Advance planning and advice request

Grateful for the help and advice I have recieved so far, I'm in over my head in the electronics area. sidenote: I plan to enter the industry and begin school by Jan 2011. I've been out of trucking for about 20 years.

The total budget for startup is $1000 and hope to get it all for that (except monthly fees). Used equipment is fine with me.

Communication and electronics on the road is so important to everyone, it can actually save lives.

It seems these items are the "basics": CB, laptop, GPS (with MS Streets/Trips), truckers atlas, TV, 12 volt cooler.

So far, I have MS Streets/Trips, no laptop, no CB, no GPS, cooler, etc.

I'd like to know more about who/what you use for your cel carrier, your phone plan, how much usage you buy.

Some teather their phone to their laptop for connectivity. I don't understand this yet, but hope to soon. Same with jailbreaking.

As before, I'd like to keep the total budget to about $1000 for all of it and hold the cel plan to about a total of $100/mo and this would include unlimited calls to one other party (wife). [I think Verizon has a program like that where everyone in their network is free at all times, no roaming, etc.]

You can tell I know very little about the electronic side.
All your advice is appreicated.

Thanks and respects!

Merlin



MS Roads and Trips with truckstop add on

 

Thanks for all the replies so far. I continue to be impressed with the cooperative and helpfulness of the people who are on TTR.
Statikuz has already been helpful to me in the recent past, and I'm grateful for that.

I'm building a list and will be sure to follow good instructions gotten here.

Now to find out more about tethering and hooking the phone to the laptop (which one/type to get) and how it works and all that.

Pride is not much of an issue for me. In my time, I've worn suits I bought second hand. I'm not too good to say "Welcome to Wal-Mart" if I need to. But it's not my first choice.

Thanks to all and please keep your suggestions coming. I am paying close attention and know that opinions may vary.

I'm also very interested in your specific setups. The front line, where the "rubber meets the road" knows how to get it done, and what it takes to do it. All your opinions and suggestions are very welcome.

Merlin

 

Thanks, Lilbit!
I'm getting it all down. I have checked Verizon for the wireless thing, but not sure just how much I'd need. They have a calculator of sorts on their site, but I trust the people here more than any calculator.

It is certain that my success will be directly attributable to following good advice found on TTR from the members. I'm watching it happen to a few others I am following, and the key seems to be a choice in attitude. I've seen your posts on their threads, I think.

Be safe and thanks a lot!

Merlin

 

Thanks, Okieron!
Everyone has been very helpful. I had a Cobra long ago and it was a good one. Even had a magnetic K-40 antenna. I could take the antenna off when I had to get off road in the oilfield and worried about trees, etc.

(The internet and GPS was unknown back then as Al Gore hadn't invented it yet! LOL)

Best and stay safe!

Merlin