Re: [pct-l] Cell Phones

[Rebecca Williams <rebeccaw@ix.netcom.com>]

reposting due to the mailing list error.
-r

Rebecca Williams wrote:

> I'm also planing a mostly solo 99 thru hike and would be very very interested
> in learing about the differences in cost, weight, necessary training etc. of
> ham radio vs. cell phone.
>
> DIGITAL &/or/vs CELLULAR:
> -has anyone done a thru hike with one of the phones that
> has both cellular & digital capability? .. I've heard these phones
> are great b'c where there's a great digital signal there can be weak
> or no celluar signal, and vise versa ... by haveing a mobil phone
> that works on either your range of use is much better. (At least that's the
> case up here in the northeast.) - any comments?
>
> -can someone who has carried a cell phone on a thru hike
> give any advise about the easiest, cheapest, lightest, and or
> best way to deal with this etc etc.?
> -can someone who has carried a 2 meter ham radio give their
> advice?
>
> where's the best place to get this info?
> where does one buy a ham radio?
> how much do the lightest ones weigh?
> how much do they cost?
> where do you find out about classes & liscenses?
> are liscences state specific?
> (I live in boston, in case anyone knows of ham radio classes etc.)
>
> ALTERNATIVES TO HAM & MOBILE PHONES:
> has anyone heard of those 911 car or cell phones?
> I don't think that they only work in cars (i.e. is the battery source an issue)?
>
> it's an emergency cell(?) phone that has a pretty low cost
> I think you can only make emergeny calls on it ... I
> don't think it works to make regular phone calls
>
> basically, what i'm getting at is ... does anyone know of other emergency
> communication options other than ham radio or cell phone?
>
> Thanks,
> Rebecca Williams
>
> (p.s. I would like to thank everyone who sent me information,
> a month or so ago, after I put up my first post introducing myself and
> asking for advice on planning a thru hike without much backup support.
> You have been most helpful, and I'm looking forward to getting more
> advice from all of you.)
>
> Purplcows wrote:
>
> > I totally agree with the 2-meter idea.  And you don't even have to be a
> > novice.  A technician Amateur class licensee can operate those frequencies.
> > Better range, more reliable, and best of all, no fees.  I plan on carrying a
> > little 2-meter handheld on my thruhike this coming summer (99).  I believe
> > that since I'm going solo I'd better have a way to contact the outside world
> > in case I run into trouble.  Now, if I were going with someone else, I'd
> > probably leave it home.  extra weight :-)
> >
> > Aaron Unger
> > PCT '99 hopeful
> >
> > * From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net   *



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