ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on May 5, 2023 10:15:08 GMT -8
I went on an overnight recently and was in and out of reception on my Android phone. I do have an InReach but try to save msgs for when there is no cell at all. I wanted to send some status updates to the wife and kids. So when I got home I checked into a solution to make this easier and there is an app that can tell you when you lose/gain signal:
GSM Signal Monitor & SIM Info
If you search "no signal app" in the Play store it should come up.
I haven't had a chance to try it on the trail yet but it has been interesting using it in my day to day life. A lot more dead spots than I realized. My Android's built in signal meter never has shown this. They smooth out the reading. I think they do that to make you feel like there is more solid signal.
If anyone is interested the way I configured it from default is:
-Turned off start with phone. I manually start it when needed. -Turned off screen alerts -Turned off voice alerts -Set one alert sound for signal loss and another for found.
On the trail I might turn off the lost signal audio alert and just have the found one. I am mostly interested in when I gain a signal on the trail. I'll try to post an update when I get a chance to use it on the trail.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on May 5, 2023 10:48:31 GMT -8
Who is your carrier? Some have better coverage than others. I think T-mobile and Verizon are about the same for coverage.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on May 5, 2023 11:23:52 GMT -8
For what it's worth, I've been in quite a few remote areas where texts will go through even if my Android phone indicates no signal and phone calls won't. There are varying degrees of "signal".
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on May 5, 2023 14:21:42 GMT -8
This is where I want to test this app more. I have noticed the same no signal/no voice calls but txts going through effect. Txts only need a moment of seeing a head station to send. I been thinking I somewhere passed through a small sweet spot. I might even be able to make a call if I stop in it. Radio waves can do some weird things.
Also this app could be a safety feature. I have heard of people in trouble that look for a cell signal to call for help. They have to keep checking the phone. With this app you could keep moving with your phone in your pocket until the have signal alert goes off.
This is a completely passive cell phone amplifier that they use in at least Australia. You stand in the sweet spot to use it. I am wondering if natural formations could create sweet spots. The right shaped cliff face could be like a giant dish.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 6, 2023 14:01:52 GMT -8
A further advantage of a text I’d read a while ago is the phone keeps trying: so if you leave it on out of airplane mode (admittedly a power drain over shutting it down) were the phone to detect a connection it would simply send the message.
And those oddball sweet spots exist. There’s a short section of the approach road down to Yosemite Creek campground that has moderate cell service when just about nowhere else along the Tioga Rd does. A mystery leak/bounce from the Valley I’d suspect…. Had I not caught a glimpse of my dashboard cell signal icon change I’d never have guessed (traveling ive my iPhone plugged in for charging so I’m less concerned about airplane mode). The nice thing about a text message is you don’t have to know a signal is possible: it just happens.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 7, 2023 6:48:24 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan, do you have to set the phone to do that? Because when I have a message that doesn’t go, it gives me a notice and then just sits there unless or until I manually try again.
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Post by bikehikefish on May 7, 2023 7:06:18 GMT -8
Cell service varies by carrier by region. T-mobile may have better service in some areas, ATT in others, etc. it depends on where you are.
As others have said, texts can go through when voice service is not available. In Big Bend NP in October I was able to text 911 when we were stranded by a flash flood on Terlingua Creek. Keep that information in your back pocket. Text 911.
Around here I can go in and out of service so often that an alert every time would be really annoying. I'd probably chuck the phone into the woods.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on May 7, 2023 7:48:00 GMT -8
Around here I can go in and out of service so often that an alert every time would be really annoying. I'd probably chuck the phone into the woods. You can set it so there are no alerts just logging. Each log event, lose/gain and others if you want, is recorded with location data if available (inside my house is no location available) and even shows you on an embedded Google map where it happened for each log event. You can export the events with a lot of options to CSV, PDF and HTML. That should get it to however you want to view it.
Also when it says you just gained signal it is enough to just send txts, maybe call. If you pay for the premium then you can also have low signal alert which is when voice calling comes/goes.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 7, 2023 8:20:24 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan, do you have to set the phone to do that? Because when I have a message that doesn’t go, it gives me a notice and then just sits there unless or until I manually try again. I’ve not researched it. It may depend on what the issue is: a server not responding or no towers detected. It’s something I’ve read in various SAR discussions. ETA: I’m in the road and haven’t read this fully but the journal is usually a good info source. www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(11)00132-3/fulltextAt a second look it’s old but may prove a decent start. |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on May 7, 2023 9:57:28 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan, do you have to set the phone to do that? Because when I have a message that doesn’t go, it gives me a notice and then just sits there unless or until I manually try again. Have noticed if any ever go through with delays due to reception but automatic? I think if I try to txt a friend who is T-mobile from my Verizon phone when I have no signal I get that sometimes. I think Verizon to Verizon just go through. It seems that once Messenger gets in that mode I have to manually resend all the msgs waiting in queue including Verizon to Verizon. I guess it sort of gives up. |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 8, 2023 15:41:58 GMT -8
So I have gotten a chance to use this app somewhere hiking with spotty coverage. It was in Harriman park which is surrounded by suburban cell towers but when you aren't line of sight in the middle of the park there is no signal (mostly valley floors). Or so I thought. There were places where there was signal mixed into the no signal sections. A couple of times it was only about 3-4 meter section of the trail. There were also short sections of no signal in an otherwise signal section.
I have it set to alert when it either gained or lost signal. There were fringe areas where it keep going up and down and alerting on each. Kind of annoying but interesting to me. I keep my phone volume very low. I want to try it where there is consistently no signal and set it to only alert on signal gain and see if it picks up unexpected reception.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 8, 2023 18:51:49 GMT -8
That intermittent signal availability is going to be an iOS 17 maps feature: indications of where you can go back to to get a signal. A bit like the geotagging where my iPhone notices and maps where it loses Bluetooth communication with my car. And offers that as a location it can direct me back to.
“A 3D view of the compass Complication can display not only your elevation journey, showing you how high or low you’ve climbed so far, but offer automatically-generated waypoints based on the best place to make a phone call, directing you back to that spot in case you need help. Or want to call your loved ones and boast about how far you’ve walked that day. “”
Our phones are so ubiquitous adding features for outdoor recreation is just logical.
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Post by oldbill on Jul 5, 2023 6:25:31 GMT -8
Was shocked when I found 5G signal at an off-trail campsite that was 12 miles from the trailhead in the Wind River Range. 25 m from any building, even forest service. Had to stand in one place and it did revert to LTE, but still was a pleasant surprise. Able to get a text off which was good as my monthly Garmin subscription had ended the night before!
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Deborah
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Post by Deborah on Jul 7, 2023 13:26:40 GMT -8
For what it's worth, I've been in quite a few remote areas where texts will go through even if my Android phone indicates no signal and phone calls won't. There are varying degrees of "signal". It used to be that way at Pickle Gulch. Most people could send a text, regardless of carrier, but they could not make calls. PG has increased coverage now. |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jul 7, 2023 15:37:29 GMT -8
Was shocked when I found 5G signal at an off-trail campsite that was 12 miles from the trailhead in the Wind River Range. 25 m from any building, even forest service. Had to stand in one place and it did revert to LTE, but still was a pleasant surprise. Able to get a text off which was good as my monthly Garmin subscription had ended the night before! I thought for a minute you were only 25 meters from a building not miles. FYI Full 5G goes only about 2000 ft. 4G about 12 miles at best. Lower band signals about 25 miles although cell handsets can be "heard" sometimes up to 45 miles away. |
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