Cell Phone & Service

[Bob Cochran]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but will try and see if I get yelled at!!!!!;} All that are towing all over the U. S. & Canada. What is the best cellular service with the best coverage. I want one that covers all including roaming charges as these can kill ya in some areas if not covered in monthly charges!!! #ad
So what is the best and why? I know about Qualicomm, that even uses satalitte but it is expensive. My over the road truck driver kid brother has that, company provided. The other question, what actual phone is best? I assume dual mode PCS but not sure. Thanks for any help if only which phones or service not to go with!!!!

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2001 RAM 3500 dually Quad Cab SLT, 4. 10 limited slip, HO 245 hp, 6-speed, dark garnet pearl coat, interior agate, All options except heated leather, added DeeZee brite diamond tool box, Linex spray-in bed liner, Lund hood deflector 3 piece smoke color, DeeZee brite diamond cab/bed running boards and TurboSaver (from Gino's) also Reese 5th wheel 15k hitch. No plans to bomb. This is my retirment vehicle currently pulling 21' 5er want to buy 30 to 35 for retirment.

 

[Guest00]

We use Sprint. $49 and ^ . Nationwide Digital and analog/ analog roam is set price per min no matter what analog service you hook up to.
Got the Star Tach data port model. It has adapter for pluging in you computer for wireless internet server hook up, your server or dialup computer to computer.

Have been very pleased, I even used it with the lap top the night of 4-4 to post on the TDR from the rv park in Belton, TX

 

[RMaust]

Originally posted by Bob Cochran:
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but will try and see if I get yelled at!!!!!;} All that are towing all over the U. S. & Canada. What is the best cellular service with the best coverage. I want one that covers all including roaming charges as these can kill ya in some areas if not covered in monthly charges!!! #ad
So what is the best and why? I know about Qualicomm, that even uses satalitte but it is expensive. My over the road truck driver kid brother has that, company provided. The other question, what actual phone is best? I assume dual mode PCS but not sure. Thanks for any help if only which phones or service not to go with!!!!

I'm a retired truck driver. I believe most truck drivers like the AT&T one rate plan. I've been told they have the most towers & your hardly ever out of touch on the interstates. I have the plan that gives you 450 minuets a month with no roaming anywhere. When we went to canada last summer I added canada for $20 per month. In 12 months every bill has been $65 & pennies. I use it for all my long distance calls. I hope this helps, Ron

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[klenger]

Verizon also has a single rate plan and their customer service is terrific. It's worked well for me. As to phone, I have a Motorola StarTac, which I like because I wear it on my belt all day. That's probably not as important if your are driveing a lot.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Bill Stockard]

We have used AT&T One Rate Plan, flat fee for 450 minutes/month, no roaming charges, no long distance charges, for several years and have been very satisfied with it all over the US. The bill we get every month is always the same amount unless we go over the 450 minutes, which we haven't. We also use the cell phone at home for long distance calls and pay no long distance charges.

Bill

 

[Barry]

I use ATT after being with other carriers such as Southwestern Bell. They were nickle and diming me to death. ATT, one bill, one price and it works! When we run west, we always use an outside magnetic stick on ant. It really makes the difference in the fringe area..... especially with after market tinted windows. I also have the Nokia provided phone and it has done a great job. If you are going to roam all over the place, make sure the phone they provide has a external ant. plug.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s,LSD,EZ with elbow(28psi)Stage 1 injectors from Carl,Boost/Pyro Guages,4" Turbo back,BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover,Kleen Wheels,Energy Release,70 gal. fuel,20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(Auto/Truck/RV Dealer)Honda GL 1500 SE Pearl White for fun.

 

[LandShark]

Bob: We've used Sprint PCS for 2 1/2 years. A good rate if don't need coverage outside metro areas. Customer service is poor. Their commercials about no static make me laugh. Just as much, if not more static as AT&T. We use a very cool Sanyo 4500 phone. It has a generic headphone jack (very useful) and a useable speakerphone. About $59 a month, including taxes, for 500 anytime minutes, plus 1500 minutes for weekend and nights (8p to 8a), including LD.

Wife had AT&T one rate for business. It's the best coverage nation wide, without going to satellite service. If you like back roads in the West you'll find a few areas with no coverage.

If you require 100% coverage you must use satellite, but it's big bucks and generally you must be outside.

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1995 2500 SLT Club 4x4, auto, 3. 54, 3300 pound Elkhorn slide in camper, AirLift air springs, Ricka dual wheel adapters (used only with the camper on), K&N, DC tow hooks, Rancho RS9000, Hellwig rear sway bar.
110,000 miles and counting.

 

[Lurch]

StarTac tri-mode phone, Verizon network. No limit on roaming like Sprint has. Never had a reception problem, even in the mountains. Alot of the truckers like ATT one rate. Don't have any experience there.

 

[BCFAST]

There are now several good carriers out there, but if you are travelling across the nation, you will find large pockets of 'no service' with just about all of them... except AT&T. Go with the 1-rate plan of whatever minutes suits you... I like either a Motorola or Nokia phone. Avoid Ericsson

 

[Runaway]

Using Cellular One Service that is no roaming/long distance charges. One rate plan. ATT isn't in all states! They don't cover WI. I am using a 5100 series Nokia with external antenna and has worked out quite well.

Bottom line, find a plan that has no roaming and long distance charges and you should be fine.

 

[Guest00]

There are a lot of holes in ATT's service.
The sprint service is digital and will hook up to any digital or analog carrier available if no Sprint service coverage, no xtra charge.

If you have ever been in the real west you will find humungus areas with no service of any kind including hard wire ( satalite xcped ).

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 04-09-2001). ]

 

[Murle]

I use SWB. got the small plan. I don't use a cell phone that much. Got it mainly when the wife need to get a hold of me when I'm on the tractor. Cost 30. 00 a month and that includes all the taxes. Get 75 mins. anywhere anytime with no roaming charges. Works for me.

 

[Pat_in_Utah]

Love my Nokia 5160. It is very intuitive to use. Programmed very nicely (and I'm a programmer-tough sell!) It could have better microphone on it tho. It sounds scrathy to other people. Maybe an exterior antenna would help?

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(on order) 2001. 9 White Sport RAM 2500HD QC SLT 4X4 LB 3. 54 LSD Cummins Auto

1999 21' Terry Towable
1990 Kawasaki KLR 250

 

[R.ebel]

I have the Verision wireless service and it just plain sucks!!!!!!!!!! Can't make a call without it cutting in and out or droping the call completly. I've had it. Ready to tell Verison where to stick there service and that I want out of their plan #ad


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1997 2500 SLT 4X4,5 spd,3. 54's,Pacbrake,Rancho 9000's,Centerforce,K&N,Isspro,BD 300 HP pump, Jardine 4", 370's and 16cm housing.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Sprint PCS is crap. Had the Samsung phone. Hated it. Traded it in for the Qualcomm. Better phone, but the service is terrible. I can't even use the phone in my front yard because of all the trees. I have to walk out into the road. I borrowed my mom's phone last year when I went to Nevada. She has SWB which is now Cingular. Worked great.

 

[Bob Cochran]

R. ebel Mu kid brother the over the road truck drive just left and he uses Verizon and he says better the ATT all one rate plan. Could it be the phone itself? Anyway he says the least cost for good quality!!!

Thanks everyone very good input!!!

 

[arlan]

R. ebel,

I have Verison Wireless and had that problem. I upgraded my phone to an Audio Vox 9000 and the problem is totally gone.

Arlan

 

[Ted Constantine]

Rebel,
I lived in Wy for a couple of years until a year ago. IMHO there is no such thing as good coverage in most of Wyoming. It is a joke no matter what company you have. The only "good" coverage I ever saw was with a 6watt hard mount in a truck my boss had. In MT the verison stores push sat. phones. I think it is just part of the territory.

 

[dabubba]

Had AT&T regional plan it was good, went to verision- now have 4 phones (one for mom,sis,wife & me) all for the same $$$ per month as 2 phones at&t coverage is a bit better- do not get nextel- their coverage STINKS #ad
#ad
the coverage areas are around big cities- found out the hard way broke down in goff ca- no nextel signal at least my at&t had signal- got rid of them and that truck( problem child) #ad

oh sorry for that flashback-------

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*Won Ton* 01 3500 eth 6spd- ez, pacbrake,practical solutions idler,MBII cb mount, bombed texas ranger CB,ultra boards, pace edwards roll cover, rbw little rocker, rhino liner,& NWC-TDR hitchplug,Mud flap,& More to come
*Pull Toys* y2k Cardinal 29rlb-lx, 175w solar panels, 1. 5kw trace inverter, dish net sat

 

[R.ebel]

Bob C,
I've tried a new phone (audiovox 9000) didn't make any difference.

Ted,
I live 7 miles from the center of Cheyenne. You can set the phone down in one place and watch the signal strength go up and down????
I've talked to others around town and it seems I'm not the only one dissatisfied with there service. The service was real good befor they went digital, now it just blows!

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1997 2500 SLT 4X4,5 spd,3. 54's,Pacbrake,Rancho 9000's,Centerforce,K&N,Isspro,BD 300 HP pump, Jardine 4", 370's and 16cm housing.