite and service. I game a lot too, so lots of demos and updates for things.

Apr 1^st, 2007 at 5:17am

Your logic is unclear. How does "3GB per month" equate to "they don't care"? Assuming the 3GB is an accurate figure, they don't care UNTIL you exceed 3GB that month - at which time applicable RUP restrictions will be imposed.

Don't hold your breath for a meaningful gaming experience over satellite

//greg//