COMM (communication) while camping or boondocking

Also a SPOT user. I have one of the first ones, about 5 years old. I have it set to send my computer at home my messages along with friends computers and phones. It has NEVER failed to send the messages. The newer ones can send two predetermined non emergency messages along with a non emergency help and an emergency help.

A lot of times you can get one for free with a service contract. I have the basic service for about $100 per year plus another $100,000 worth of Search & Rescue Insurance for $12.

Several years ago we have a friend, solo camper, dirt bike rider that crashed his bike on a trail quite some distance from his camper. Laid there all day drifting in/out of consciousness with a broken neck until someone happened upon him. This was before the days of SPOT but shortly after the PLB was legalized in the lower 48. Guess who's DW made him buy a $600 PLB before I could go out again? I am also a solo camper, dirt bike rider. I still have the PLB but always take the SPOT for it's smaller size and non emergency message capability.

I've never had to use it in an emergency situation but did learn a valuable lesson for it. ALWAYS keep it on your person where you can reach it in any position after a crash!!! In your back pack does absolutely no good laying in the middle of a rocky trail near Denio NV with a 400 lbs 650 laying on top of you!! Don't ask how I learned this!!! :o

I've been camping alone off the grid in a small 4x4 RV since 1991. Back then, I felt fit and invulnerable, thought I could always hike out if the RV wouldn't run. Didn't much consider my own limitations. Liked the solitude out there, good escape from hustle-bustle-stress.

When pre-paid cellphones came along, I bought a Tracfone. It often had no signal, but sometimes it did and that was great. BTW, these days I still have a Tracfone (non-smart old flip-phone style) and it often has a signal in locations where a few years ago it didn't have one. Still, some places have no signal.

Now as an older and much more physically limited person, I recently upgraded my communications by adding a DeLorme InReach to the mix. Satellite, SOS, two-way text communications, tracking marks on map (optional and visible to others if set up that way), etc. It has worked fine everywhere, from inside my house to inside the RV way far from everything. It is small enough to carry with me everywhere. I've sent text and e-mails to family and friends and have received replies. If I ever have an SOS situation, I'll be able to text back and forth with the rescue folks.

Recent RV.net on this topic: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28679851.cfm

SPOT personal locator. Normal communication is limited to a pre-set OK message, but it also has Help and Emergency notification.

We never worried about communications. Many times we did without for several weeks at a time. Still do, but less often since cell coverage is spreading out.

The cell reception at my favorite camping spot is way better than in my place. It is better than on Berkeley University campus.
The antenna sits on other side of the lake.

We get off grid alot and use Ham radio to chat with friends... Use FRS and CELL phones to keep track with wife. Use Verizon MIFI and WILSON SLEEK Cradle to use our tablets and computers - Even works when I got a fish hook in the water somewhere... Use OTA BAT Wing Antenna to pick up local HD BROADCAST channels from the local towns...

More COMMS then we need haha

Roy Ken

I usually rely on cell service and have an external cellular amplifier and antenna I can mount if I need more range. Although you may not be able to make a voice call, a text or email can usually trickle over a slow or unreliable connection.

Areas that are outside of cell range, I keep track of public facilities. Where is the closest connection to the rest of the world? SPOT service for emergencies is inexpensive insurance if you are far off the grid, but I'm seldom so remote that it is something I need. I have considered a mobile (25w or greater) 2m Ham radio for emergencies and as a hobby but don't have the spare time to get in to another hobby while still working full time.

Get your ham license. There's no place on this planet you can lose comms or find someone to help or just chat with..
And the places you talk about is exactly where allot of hams would like to be: away from man made noise that causes loss of reception.

I started using a Wilson Cell Phone Booster this past year. The side benefit is it helps with the signal for streaming for the occasional game when I'm otherwise out of range of towers.

Otherwise, I try to be very specific along with a map about where I'm camping and the route if I'm by myself which I avoid. In most of the Northwest where I camp, there are generally roads for fire fighting access even if there isn't anyone using them, so I try to avoid going off the roads. Seeing a few cars a day isn't really much of a problem for me and it's always a good idea to have a quick path away from fires.