Road trip observations with Sprint in Arizona

[larry]

I-10 coverage between LA and the AZ state line was good. Never noticed any dead spots. Once I got into AZ there was about a 2-3 mile dead zone just after the state line West of Quartzsite. The rest of I-10 was solid with only a few miles of 'one bar signal'

Phoenix and the entire metro area around it was very good. Never had less than 2 bars even inside places.

Hwy 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff was mostly good with only a few miles of no or weak service.

Flagstaff itself had excellent coverage and there was a Sprint (Alamosa PCS) tower right behind the hotel we stayed at.

Hwy 180 and 64 on the way to and from the Grand Canyon was mostly roaming on Alltel. Oddly when I got to the Grand Canyon my phone in automatic mode was endlessly searching for service and couldn't see anything even though my brother's Sanyo 8200 had a good digital roam signal. I ended up power cycling the phone but still nothing. So finally I forced my phone to analog mode and it found a signal. Then switched it back to automatic and then was able to land on a digital signal. I suspect either there's a problem with my phone's software (Samsung is known for buggy software) or the PRL version I have (10028) which is different than what my brother had, is somehow corrupt.

Williams and most of I-40 on the way back to LA had a good signal with the exception of about a 5 mile stretch near AZ/CA state line and another stretch between Ash Fork and Seligman.

Once on I-40 on the CA side coverage was mostly good although not very strong for portions of the trip. I guess -95 to -100 dbs is fine for making calls while driving.

[budney]

Thanks for the report larry. I think it's time to get that LG, a Sanyo roaming better then a Samsung is mind blowing.

[larry]

Thanks for the report larry. I think it's time to get that LG, a Sanyo roaming better then a Samsung is mind blowing.

Yeah I think my A680 is messed up or something. Now I can relate to the claims about people saying that their Sprint phones weren't roaming like they should. As soon as either Best Buy or Costco gets the LG I want I'm going to go for it.

[RJB]

Larry I am glad that you had service more and more major highways are getting better.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Sprint was always good for me here in AZ. I stayed up in a small town north of the Grand Canyon called Jacob Lake. It really isn't much more than a gas station and lodges, but very neat. I had roaming service on my Sprint phone through Alltel (analog) whereas my Verizon had no service. For whatever reason it wouldn't even roam.

However this was in the summer of 2003, so it may have changed by now...

[larry]

Larry I am glad that you had service more and more major highways are getting better.

Yes this was a far cry from my 1999 trip to the Grand Canyon when I had no service of any kind, anywhere in Northern AZ. But of course back then Sprint didn't have many dual band phones so I couldn't roam.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Yes this was a far cry from my 1999 trip to the Grand Canyon when I had no service of any kind, anywhere in Northern AZ. But of course back then Sprint didn't have many dual band phones so I couldn't roam.

Ah yes. I remember the days of service only in the major cities. I started with Sprint in 99 and so I remember having no service most of the drive from MN to AZ. I think someone has a map somewhere of the service back in the late 90's. Anyone care to research and dig that puppy out?

[larry]

Ah yes. I remember the days of service only in the major cities. I started with Sprint in 99 and so I remember having no service most of the drive from MN to AZ. I think someone has a map somewhere of the service back in the late 90's. Anyone care to research and dig that puppy out?

I still have every Sprint coverage map brochure ever put out since Feb. 1998. The coverage was a joke back then and only in a few major cities.

[azcellphonejunkie]

I still have every Sprint coverage map brochure ever put out since Feb. 1998. The coverage was a joke back then and only in a few major cities.

Do you have it scanned with the ability to post it? I would love to see that again...

[larry]

Do you have it scanned with the ability to post it? I would love to see that again...

Sorry still don't have a scanner.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Sorry still don't have a scanner.

No problem. Just thought I would ask...

[CellGeek]

Does anyone have any idea about the coverage in Sedona? I have not traveled there since I switched from Verizon to Sprint.

Thannks,

-jim

I-10 coverage between LA and the AZ state line was good. Never noticed any dead spots. Once I got into AZ there was about a 2-3 mile dead zone just after the state line West of Quartzsite. The rest of I-10 was solid with only a few miles of 'one bar signal'

Phoenix and the entire metro area around it was very good. Never had less than 2 bars even inside places.

Hwy 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff was mostly good with only a few miles of no or weak service.

Flagstaff itself had excellent coverage and there was a Sprint (Alamosa PCS) tower right behind the hotel we stayed at.

Hwy 180 and 64 on the way to and from the Grand Canyon was mostly roaming on Alltel. Oddly when I got to the Grand Canyon my phone in automatic mode was endlessly searching for service and couldn't see anything even though my brother's Sanyo 8200 had a good digital roam signal. I ended up power cycling the phone but still nothing. So finally I forced my phone to analog mode and it found a signal. Then switched it back to automatic and then was able to land on a digital signal. I suspect either there's a problem with my phone's software (Samsung is known for buggy software) or the PRL version I have (10028) which is different than what my brother had, is somehow corrupt.

Williams and most of I-40 on the way back to LA had a good signal with the exception of about a 5 mile stretch near AZ/CA state line and another stretch between Ash Fork and Seligman.

Once on I-40 on the CA side coverage was mostly good although not very strong for portions of the trip. I guess -95 to -100 dbs is fine for making calls while driving.

[larry]

Yes I was there on my last trip to AZ. Sprint coverage is pretty good.

[WiggyFife]

Thanks for the write-up, Larry!!!

[TProphet]

If you like, make copies and send them to me. I'll scan them.

Sorry still don't have a scanner.

[azcellphonejunkie]

If you like, make copies and send them to me. I'll scan them.

I'd be happy to do the same...

[RJB]

Yes this was a far cry from my 1999 trip to the Grand Canyon when I had no service of any kind, anywhere in Northern AZ. But of course back then Sprint didn't have many dual band phones so I couldn't roam.

Yep they have came along way from 5 years ago.

[budney]

I will scan & post the map tomorrow night or Wednesday night. I am busy right now and my scanner isn't working right.

[BKKloppenborg]

nice to know! I go to AZ because parents thinking about moving their las time i went Sprint was pretty good except dead spot on their Map but great in cites!