Wireless coverage - advice please!

[Josh Richardson]

Using a USCC card, I would almost look at going to Alltel as your primary internet. Outside of S. WI, N. IL, and Iowa; USCC isn't very good at all. You can go month to month on both tethering and data card, as Kinkaid mentioned, tethering would save money, but you lose use of your phone if that's the case.

Actually Scott, its worked pretty good outside of those areas...unless your referring to MN or SD. Northeast NE has been a problem but thats to be expected and I have had no problems at all in KS or OK but that was Central and Eastern parts of the states and not western where there is no coverage. Anyway, yes Alltel will have to be the direction we take and will use an aircard for that. We use aircards because we put them in a router so everyone in the van can use it. Thanks for the suggestion Scott.

 

[Steve Miller]

Paul, PM me with your chase dates and I'll quote you a price on a rental card and service through Sprint for the period you will be here. I can ship to your starting point and you just ship back when you're finished.
Anyone else interested in rental cards can feel free to contact me as well.

 

[Josh Richardson]

Ok, now that I have decided on Alltel I need to pick a data card to buy. I see the data cards listed below as compatible. My question now is does anyone have any experience with these particular ones and any recommendations on where to purchase them or does it have to be from the wireless carrier?

Franklin Wireless CDU-550
Huawei EC360
Kyocera KPC680
Kyocera Passport PC*
UT Starcom PC5740*
UT Starcom PC5750
UT Starcom UM150

 

[J Kinkaid]

Ok, now that I have decided on Alltel I need to pick a data card to buy. I see the data cards listed below as compatible. My question now is does anyone have any experience with these particular ones and any recommendations on where to purchase them or does it have to be from the wireless carrier?

Franklin Wireless CDU-550
Huawei EC360
Kyocera KPC680
Kyocera Passport PC*
UT Starcom PC5740*
UT Starcom PC5750
UT Starcom UM150

Go with the UT Starcom UM150 and buy it from ebay then will not be under a contract

 

[Josh Richardson]

Well yes obviously Im trying to buy it outright so I dont have a contract, any reason you recommend that one? And why USB or Express Card?

 

[Josh Richardson]

I was kind of thinking the Kyocera KPC680, anyone have any experience with this one?

 

[J Kinkaid]

Well yes obviously Im trying to buy it outright so I dont have a contract, any reason you recommend that one? And why USB or Express Card?

I have just had very good luck with that card and it has an antenna port so you can hook up an amp and antenna.

 

[Josh Richardson]

Maybe Im just being weird but I do like the 34mm Express Card look of the Kyocera over the USB cards. The USB ones just seem like they are going to break on me, also with the express cards I can then interchange them with our USCC card in the router we have in the van.

Anyway, if anyone else has any suggestions that would be great...I will probably end up purchasing the Kyocera but wouldnt mind hearing any other cons or pros of any of the cards mentioned above.

 

[Gordon Spencer]

Any of the current devices will serve your needs . If they are Rev.A they all have the same qualcomm chipset inside . So it is all a matter of what form factor ( ie USB , Express or PCMCIA ) you prefer. They all have RF ports as well.

Maybe Im just being weird but I do like the 34mm Express Card look of the Kyocera over the USB cards. The USB ones just seem like they are going to break on me, also with the express cards I can then interchange them with our USCC card in the router we have in the van.

Anyway, if anyone else has any suggestions that would be great...I will probably end up purchasing the Kyocera but wouldnt mind hearing any other cons or pros of any of the cards mentioned above.

 

[Josh Richardson]

Thanks Gordon good to know, I'm glad you responded to this actually. This year I was wanting to look into an amplifier and antenna also, if you get the time PM me some info on some recommendations please.

 

[J Kinkaid]

Thanks Gordon good to know, I'm glad you responded to this actually. This year I was wanting to look into an amplifier and antenna also, if you get the time PM me some info on some recommendations please.

go with the Rockies amp package for $250

 

[Mark Sefried]

I saw something a while back ago that said Alltel was bought out by Verizon. Since Alltel has good coverage in the plains, it may be wise to get either Verizon or Alltel. I know that you used to be able to roam on Alltel's towers if you had Sprint. However that may have changed since Verizon bought out Alltel.

 

[J Kinkaid]

I saw something a while back ago that said Alltel was bought out by Verizon. Since Alltel has good coverage in the plains, it may be wise to get either Verizon or Alltel. I know that you used to be able to roam on Alltel's towers if you had Sprint. However that may have changed since Verizon bought out Alltel.

That hasn't changed yet and want for at least 2 more years . Now after that if Sprint doesn't work out a deal with Verizion then they will have no coverage on the gulfcoast

 

[Scott Roberts]

UT Starcom UM150

This is the one I have, and have never had an iota of problem with it. Se aside enough mony for a signal booster, though -- it makes a substantial difference!

 

[Walt VanRheen]

Josh,
One thing to keep in mind, the computer manufacturers are changing what we have seen for years on computers. Gone from the majority of new computers are the p/s2 ports and LPT ports. Many of the new laptops DO NOT have a PC Card slot. Your laptop today obviously has one, but what about your next laptop. Think of the life span of your new USB will be here for the life of your new wireless access device. I agree that USB devices can be prone to breaking, so extend it away from the laptop with a USB extension cable.