> -----Original Message----- > From: Nate Carlson [mailto:tclug at natecarlson.com] > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 3:32 PM > To: Chuck Cole > Cc: ai9nl at arrl.net; Madison Linux Users Group; TCLug > Subject: RE: [tclug-list] air cards?? > > > On Wed, 16 Jan 2008, Chuck Cole wrote: > > Why not use the entirely free loophole on Sprint 3G and some other > > phones? If just for camping trips, why pay the extra fees for no > > additional benefit? > > > > I was extremely annoyed that Sprint's service for the card I have would > > cost $40/mo more for no better data connection and any use of the voice > > capability my card has would cost $0.40/min even though I'm a > subscriber > > with better and sometimes free voice rates. > > If you use your wireless card on a regular basis, having it separate from > your phone can be very, very handy. The card I have technically allows the laptop to do both data and voice, so I should have two options for phone when using the card instead of just one. My Bluetooth stereo headset allows phone calls to interrupt an audio feed if I wish... seems more handy that way if the Sprint fees weren't so stupid and prohibitive. > I'd say for the regular camping trip > the tethered route should be fine, but for my case (where you use it to > support servers, etc), having it separated is much more convenient, > especially since it's integrated into my laptop. You have an internal mini-PCI for the cell data connection? Does that also do WiFi or need a special slot? Certainly better for the road warrior to have the built-in thing and charge off the service. Harv, being a HAM who may have taken equipment on the camping trip, may no problem keeping his cell in its cradle and connected by USB. My phone usage isn't high, and I find it very easy to reconnect if I choose to answer a call during a data session or just let it go to voicemail. Mine also runs fine while travelling in a car and keeping the laptop and cell powered via an inverter. Some kinda desolate sections of highway between here and Colorado Springs had only 1G voice service and not (yet) 3G voice+data last time I tried that. If camping or travelling by moho, just not a problem at all to use the cell phone as a data connection. Doesn't work in the Boundary Waters however: no nearby 3G towers :-) Chuck