tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post3173253426235067380..comments2024-02-11T01:14:21.904-08:00Comments on SURVIVING IN ARGENTINA: Cell phones and SHTFFerFALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07578136334334588454noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post-9136020969082676552010-06-03T12:26:43.222-07:002010-06-03T12:26:43.222-07:00On 9/11, in NYC (and surrounding areas), the cell ...On 9/11, in NYC (and surrounding areas), the cell towers overheated - it was thermal failure, not lack of power, that prevented most people from communicating. This will not only prevent vox but sms (text) as well.<br /><br />In an TEOTWAWKI situation, your cell phone will likely be a useless brick.<br />In a SHTF regional disaster, it may or may not be useful - that said, be prepared, so carry one anyway, but have a contingency plan.Dustin Tarditihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05185882004859621578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post-11335388279003194732010-06-03T09:03:32.324-07:002010-06-03T09:03:32.324-07:00Some folks around here might not like it, but in m...Some folks around here might not like it, but in many African countries pay-as-you-go cell phone credit is the de facto currency, even for people with no cell phone.<br /><br />Kind of like cigarettes in prison. <br /><br />Unlike cigarettes in prison, or gold for that matter, cell phone credit derives its value from the fact that it is eminently useful. <br /><br />The folks in Africa have developed an elaborate Morse code-like system of one-ringers (as in: "two one-ringers in a row" means "I am running late but all is otherwise well" but three one-ringers, followed by a pause and then two more one-ringers means "I am in trouble come find me!" to avoid wasting valuable cell phone credit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post-52107027721838938252010-06-03T08:12:50.804-07:002010-06-03T08:12:50.804-07:00actually you don't need a license to own a tra...actually you don't need a license to own a transciever, only to transmit with it. And that restriction is removed in an emergency. Now, I'm not recommending you avoid the license; just that having the transceiver (such as a Kenwood TH-F6A with 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm FM transciever, and general coverage all-mode "DC to Daylight" receive) and listening is not restricted, at least in this country. Aside from being capable of receiving anything a shortwave receiver can, you have an emergency transmitter.Idahosernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post-21160413335070606032010-06-03T01:16:00.569-07:002010-06-03T01:16:00.569-07:00Like Charles, I don't put any faith in cell ph...Like Charles, I don't put any faith in cell phones working in a SHTF scenario, mild or severe.<br /><br />The network gets overloaded so easily.<br /><br />Much better to assume you will be cut off from cellular communications and plan accordingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post-68694745880882087962010-06-02T20:03:39.623-07:002010-06-02T20:03:39.623-07:00After a real SHTF event Cell phone and even landli...After a real SHTF event Cell phone and even landlines may well be useless. I am a Ham and belong to the Navy/Marine Corps MARS radio system. In the hours immedialetly after the 9/11 event. Many cell phones, landlines and internet were giving busy signals. All lines were overloaded from everyone calling. A lot of internet did not work because much of it is still dial-up and there were no lines available. Phones, both Cell and landlines, are designed to be used with a capacity of no more than 25% of the subscribers using the system at the same time. More than that and the system has no capacity and is "Busy". You even see this on holidays when you get a recording that says to "please call later, all circuits are busy"<br />During 9/11, many emergency workers could not use their cells because everone was calling home or whatever. The Government found contrary to prior thinking, that cells were a poor sustitute for dedicated radios. That is why some systems are aranging dedicated emergency worker phones so that during a disaster they can lockout John-Q-Public and not overload the system. In addition, huge amounts of the landline trunking systems for New York were routed through the basements of the World trade Center. And as mentioned, the internet has the weakness of some in the system still use dial-up. You may have wi-fi or cable, but the recipient may not. If you're on dial up and can't make a phone call, you also can't use the internet. For several hours after 9/11 in Ohio, both my landline and cell were constant busy signals. The High speed Internet (Cable) was horribly slow to almost frozen.<br />With cells, it's not just about power backup, it's about line capacity.<br />Charles in OhioAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8939666320943790100.post-59874549698187570532010-06-02T19:44:46.210-07:002010-06-02T19:44:46.210-07:00I second the iPhone 3G S...love it! Look for Apple...I second the iPhone 3G S...love it! Look for Apple to announce the 4G maybe as early as this month.Loyalistnoreply@blogger.com