goTenna versus inReach SE

[Keith Fultz]

I just saw some advertising regarding goTenna and was wondering if any BPL person has had any experience with it and how it compares to DeLorme inReach SE.

 

http://www.gotenna.com/

[Richard Nisley]

Keith,

Gotenna is a 2 watt RF transceiver with a transmission range of 2-6 miles. You can only text with another goTenna within the specified range.

Delorme InReach relays with satellites for world-wide range.

[Keith Fultz]

Thanks

 

[Richie S]

The tenna system relays as well doesn’t it – but until there was critical mass of the product?

InReach is fantastic. Just had a trip to the PNW where I was often out of cell phone range but could reassure my wife that all was ok. I know that’s not the dream of disconnecting but in the modern world people have got used to constant communication.

[Richard Nisley]

Richie,

You said, “The GoTenna system relays as well doesn’t it”?

No. There are products like FireChat and Serval Mesh, which operate through a wireless mesh network.

That’s something GoTenna can’t do because it uses the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) spectrum range of 151 – 154 MHz. The propagation characteristics of this frequency range are optimal for the application. The radio waves can turn corners; go over mountains; and they interact with matter well. The most common use of MURS spectrum is for short-distance, two-way communications using small, portable hand-held radios that function similar to walkie-talkies. FCC regulations prohibit anyone from using store and forward in this frequency range.

That means if you have three people with a GoTenna, and each person only has one other person in their range, you won’t be able to use the person in between as a relay to extend your range. But the GoTenna is more reliable in delivering messages and offers greater privacy than FireChat or Serval Mesh.

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