Using cellular phone/PDA on its own for Internet access

[B. Kotcher]

I live in California and only make one chase trip a year to the plains, with my equipment consisting of only a weather radio and an atlas. A laptop computer tethered to a cellular-phone modem would be fantastic but I’m reluctant to spend the money just for once a year. However, my old PDA and ancient cellular phone are on their last legs so I’m wondering what people’s thoughts are on using a new combination phone/PDA to access radar, warnings, etc. directly. Any suggestions on brand and service provider?
I’ve searched and found a couple threads related to this, and gleaned the following:

1. One guy says he tried it and it was really aggravating. But for me, compared to what I have now (nothing), it may be a big step up—what do you think?
2. A couple guys recommended a Blackberry.
3. Some people recommended Weathertap as a means of getting weather info that’s viewable on the “small screen†http://blog.weathertap.com/2007/12/weathertap_mobile_is_here.html

Any of your expertise would be greatly appreciated.

--Bob

 

[Jerry Prsha]

I live in California and only make one chase trip a year to the plains, with my equipment consisting of only a weather radio and an atlas. A laptop computer tethered to a cellular-phone modem would be fantastic but I’m reluctant to spend the money just for once a year. However, my old PDA and ancient cellular phone are on their last legs so I’m wondering what people’s thoughts are on using a new combination phone/PDA to access radar, warnings, etc. directly. Any suggestions on brand and service provider?
I’ve searched and found a couple threads related to this, and gleaned the following:

1. One guy says he tried it and it was really aggravating. But for me, compared to what I have now (nothing), it may be a big step up—what do you think?
2. A couple guys recommended a Blackberry.
3. Some people recommended Weathertap as a means of getting weather info that’s viewable on the “small screen†http://blog.weathertap.com/2007/12/weathertap_mobile_is_here.html

Any of your expertise would be greatly appreciated.

--Bob

You may want to look at this solution as well... http://www.swiftmobileweather.com/

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

A friend of mine has a Razr with Alltel. I think he pays $5 extra month to get radar on it as well as some other weather things. I know there is IR satellite on it. Hell maybe it was visible, I'm not sure. The radar, with warnings, looks pretty good on it. With as many libraries as there are in the plains(most every small town has one), it wouldn't be hard at all to chase with just his setup. I doubt there's many chaser related lines for computers anymore either.

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

I'm guessing your friend has the MyCast weather program on his phone. I've got it on mine just for the random moments I need to check something and I'm not near a computer. The radar can be zoomed in fairly close, and you can view polygon warnings, read the text, see visible -and- infrared satellite (also zoomable) and surface observations (wind speed/direction, temp, dew point, current wx). You can also get lightning strike data which is pretty cool.

If it's already been covered I apologize, but here's the link to information about the program:
http://www.digitalcyclone.com/products/mobile-my-cast/

Here's an example of the radar quality:

While I don't rely on this for chasing, one certainly could if they wanted a cheaper alternative (I think it's just like $4.99 a month on my cell phone bill). I have used it on a couple local impulse chases when I didn't have all my gear on me and did just fine. Gotta be careful to make sure you're not staring at the little cell phone screen while driving though...

 

[mrobinett]

I use WeatherTAP mobile on my Motorola L2, Im so greatful they came up with this app, as a long time subscriber to WeatherTAP Ive often wished they would be able to WAP it!
Mike

 

[B. Kotcher]

Hey, thanks, everyone! Those Swift Mobile and MyCast services look great! Between those and Weathertap and what you all have said, it looks like I'll be getting a smart phone and will have Internet access on the road during this year's chase--woohoo!

By the way, I just found that the January '08 issue of Consumer Reports covers smart phones and service providers, for those considering a new one. Regarding phones, there are a number of good ones, with various pros and cons. Regarding service providers, Verizon is number one throughout Tornado Alley. To access the reports, go here to subscribe--you can do a one-month membership for $5.95 if you just want to see these reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

Thanks again to all of you for your help!

--Bob

 

[B. Dodson]

Does anybody use an Iphone? Are you able to see radar things etc.....

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Does anybody use an Iphone? Are you able to see radar things etc.....

I have an iPod Touch and use WeatherTap on it. Works just fine and they're basically the same without phone service...

 

[B. Kotcher]

The iPhone is totally cool with its big touchscreen and all, though according to Consumer Reports its broadband download speed is slower than that of most other devices, which might make radar animations and the like time-consuming to download.

--Bob

 

[Phil Kurimski]

You can use something free like PAW

http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/paw/

Or pay $10 for Memory-Map which is kind of like MyCast. The advantage of this program is it is only $10 and you can use it forever. I personally like this program because it is like going to the NWS sites since it uses a shrinked version of the radar products.

http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=189742

I have also used my PDA tethered as a modem and had some issues getting it to link up...however I think I solved this problem for the new chase year. It was related to some bad drivers I had on the laptop.

Good Luck and have a great chase year!

Phil

 

[John Hudson]

The iPhone is totally cool with its big touchscreen and all, though according to Consumer Reports its broadband download speed is slower than that of most other devices, which might make radar animations and the like time-consuming to download.

--Bob

While I am not an iPhone user, I just purchased an iPod Touch and its broadband speed is better than my home PC.

I'd highly recommend one for mobile data, provided you're willing to sniff out hot spots during a chase.

John

 

[Dann Cianca]

Verizon is number one throughout Tornado Alley.

I can't get MyCast to work through Verizon at all in Kansas or Nebraska. It's all extended network and not good for data. Unless this has changed since September...

 

[B. Kotcher]

While I am not an iPhone user, I just purchased an iPod Touch and its broadband speed is better than my home PC.

John

Yeah, John, as you alluded to, I was talking about data being pulled through the cellular network. That's a good idea, though, to always use a hot spot if there's one nearby.

I can't get MyCast to work through Verizon at all in Kansas or Nebraska. It's all extended network and not good for data. Unless this has changed since September...

Good point, Dann: the Consumer Reports survey was of people in various metropolitan areas--not out in the country. Though Verizon was best in the cities, it may not necessarily be best out in the field. I hadn't thought of that.

I went to Circuit City and tried some smart phones, but they wouldn't download NWS radar right. I guess the only way to do it is with the software that some of you have pointed to in this thread, but I can't download that software into the smartphone at the store, so I guess I have no way of trying a setup before I buy.

Some of you have pointed out devices and software and carriers that you've used to pull data into a cellular phone in the field--thanks. If anyone else has anything to recommend (or not recommend), please chime in.

--Bob