THSCC Forums

I have a stack of various used cell phones here and want to get streaming in-car video working at VIR for the Chump 24. Been looking at coverage maps -- can anyone confirm/deny the following observations?

Verizon = looks best at 3/4G speeds all around the track
Sprint = looks good at solid 3G
ATT = looks good at solid 3G
T-Mobile = disappointing, 2G only

...which is bad since the T-mo prepaid data plans are the cheapest but won't come close to keeping up. Verizon is out since it's CDMA only and I don't have a phone to use. I can use my Sprint phone but it's my DD and I didn't want to strap it in the car. So looks like it will be AT&T via Straight Talk for $45 for one month of unlimited data on a spare wifi-only Captivate I have. Or I could use my new/used Galaxy Nexus for my DD on T-mo and put the sprint phone in the car. Decisions, decisions

Anyways, can anyone confirm that (1) ATT gets great 3G at VIR, and/or (2) T-mobile has terrible data service there?

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Mike,

If you happen to luck into a Vz phone, I've never been overwhelmed with VzW 3G reception either - at least around the North paddock.
Those maps can be marketing dreams and the rolling terrain at VIR is a challenge for the RF signals.

Frank

X2

Never been overwhelmed with the service at VIR with Verizon.

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9

x 3!

_________________
2005 Mazda RX8 STX 11

NCR Solo Chair & Cape Fear Chapter Coordinator
http://www.ncrscca.com

AT&T 2G (EDGE) works fine in the paddock. I didn't watch the phone as I was driving around the track. (obviously)

I've looked at commercial grade WiFi / packet radio, but not much more than "look". Other than the elevation change, I have regular 802.11b gear that will work. Maybe I should play with that stuff this weekend.

So no 3G ATT in the paddock? Bummer.

Who's at VIR this weekend? I might want to send someone with a phone or 2 to test...

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I should clarify... I'm not carrying a 3G phone. (I have one, it eats battery, so I use the old 2G one. I'll use that thing 'til they turn off the EDGE network.)

At any rate, someone (or TWO+) should take a slow parade lap and see how well it works. Then try "facetime" at full speed and see how much it messes up. (obviously, set the phone and ignore it while driving.) My Evil Plan(tm) is to use a DVR in the car, then if the network is unstable, I'll still have the in-car recording. (black box style, with an SSD)

I had HSPA+ coverage over Easter at VIR-N on AT&T.

Good to know. In that case I might just renew my Straighttalk sim for the Captivate and use that for streaming. I've seen 1-2 Mbps upload on HSPA+ on T-mo around the house.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1