Results 1 to 10 of 85
-
19-05-2023, 19:39 #1
- Join Date
- Jul 2021
- Posts
- 462
Satellite Phones or alternative comms
Since we no longer have landlines and eskom is on one leg, what are the chances of communicating via cell phone towers should eskom's second leg buckle? I would assume that cell phone towers will be non operational as they run off electricity. Has anyone looked at alternatives such as satellite phones etc? What the thoughts and advice?
-
20-05-2023, 12:29 #2
- Join Date
- Sep 2021
- Posts
- 297
Re: Satellite Phones or alternative comms
Lots of farmers and community watch guys are still using Two Way Radios to communicate in their areas.
Might see the resurrection of CB Radios in SA soon.
Sent from my SM-F721B using Tapatalk
-
20-05-2023, 12:49 #3
- Join Date
- Oct 2013
- Location
- near pmb, kzn.
- Age
- 36
- Posts
- 2,495
-
20-05-2023, 13:32 #4
- Join Date
- Apr 2016
- Posts
- 48
Re: Satellite Phones or alternative comms
As a farmer, we have a pretty robust vhf radio system set up with a repeater. This enables the whole community to be able to communicate. It can reach out reliably20 or 30km. Beyond that you need to be line of site or on high ground.
The problem is communicating outside of that 30km bubble. Although many farming/ rural areas can communicate amongst themselves within their own bubble. It's not easy for different areas to be able to communicate with other areas. If that makes sense. This is partly due to different system setups and different frequency programming. I suspect sat phones may be the best for longer distances?
Just my 2c
Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk
-
20-05-2023, 14:13 #5
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Boland
- Posts
- 8,018
Re: Satellite Phones or alternative comms
If you can maintain a reliable internet connection then comms via platforms like WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram is quite reliable. Starlink is becoming operational so more reliable internet in remote areas should be available in the near future.
In the suburbs we've jokes that our cellphones have effectively become landlines again, just running through fibre internet. in my house I've only got reliable cell signal at one relatively inconvenient spot, but good WiFi throughout the house.
-
20-05-2023, 14:38 #6
- Join Date
- Aug 2009
- Location
- George - Western Cape
- Posts
- 2,158
-
20-05-2023, 14:55 #7
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Boland
- Posts
- 8,018
-
20-05-2023, 15:12 #8
- Join Date
- Oct 2013
- Location
- near pmb, kzn.
- Age
- 36
- Posts
- 2,495
-
20-05-2023, 15:45 #9
- Join Date
- Jul 2021
- Posts
- 462
Re: Satellite Phones or alternative comms
We also have a repeater for handhelds which runs pretty smooth in our area, problem is that it's only for responders/crime fighters.
I'm talking more about the options for communicating with family members who might not be living close enough to check up on them over a walkie talkie.
-
20-05-2023, 16:02 #10
- Join Date
- Oct 2017
- Location
- The Vaal Triangle
- Age
- 35
- Posts
- 3,139
Re: Satellite Phones or alternative comms
Imagine, 1950s style in person communication in the pending apocalypse, the sweet sounds of the birds chirping, dogs barking and SSG’s being racked, we dont have to imagine for much longer….
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bookmarks