Central IL / IL Chasers - data plan?

[Christopher E. Kincaid]

What data provider do you Centeral IL / IL chasers use? I currently have ATT and my 2 yr commitment expires in Feb. I am really not happy with ATT's coverage especially in W Central IL. It's not bad around most cities, but its crap in the sticks. I am considering Verizon. What do you guys use and recommend?

 

[Skip Talbot]

I use Verizon and ATT as a backup. Its worked well for me in the state.

 

[Christopher E. Kincaid]

I use Verizon and ATT as a backup. Its worked well for me in the state.

Which would you say works best? I don't think I can afford both.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I've found Verizon to have less holes in IL than ATT, although both carriers are fairly good in the state as data coverage is extensive. In adjacent states like Missouri and Wisconsin, I've noticed Verizon has a much stronger advantage, which might further persuade you to pick Verizon.

 

[Brad Goddard]

Like skip I have an AT&T phone and a Verizon card. So far Verizon has far outshined AT&T around here. That coupled with the fact that Verizon has a no contract plan you can shut down in the off months makes them a winner for me

 

[Benjamin Rock]

I've got Sprint and have not had any problems so far in IL, WI,MO,IA. But on the plains, there were some brief small holes.

 

[Danny Neal]

Verizon owns in IL.... I also had AT&T for a bit and that too was pretty flawless in IL. You probably can't go wrong with either of those two.

 

[Christopher E. Kincaid]

Verizon owns in IL.... I also had AT&T for a bit and that too was pretty flawless in IL. You probably can't go wrong with either of those two.

It seems when I chase in west central IL I have no service with ATT. I am talking around the Macomb area. Do you guys know if Verizon is better there?

 

[Danny Neal]

I had an external antenna on the roof of my car when I used AT&T so that may have played a factor, however on June 8th of last year when we were coming home from the chase the day before we took the Northern Missouri backroads into Illinois through Keokuk, Macomb, Canton and finally into Peoria with no problems. I used the USB device which has its' own built in antenna so if you manage to install a boost kit or an external antenna to that I couldn't imagine having any bit of trouble.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

It seems when I case in west central IL I have no service with ATT. I am talking around the Macomb area. Do you guys know if Verizon is better there?

Talk to Brandon Sullivan, he works at a Verizon store in Macomb.

 

[Christopher E. Kincaid]

I had an external antenna on the roof of my car when I used AT&T so that may have played a factor, however on June 8th of last year when we were coming home from the chase the day before we took the Northern Missouri backroads into Illinois through Keokuk, Macomb, Canton and finally into Peoria with no problems. I used the USB device which has its' own built in antenna so if you manage to install a boost kit or an external antenna to that I couldn't imagine having any bit of trouble.

Good idea... I have one of those big USB modems. I believe it has a built in antenna. I wonder if it has a port for an external antenna... Thanks for the advice guys. I like how Verizon doesn't require a contract, but to bad you still have to buy the device (modem).

 

[Jesse Risley]

I used the AT&T data card on a trial basis for a few weeks back in 2007, and the coverage at that time wasn't sufficient for what I was looking for west of the Illinois River, so
I returned it before the thirty day trial period expired. In the Macomb area, I dropped AT&T voice service shortly thereafter (I originally had AT&T/Cingular since I lived in North Central Illinois prior to emigrating here in 2003) due to very poor coverage; I can't speak as to what it's like presently.

I've been using Verizon's data service for two years, and in my own sanguine disposition, I am very satisfied with their coverage statewide. However, Verizon does not have mobile EVDO data coverage in a large area from roughly Shelbina, MO over into Adams County, IL and down to the Jacksonville and Pittsfield, IL areas, as this is primarily Sprint territory and it roams on 1XRTT. Essentially the southern half of the perceptual region "Forgottonia" (see map http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Forgottonia_1972.PNG) has this issue with Verizon EVDO coverage.

 

[Christopher E. Kincaid]

I used the AT&T data card on a trial basis for a few weeks back in 2007, and the coverage at that time wasn't sufficient for what I was looking for west of the Illinois River, so
I returned it before the thirty day trial period expired. In the Macomb area, I dropped AT&T voice service shortly thereafter (I originally had AT&T/Cingular since I lived in North Central Illinois prior to emigrating here in 2003) due to very poor coverage; I can't speak as to what it's like presently.

I've been using Verizon's data service for two years, and in my own sanguine disposition, I am very satisfied with their coverage statewide. However, Verizon does not have mobile EVDO data coverage in a large area from roughly Shelbina, MO over into Adams County, IL and down to the Jacksonville and Pittsfield, IL areas, as this is primarily Sprint territory and it roams on 1XRTT. Essentially the southern half of the perceptual region "Forgottonia" (see map http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Forgottonia_1972.PNG) has this issue with Verizon EVDO coverage.

That is alot of the area that I have been having issues with. I live literally off of I136 (Heyworth, IL) and driving to Macomb is something I have done for chasing many times and I lose my data and I hate that. It sounds like Verizon may not help. I am going to see about an antenna for my data card. Maybe that will help...

 

[Jesse Risley]

That is alot of the area that I have been having issues with. I live literally off of I136 (Heyworth, IL) and driving to Macomb is something I have done for chasing many times and I lose my data and I hate that. It sounds like Verizon may not help. I am going to see about an antenna for my data card. Maybe that will help...

I have an amp and I also run an external, permanently mounted low profile antenna that serves both my GPS and the cell amp/data card. I rarely, if ever, lose data anywhere in Illinois, including this entire area that you're speaking about. Regardless of the provider, there are very rural areas, even in Illinois, where you're likely to lose data for a small amount of time if you're just running an internal data card with no external antenna. I would recommend a low cost external antenna as a start. See how that performs next chase season; you shouldn't need a cell amp just to get better data service in Illinois alone.

 

[Chris Heater]

I have Verizon with the external antenna. So far, even in the area your talking about, I have never lost service. The only time I have was for a brief time in northwest Missouri. You also may want to look into it, but I was told by a Verizon rep that they have an anntena/amp in one (at least from what I understood). You also should think about the future. Verizon is getting pretty serious about upgrading to 4G over the next several years. Hope this helps! I'm very satisfied with the service!