More cell phone info

imported
#1

As a follow up to a post david had put up last week…I started to look into cells and found that the prepaid service is a huge scam (way more money and hassle than traditional).

In any case, it looks like ATT has the best plans, and on their service maps it looks like I will get service throughout Virginia and maryland, but I thought I’d check to see if anyone had any experience using ATT in this area.

(and yeah, I know everyone hates cell phones already…)

3D

#2

Reception is sketchy along the trail from what I saw of others use. If you insist on bringing one, respect others when you are using it.

yo-yo

#3

thanks for the info; I do use cell phones RESPECTFULLY; (not much idle chatter, & used away from others & I try to keep my voice pretty quiet) when I’m out & about. My current carrier is Sprint, which is only good around major cities & hwys. I’ve thot of switching; let us know how ATT does in general. Thanks!

linden

#4

thanks for the info; I do use cell phones RESPECTFULLY; (not much idle chatter, & used away from others & I try to keep my voice pretty quiet) when I’m out & about. My current carrier is Sprint, which is only good around major cities & hwys. I’ve thot of switching; let us know how ATT does in general. Thanks!

linden

#5

I’ve had occasional service on the ridges in NC/TN/SW VA. For me the phone serves only to reassure the wife every day or so that I haven’t fallen off the edge of the earth. A happy wife means a happy hike.:oh

Bandanna

#6

hey bandanna,

who’s the carrier? thanks.

David

#7

Oh, sorry – Verizon

Bandanna

#8

Bandanna…that’s pretty much my reasoning as well. I got pretty good reception from ATT the whole way through northern PA and NJ, but haven’t been down south to try it.

3D

#9

:boy :boy :boy :boy :girl :x

:boy

#10

Don’t worry folks, there will be enough towers along the Blue Ridge shortly, so you don’t have to worry about which service is the best. They are spreading into National Parks and Forests more and more each month. Right now, they’re considering putting three up in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park World Biosphere. See www.whiteblaze.com to read more about the towers you are paying for. Thanks!

Tha Wookie

#11

Here try this link. Maybe you should show your wives. You could get out of an extra 2-6 ounces. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=522&page=1&pp=20

Tha Wookie

#12

Seems everyone hates cell phones for two reasons:

  1. etiquette - for some reason, an “etiquette” surrounding cellphones has never developed for the user, much like it has for all other technological inventions. (And I can’t stand the phones because of most of the ###holes who use them too)
  2. the cell towers impact on the landscape - this boils down to a convenience (both for hikers and surrounding residents) vs. natural beuty. That being the case, how do you all feel about electric and gas lines; microwave transmission towers, etc… Me, I really don’t mind seeing them, and even if I did, I think the services they provide to the public at large is a tradeoff I’m willing to make.

I know this has been beat to death, I was just wondering since I’d never heard anyone complain about these other “eye-sores”

3D

#13

Some of the things Wookie has to say i disagree with;even though I respect your passion for the subject my friend. But putting cell phone towers in the Smokies??? For what reason?? Don’t mind a few here and there on the trail but there has to be some kind of balance. Agree with you on that one.

eyesores

#14

Don’t understand why you think prepaid is a “scam.”

How much they cost - depends on how much you use it. It costs about $0.60 a minute. Sounds expensive, but if you figure that a cell phone will cost you $40 a minimum per month for a non-prepaid service, as long as you don’t talk more than 67 minutes a month, then it is worth it. We only want it for emergencies, so it works for us.

If you want to use it to call home and chat, probably not economical.

Gravity man

Gravity Man

#15

Gravity,
I looked into the tracphone thinking I could buy it, and just keep it around for emergencies. After paying for the phone, the subscription fee (to keep it “active”?), and then the minutes, it’s way WAY cheaper for me to just subscribe to a plan for a year. On top of that, if you let the subscription run out, any minutes you had become void. It’s basically the same as a service plan type phone, except that you also have to remember to pay the “subscription” fee at the end of the month to keep it active.

So maybe scam is a bit harsh, it’s just not what I expected after hearing how it is advertised.

3D

#16

There is no activation fee or subscription fee every month. There were other plans from tracfon that worked like that, but the 1 year prepaid minutes was the way we went. They last a year, and there was no additional fee other than to buy the card. We got the phone for free as a deal they were running at the time. That did help the case out. Also, no hidden fees and taxes that you will encounter with a monthly billed wireless phone. The unused minutes will roll over on to the next card if you buy and redeem a new card before the 1 year is out. However if you don’t you do lose the minutes.

However, if you are going to use it more than just emergencies or the odd call, it doesn’t make sense…

Good luck,

Gravity man

3D

#17

Ops, that was suppose to be from me, not 3D

Gravity Man

Gravity Man

#18

I got a two year plan for free, don’t know what to do. All I can think of is Earl Shaffer rolling in his grave and looking back at High point ranger station and the negative views here. But I like the hikers that don’t think we need more laws yet. Meaning we can govern ourselfs pretty good, thank you? As in the above bunch of guys shown. Some all I want to do is throw their phones in the spring for a minute, but that will never happen till the batteries are dead, but you got a spare And pretty soom all our trips become your trip. That’s why we need laws then. Respect.

Greg