We are (supposedly) getting cell service out here next summer. I'm thinking of getting an I-gizmo to fly with.
What is the range of the broadcasting tower (how far from a tower will I get service)?
What gizmos are the best for flying apps?
Thanks already.

The I-gizmo just uses the cell data to update you I-gizmo program, it does nothin really for you when you are flying!!
Your wifi at home or on the range does the same thing.
I have my cell data shut off and no $$plan on my I-gizmo as I just use the wifi when on the ground.
You just need to get the one with the cell data capabilities to get the GPS in it.
Hope that helps

I thunk you could get wx & terrain apps??

NimpoCub wrote:I thunk you could get wx & terrain apps??

Foreflight has you download the terrain, so you actually have access to it in flight even with no data coverage. Weather does require cell signal, though.

If you expect to get weather in the air, you'll need one of the ADS-B-in gizmos in addition to an iGizmo. If you're running Foreflight, the only ones that work with it is the Stratus and Stratus II. I have the Stratus II and an iPad Mini with both wi-fi and cell, but in the air I shut off the cell coverage. If you're running a different app than Foreflight, there are other ADS-B-in gizmos to consider, all pricey.

On the ground, if I'm not near a wi-fi hot spot, I'll turn on the cell coverage, and I can then get anything I could get through a home Internet connection. However, unless I'm in a 4G LTE range, the downloads will be noticeably slower. If you were to try to download weather in the air using a cell connection, you'd be mightily disappointed, I think, as coverage would be spotty at best.

This is the ADS-B coverage map as of mid-November: http://www.appareo.com/wp-content/uploa ... 75x297.png

Cary

Are they gonna have cell coverage all across Hwy 20 down to Bella Coola, or just in a few spots?

Gump

Gump I use a iGizmo with Foreflight. I leave the cell coverage on all the time and my gizmo updates weather and all the other goodies while in flight when ever it contacts with cell sites. My carrier is Verizon they seem to have the best coverage across the nation. I've got guys working for me that have AT&T and it doesn't compare. The Foreflight will show in the top left corner the time of the last update so you can see how currant the update is. Unlike that retired attorney Cary I'm independently wealthy cause I'm a trucking magnet and I can afford to leave the cell coverage on in flight.

The MAXIMUM range of a cell tower is 21.7 miles or 30 kilometers. Depending on the terrain your actual range is frequently a lot less.

Nimpo Cub: Being that the tower will be located in the Chilcotin of BC, the power supplied will be degraded as a result of Canadian's usage of tar sands and hydro power. AND if BC Hydro has anything to do with it you can count on it being out of service several times per month.

Recently a friend asked me this:

If you don’t mind me asking, what service provider do you use on your iPads in the cockpit and what kind of “at altitude” data reception are you getting? My old iPad is an AT&T 3G (GSM only) model and I get sporadic reception at 8,000’ AGL. It doesn’t get very usable until below about 4,000’ AGL. Also for what it may be worth, my Sprint CDMA phone didn’t work much above 3,000’ either. Reason I’m asking is I’m about to buy a new iPad and can’t decide whether to go with Verizon or AT&T.

My response was:

I use AT&T and your altitude findings jive with mine, about 4,000 feet AGL. That's about half of what a cell tower can reach on the ground, I figure that is a function of how the antenna is oriented, but that's just a guess. Rarely it will go much higher but usually the signal is so weak it's essentially useless. That's why I got a Stratus, so I could get weather etc. when I'm out of cell signal range.

His response was:

It is definitely an issue with antenna orientation, and antenna beam-width (beam height actually). The higher the gain of the antenna, the narrower it must by definition be focused. High gain antennas don’t amplify a signal. They simply focus it over a smaller radiation pattern. In the case of cell phone antennas, they are focused straight out and slightly down much like a searchlight.

My data may be old and not relevant. In the 90s and early 21st C AT&T cell phones would lose signal and require a redial often (pipeline patrol.) We changed to Verizon which was much better. That was from NM and Colorado east to eastern Ohio.

Jim

GumpAir wrote:Are they gonna have cell coverage all across Hwy 20 down to Bella Coola, or just in a few spots?

Gump

Hi Gump,
The Telus (phone/cell outfit) flew looking for cell tower spots (I'd presume tops of mtns) down to B Coola a couple weeks ago & he (Telus guy) told me they'd have it installed by next summer sometime. I believe B Coola already has cell service.

You coming to visit your cabin (& me) anytime?

Glidergeek wrote:I can afford to leave the cell coverage on in flight.

Are you sayin' that it costs to have the cell coverage turned on? I'd think that'd be the monthly fee.

Dale Moul wrote:The MAXIMUM range of a cell tower is 21.7 miles or 30 kilometers. Depending on the terrain your actual range is frequently a lot less.

Thanks Dale, that ain't too far is it!

NimpoCub wrote:

GumpAir wrote:Are they gonna have cell coverage all across Hwy 20 down to Bella Coola, or just in a few spots?

Gump

Hi Gump,
I believe B Coola already has cell service.

You coming to visit your cabin (& me) anytime?

I was just wishful thinkin' about getting cell service down to the mouth of the Dean...

Hopefully summer '14 we can get up there. Gonna retire in June and hopefully get some play time.

Gump

NimpoCub wrote:

Glidergeek wrote:I can afford to leave the cell coverage on in flight.

Are you sayin' that it costs to have the cell coverage turned on? I'd think that'd be the monthly fee.

Most people have metered data. So leaving it on uses more data and costs more.

NimpoCub wrote:

Glidergeek wrote:I can afford to leave the cell coverage on in flight.

Are you sayin' that it costs to have the cell coverage turned on? I'd think that'd be the monthly fee.

Over in Alberta, it costs more when I use more data. I basically hate Telus, as they are useless. Unfortunately there is nothing better so I have to use them. If I fly much more then 4000ft asl there is very little service. The comment on ADS-B is irrelevemt in Canada, as I dont think it exists here...

GumpAir wrote:I was just wishful thinkin' about getting cell service down to the mouth of the Dean...

Hopefully summer '14 we can get up there. Gonna retire in June and hopefully get some play time.

Gump

I doubt it will "go" down your twisty channel.
Did anyone fix that rusted out kitchen stove pipe? Shame to wreck that nice ol' stove!

As you have seen, I know nuthin' about cell gizmos. Haven't had one for over 10 yrs.
It sounds like I could get an I-gizmo now, and load it up with my wi-fi & just fly w/the loaded data.
Izzat right? If I'm going a couple hundred miles (or more) could I "look" that far w/the downloaded wx data? I always thought a cell phone needed cell service to operate. These Ipads aren't just fancy phones are they?
Maybe I should go to a gizmo store & get educated 'eh?
Thanks for the info. Got me wondering/thinking now.

NimpoCub wrote:

GumpAir wrote:I was just wishful thinkin' about getting cell service down to the mouth of the Dean...

Hopefully summer '14 we can get up there. Gonna retire in June and hopefully get some play time.

Gump

I doubt it will "go" down your twisty channel.
Did anyone fix that rusted out kitchen stove pipe? Shame to wreck that nice ol' stove!

Pipe's still messed up unless Leonard Ellis put a fix on it when he was there last.

With cell, I was hoping for a mountain top site that might reach down there. You never know.

About 20 years ago I was blasting across the Chilcotin in my C180 headed south, out in the absolute middle of nowhere. Had my old Motorola bag phone sitting on the seat next to me, and for some reason I looked down at the handset, and saw that it had a signal. For shits and grins I picked it up and made a couple calls to some flying buddies just to say I did.

I had no idea exactly where I was (I wasn't lost as I knew where I was going, but didn't have a clue what was under me) and when I got the bill it showed the calls as made from Vancouver. Even though I was about 300 miles north of Vancouver.

Gump