Topic

New communication device


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) New communication device

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1319038
    Michael Gillenwater
    BPL Member

    @mwgillenwater

    Locale: Seattle area

    http://static.gotenna.com/

    Interesting technology and design. No need for satellite connection, although very limited range. Not sure how it would fare in a canyon or deep valley.

    Also, I would not want to rely on the "shout" function for a rescue, hoping someone is listening and gets word to the authorities.

    But it is nice to see new tech like this coming out that could be useful to hikers wanting or needing a connection. Recognizing that many of us are not fans of being connected in the backcountry. But also recognizing that some of us are married to others that are fans of their spouses staying connected in case of emergency.

    #2120558
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    This seems like a useful gadget… NOT!

    How do you spell Ponzi Scheme?

    –B.G.–

    #2120576
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    No, not (yet) a Ponzi scheme.

    Your mobile phone with Bluetooth functionality
    |
    Bluetooth signal
    |
    Radio relay unit (gotenna)
    |
    'Low frequency' radio comms (frequency unknown)
    |
    Another radio relay unit
    |
    Bluetooth signal
    |
    Another mobile phone with Bluetooth functionality

    FCC approval 'pending' – which means that right now the device is NOT approved. I would not touch it before they get that approval. Getting it is NOT guaranteed.

    In effect, what you are getting is the equivalent of a walki-talki radio set. And we know what sort of range they can be restricted to. Hey – yuppy territory!

    Caveat: all this is based on what I could read on their web site. The concept is technically feasible, although I am sure the range will be SMALL, as the antenna is very small. If the antenna was 50' of copper wire the range would be longer.

    Cheers

    #2120582
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    Don't forget – Michael also informed us the the Haglöfs sleeping bag award.

    No telling when sarcasm will be sneaking in.

    #2120588
    Michael Gillenwater
    BPL Member

    @mwgillenwater

    Locale: Seattle area

    Roger that was my thinking exactly. Nothing on their website indicated that if they didn't receive FCC approval that they would refund your money. But interesting concept if it works.

    #2120597
    Jonathan Shefftz
    BPL Member

    @jshefftz1

    Locale: Western Mass.

    A ponzi scheme is great for all the outside investors who get in early (and leave early).
    This by contrast is entirely worthless for notifying outside help in case of a backcountry emergency.
    All it does is allow your phone to be used for two-way MURS-band texting … and only with other goTenna users … and only within a short range:

    http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/07/17/gotenna-looks-like-pricey-cool-way-stay-connected-signal-available-now-pre-order/
    "Under normal circumstances, expect to be within a mile or two of someone instead."

    http://www.cnet.com/news/gotenna-creates-cell-network-out-of-thin-air-anywhere-on-earth/
    "[…] around 1 mile in skyscraper-filled urban areas, but up to 9 miles in most outdoor situations like hiking and camping. If you're climbing or, say, out skiing, it shoots from 9 miles to as high as 50 miles once you start ascending to higher elevations."

    https://www.yahoo.com/tech/gotenna-makes-smartphones-into-walkie-talkies-sort-of-91994621824.html
    "GoTenna says its devices will transmit up to three miles in the woods or eight miles over open water."

    http://www.fastcompany.com/3032791/most-creative-people/gotenna-lets-you-text-when-theres-no-service
    "Perdomo says in a city the low-frequency radio waves reach about a mile, but in an open field it can reach about 50 miles."

    http://www.examiner.com/article/gotenna-allows-you-to-send-texts-when-you-have-no-service
    "For example, at the top of a mountain, a GoTenna could find devices up to 50 miles away. But when in the center of a forest, it might only be able to reach three to four miles away."

    #2120603
    Ryan Smith
    BPL Member

    @violentgreen

    Locale: East TN

    "GoTenna says its devices will transmit up to three miles in the woods or eight miles over open water."

    That's also the range of a $5.00 whistle.

    Ryan

    #2120604
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    "GoTenna says its devices will transmit up to three miles in the woods or eight miles over open water."

    If the range reaches 50 yards, it has already met the claim. If the range reached over three miles or eight miles, then it would fail the claim. So, there is a low bar to pass.

    This product concept is total crap.

    –B.G.–

    #2120607
    Jonathan Shefftz
    BPL Member

    @jshefftz1

    Locale: Western Mass.

    Yes, one of my favorite pet peeves!
    (Like all those sales that are advertised as "up to X% off," i.e., the *maximum* discount is X%, the typical discount % is unspecified, and the minimum discount is probably nothing at all.)

    #2120630
    Jim Milstein
    Spectator

    @jimsubzero

    Locale: New Uraniborg CO

    I love to whistle.

    Did you know that on one of the Canary Islands, La Gomera, I think, they have a whistled dialect of Spanish used for long distance communication over rugged terrain? Their whistling is intelligible for miles.

    How cool is that? And no purchase necessary, no monthly fees, and no shlepping extra gear around. Oh, yeah, no batteries too. That's huge.

    #2120643
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades
    #2120952
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    I'll just get my son-in-law, a former FCCC Chief Technologist, to drop a word and get the approval "fast tracked", as they say.

    It will surely get approval if the term "Homeland Security" is mentioned along with "9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11".

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...