iPhone 4 moblie hotspot

[BBauer]

I'm considering getting my wife an iPhone 4 (verizon) then swapping phones with her when I go chasing so I can utilize the hotspot feature for my laptop data feed. I read somewhere that you can't receive calls when using this feature. Is that correct? I would not want calls to cut off the data feed so would I be able to easily disable calls? Yeah, the hotspot feature is a rip off at an additional $20 on top of the data plan but if I can cancel it at any time I might just pay for the feature for the next few months then cancel it. I would have to pay for Verizon's day pass for my usb modem anyway (at $15 a day) so I would rather have flexibility and use the hotspot feature and have 2g of data available each month.

 

[Eric Whitehill]

Correct - if you are using Verizon, when you get a phone call it will disconnect the data. This is not the case under AT&T.

I am not sure if you will be able to disable the function of disable all incoming phone calls.

 

[Jarrod Barnett]

Jailbreak it and you can do it for free. Just need the data plan.

 

[BBauer]

I am not too technologically inclined so I don't know if I want to go the jailbreak route or not. The biggest issue I have is that I don't want incoming calls to interrupt the hotspot feature. I could just see myself being out in the field a few seconds away from the next update in GRlevel 3 as a meso is developing and then "ring ring", data feed dropped and I miss the scan. I'm just wondering if you can disable calls while still being connected to 3g. I guess a call forwarding feature might solve that problem somehow?

update: I looked into the call forwarding a little more and it would seem that might solve the problem. Also, I guess if a call did interrupt the hot spot you could always just end the call quickly and you could get the update as soon as the hot spot was back up. I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world but could be slightly annoying.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

I could just see myself being out in the field a few seconds away from the next update in GRlevel 3 as a meso is developing and then "ring ring", data feed dropped and I miss the scan.

This should be the least of your concerns, just wait until you go into a data hole in bad terrain with a strong rotation approaching. The data interruption would last only as long as you were on the phone, and if 30 seconds is too long to be without a radar update, you're in trouble

 

[BBauer]

This should be the least of your concerns, just wait until you go into a data hole in bad terrain with a strong rotation approaching. The data interruption would last only as long as you were on the phone, and if 30 seconds is too long to be without a radar update, you're in trouble

Good point, yeah after thinking it through you are right. I know I can't rely on data to stay safe. I guess since I'll be so new to chasing I am trying to simplify everything and make things as smooth as possible out there. Hopefully I'll have a chase partner to help me stay on top of things but more than likely I'll be out alone sometimes. So yeah, 30 seconds would and should not be a big deal at all.

 

[rob.cannon]

I use my EVO and Sprint has the same issues with calling. The people who need to get a hold of me just text me. I use ham radio more though.

 

[Matt Tottle]

I have Sprint and it works the same way, CDMA is not capable of voice and data at the same time.. What happens is, unless you are streaming video the laptop is not constantly using the data link, so it auto disconnects while idle. Calls/texts CAN come in during this time. Texts are instant bursts, so they won't affect you at all. A voice call will disable the modem for the duration of the call. As soon as you hang up, the laptop will reconnect automatically. It doesn't require any extra effort on your part.

I picked up one of those $10 Verizon prepaid phones that costs $2 a day only on the days you use it, and I forward my cell to it when I'm out and using the phone as a modem. Solves the problem with minimal cost.

 

[BBauer]

I have Sprint and it works the same way, CDMA is not capable of voice and data at the same time.. What happens is, unless you are streaming video the laptop is not constantly using the data link, so it auto disconnects while idle. Calls/texts CAN come in during this time. Texts are instant bursts, so they won't affect you at all. A voice call will disable the modem for the duration of the call. As soon as you hang up, the laptop will reconnect automatically. It doesn't require any extra effort on your part.

I picked up one of those $10 Verizon prepaid phones that costs $2 a day only on the days you use it, and I forward my cell to it when I'm out and using the phone as a modem. Solves the problem with minimal cost.

Thanks for the info, glad it re-connects automatically. The prepaid idea is great.