Cell Phone Coverage in the Park

[Boojum1]

I didn't need a cell phone in the park in 1977 and I don't need one there now.  I call whomever, usually the wife, at Marathon or Alpine and let them know I'll be out of touch for however long.  Its rather freeing actually and one of the many advantages of BiBe over other spots.

[PyramidBlaster]

I'd have to agree, but it's nice to know it's there. 'specially since my wife got in an accident while I was 'incognito'...The fact that I could check in from time to time (when I chose to) really set her mind at ease. Personally, I hate phones altogether...I think I have a mild phobia about them. 
Dunno.

[Undertaker]

Digital is very iffy, but my vhf gives me coverage over most of park, ham is nice, HF gives me coverage everywhere and to home. Nice to have a HAM license. KD5YA.

[BigBendHiker]

Digital is very iffy, but my vhf gives me coverage over most of park, ham is nice, HF gives me coverage everywhere and to home. Nice to have a HAM license. KD5YA.

Cool.  KA5PCK here.


BBH

[homerboy2u]

KSEX here

[Al]

KSEX here

KBSU here.

Al

[SA Bill]

I knew you guys were "hams", so to speak. 

Any of you all do meteor counts using radio?
  http://www.amsmeteors.org/radmet.html

   Bill...who listens to ham radio occasionally.

[Doc Savage]

KI4GUZ. I've had no problem on our land at Terlingua Ranch hitting the repeater. Didn't have the tones set up right last time I was in the park so I'm not sure if the coverage is OK there or not. The maps I've seen seem to show pretty good coverage (just not sure of mountain shadow effects). I've had good luck with the Cingular phone in isolated spots in the park and on the ranch. In Terlingua/Study Butte I get a pretty good signal. Personally I like being without the Cell in the park (as long as I have radio contact for emcoms I'm happy). I haven't let work know about having internet access at the lodge yet, I prefer to be "unreachable".

Robert

[Undertaker]

I carry a cell but go to the park to get away from the phone, I live on it most of the week.   

[PyramidBlaster]

...looks like you HAM operators will be the only way to go soon....Apparently, Analog Cell will be going away after Feb. 19th, 2008:

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Analog_Cell_Phone_Networks_to_Be_Turned_Off_12223.html

Oh, well...Not like it was that reliable, anyway...

[jamesb]

I dont think Analog has worked in BIBE in years, unless you had a phone that could still do analog. Most carriers stopped growing their analog networks back in the late 90's and stripped the analog network down to bare minimum so they couls use the spectrum for Digital. Its been all digital since then. When new towers went up Analog was not added to it.

The carriers were mandated by the FCC to maintain analog coverage to cover any existing customers with analog devices. Most users of analog are utility companies or corporations with automated meter reading devices, UPS for package tracking info and so on.

Maintaing the analog network is slowing the growth of Digital since that spectrum cant be used, the digital radios have a much higer capacity for call volume Vs. Analog.

1 Analog Radio can carry 1 Voice call

1 Digital Radio can cary up to 8 voice Calls (depending on configuration and technology like GSM or CDMA)

James

...looks like you HAM operators will be the only way to go soon....Apparently, Analog Cell will be going away after Feb. 19th, 2008:

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Analog_Cell_Phone_Networks_to_Be_Turned_Off_12223.html

Oh, well...Not like it was that reliable, anyway...

[PyramidBlaster]

Yeah, I'd have to agree...It's time for it to go.

In the past, I've always specced a dual-mode phone (digital AND analog), because I can often find myself out in the wilds, and it comes in handy...So I, at least, could get a weak signal out there. Not enough to be truly useful, mind you...eventually we'll all have SATphones, anyway...

[SHANEA]

Fortunately my Avalanche and OnStar converted over to the new network.  Apparently, some folks, even with fairly new vehicles, GM installed OnStars that can not be upgraded - leaving owners PO'd.  Way to go GM.  Houston Chronicle had an article about how a lady got a GM Onstar vehicle on purpose for her son - and it can't be upgraded.  They sent her a $500 coupon for a new vehicle...   

[Buck]

Houston Chronicle had an article about how a lady got a GM Onstar vehicle on purpose for her son - and it can't be upgraded. 

Yeah, read that article too.  What's up with the wi-fi hot spot at the lodge?  They took 'spot' literally!  Last time I was up there it wasn't working. 

[Undertaker]

Yep, I am a ham but second call sign is HOLATABS.