Cellphone weather inflight

"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