[pct-l] satellite phones?

[Tortoise]

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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