[pct-l] satellite phones?

[t.n. turner]

I carried a "go-phone" in 07 (from Wrightwood to Castella) and 08 (Castella to Canada) and it worked okay. But I only used it to send text messages, you don't need as much battery power or reception to send a text as you do an actual call! My partner/logistics manager found this to work out really well for him. And a quick, "I'm here and okay" was good enough for him to send out an e-mail to my family (Mom and Dad mostly) and friends to let them know I was still alive<smile>!! 
I was surprised actually at how much service I actually had throughout the hike. 
tammy t.

> Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 09:48:07 -0700
> From: Tortoise73 at charter.net
> To: brianle8 at gmail.com
> CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] satellite phones?
> 
> I carry a TracFone cell phone which I seldom use but it is great to have 
> when needed.  TracFone uses other carriers such as AT&T and Verizon to 
> actually provide service. TracFone is cheap for limited use and at least 
> for my plan, there are no extra roaming charges.  So I get cell phone 
> coverage where ever I can connect with Verizon or another compatible 
> carrier.
> 
> Tortoise
> 
> <> He who finishes last, wins! <>
> 
> 
> 
> Brian Lewis wrote:
> > Candy said:
> >
> > "Maybe this is my own ignorance (likely it is), but I feel like if you have
> > the right cell phone carrier you might be able to get some moderate recepion
> > on the trail. I know in a lot of VERY primitive areas in Oregon I've been
> > able to get reception with a verizon phone on the trail, in areas that other
> > phone servers wouldn't work. it might be a more fiscally reasonable idea to
> > invest in a go phone or pay-by-the minute plan from a cell company than to
> > get a satellite phone."
> >
> > Consensus seems to be AT&T or Verizon, and Halfmile's collection of cell
> > coverage along the PCT --- and a reminder to those on the trail that it
> > would be great if you would contribute to that as you go along,
> > http://www.pctmap.net/cell/index.html
> >
> > In terms of "go phone or pay-by-the-minute" plans, be aware that at least
> > last year AT&T's pay-as-you-go plan (Go Phone) had a lesser, more restricted
> > coverage map than do their contract plans.  I believe Verizon's
> > pay-as-you-go plan doesn't have this issue.
> >
> > For someone trying to make relatively real-time contacts to get at-trailhead
> > delivery of resupply, I think this is certainly realistic in SoCal with a
> > cell phone, perhaps less so other places, but look at Halfmile's data and
> > compare to the resupply locations you contemplate.  I think some of the
> > best-known cell data is for where there are road crossings and the like, and
> > of course the best coverage tends to be where there are roads ...
> >
> >
> > Brian Lewis / Gadget '08
> > http://postholer.com/brianle
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Pct-l at backcountry.net
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> >   
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