may also be available in parts of Canada and Alaska. StarBand is located
on the Web at www·starband·com.
RaySat: The SpeedRay 3000, a phased array low-profile antenna rather
than a dish antenna, is offered by RaySat. This unit, shown in Figure 9-3,
is only a few inches high -- and its innovative design lets you use it
while the vehicle is in motion (more information at www·raysat·com).
Figure 9-3: The SpeedRay 3000 (shown here mounted on an SUV) can also be mounted on a truck or RV.
Part III: Bridging the Wireless Gap
Focusing on the SpeedRay 3000
As winner of the prestigious "Best of Show"
award, the shining star of the 2006 Consumer
Electronic Show was the RaySat SpeedRay
3000. As with other self-pointing satellite anten-
nas, it uses GPS to position its antenna -- but
(unlike traditional reflector dish satellite anten-
nas) the SpeedRay 3000 employs phased-array
panels. The antenna array's design allows the
panels to turn freely within the housing, making
the SpeedRay 3000 a low-profile unit that can
maintain the antenna's orientation toward the
Southern sky. That helps it maintain its connec-
tion to satellites, even while the vehicle it's
attached to cruises merrily along the highway.
As with reflector-dish antennas, it can also
receive television broadcasts and remain con-
nected to the Internet simultaneously.
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