Adam Atkins
EF2
T-Mobile
Don't Get T-Mobile! My thoughts...
Don't Get T-Mobile! My thoughts...
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What cell phone services work the best for chasing?
- Thread starter Rockwell Schrock
- Start date
Have had good coverage with Cingular in Texas and Oklahoma as I can also use my phone as a wireless modem for my laptop. Coverage though is not good in Kansas west of I-35.
Skip Talbot
EF5
I'm going to put my vote in for Cingular as well. Although its been mentioned in other threads, I think its worthy to note here that there is a loophole in the pricing of data. An unlimited laptop data package from Cingular costs $80. However, you can buy the MEdia Works package for $20 and get the same kinds of speed, connectivity, and unlimited data. The difference between the packages is that the latter was designed for use only on a cell phone browser, however, it can be configured quite easily to provide an internet connection to a laptop as well.
DanHinch
EF0
I have tried to do that with my motorola V400, but was never sucesssful... I can only get it to connect with the WIX and not the Media Works... I use the data cable to connect to my phone, if you got this to work, I would be interested in hearing how you did it.
DH
Skip Talbot
EF5
I need to play with it some more to figure out exactly what is going on. Right now I'm connecting over the switched circuit network which uses up minutes, but next step is the GPRS packet network which doesn't use minutes and is faster.
Perhaps there are compatibility issues with the phone? I have a Sony Ericsson Z500 and it came with a USB cable and software for using the phone as a modem. I login into Cingular's data network with the login: [email protected] and password: CINGULAR1 has to be all caps.
I'm a little confused by what you mean by WIX. That's the wireless internet express right, or do you man the laptop data access plans? I thought WIX was included in the MEdia Works package, but was meant for use only on a phone. Whereas the laptop data plans use basically the same thing but with a different log in name and software. My online bill isn't showing any extra data charges... yet.
Perhaps there are compatibility issues with the phone? I have a Sony Ericsson Z500 and it came with a USB cable and software for using the phone as a modem. I login into Cingular's data network with the login: [email protected] and password: CINGULAR1 has to be all caps.
I'm a little confused by what you mean by WIX. That's the wireless internet express right, or do you man the laptop data access plans? I thought WIX was included in the MEdia Works package, but was meant for use only on a phone. Whereas the laptop data plans use basically the same thing but with a different log in name and software. My online bill isn't showing any extra data charges... yet.
DanHinch
EF0
The data only packages is what I was referring to as WIX or wireless internet express...that’s what we called it when I worked for Cingular but that has been over a year now and things may have changed... The data only packages don't have to be used with a data card, but can also be used with a phone. Many Cingular Reps don't understand that and it can take a while when you want to have it added to your account. I wouldn't want to use the switching because it uses min. and can't be faster than 9600, or 14400 that I am aware of. I love the GPRS and can't wait to use edge someday. If there was away to make the network "think" you are accessing the internet through the phone, rather than a PC connection...it would certainly be cheaper, but Cingular could drop you from that plan and move you to a data plan if they noticed that large amounts of data.
Skip Talbot
EF5
Ah ha, an insider! So I guess I am going to have be careful with how much bandwidth I eat up. Do you have any idea how many MBs before a flag gets raised over there? I remember back in the dorm we used to change our MAC addresses to avoid the 500 MB daily limit, but we still had to keep it under 2 GB or else the network admins would catch on. I assume with MEdia works though that the number is more like 20 MB.
DanHinch
EF0
I am not really sure, I wish I knew.
DH
Mike Johnson
FYI: Cingular is beginning to block Internet access for those who have been using the Media Internet Express. This service was designed for the
phone browser only, but some have been able to toggle the phone
and computer to establish an open Internet connection. Cingular's normal unlimited Internet service (through a laptop - Bluetooth, USB) is $79.00 a month. The only problem is very limited reception in hot chase areas like western/central Kansas and E. CO - Northward. Not worth $79.00 in my opinion, although it can be added on a monthly basis.
I was able to use the Media Express until I recently changed phones from a Sony E. to the Mot. V551. When I called into third level tech support, I got a spanking! I don't think they can block the old phones, but the new ones can be blocked. It's my understanding that some NWS data can be received via the phone's WAP browser, ($20.00 a month for unlimted access) but I do not know if the good stuff (SPC outlooks and meso's) can be downloaded or if the text files are posted in a timely manner?
Mike
phone browser only, but some have been able to toggle the phone
and computer to establish an open Internet connection. Cingular's normal unlimited Internet service (through a laptop - Bluetooth, USB) is $79.00 a month. The only problem is very limited reception in hot chase areas like western/central Kansas and E. CO - Northward. Not worth $79.00 in my opinion, although it can be added on a monthly basis.
I was able to use the Media Express until I recently changed phones from a Sony E. to the Mot. V551. When I called into third level tech support, I got a spanking! I don't think they can block the old phones, but the new ones can be blocked. It's my understanding that some NWS data can be received via the phone's WAP browser, ($20.00 a month for unlimted access) but I do not know if the good stuff (SPC outlooks and meso's) can be downloaded or if the text files are posted in a timely manner?
Mike
Matthew Hatton
Although I have been chasing for a few years now I have always had problems with the whole data access thing. I have tended to opt for wifi in hotel lobbys for now as this does offer high speed access and hotel owners are normally quite helpful.
I do want to get mobile though but last year the main problem was setting up an account being from the UK. Has anyone any solutions for someone not from the USA?
I do want to get mobile though but last year the main problem was setting up an account being from the UK. Has anyone any solutions for someone not from the USA?
Anthony Silver
EF4
Cell Services
I've found that Nextel works really well in most places, and the direct connect feature comes in handy for relaying messages that you dont necessarily want going over the ham air.
I've found that Nextel works really well in most places, and the direct connect feature comes in handy for relaying messages that you dont necessarily want going over the ham air.
Jeff Snyder
EF5
Hmm.... As far as I know, Cingular has not enacted port-blocking yet. I was able to tether with my laptop earlier this afternoon... I think there'd be some problems if they ever do, since my phone (Moto MPx220) has a full html browser (in addition to the WAP capabilities), so I can go to "real" websites like SPC, CoD, etc, all on my actual phone. Since Cingular doesn't know if the data request is coming from my phone or from my computer (via my phone), I don't think they'd be able to do html blocking without screwing everyone with phones that have HTML browsers. I don't know about FTP, SSH, etc., since I haven't tried those while tethering. But as far as html pages, it certainly works for me. I'm on the old MediaWorks plan: $19.99 for unlimited internet express, 1500 text messages, and more MMS than I'd ever use...
Amos Magliocco
EF5
Jeff is right; no port-blocking has been instituted by Cingular. However, the old MEdia Works package for $19.99 with unlimited internet has been discontinued. In it's place is a $24.99 package for unlimited data but without the text messaging or MMS features of the old plan. People who had the old plan are grandfathered in.
When it comes to data and tethering, you can't go by what you're told on the phone. Most reps know very little about the data plans or capabilities of the phones, and if they do, they are not going to tell you about tethering, or they'll tell you that it's impossible. Several weeks ago, Jeff posted the URL to HowardsForum,where you can learn a great deal about your phone and your provider. You have to sift through good and bad information, but with some diligence, you'll learn more than any Cingular rep can tell you. They mean well, but they're badly trained and caught in a confusing merger. You have to fend for yourself with Cingular.
When it comes to data and tethering, you can't go by what you're told on the phone. Most reps know very little about the data plans or capabilities of the phones, and if they do, they are not going to tell you about tethering, or they'll tell you that it's impossible. Several weeks ago, Jeff posted the URL to HowardsForum,where you can learn a great deal about your phone and your provider. You have to sift through good and bad information, but with some diligence, you'll learn more than any Cingular rep can tell you. They mean well, but they're badly trained and caught in a confusing merger. You have to fend for yourself with Cingular.
Scott Roberts
EF2
Verizon in the alley...
The majority of our station phones are on Verizon becuase of a corporate deal with them; but our rural-based people who don't have the option of Verizon for their primary service have found Alltel to be the preferred alternative. Two of my chasers carry a phone on each service...whenn their Verizon phone was in signal hell along US-160 last year, their Alltel phone usually worked. Of course, there is the total outage area near Udall, and a couple of problems south of the state line, but all-in-all, that's worked fairly well for us -- more reliable than any other service pairing.
(And just as reliable, if not more so, in comparison to satellite phones.)
It seems when you roam a Verizon phone onto Alltell, the system turns it down and gives Alltel customers priority. Its exallty backward of how things seemed to work with my Verizon phone on the east coast. One hint: if you power-cycle the phone, you'll usually get full strength, and if you can get a call placed before the system starts turning down your phone, it doesn't seem to turn it down as fast.
The majority of our station phones are on Verizon becuase of a corporate deal with them; but our rural-based people who don't have the option of Verizon for their primary service have found Alltel to be the preferred alternative. Two of my chasers carry a phone on each service...whenn their Verizon phone was in signal hell along US-160 last year, their Alltel phone usually worked. Of course, there is the total outage area near Udall, and a couple of problems south of the state line, but all-in-all, that's worked fairly well for us -- more reliable than any other service pairing.
(And just as reliable, if not more so, in comparison to satellite phones.)
It seems when you roam a Verizon phone onto Alltell, the system turns it down and gives Alltel customers priority. Its exallty backward of how things seemed to work with my Verizon phone on the east coast. One hint: if you power-cycle the phone, you'll usually get full strength, and if you can get a call placed before the system starts turning down your phone, it doesn't seem to turn it down as fast.
Skip Talbot
EF5
Looks like I slid in under the wire. I tried to add the Media Works package via the Cingular website but kept getting errors. I should have called them. The Media Works package shows up in my features now though so its all good.
If anyone is thinking about adding this feature before Cingular permantly closes the door, the website to add it is still active. Adding it under the My Features section kept giving me an error, but if you go to the Media Packages option under the Media tab, there is a form at the bottom to add it. That one worked for me.
If anyone is thinking about adding this feature before Cingular permantly closes the door, the website to add it is still active. Adding it under the My Features section kept giving me an error, but if you go to the Media Packages option under the Media tab, there is a form at the bottom to add it. That one worked for me.
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