For emergency messaging, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger might be the
best way to go. It's somewhat limited in the amount of info you can
communicate relative to a cell phone, but for $99/year (service only;
device costs an extra $170) you have a way to go hiking in the
wilderness by yourself and summon help when needed--assuming you
aren't so incapacitated that you can't find the device and press the
button.
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
Diana
On Sep 21, 2010, at 1:19 PM, [email protected] wrote:
We have practical experience with the Iridium sat phone. It is a
practical, though expensive, solution to communicating with the rest
of the world from really remote areas.
Since our land on Taurus Mesas in South Brewster County is so
remote, the only telephone that will work without a land line is the
sat phone. No chance at all of a cell phone working. Internet is
through a 9-mile highly directional WiFi lash up from a DSL line on
the highway, but you cannot move around with that.
The sats are all over the place - you don't need just a southern
sky. I get a usable signal about 90% of the time when I turn it
on. If not, just wait a few minutes and another sat comes into
view. You do have to have clear sky overhead - won't work well
under an overhang or in the tropical jungle (tree cover messes up
the signal), but what the hey - this is the Big Bend or the
Guadalupes. There, it is quite reliable. And it works everywhere
in North America and the Caribbean. I've used it in the Black Hills,
Death Valley, Montana, and elsewhere (like between Carlsbad and
Terlingua - once away from the interstates cell coverage becomes
squirrely). Actually, all over the world, but we would have to buy
greater coverage.
Remember, I was used to remoteness in the Big Bend and Lower Canyons
in the 60s and 70s. Paddled like hell for 2 days to get a snake-bit
companion out. With a really serious injury, you would die. No
chance for any communication out - you were on your own. I admit
the communication capabilities of the modern world are nice to have
available for emergency situations, especially as I become more
mature. But I really like being away from being linked in.
It ain't cheap. If I had to buy it and the service just to have for
emergencies on cave or back country trips, I would not do it. There
is a greater chance of your getting whacked in your truck on the
highway in more populated areas. There, cell phone is more likely
to work. Additionally, someone else will probably come along with
one that will.
DirtDoc
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: [email protected]
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
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