[pct-l] batteries and phones

[pct2003 at attglobal.net (pct2003@attglobal.net)]

The trouble with  rechargeable batteries is that they
discharge on their own even if the device is not used,
in a week or two.       And whereas many digital
cameras and GPS
units and headlamps can run on alkaline AA or AAA
batteries with a long shelf life and ready resupply in
rural areas - cell phones usually have special
batteries
that require special chargers, so even the solar
rechargers
available for some other kinds of rechargeable
batteries may
not help.

The most common type of signal in rural areas is
indeed
analog which is obsolescent for a number of
reasons, so the
phone companies are trying to get rid of their analog
networks as quickly as possible, whether or not they
plan to replace them with digital networks.     
Analog
phones use power quickly so you need to keep 
conversations brief and you can't leave them on
all the
time in case somebody might call you.

There are several different incompatible digital phone
systems in the US, and worse you can't count on being
allowed to roam away from home even if the systems are
technically compatible.

Having said all that, I have had surprising
success with
an old Motorola analog Startac.     Sometimes the 
mountain top is not the best place if there are
too many
towers in line of sight.      But they almost
never work
in canyons!     Carrying a cell phone might not be
such
a bad idea for a section hiker but it's
problematic for
a through hiker.     

Cellular roaming charges are piratical - sometimes in
the range of $1/minute on analog plans - so don't
think you're saving 
much money compared to a collect call from a pay
phone.    But a cell phone in a bounce box might not
be a bad idea to have on zero days in town,
if you're the type that stays in motels with
electricity.    
Working pay phones aren't always easy to find
these days.

I once hoped satellite phones would solve all these
problems but it doesn't seem likely any time soon.
They work some places where cell phones don't but
often not very well and they are heavier and bulkier
and even more expensive to buy and to use,
as far as I know.

As mentioned, the California Highway Patrol will get
your 911 call and will have the task of figuring out
who to hand you off to while your battery is running
down.   It would be good to know the county or
national park you're in and your location relative to
geographical landmarks like roads and lakes.    Not
every rural sheriff's deputy will be up to speed
on GPS.

All things considered, if you are thinking of
carrying a
cell phone for safety, leave it at home and hike in a
group of four (one to stay with the victim, two to
hike out).
For many through hikers safety is not the highest
goal,
of course.