Carrying Skis in a Single...

On 12-May-2006, "EridanMan" wrote:

Dual band phones are an absolute must if you want to get service
outside of any major metro area, just understand that in analog mode,
the phone will run out of juice VERY quickly, and in the western
wilderness, your chance of getting a signal is still relatively low...
So make sure not to leave the phone on for very long


The above is possibly misleading. In analog mode a cellphone will draw much
more power only in standby (idle) mode. In conversation mode (i.e. while
engaged in a call) the battery drain is about the same as in digital mode.
Since in the situation under discussion you would be using the cellphone to
call for help, there is no reason to leave it on when not in use



All nextel Iden Phones made in the past four years (starting with the
i88s and i730) have built in SiRF GPS chips that are capable of making
a stand-alone GPS fix... Something to remember if you or your
passengers happen to have one on you (and no other GPS equipment).
Granted, you'll still need some form of communication to transmit that
fix... but it is an option for _getting_ a fix


And virtually all CDMA phones have built-in "assisted GPS" technology that
allows the network to provide accurate location to the local 911 call
handling facility. That said, it's a good idea to be able to report your
position as accurately as possible.


-Elliott Drucker (MSEE, involved in wireless technology development for 27
years)