Grug556
New member
Yeah we have SPOT here, many I know who have used it have had issues with increasing monthly rates to no coverage in an emergency, really put me off getting one. They seem so so at the very best, which isnt good enough.
Communications out of cell areas? CB? HAM? Sat?
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Yeah we have SPOT here, many I know who have used it have had issues with increasing monthly rates to no coverage in an emergency, really put me off getting one. They seem so so at the very best, which isnt good enough.
Grug556
New member
I have two cases of Radiation pills for Thyroid. Bought them years ago. I also have a quality Geiger counter, not one of those shit survey meters either!
You keep coming with those good ideas!! :madgrin:
Grug556
New member
I got those two. You can get ones that are good for ten years.. two chunks a day... and on you go!!! Was only about $16 bucks to! Last a few days. I like the bit about how they are not sensitive to temps hot or cold and require no cooking prep or water...
johnnygraphic
Member
Hot Deal Alert!!! Baofeng UV-G GMRS radio on sale. Smokin' deal! $36!
Amazon.com: BAOFENG UV-9G GMRS Radio Waterproof IP67, Outdoors Two Way Radios Long Range Rechargeable, Handheld Dual Band NOAA Scanner, GMRS Repeater Capable, Programming Cable Included : Electronics
Oh, and it's waterproof too!
Amazon.com: BAOFENG UV-9G GMRS Radio Waterproof IP67, Outdoors Two Way Radios Long Range Rechargeable, Handheld Dual Band NOAA Scanner, GMRS Repeater Capable, Programming Cable Included : Electronics
Oh, and it's waterproof too!
johnnygraphic
Member
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ShermanOlsen
Member
Time for a cell phone upgrade? If it’s just about emergencies, the new iPhone looks like a pretty good deal compared to a subscription service. The iPhone 14 Can Connect to Satellites: Here’s How It Works
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johnnygraphic
Member
This is quite intriguing. Waiting on the sidelines to see how it pans out in real use.
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2021nightshade4x4
New member
The dealbreaker would be if you’re only allowed to call emergency services (i.e. 911 or a 10 digit equivalent from a whitelist) with the satellite service of the iPhone 14.
I wouldn’t imagine this “free for 2 years” service would apply to calling any number in your contacts list, or a towing / extrication company number you wrote down.
At $0.99/min retail, I can SAFELY assume Globalstar minutes preclude Apple from providing unlimited calling to any number for the first two years of iPhone ownership.
I really don’t think the iPhone 14 satellite connectivity is what most people hoped it to be.
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I have an iphone 14 pro max and have been off grid with it already. I have not used the emergency services but looked at it. You can ONLY send a text to emergency services, no voice. and it ONLY works to emergency services. it is not like garmin inreach text services.
johnnygraphic
Member
If I read the article correctly, the emergency services is Apple right? Like 911 Geek Squad?
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Yes, its through apple and more like an emergency services message forwarding service
johnnygraphic
Member
Oh great…So far, not much of a seller by point. I think I’d rather pay the freight for a dedicated emergency service.
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I had another thread looking for something similar and I think the best option would be garmin inreach if just texts would be ok. I don't mind having the apple option in my pocket as a last resort though. cheap insurance.
johnnygraphic
Member
Yeah, that’s the route I’m probably going to go. Has a fair bit of flexibility.
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johnnygraphic
Member
Just a heads up, Amazon has the GMRS Baofeng UV9G on flash sale-15% off the 2 pack and 20% off the single radio.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
johnnygraphic
Member
This deal is back on at the Amazon!!!!
If you’re interested in getting a pair of GMRS radios, this is a smokin deal!
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GMRS radios are great for car to car communications...when the cars are within a couple miles of each other. They are worthless if you break down in the outback and are trying to reach help. Same with HAM. I've had a HAM license for several years now because the SAR group I belong to uses HAM radios. But, same as GMRS, out in the middle of nowhere they work only car-to-car because their range is limited.
Because of where I live (middle of Nevada) I carried a satellite phone for years because there is almost no cell phone service. But as someone else mentioned, they kept raising the monthly fees until it got prohibitively expensive. So now I use InReach. Fees are ~ $15 a month for the cheapest plan but I can send and receive texts from just about anywhere. Well worth it to me.
Because of where I live (middle of Nevada) I carried a satellite phone for years because there is almost no cell phone service. But as someone else mentioned, they kept raising the monthly fees until it got prohibitively expensive. So now I use InReach. Fees are ~ $15 a month for the cheapest plan but I can send and receive texts from just about anywhere. Well worth it to me.
Ham radio
I'll throw in a comment regarding ham radio: there is a LOT that falls under the topic of ham radio. VHF/UHF tends to be more short range/ line of sight, or longer range with repeaters. There are repeater "chains" (I don't know what the correct term is) that allow communication throughout the lower 48 US states and possibly beyond. If you go HF (high frequency) you can talk around the world. The saying is, you might not be able to talk to a certain station, but you can always talk to SOMEONE. Then there is APRS which allows position transmission as well as some com capability.
I'm saying this as a licensed ham but one who has been inactive for several years and I can't really give a synopsis of current technology. Just don't think that 2 meter (VHF) or 440 (UHF) is all there is to ham radio. Do some research and/or contact a local ham club and you'll probably find several people who would be happy to help you find options that might be appropriate for your needs.
arrl.org would be a good place to start looking for info, and there are several good ham channels on YouTube.
Finally, the "entry level" ham license, "Technician," is not hard to get. Buy a manual, study for a week, take the test. It's not rocket surgery.
I'll throw in a comment regarding ham radio: there is a LOT that falls under the topic of ham radio. VHF/UHF tends to be more short range/ line of sight, or longer range with repeaters. There are repeater "chains" (I don't know what the correct term is) that allow communication throughout the lower 48 US states and possibly beyond. If you go HF (high frequency) you can talk around the world. The saying is, you might not be able to talk to a certain station, but you can always talk to SOMEONE. Then there is APRS which allows position transmission as well as some com capability.
I'm saying this as a licensed ham but one who has been inactive for several years and I can't really give a synopsis of current technology. Just don't think that 2 meter (VHF) or 440 (UHF) is all there is to ham radio. Do some research and/or contact a local ham club and you'll probably find several people who would be happy to help you find options that might be appropriate for your needs.
arrl.org would be a good place to start looking for info, and there are several good ham channels on YouTube.
Finally, the "entry level" ham license, "Technician," is not hard to get. Buy a manual, study for a week, take the test. It's not rocket surgery.
