If you've ever looked at all of the different adapters
necessary just to get across Europe, you'll understand
just how crucial, and confusing, traveling with
the correct adapters can be. At the bottom of this
page, we've included links to several suppliers
where you can research and buy just about anything
you'll need.
On just about every trip you take, you'll need the
following: a long telephone cord, a modular telephone
adapter, and a plug that provides two - and three-prong
adapters. Add to these three items a 3-to-1 power
plug (for plugging in a printer and/or external
modem along with your computer), and you'll be covered
in most circumstances.
Electrical Converters
Here's where it gets tricky. First, you need to
consider international differences in voltage; then
you need to deal with the different sizes and shapes
of the plugs. Almost every country has one or more
adapters that may be unique to it, or that it shares
with a few close neighbors. If you're traveling
far and wide, you'll need a veritable motherlode
of adapters, plugs, phone jacks, attachments, and
the like.
You'll need an adapter for the ubiquitous 220-volt
current. It turns out that the USA and Canada, which
use 110-volt current, are the odd countries out
in this realm; most of the rest of the world runs
220 volts.
Non-Standard Phone Jacks
The familiar, US Standard phone jack is RJ11. It's
becoming ever more of an international standard,
and if it's available, you're set if you simply
have a phone cord and jack in your computer. If
not, good luck finding an adapter at the local hardware
store. There are about 25-30 countries that still
haven't converted to the RJ11, and then there are
the hotels that have phones that are wired directly
into the wall with no jack connection. In these
cases, you'll want an acoustic coupler to allow
handset to handset connections, and a patch cord
kit.
Dial Tones
Dial tones can vary from country to country, and
your modem may not recognize the tone at your new
destination. You can get around this by adding a
command to your modem setup string telling it to
ignore the dial tone.
Surge Protection
You have a surge protection electrical strip on
your desktop computer; you should have the same
for your portable. In countries where electrical
delivery is less reliable, this is all the more
important. You'll need one for whichever voltage
you'll be using; surge protectors for 110 and 220
volt currents are not interchangeable.
Modem Protectors
Modems are designed to connect to analog telephone
lines, like the ones in your home. Some telephones
installed in businesses and hotels are digital.
Because the jacks are identical, you may not be
able to tell the difference. Many digital lines
carry too much current for modems; so if you plug
in your modem to one, you may ruin the circuits.
With a modem protector, you can avoid this risk.
If you frequently need to work from a location with
digital phone lines, you can buy a digital phone
adapter for about $125.
Carrying Case
No matter how careful you are carrying your computer
around, it's going to take a few hits while you
scurry around airports, hop in and out of airport
shuttle buses, pile stuff into overhead bins, fall
asleep slumped over your work on the plane. A sturdy,
padded carrying case can save you a lot of aggravation
and even more money.
Extra Battery
You'll be doing most of your work in the hotel,
right? Think you won't need it? Guess again. A second
battery is an obligatory traveling companion; get
one now.
In the Air
Most major airlines now provide access to GTE Airfones,
to which you can connect while in the air. This
is great in an emergency, or if you need to quickly
check your e-mail; but don't plan on using it as
a primary means to get your work done. In addition
to the fact the connections are slow, calls on domestic
flights cost about $15, for only a few minutes online.
Cellular Connections
A cellular data connection can save you much hassle,
if you're willing to pay the price. Hooking up to
a cellular connection may also require additional
hardware. Never assume that your modem will be compatible
with your cellular phone; many are not. The best
bet is to buy a cellular-ready modem; and get a
cellular phone with a built-in data connection.
Check out these websites for a variety of travel
gear:
www.etravelergear.com
www.walkabouttravelgear.com |
