Sprint or AT&T for chasing?>

[Jane Herbert]

As far as coverage goes for data, we were happy with Sprint (last 3 years) and this year we added a 7dB antenna which made ALL the difference - there really weren't too many periods were were dataless...next year we'll get a bigger aerial...

 

[CGardner]

I use Sprint but I have HTC Evo, so I don't know how much difference there is in data download time between them and IPhone. Honestly, I can log into SPC, check CAPE, shear, helicity , and moisture convergence. Run a satellite loop, and the log off the internet and switch over to the Radar Now app within like 10 minutes. Smart phones are like the best thing ever when chasing.

 

[Mark Blue]

I think your smart phone is 4G capable isn't it Aaron? My wife has the HTC Evo Shift and if I remember correctly the Evo was the first 4G phone Sprint offered. Have you checked out PKYL Radar in the Android Market yet? That's a pretty slick little level 3 radar program and continues to get better.

 

[CGardner]

Yes, it is 4G capable, but I will miss out when the QC area gets 4G extension coverage from Chicago next year. I am not 100% certain if Sprint will place a cap on data downloading Mark. Initially U.S. Cellular did that when 3G came out, and look where they are now. I really don't think Sprint is wanting to do that; based on AT&T issues with the possible merger, Sprint is starting to, well, sprint forward in phone competition. I'll check that app out Mark, thanks.

 

[Jim Parsons]

I've chased with Sprint the past few years and I've had great coverage over most of the plains I would narrow your list down to Sprint or Verizon...They seem to cover the most area. I would highly recomend picking up a cellular booster for your best coverage. Check out Gordon Spencer's site WWW.MaximumSignal.Net ...He's an active member of this site and has some great products. I run his Rockies amp with the 9db trucker antenna and I can have 0-1 bar signal and when I power up the amp, the signal goes to full bars.

 

[Mark Blue]

Yes, it is 4G capable, but I will miss out when the QC area gets 4G extension coverage from Chicago next year. I am not 100% certain if Sprint will place a cap on data downloading Mark. Initially U.S. Cellular did that when 3G came out, and look where they are now. I really don't think Sprint is wanting to do that; based on AT&T issues with the possible merger, Sprint is starting to, well, sprint forward in phone competition. I'll check that app out Mark, thanks.

I really hope Sprint doesn't implement a data cap on 4G, but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually did. For now I'm just speculating about it though. To me it seems they are behind the 8 ball in comparison to Verizon on the network speed. Verizon was smart to implement LTE from the get go, whereas Sprint is now trying to get their plan together to catch up. When I signed up for Sprint in April 2007 I had an unlimited 3G datacard which made me a happy camper. They eventually implemented the cap of 5 Gb (I've never exceed that chasing) and 300 Mb for roaming, which I have exceeded a couple of times during chase season. They don't bother me though as I've never received a 'nastygram' about it in the past. My 3G account still says unlimited when I login to the Sprint website, but I am still subject to their cap from what I've been told. There are a ton of conversations regarding this at the EVDOinfo forums that are an interesting read.

My wife and I picked up 4G phones in March of this year, but so far I haven't been that impressed with Sprint's 4G speeds. According to their coverage maps we are in an area that can receive 4G inside buildings and we normally do, but we are right on the cusp where it says you have to be outside or in a car to get 4G data. If you zoom in on the map the cutoff line is right where we live (zoomed in to street level), so I'm at least glad that we can get 4G versus being stuck with 3G. Inside the house I usually have 1 or 2 bars and it gets me by, but a recent speed test had me in the 5 Mb range on the download and 1.5 Mb on the upload, so it could be better.

 

[Benjamin Smith]

Or you could just root an android phone on sprint and use the modded hotspot apps out there.

I have an EPIC 4G running syndicate frozen and the built in wired/wireless tethering is simple to use.

If you use your phone for tethering (with a modded phone not using the stock hotspot app) it is still unlimited, the cap only comes into play if you are using an actual data card or using the $30 per month hotspot app.

 

[Mark Blue]

IDK, I've thought about rooting my phone, but it wouldn't make any sense for me being 7 months into a new 2 year agreement, paying for insurance coverage, then something happens and it isn't covered under that replacement program because I mucked around with the phone. I have the Samsung Epic 4G and for me it was a huge upgrade as believe it or not, before this upgrade I was sporting a Sony Ericsson T68i on T-Mobile. I seriously needed to upgrade as I was living in the past. For me Easy Tether Pro works just fine and allows me to use my phone as a modem on 4G if the need arises (say if I'm chasing in a Metro area). I just couldn't see tethering all the time out in the field though as this phone doesn't have an antennae connector for my amplifier, the battery life is lame at best, and my current data card setup is near bullet proof with the Cradlepoint CTR-500 router I have. I guess everyone has to choose how to roll and if the method a person uses works then that's all that matters.

 

[Matt Tottle]

The PDAnet app enables 'non-hotspot' tethering and doesn't require rooting the phone.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

Ok guys!

Sprint has unlimited data on the Iphone4s and I have an unlimited data plan on my AT&T account. Whats better for chasing in IA, KS, NE, etc?

Not sure I care about data/phone at the same time so that's not a factor.

Who gets better data coverage for tethering???

Verizon 3G card + a power amp = WIN. Plus if you're in roaming on 3G data, you don't get charged for it. only draw back with Verizon is they're still getting towers up for 4G, but you can still use 3G in the meantime, which is just as good. Jeremy Holmes and I had full bars of service back in May in WRN OK. No signal before we plugged into the power amp, but once we plugged in we had full bars of service the rest of the day. 4G cards don't work with the power amps, don't know how long it'll be till they offer some, but hopefully soon, and hopefully the 4G data cards will be coming out with antenna ports to plug into to boost signal in low reception areas.

stay away from sprint. avoid them like the plague.

IDK, I've thought about rooting my phone, but it wouldn't make any sense for me being 7 months into a new 2 year agreement, paying for insurance coverage, then something happens and it isn't covered under that replacement program because I mucked around with the phone. I have the Samsung Epic 4G and for me it was a huge upgrade as believe it or not, before this upgrade I was sporting a Sony Ericsson T68i on T-Mobile. I seriously needed to upgrade as I was living in the past. For me Easy Tether Pro works just fine and allows me to use my phone as a modem on 4G if the need arises (say if I'm chasing in a Metro area). I just couldn't see tethering all the time out in the field though as this phone doesn't have an antennae connector for my amplifier, the battery life is lame at best, and my current data card setup is near bullet proof with the Cradlepoint CTR-500 router I have. I guess everyone has to choose how to roll and if the method a person uses works then that's all that matters.

find a used data card on ebay or craigslist, call the carrier and give them the ESN # to ensure it's not under contract in someone else's name, and you can usually skirt by the 2 year agreement thing if you already own the equipment yourself.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

Another vote here for the Verizon 3G data card. I did what Drew described and it has worked out very well. Something also that has helped with the cost is being able to suspend my data card for 6 months of the year (in two 3 month increments) and not be billed for those months. I can activate again anytime and turn it on/off as needed through the Verizon site without having to deal with anyone.

 

[Mark Blue]

stay away from sprint. avoid them like the plague.

I've had Sprint for nearly 5 years and I have nothing but good things to say about my coverage when out chasing. Our 4G plan is also with Sprint and overall I'm satisfied with what we get. If I could change one thing though it would be the speeds I'm getting on the network, but other than that I'm happy. Have you had a bad experience with their customer service or something?

find a used data card on ebay or craigslist, call the carrier and give them the ESN # to ensure it's not under contract in someone else's name, and you can usually skirt by the 2 year agreement thing if you already own the equipment yourself.

I bought a used Sierra Wireless 597E card on Fleabay a year and half ago just in case my current card (Merlin EX720) goes south while chasing. It has a clean ESN history and I could do a swap out at any time if I needed to, so the bases are covered on the backup plan.

The PDAnet app enables 'non-hotspot' tethering and doesn't require rooting the phone.

Easy Tether Pro accomplishes the same thing for me and I've used it a handful of times and haven't ever been charged for the Hot Spot add on. I'm not holding my breath though that some day Sprint will add it to my bill without me knowing, so in the meantime I only use the 4G and tethering if I have no other option (like my home ISP is down for an hour). I'd like to root my phone, but based on what I posted above I'm not willing to take the risk, or at least until my contract is up.