goTenna versus inReach SE

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.

Thanks

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.

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.