Survival Cellphones -- Is there such a thing?

tallwingedgoat

tallwingedgoat

Joined
Jan 13, 1999
Messages
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Okay I know cellphones aren't exactly the macho thing to have on a backcountry trip. But I think they're useful in a desprate situation.

But the point is raised that you can't trust the batteries and electronic gizzmos to work when needed.

So is there a cellphone that's made to function under abusive situations? If I'm going to get one, it might as well meet these needs.
 
I've often thought about getting one to have in the pack when hunting. I wouldn't "rely" on it, but if something happened and it did work, it sure would speed things up!
wink.gif


Here's what I would want to do with one: Make sure to have TWO sets of CHARGED batteries. Be sure to keep it in a waterproof pouch/bag. Check the areas I'm in to see if it WORKS!

As a sidenote: I've read that the range can be extended by adding a longer antenna. Now the person who wrote this also alluded to the fact that it is illegal to modify it like this. He used a rolled up wire attachment that could be stretched up a tree via being thrown over a limb. I don't know how to do it and it could lead to some research. (Illegal or not-aren't we talking life or death situation!?! It could be the one thing that saves you!) But again, I wouldn't RELY on it!



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Plainsman :)
primitiveguy@hotmail.com


 
Hey Guys...

Cell phones are usually utterly Useless in a survival situation...

A better idea would be a SAT phone or a Loctation Beacon!

A good part of the time,,by my own experience my Cell is out of serice...Get into a mountain range or a low area and you a definately SOL..

The Sat phone,,you open up,,point in the direction of your satellite and dial.

Some newer devices are coming out on the market,,such as On Star for your car.All that is is a GPS Transceiver...

Good Stuff if you can afford it.. A sat phone will run you $2000.00 + USD. On Star ???

Hope that helped...

ttyle Eric - On/Scene

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel



[This message has been edited by Normark (edited 11 December 1999).]
 
I own a phone which has a three day stand by on time and a three hour talk time, it's small and light. the thing you have worry about is if you have service in the area where you're walking. like myself I live on a island, service everywhere. although it may not work if you fall down, it does increase your chances if it does work. my .02
 
I agree....cellphones DO save lives. They are not the solution to every situation but I would rather have one and not need it etc etc.

The wire over a tree branch sounds like a HF "longwire"....great for frequencies at a few Megahertz . But cellphone frequencies Start at 800+ Megahertz and go over 1000 Megahertz (in my country, anyway). I am not a radio expert but I don't believe it would work without complicated matching equipment.

I always carry a portable Australian UHF CB transceiver (5 watts, 40 ch on 477 mhz)....most of our major rescue groups use the band and, while you may not be in range of basestations, all truckdrivers and most farmers have it in their vehicles. Also helps rescuers pinpoint your location when they are in the vicinity. I don't know how many other countries have a similar system.
Definitely usefull for keeping in touch with other members of your party, too. This, alone, can be a lifesaver.
Might work for 27 mhz CB, too.

And the sat phones....are they any better in the deep woods than a handheld GPS ? Just curious.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343




[This message has been edited by brian w edginton (edited 11 December 1999).]
 
Most of the compact cell phones here are 0.6 W. A bag phone (also on the cell) system is 3 W. Does anyone know if and how the extra power helps?

Cell phones are not reliable away from major highways or cities around here.

Will


[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 11 December 1999).]
 
jrf
Always--that way when I cut off the end I can use it for a signal mirror and to put on camo
paint. The end will also work for digging
latrine and making snare locks as well as to
shave with when my knife goes dull, but then my knife rarely goes dull. and I usually carry dos
smile.gif


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http://www.imt.net/~goshawk
Don't walk in tradition just because it feels good!!!!!
Romans 10:9,10
Hebrews 4:12-16
Psalm 91



[This message has been edited by goshawk (edited 13 December 1999).]
 
We use a Magellan GSC-100 with service from Orbscomm (sp?) The unit is a combo of GPS and email communicator that works with low orbit satellites. I've used it in South America and here in the US of A with good dependability. I always seem to get the email directed at that account. It's a bit of a PITA to type in long messages but it sure is nice to know that pretty much where ever you are... you can call home. It's too expensive (for us) to use daily but I can post to our forum (Hoodlums) and I suppose I can post to this one. I can always have the messages relayed.

The GPS is good too. You can send your location pretty much at the press of a button.

I expect to write an article about it pretty soon. Began testing it over a year ago

Ron

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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
Ron

How good is it in the forest ?
I have an old Garmin handheld and it is very finicky around trees.....even lightly wooded areas.
But I suppose they have improved lately.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343


 
I didn't even know that Garmin made Sat phone systems....

It is pretty good. It works best with a clear view of course but even in a forest, or jungle, I've been able to make my skeds. Sometimes ya just need a sweet spot. I find most of them in water.

Vegetation tends to thin over rivers etc and the ground plane is improved when you stand in water. Sucks in cold weather!

ROn

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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
Ron

I was referring to GPS function....you mentioned the Magellan had GPS capability.
I had assumed that, if the GPS side could not find a suitable target, the phone wouldn't either. Wrong assumption ?
I know GPS requires several satellite acquisitions..... do sat phones get by with just one ?

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343


 
The satellite constellation used by GPS is different from the low orbit comm sats used by the communications function. Reasonable supposition tho'. As I understand the comm function it is pretty much just a burst with a CRC check.

I think Magellan (http://www.magellangps.com) has something on it.

Ron

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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
I can't believe no one has mentioned the Irridium system from Motorola. Of course, since I do not know a lot about it maybe one of the posted comments refers to it by a diferent name.....or since I understand the project is having financial difficulties perhaps they are gone already....?

Saw one at Comdex Miami this year. It was a little clunky, but manageble. About like the old tough Motorola cellular or a few hairs smaller, with a large GPS type aerial, sticking out. Recollection may be inexact, but you get the idea. Really what made it seem bigger was the aerial, so perhaps I am exagerating the size.

The idea and I understand the reality, call from anywhere on Earth, anytime. Uses a low satellite system.

The only drawback: Expensive. The phone is over $1,000....perhaps over $2,000...and the call runs about $1.49 per minute, depending on your package. Of course if you are ill in the middle of the Amazon, the cost might seem very reasonable. Even if you cannot get airlifted out, perhaps you could get medical advice or a supply drop of some sort?????

Caveat: The above constitutes Internet information, i.e., no research....off the top of my head.....
 
Hi Guys...

All the CO's (Conservation Officers) in Ontario have a SAT phone in thier trucks...

I talked to a fellow from Chile a few weeks ago,,and it was a strange conversation.. You really have to get use to the time delay. It's worked a little better once we started using radio Protocol, i.e. Say Again! Over..

tyle Eric.

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
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I was going to mention the Iridium phones,

But I did hear the other day that they went bankrupt.

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The Infamous ShadedDude
http://www.inanimatemotion.com
Web Design and Hosting

 
I carry a cell phone in my truck and my wife has one in her car at all times. I have carried them in the woods too, but like has been said before, it is not something I depend upon. I woul drather have it, taking the chance it might or might not work, than not have it when it might possibly be helpful. Guess its the boyscout in me.
smile.gif


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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
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