11
votes
Accepted
Garmin inReach vs. overcast sky
Iridium uses radio frequencies around 1.6 GHz or 18.75cm wavelength.
Atmospheric absorption at these frequencies is very low:
Clouds contain water droplets, though. So, let's have a look at rain ...
- 381
7
votes
Accepted
Find a trail camera I put in a backcountry area far from reliable cell phone coverage
There are a few methods possible:
Old school -
Find where you are on the map
Mark this location on the map
Another option - mark to your camera using temporary trail markers (day-glo paint, ...
- 11.3k
7
votes
Why isn't carrying a satellite phone considered best practice for hiking/mountaineering in remote regions?
There is one thing to bear in mind about making safety equipment mandatory and that is the effect of risk compensation. Basically it means whenever you make something safer, a certain group of people ...
- 7,850
6
votes
Why isn't carrying a satellite phone considered best practice for hiking/mountaineering in remote regions?
You can take a satellite phone if you want. But you can also decide to take the risk to go without one. Satellite phones cannot prevent all kinds of accidents, just like any technical equipment cannot ...
- 1,732
5
votes
How do I send a "test message" with a Garmin InReach Mini 2?
You can read how to test all their devices on their website.
For your Mini 2 specifically:
Power on the inReach.
Press OK.
Select Service Plan.
Select Test Service.
Press OK.
Press OK again to begin ...
- 4,073
5
votes
Accepted
Do Garmin InReach plans include unlimited incoming messages?
Incoming messages count against the limit of text messages.
Yes, any message sent back to your inReach device, including replies to preset messages, count against your monthly message allotment.
...
- 69.4k
5
votes
Dialing an emergency number in a foreign country using a satellite phone
Here is what I found for most countries,
If you have an Inmarsat satellite phone:
You will need to obtain the full international access code, country code, and phone number for the local ...
- 69.4k
4
votes
Can you use an Iridium phone with a SIM but with no active plan to place an emergency call?
I looked at some different plans and it looks like you could buy a prepaid plan and not activate it for up to 2 years. See the pricing here.
However that seems like the really expensive option.
...
- 69.4k
4
votes
Garmin inReach vs. overcast sky
I have an inReach and have used it in all sorts of conditions and terrain. Overcast weather is not a problem but a reflective tarp or deep canyons can be.
If a message fails to get through the device ...
- 69.4k
3
votes
Can you use an Iridium phone with a SIM but with no active plan to place an emergency call?
Iridium Sims
Iridium currently offer a very basic entry-level Emergency Plan for $25 a month, which suggests that you will not get any emergency facilities without an active plan.
You don't say what ...
- 11.8k
2
votes
Why isn't carrying a satellite phone considered best practice for hiking/mountaineering in remote regions?
That would be a mandate. We don't like those.
Telling people they must expend resources to exercise a right they do possess is generally not permitted, and certainly not politically acceptable. Saying ...
2
votes
Do Garmin satellite map devices allow me to feed them coordinates from a CSV or JSON file or similar?
You are supposed to be able to load custom points of interest onto Garmins from a PC. Here is a full set of instructions, though they may be rather dated.
Rather simpler is loading waypoints. On my ...
- 27k
1
vote
Do Garmin satellite map devices allow me to feed them coordinates from a CSV or JSON file or similar?
I have a Garmin Oregon, and while it is possible to load gpx files with custom points of interest using the Garmin Basecamp software (https://www.garmin.com/en-US/software/basecamp/), there are a ...
- 11
1
vote
Do Garmin satellite map devices allow me to feed them coordinates from a CSV or JSON file or similar?
Short answer: yes, and I do this with my Inreach Explorer+. Garmin supports GPX files, among other file types. I have a monthly charge because I wanted the messaging/SOS functionality.
It seems you ...
- 683
1
vote
Find a trail camera I put in a backcountry area far from reliable cell phone coverage
If I was going to leave an object in the backcountry I would use a GPS to record the location of the object and add a Tile tracker (I haven't checked if there are other similar devices) to what I was ...
- 2,334
1
vote
Accepted
Why isn't carrying a satellite phone considered best practice for hiking/mountaineering in remote regions?
OP has qualified his question to be specific for mountaineering, and has clarified to mean 'best practice' instead of 'required by law or guild'
In mountains many mishaps are close to instant, or are ...
- 12.1k
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