I realize that cell phone technology relies on tower transfer to satelite to make a connection. And I further realize there aren't any towers in the ocean. However, has anyone had experience using a cell phone off-shore. I would be interested in hearing from anyone particularly in the Massachusetts area that may have used a phone successfully or not. Thanks, M.C.
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Dead zone
Even inland rivers are often dead zones, so try satellite or pigeon instead. Or tell them you'll chat when you get back. Isn't that why you're going offshore anyway, to get away from it all?
Even inland rivers are often dead zones, so try satellite or pigeon instead. Or tell them you'll chat when you get back. Isn't that why you're going offshore anyway, to get away from it all?
To Bill
Exactly, I agree, I want to sail to "get-away". However, in my business, if I want to "get-away" particularly during a weekday in the summer, I'd better have a way to communicate with clients, or I won't be able to afford to "get-away". I truly appreciate your altruistic view of sailing, you're "singing to the choir" however it is an expensive sport!
Exactly, I agree, I want to sail to "get-away". However, in my business, if I want to "get-away" particularly during a weekday in the summer, I'd better have a way to communicate with clients, or I won't be able to afford to "get-away". I truly appreciate your altruistic view of sailing, you're "singing to the choir" however it is an expensive sport!
Charlie's Crab
The owner of "Charlie's Crab" restaurants (forget his name) died, when his sailboat sank in the Bahamas, during the "Storm of the Century" (March '03). His cell phone records indicated a "failed call" at about that time. Interesting, but not substantive ....
The owner of "Charlie's Crab" restaurants (forget his name) died, when his sailboat sank in the Bahamas, during the "Storm of the Century" (March '03). His cell phone records indicated a "failed call" at about that time. Interesting, but not substantive ....
how far offshore?
Hello, I will really depend on how far off shore you are. I sail in the Long Island sound and there seems to be coverage everywhere, certainly from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson, and as far east and west as I have been. Cellphone is better than nothing, but I would not rely on it, I would have VHF, flares, and other back up means of indicating a problem. Barry
Hello, I will really depend on how far off shore you are. I sail in the Long Island sound and there seems to be coverage everywhere, certainly from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson, and as far east and west as I have been. Cellphone is better than nothing, but I would not rely on it, I would have VHF, flares, and other back up means of indicating a problem. Barry
Most of Mobile Bay
Maybe the whole bay is covered by Verizon. We haven't tried a systmatic survey but we have always had service in the northen part of the bay which is about 10 miles square. We've also used it in the southern part of the bay which is a much larger area but we've only sailed the eastern part. It seems to use the battery up more quickly. Supposedly the phones automatically adjust wattage to just enough to get to a tower. I have no idea where towers are located!!! They may be switching back and forth between the eastern and western shores.
Maybe the whole bay is covered by Verizon. We haven't tried a systmatic survey but we have always had service in the northen part of the bay which is about 10 miles square. We've also used it in the southern part of the bay which is a much larger area but we've only sailed the eastern part. It seems to use the battery up more quickly. Supposedly the phones automatically adjust wattage to just enough to get to a tower. I have no idea where towers are located!!! They may be switching back and forth between the eastern and western shores.
antenna
I believe dedicated marine cell phone antennae are available for increasing the transmission and receiving range. I don't have one....read about it somewhere.
I believe dedicated marine cell phone antennae are available for increasing the transmission and receiving range. I don't have one....read about it somewhere.
Cuttyhunk/Maine Coast
The only place I had a problem was once on Cuttyhunk Island, MA. It was just out of range of the nearest tower. Now, last summer, I was out there and had no problems with a signal. If you head up the coast of Maine, there is intermittent service. Some of the less populated areas between Portland and Mt. Desert Isle. This would primarily be mid-coast Maine where I experienced that. Downeast is more difficult. But things are improving as the popularity increases up there. On another front, if you were to make the run from Plymouth to Provincetown, you may hit a dead zone about half way there where you won't be able to reach a tower. In January I took a fast ferry from Naples, FL to Key West. There was a short segment in the middle of the 90-mile run where we had no service. Back when I got my first cell phone, the service provider asked me what I would use it for. I told them that I would primarily use it on my boat. They suggested the bag phone, at the time, because it threw a stronger signal that a hand-held phone.
The only place I had a problem was once on Cuttyhunk Island, MA. It was just out of range of the nearest tower. Now, last summer, I was out there and had no problems with a signal. If you head up the coast of Maine, there is intermittent service. Some of the less populated areas between Portland and Mt. Desert Isle. This would primarily be mid-coast Maine where I experienced that. Downeast is more difficult. But things are improving as the popularity increases up there. On another front, if you were to make the run from Plymouth to Provincetown, you may hit a dead zone about half way there where you won't be able to reach a tower. In January I took a fast ferry from Naples, FL to Key West. There was a short segment in the middle of the 90-mile run where we had no service. Back when I got my first cell phone, the service provider asked me what I would use it for. I told them that I would primarily use it on my boat. They suggested the bag phone, at the time, because it threw a stronger signal that a hand-held phone.
Booster and Antenna
Digital Antenna sells an antenna and booster in order to increase your handset's output. Most handsets these days transmit a maximum of abour 1.5 watts - and as a previous poster stated, when it's using that much power the battery goes away extremely quickly. The booster they sell will boost your phone's output up to 3 watts. (That's what the old analog bag phones used to transmit). Check out Digital Antenna at www.digitalantenna.com The web site will tell you where you can buy. It's not cheap, but if you need to communicate, it's well worth the money. For the booster and antenna, you can expect somewhere around $700.
Digital Antenna sells an antenna and booster in order to increase your handset's output. Most handsets these days transmit a maximum of abour 1.5 watts - and as a previous poster stated, when it's using that much power the battery goes away extremely quickly. The booster they sell will boost your phone's output up to 3 watts. (That's what the old analog bag phones used to transmit). Check out Digital Antenna at www.digitalantenna.com The web site will tell you where you can buy. It's not cheap, but if you need to communicate, it's well worth the money. For the booster and antenna, you can expect somewhere around $700.
I am using a cell phone now.
In may areas along the East Coast the Booster & Cell/boat Antenna is not necessary. But when it is, I get service to about 20 miles off shore, for both voice & data (Express Network 1XRTT) from Verizon Wireless. I am sending this e-mail from anchor behind Rodriguez Key (Florida Keys) on my way back from Key West to the Chesapeake Bay.
In may areas along the East Coast the Booster & Cell/boat Antenna is not necessary. But when it is, I get service to about 20 miles off shore, for both voice & data (Express Network 1XRTT) from Verizon Wireless. I am sending this e-mail from anchor behind Rodriguez Key (Florida Keys) on my way back from Key West to the Chesapeake Bay.
Power Booster - Caution.
It may be an old wives' tale, but the reason bag phones were stronger was because you didn't hold the antenna up next to your head like you do with a hand-held phone. Apparently, the radio waves have been shown to cause health problems from the strength of the radio waves that are emitted.
It may be an old wives' tale, but the reason bag phones were stronger was because you didn't hold the antenna up next to your head like you do with a hand-held phone. Apparently, the radio waves have been shown to cause health problems from the strength of the radio waves that are emitted.
Paul - You're Correct - However....
The booster is in line with the antenna. Your cell phone won't put out any more power than it ever has. But when the antenna lead enters the booster, it boosts the power up and out the antenna which is mounted on deck. You're not exposed to the higher output power by using the handset. Now, you might not want to rest your head on the antenna while your wife's talking to her mother for the next four or five hours, but that's another topic....
The booster is in line with the antenna. Your cell phone won't put out any more power than it ever has. But when the antenna lead enters the booster, it boosts the power up and out the antenna which is mounted on deck. You're not exposed to the higher output power by using the handset. Now, you might not want to rest your head on the antenna while your wife's talking to her mother for the next four or five hours, but that's another topic....
Ches. Bay and the Southeast Coast
Cruising the Ches. Bay and back and forth from Norfolk to Key West, it has been my experience that cellphone coverage is pretty good everywhere on the Ches. Bay; down the ICW; and out to as far as 5 miles or so offshore (off Fla. and the SE coast) depending on weather conditions and location of towers. IMHO, it IS more convient to use a cell phone to make marina reservations, ck with the ofc. back home, let people know where you are and when you'll be to a certain place, etc.
Cruising the Ches. Bay and back and forth from Norfolk to Key West, it has been my experience that cellphone coverage is pretty good everywhere on the Ches. Bay; down the ICW; and out to as far as 5 miles or so offshore (off Fla. and the SE coast) depending on weather conditions and location of towers. IMHO, it IS more convient to use a cell phone to make marina reservations, ck with the ofc. back home, let people know where you are and when you'll be to a certain place, etc.
Cell Phone Usefull
I work for Cingular Wireless and have learned this, go to a Cingular or any other provider store and ask to see there coverage maps. Cingular also has a software program that can tell you how strong the signal is in a particualar area (use a shore land mark). I have full coverage any where in the Puget sound and BC Islands. I farthest I have been from a tower on the water and still had signal is 5-8 miles. The advantage of water is that there is nothing to block the signal. I see that most postings mention Verizon, They use an older technology (CDMA)that signal seems to go farther, but also gets weaker, where GSM/GPRS technology (Cingular, T-Mobile) will have a clearer signal, but will drop the call sooner. Both have there advantages. Also a signal strength will be determand by phone also, Nokia's and Motorala's seem to do the best for me.
I work for Cingular Wireless and have learned this, go to a Cingular or any other provider store and ask to see there coverage maps. Cingular also has a software program that can tell you how strong the signal is in a particualar area (use a shore land mark). I have full coverage any where in the Puget sound and BC Islands. I farthest I have been from a tower on the water and still had signal is 5-8 miles. The advantage of water is that there is nothing to block the signal. I see that most postings mention Verizon, They use an older technology (CDMA)that signal seems to go farther, but also gets weaker, where GSM/GPRS technology (Cingular, T-Mobile) will have a clearer signal, but will drop the call sooner. Both have there advantages. Also a signal strength will be determand by phone also, Nokia's and Motorala's seem to do the best for me.
cell phone
Mark, Cell phones are line of sight so anything that can be done to increase this is helpful. I have a mast head antenna with low loss cable to my nav station on my H410. I consistently get 15-20 miles off shore and still have service. you need to use the low loss cable tho or the loses in the cable will exceed the gain of the antenna height. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Mark, Cell phones are line of sight so anything that can be done to increase this is helpful. I have a mast head antenna with low loss cable to my nav station on my H410. I consistently get 15-20 miles off shore and still have service. you need to use the low loss cable tho or the loses in the cable will exceed the gain of the antenna height. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Semi-usefull Info....
...maybe. Left coast version. When I had a three watt bag phone hooked to a 6db marine antenna (analog), I got reception consistently out 30 miles and sometimes out to 50. With the digital handheld, I get out about 5 miles. Once, with the three watt phone, in a blanketed anchorage in Santa Catalina Island, I connected through Ensenada, Mexico over 100 miles away. I just picked up an old bag phone and will see if I can get a number programmed in it, which I understand to be a problem. Used to be, you could get the same number cloned in analog phones which was fine if you didn't have them both activated at the same time. I would tend to try a marine antenna first. Rick D.
...maybe. Left coast version. When I had a three watt bag phone hooked to a 6db marine antenna (analog), I got reception consistently out 30 miles and sometimes out to 50. With the digital handheld, I get out about 5 miles. Once, with the three watt phone, in a blanketed anchorage in Santa Catalina Island, I connected through Ensenada, Mexico over 100 miles away. I just picked up an old bag phone and will see if I can get a number programmed in it, which I understand to be a problem. Used to be, you could get the same number cloned in analog phones which was fine if you didn't have them both activated at the same time. I would tend to try a marine antenna first. Rick D.
Just get your Ham license!....
and then you can play with a real system. I wouldn't count on a cell phone for anything beyond a call at dockside, and even that would be 'iffy'.
and then you can play with a real system. I wouldn't count on a cell phone for anything beyond a call at dockside, and even that would be 'iffy'.
Yes, they work GREAT
I sail of the coast of New Jersey and have not had any problems! No trees or structures to block the line of sight to the towers!
I sail of the coast of New Jersey and have not had any problems! No trees or structures to block the line of sight to the towers!
BAG PHone
I have had bad service with cell phones. I think that a bag phone, which is a powerful device and relies on only a small amount of electricity from the batteries works awesome. It is like a satellite phone. In my experiance last summer on the Inter Coastal Waterway in Eastern NC, i lost cell phone service for almost 2 days. I think the biggest problem was the service i used. Cingular is what it was and their coverage of Eastern NC is absolutely horrible. Happy Sailing
I have had bad service with cell phones. I think that a bag phone, which is a powerful device and relies on only a small amount of electricity from the batteries works awesome. It is like a satellite phone. In my experiance last summer on the Inter Coastal Waterway in Eastern NC, i lost cell phone service for almost 2 days. I think the biggest problem was the service i used. Cingular is what it was and their coverage of Eastern NC is absolutely horrible. Happy Sailing
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