Re: [RC] Cell phones while riding

[Laurie Durgin]

Ham radios anyone?My son and husband are HAMs .Really. I had a cell phone, but  turned out to be too expensive. You study the HAM radio book and take a test that cost 20.00$. You can then get a mobile radio(about the same cost as a cell phone)and have a base station in camp.They work all over the country. You may even get rescused by some guys 3 states away. I am going to get mine , because I ride alone too, and Rascal does those 180's(John lyons and I are working on that).(I hate technology, the idea of readiing a whole book on it was reminding me of the economics course I took in college, (cardboard all the way down the throat). But they said you can just study the test!!Short term memory anyone???  Laurie   ----- Original Message ----- From: Howard Bramhall Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 1:36 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [RC] Cell phones while riding   I am finding this cell phone discussion interesting because, since I now own one, the darn thing never seems to work like it should.  Ever see that commercial where the guy is walking around thru jungles and other out of the way places saying, "Can you hear me now?  Can you hear me now?"  Well, me and the wife shout at the TV, "NO," every time he asks that question, because that is the reality of the cell phone.  They can't hear you cause you can't make the call.   When we took our cell phones up to Leatherwood, we could not get a connection anywhere.  Not even  outside our cabin, on either porch, where it looked like we were on top of a mountain to me.  Our cell phones were totally worthless in those mountains, and I am with that same service where you see those other commercials, like the one with Charo or the Soapstar in people's living rooms, because of a misunderstood cell phone call.  Heck, the real problem is not being able to make the call at all!   My point is, unless you live in Florida or Delaware, don't expect the cell phone to save your butt out there on the trail if something bad happens.  The odds are, where you ride, you won't be able to dial 911.  Your phone will just continue "searching," for a hook up.   When we took our cell phones up to Leatherwood, we could not get a connection anywhere.  Not even in our cabin.  Totally worthless in mountains, and I am with that same service where you see those stupid commercials, like the one with Charo or the Soapstar in people's living rooms because of not being able to hear clearly.  Heck, the real problem is not being able to make the call.  At all!   cya, Howard (can you hear me now?)   Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com