Finally found my Ipaq Wireless Solution!

[jasontech]

Hi all. Well, at my disgust at the cost of the Omnisky deal and my poor signal connection with the Verizon Novatel CDPD Merlin card, It dawned on me to the solution for my needs.

I was considering the Voicestream service, using the Nokia 8290, but all you have to do is visit the voicestream newsgroups to hear the absolute horror people have with billing problems. One poor guy has been getting mis-billed for calls he didn't make for 4 months now. It's not just 1 or 2 people complaining, it's half the newsgroup. So I decided to avoid that path.

Here's what I ended up with. I've been reading about the Verizonwireless Cellular service, and people using the Motorolla Startac with the Socket CF card for true 14.4 data access to the net.

I picked up a new Startac today (getting ready to cancel my 3.5 year old AT&T service, they told me 0.05 cents per kilobyte for data services! they need to get with the times). The service is my typical 600 minutes for $49.95, and for $5 more a month, they give you FREE nights and weekends! Awesome! I really only want the service for checking mail at nights, and on weekends when I'm away from my work or home computer.

So I went to Compusa, and picked up the Targus CF socket adapter for the startac and Ipaq. Before I even got the A/C cooling the Explorer, I was on the internet! wow! The icing on the cake is that you can use THEIR ISP to connect. You simply dial in #777, and use QNC, QNC for user & Password. No less than 3-4 seconds later, the Ipaq is online! I have never seen such quick authentication. I Had my mail working to my ISP, hitting some sites likes www.mymobilestuff.com, and even fired up AOL's IM without a problem.

The Startac is very informative, tells you that you have a 14.4 DATA connection, and shows the cool TX and RX bars, so you know data is transferring.

Sorry for the long winded discussion, but I am really excited that I finally found a clean way of checking email and basic PocketPC sites. Verizonwireless's coverage is amazing in my area (i'm in a basement of a house, and I have full strength without the antenna retracted).

I know it's not unlimited, but I think that's a bit overrated at this point. Most people would enjoy the free nights and weekends usage of this service. The ease of use simply can't be beat!

Any questions, let me know.

jason

[jasontech]

anyone else using this service as well?

[stile]

Hi, I'm using an ipaq 3635 w/ a motorola timeport and i connect at 14.4 data.. no problems..

i'm using a serial cable to connect to my phone with an adapter cable and was wondering if i could get a Socket Communications CF Rugged DPC for Motorola CDMA StarTAC/Talkabout/Timeport/V. Series and use that instead to free up the port at the bottom of the ipaq. Here is a link to the socket card:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...122646-1046918

I want to free up the bottom slot of the ipaq so i can use my stowaway keyboard at the same time.. I wonder if it will work?

Once I get the dual pc card sleeve i'll be rockin'

[jonlien]

I got Voicestream service a month ago. My first bill looks fine. But I will watch future bills closely for problems. I am pretty happy with Voicestream so far.

I connect to the Internet via IR using my Nokia 8290 and naked Ipaq. You do not need any cable or other accessories to get connected. It takes about one minute to get online.

I hate to carry a cable with me because I find it very inconvenient. How many of you carry a cable with you all the time, even to lunch or the local market? I find that with the 8290, I can truly get connected anytime anywhere without any hassles.

[Brian_10101]

Hello,

I too have the Startac and am looking for a way to have dialup access. Currently I am using the Sierra Aircard 300 running on the Verizon CDPD service (works great) but I need to be able to do a direct dial into a PBX system which does not support TCP/IP. What was the piece of equippment you bought at CompUSA? Did this give a direct link from your iPAQ to the Startac? What modem are you using?

Thanks

[Brian_10101]

Sorry for the last question in my reply. Duh, I wouldn't need a modem.

Another Monday.

[JamesLynn007]

What model star tac are you using? Would this work with a 7790 or 7797 digital?

[nishka]

I'm also using Verizon service here in Connecticut. AFAIK they are not offering the #777 service in the Northeast so I have to go through my regular dial up ISP for service.

I purchased the socket digital phone CF card and use it in conjunction with my silver slider. Before I got DSL and 802.11 at home I was using this setup on my back porch (along with my stowaway) during the weekends to catch up on email.

CDMA data is decent. Not blazingly fast but definately good enough for light web surfing (using the wireless versions of yahoo & MSN), somewhat good for email (if you can handle the limitations of the PocketPC mail client), and definately great for AOL IM.

The best way to go is to get the Verizon free nights and weekends. I'm taking Verizon to the cleaners and enjoying every 'minute' of it. Not only that but they gave me free, unlimited long distance too. I use well over 3000 minutes a month and pay less than $75 for it. Oh life is good. Hopefully I won't end up with brain cancer :-).

[jasontech]

I believe my Startac is the 7868W series.

Here's the link to the Targus product from Compusa:

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=280425

This works with just any digital startac or timeport Motorolla phone. It's a sweet kit, comes with a CF adapter (also comes with PCMCIA adapter for the laptop)

The ipaq discovered it immediately, no drivers to install.

I thought long and hard about Infrared Nokia 8290, and I like the clip idea, but I'm just too clumsy to keep the two aligned. The CF adapter is very small, I tuck it into my Ipaq case and will carry it with me all the time.

The nice thing is, Verizonwireless's QNC connection supports the Venturi compression that everyone was so impressed with while using the Go America browser.

The ipaq establishes connection within 3-4 seconds. I can easily log in, check my messages, and be out before I even chew up a minute of airtime.

I have to call verizon today and order the Software kit, so I can install the Venturi software on my laptop. Others have stated a true 56k feeling while using the special software along with their hardware based compression device on their end.

any more q's, let me know.

[nishka]

The cards that work with the startacs also work with the my little V-Series phone. Great phones.