I was at the local Altell cellphone shop the other day, and they were
showing me a new USB doodad that you can plug into your laptop computer and
use the internet anywhere they have signal coverage (most of the nation from
the chart they showed me) at DSL speeds. It's aimed at people who are on the
road a lot. Does anyone here have that service, does it work well for you,
and more importantly, does it work inflight? Might be a good answer for
those of us whose GPS' don't have XM Weather capability.
Scott Wilson

> wrote in message
.. .
>I was at the local Altell cellphone shop the other day, and they were
> showing me a new USB doodad that you can plug into your laptop computer
> and
> use the internet anywhere they have signal coverage (most of the nation
> from
> the chart they showed me) at DSL speeds. It's aimed at people who are on
> the
> road a lot. Does anyone here have that service, does it work well for you,
> and more importantly, does it work inflight? Might be a good answer for
> those of us whose GPS' don't have XM Weather capability.

It is still a cellphone, and illegal to use in flight. Cellphones on
traditional frequencies are no good above several thousand feet, and the net
generation frequencies that technically are legal, seem to have their
antennas on the towers pointed downward, so contact is gone at a relatively
low altitude. No free lunch, here.

On 26-Feb-2009, "Morgans" > wrote:

> It is still a cellphone, and illegal to use in flight. Cellphones on
> traditional frequencies are no good above several thousand feet, and the
> net
> generation frequencies that technically are legal, seem to have their
> antennas on the towers pointed downward, so contact is gone at a
> relatively
> low altitude. No free lunch, here.



Thanks. Too bad though, it'd sure be nice to get the weather on long X-Cs
without spending so much for a new GPS.
Scott Wilson

In a previous article, said:
>road a lot. Does anyone here have that service, does it work well for you,
>and more importantly, does it work inflight? Might be a good answer for
>those of us whose GPS' don't have XM Weather capability.

I have a Palm Treo smartphone, and when I'm on the ground I can get
weather. But I lose signal around 3,000 feet in the air.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://blog.xcski.com/
The problem with eating a high-fibre diet is that, before you know it, your
lower bowel will have attracted a whole mass of backhoes.
-- Tanuki

That's interesting. So if you really needed to see what's ahead, descend to
2000 agl and it might be possible. I really appreciate that info, thanks!
Scott Wilson

> wrote in message
...
> That's interesting. So if you really needed to see what's ahead, descend
> to
> 2000 agl and it might be possible. I really appreciate that info, thanks!

Don't forget that it is still illegal, on some of the frequencies, and if
the phone companies and fcc decided to prosecute, it would be an easy task.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" > wrote in message
...
>
> Don't forget that it is still illegal, on some of the frequencies,
This has been hashed around here many times in the past, and if memory
serves, it is only the original 800 mHz frequencies where it is technically
illegal. Are those frequencies even used for the data services?

> and if the phone companies and fcc decided to prosecute, it would be an
> easy task.

Can anyone name a case where it has happened; especially where it has
happened to a casual aviator?

Vaughn

I think inflight wx by cellphone is pretty much a dead end.

One cheaper GPS route is to get the Garmin Marine GPSMAP 376C. But
you still need the XM subscription.

You can get more info about this at
http://www.csobeech.com/nexrad-weather.html

On 27-Feb-2009, "vaughn" > wrote:

> "Morgans" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > Don't forget that it is still illegal, on some of the frequencies,
> This has been hashed around here many times in the past, and if memory
> serves, it is only the original 800 mHz frequencies where it is
> technically
> illegal. Are those frequencies even used for the data services?
>
> > and if the phone companies and fcc decided to prosecute, it would be an
> > easy task.
>
> Can anyone name a case where it has happened; especially where it has
> happened to a casual aviator?
>
> Vaughn

I read into this quite a bit awhile ago, and found that the FCC has
proposed lifting the inflight cellphone ban, but they won't do it until the
FAA signs off on it. The FAA is still deciding, but all of the negative
comments I found on the FCC and FAA websites pertinent to lifting the ban
had to do with airlines and aircraft flying in the flightlevels. I could
find nothing referencing any concern about using a cellphone inflight at
the altitudes my Cessna 172 flies. I found an article written by someone
high up in either ARINC or the Aircraft Electronics Association or some
such group in which he said he uses his cell phone inflight in his private
aircraft regularly with no qualms about it. So what I got out of everything
I read is that while technically still illegal, using a cellphone while
flying a small aircraft at altitudes lower than the flight levels causes no
problems at all and is extremely unlikely to result in any enforcement
actions.
All of which really doesn't seem to be an issue, I'm pretty darned sure
using the Alltell data network to access the internet is not the same as
placing a cell phone call. Yes, they use the same towers, but it's still
not the same thing. As circumstantial evidence to this, they charge
minutes per call, but use of the internet is unrestricted with no limits
or per-minute charges, just one monthly charge no matter how much or
little you use it.
So if I go this route and try using the internet through the Alltell data
network, it's my risk and I know that. XM isn't really a consideration for
me as I want this service for just one long cross-country each year, when
my wife and I fly from Wisconsin to Texas to see my parents. It'd hardly
be worth buying a new GPS and signing up for XM for one trip per year. If
we sign up for Altell's plan, we'll be using that for our home internet
service as well as for the one annual flying trip. I hope that explains my
motivations better.
Scott Wilson

> wrote

> So if I go this route and try using the internet through the Alltell data
> network, it's my risk and I know that. XM isn't really a consideration
> for
> me as I want this service for just one long cross-country each year, when
> my wife and I fly from Wisconsin to Texas to see my parents. It'd hardly
> be worth buying a new GPS and signing up for XM for one trip per year. If
> we sign up for Altell's plan, we'll be using that for our home internet
> service as well as for the one annual flying trip. I hope that explains
> my
> motivations better.

Go for it, if you feel so led! ;-)

I think you will still find that you will have to go down to 2500 feet, or
so, to get any service. If that fits OK, good, it would be handy, I guess.
--
Jim in NC

>>>>> "v" == vaughn > writes:
v> This has been hashed around here many times in the past, and
v> if memory serves, it is only the original 800 mHz frequencies
v> where it is technically illegal.

Correct. While we still call them "cellphones", the FCC calls all the
mobile stuff at 1900 MHz "Personal Communications Service" and there
are no FCC restrictions on use inflight...if you can get them to
work. Like the other posters, I don't have much luck.

--
"Cannot possibly attend first night; will attend second, if there is
one."
-Winston Churchill's response to George Bernard Shaw

OK....and I have read the posts below...

Not sure what is "new'' here, as we have been using this service for
the past 4 years here in Canada.

Our litle part time business specializes in distance computer
networking.

We have been using our BlackBerrys "tethered " to our laptops for data
coms from the aircraft regularly.

We are blessed with almost continuous coverage along our regular
routes and have reliable service to 4000 ft.

We regularly access WX , radar, notams, Tafs and metars while in
flight and have handled service problems by accessing our servers and
networks while in flight..

YMMV...

Cheers!
Dave


On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:59:33 GMT, wrote:

>I was at the local Altell cellphone shop the other day, and they were
>showing me a new USB doodad that you can plug into your laptop computer and
>use the internet anywhere they have signal coverage (most of the nation from
>the chart they showed me) at DSL speeds. It's aimed at people who are on the
>road a lot. Does anyone here have that service, does it work well for you,
>and more importantly, does it work inflight? Might be a good answer for
>those of us whose GPS' don't have XM Weather capability.
>Scott Wilson

I've been encouraged by navcan controllers to use my cell phone for
position reports in northern ontario. I found I needed to be 3 or 4
thousand feet to get a signal any lower was no good.

On Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:15 -0400, Dave >
wrote:

>OK....and I have read the posts below...
>
>Not sure what is "new'' here, as we have been using this service for
>the past 4 years here in Canada.
>
>Our litle part time business specializes in distance computer
>networking.
>
>We have been using our BlackBerrys "tethered " to our laptops for data
>coms from the aircraft regularly.
>
>We are blessed with almost continuous coverage along our regular
>routes and have reliable service to 4000 ft.
>
>We regularly access WX , radar, notams, Tafs and metars while in
>flight and have handled service problems by accessing our servers and
>networks while in flight..
>
>YMMV...
>
>Cheers!
>Dave
>
>
> On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:59:33 GMT, wrote:
>
>>I was at the local Altell cellphone shop the other day, and they were
>>showing me a new USB doodad that you can plug into your laptop computer and
>>use the internet anywhere they have signal coverage (most of the nation from
>>the chart they showed me) at DSL speeds. It's aimed at people who are on the
>>road a lot. Does anyone here have that service, does it work well for you,
>>and more importantly, does it work inflight? Might be a good answer for
>>those of us whose GPS' don't have XM Weather capability.
>>Scott Wilson
>

On 28-Feb-2009, Dave > wrote:

> ref: newsreading01.news.tds.net rec.aviation.owning:19585
>
> OK....and I have read the posts below...
>
> Not sure what is "new'' here, as we have been using this service for
> the past 4 years here in Canada.
>
> Our litle part time business specializes in distance computer
> networking.
>
> We have been using our BlackBerrys "tethered " to our laptops for data
> coms from the aircraft regularly.
>
> We are blessed with almost continuous coverage along our regular
> routes and have reliable service to 4000 ft.
>
> We regularly access WX , radar, notams, Tafs and metars while in
> flight and have handled service problems by accessing our servers and
> networks while in flight..
>
> YMMV...
>
> Cheers!
> Dave

Thanks Dave,
I wrote to AOPA and asked if it was legal, and they assured me it is.
Based on what you and others have written I think we're going to go for
it. Our trip isn't until the last week in May. When we get back I'll post
our experiences using the data network inflight in case anyone else is
interested.
Thanks again to everyone who responded to my questions,
Scott Wilson

Hi Scott!

I would be interested in hearing your about your experiences when you
return!

Cheers!

Dave

On Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:38:17 GMT, wrote:

>
>On 28-Feb-2009, Dave > wrote:
>
>> ref: newsreading01.news.tds.net rec.aviation.owning:19585
>>
>> OK....and I have read the posts below...
>>
>> Not sure what is "new'' here, as we have been using this service for
>> the past 4 years here in Canada.
>>
>> Our litle part time business specializes in distance computer
>> networking.
>>
>> We have been using our BlackBerrys "tethered " to our laptops for data
>> coms from the aircraft regularly.
>>
>> We are blessed with almost continuous coverage along our regular
>> routes and have reliable service to 4000 ft.
>>
>> We regularly access WX , radar, notams, Tafs and metars while in
>> flight and have handled service problems by accessing our servers and
>> networks while in flight..
>>
>> YMMV...
>>
>> Cheers!
>> Dave
>
>Thanks Dave,
> I wrote to AOPA and asked if it was legal, and they assured me it is.
> Based on what you and others have written I think we're going to go for
> it. Our trip isn't until the last week in May. When we get back I'll post
> our experiences using the data network inflight in case anyone else is
> interested.
>Thanks again to everyone who responded to my questions,
>Scott Wilson