Cell reception

[Wayne Wells]

Is there any cell reception on the WW? Wondering if I can use my laptop in the outback. Google Earth, specifically.

[Walt]

I lose cell reception around Watsons Place. It depends on which cell service you have too, I used to have Nextel and it was stronger than my current AT&T.  One trick I have found is that I can send text messages even further south. You need to type your text message, hold your device over your head while standing on a high point (picnic table), and then press send ( It works). I've sent and received text as far south as Turkey Key.

[Ross Hancock]

You can pretty much surf the web in Florida Bay, with ATT at least, due to the cell tower at Flamingo, and the Keys towers. Probably south Whitewater is doable. I have called from as far out of Everglades City as Mormon Key, at night only. I like to txt in the bc, because a garbled phone message might sound to my family like a call for help, and a reassuring text will keep trying 'til it gets there---or not.

 

It would be better to load satellite maps into your lappy, then use a sextant to obtain and enter coordinates. Someone should make a waterproof book of satellite photos of the WW.

 

For $2 a night, the chickees should have free wifi, dammit.

[Keith W]

The story I got from Ranger Tim about the good cell reception in Flamingo is that a visiting Cingular exec was down on a fishing trip and complained about the lousy reception, and got an antenna installed. Cingular is now ATT. I'm with Verizon and for all the good that does me I just pack my cell in the truck console and that's where it stays while I'm out on the water.

"It would be better to load satellite maps into your lappy, then use a sextant to obtain and enter coordinates. Someone should make a waterproof book of satellite photos of the WW."

The online USGS store gives away free GeoPDF maps that interact with your GPS. You need to install the free TerraGo Toolbar which adds a plug-in to Adobe Reader that makes the connection to your GPS. I have never used it, so I can't vouch for how well it works. Personally, I go into the wilderness to get away from laptops and cell phones and such, but that's just me.

[Wayne Wells]

I love maps and have all the requisite waterproof maps of the area. I just see google earth as akin to Maps 4.0