Help Turn Radio off, with WiFi on?

[dersh]

Is it possible to turn on the 802.11 wireless, while keeping the phone radio turned off?
I was recently on an airplane that had WiFi wireless connectivity (Delta using GoGo). I had my Moment and wanted to try it out. The problem is that the only way I could find to turn off the cell radio, as required by the FAA, is by putting the phone into "Airplane Mode". But, in Airplane mode, I could not get the WiFi to turn on.
So, what I really wanted was not "Airplane mode" but WiFi on and Cell Radio turned off. But I could not figure out any way to do that.
Is it possible?

Thanks,

 

[Zumaki]

Is it possible to turn on the 802.11 wireless, while keeping the phone radio turned off?
I was recently on an airplane that had WiFi wireless connectivity (Delta using GoGo). I had my Moment and wanted to try it out. The problem is that the only way I could find to turn off the cell radio, as required by the FAA, is by putting the phone into "Airplane Mode". But, in Airplane mode, I could not get the WiFi to turn on.
So, what I really wanted was not "Airplane mode" but WiFi on and Cell Radio turned off. But I could not figure out any way to do that.
Is it possible?

Thanks,

Don't be a weenie, just go for it. Your cell phone isn't going to crash a plane.

 

[Silverexpress]

I came upon a widget that allowed you to do just what your asking, but forgive me because I don't remember what the name was. If I come upon it I'll repost.

 

[Bernal]

You don't have to. Turning WiFi on, will automatically turn off the 3G connection.

If you want to see for yourself, turn on WiFi and then try to use SprintTV. It will tell you that it can only be used over 3G and not WiFi. They do that because they want to keep the data flowing over they're own network and to secure access so that other internet users can't hack into the TV feeds.

 

[dersh]

While it might turn off 3G, I assume that it leaves at least some cell radio active since you can still receive calls and text messages.

So first response was "screw FCC and FAA regulations" And the last response was, "just break the law a little by turning on your radio, then turn parts of it off soon after" (but probably not all the required parts).

Even if you don't care about the law, it will drain your battery quickly to try to connect to cell service from 35,000 ft in a metal can.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Deleted User]

You don't have to. Turning WiFi on, will automatically turn off the 3G connection.

If you want to see for yourself, turn on WiFi and then try to use SprintTV. It will tell you that it can only be used over 3G and not WiFi. They do that because they want to keep the data flowing over they're own network and to secure access so that other internet users can't hack into the TV feeds.

But the phone would still be awaiting a voice call though, right?

 

[Zumaki]

Any other suggestions?

Bring a book?

 

[Bernal]

If all you want is a wifi data and no 3G, texts or phone calls then you are right, you need another solution.

 

[compusion]

Is it possible to turn on the 802.11 wireless, while keeping the phone radio turned off?
I was recently on an airplane that had WiFi wireless connectivity (Delta using GoGo). I had my Moment and wanted to try it out. The problem is that the only way I could find to turn off the cell radio, as required by the FAA, is by putting the phone into "Airplane Mode". But, in Airplane mode, I could not get the WiFi to turn on.
So, what I really wanted was not "Airplane mode" but WiFi on and Cell Radio turned off. But I could not figure out any way to do that.
Is it possible?

Thanks,

I needed to completely turn of the connection to sprint and leave the wifi on. Well, tonight I find Airplane Mode WiFi, that does exactly what I want and is made for your needs. There's another couple at the market that I haven't tried yet. Airplane Mode WiFi is working so good, I don't know when I'll get around to checking the others out.

Just put "airplane" in your search and you'll see them. It even stays active if you power off. This stuff is too much fun!

 

[flyjbaker]

Dude, there is an app in the market....it is called "Airplane Mode Wifi".

Works great!!! 5 stars.

 

[flyjbaker]

Looks like pusion and I posted at the same time!!! I agree....excellent app!!!

 

[kencrudup]

Thanks for the heads-up on "Airplane Mode WiFi"!

What's not obvious (as can be told by some of the responses) is that when you're airborne, if you can't turn off the CDMA radio, when it tries to acquire towers (and there's plenty visible to the radio up there at 10K+ ft!) it (repeatedly) hangs up the phone while the CDMA radio associates with it.

I had an excellent signal today on Virgin America (and it was free, too- Thanks, Google!) and couldn't surf very well 'till I brought out my laptop, searched, found this thread, and fought with the CDMA radio 'till I could install the app from the Market- but after that, it was flawless WiFi.

 

[boyziggy]

This is so incredibly stupid and screwed up. There are plenty of situations where people want to be able to surf the phone through wifi with the sprint radio turned off. Why does samsung make this so difficult? Aside from being on airplanes, what about traveling outside of sprint range? If you're in the middle of nowhere and you have a wifi signal to log on to, the only way to use it is to have your phone constantly searching for a sprint signal?

 

[IOWA]

Umm put it in airplane mode.

Then turn on wifi. It's that easy. I do it all the time.