Hiking SOBO starting ME 9/15—any cell phone reception along AT in Maine??? Satellite phone–anyone use one? Get signal OK ? think of using one for any SOS --like white-out in NH Oct/Nov.
Brad
Satellite phone?
system
#3
You can use a Satellite phone pretty much anywhere. I used one in Maine a couple weeks ago since the guy I was hiking with had one with him. Reception seemed to be better when weren’t under a cover of trees but it would work. Just be courteous around other hikers and you shouldn’t have a problem.
Sleepwalker
system
#4
Both have same problem, they must be able to see the cell or the satellite to work properly and get a signal in and out. Down in the valley and hollows, they don’t work too well, but on the top of mountains they do. Overhead tree cover can block signal as well as heavy stormy weather. Satellite TV has same problem during storms, clouds, heavy rain/snow blocks the signal. Cell phones on Bell Atlantic network seem to have a lot more cells, so better coverage, than other types of cell phone networks, but it varies a lot from location to location. Satellite phones work well as long as the overhead satellite is in clear radio view of the phone. :cheers
Maintain
system
#5
I spent the summer hiking the southern 1/3 of the trail & brought a cell. It worked pretty well on most mountaintops of which there was no shortage. I never had reception in any town that I stoped in, but almost always had reception in the mountains overlooking the towns, I dont know where they’re keeping the cell towers these days. It’s important to make sure you’ve got cellular service or more commonly cellular & digital service because cellular offers a much larger coverage area, you’ll rarely get a digital signal. My service was with Cingular.
Gadget