Bear Island for Eight Months.

[Swamp Hunter]

  There has been some recent discussion about going into the swamps in the Summer. Well I have been camping in the Big Cypress for over 35 years every August and September to prepare for archery season. In my opinion these 2 months are the worst. The only relief is the heavy rains. 

I no longer bow hunt and I dont use a tent much anymore.  I am camping/living in my 13 foot Scotty at Bear Island for eight months for my work. Thats 8 months in paradise folks! Here are a few pics of my little antique camper at the campsite 7 miles in from the gate pictured at the end of Turner River Road.. I need to make some shade. 

[Terry Heaps]

Dale, if you like to dabble a little bit try downloading the app for your phone called "RF Signal Tracker".  I have it on Android, I am sure it is available on Apple as well.  There are different screens in it that allow you to see the carrier information on the cell signal being broadcast in your area, as well as the strength, type of cell service, visual mapping and a myriad of other techy info.  

Not sure how bad you would want to have Internet but you might be able to set up a cell signal booster unit and just leave it unplugged when not in use.  Have no idea what the power draw is on them but if it was only plugged in when you wanted to go online, it might be something to consider. Wilson Cell Phone Signal Amplifiers 

These are the RV specific units: RV Units

[Swamp Hunter]

I want internet bad as I cant seem to live without it. I try to drive to town once a month at least and Im in Fort Lauderdale now doing laundry and shopping and hoping to have time for an x-ray on what appears to be a broken foot. This is not good for hiking.

 I have a Cricket Android phone. I have tried Sprint, Metro, AT&T, Tracfone, and T-Mobile and I cant get a signal at camp.  I may try Verizon. Thanks much for the tip Terry. I will certainly try it. I also thought about a booster but they are pricey. Will it help the 4G signal or just the phone? ...or both? Im not worried about the power draw. If you look in the picture you will see a post where I actually have an electric line and I also have a well for water. So Im not exactly roughing it and I no longer have to bath in the swamp lol.  I dont have water or electric at the check station however but the solar panel with an inverter works well.  My employer treats me well and Im getting another ATV today.

I may be able to post a utube video here of my deer experiments but I cant send a good quality video to my email and I cant seem to direct connect my phone to my PC..

[Terry Heaps]

Dale, I am not a living example of using a booster but I believe it will draw in a weak signal, amplify it and rebroadcast it your surrounding area, in your case, your camper or campsite.  Have you ever read the rv.net forums?  Here is a link to their Technology Forum and you'll notice Cell Phone Internet is a "Sticky Thread" that is 9 years old and 75 pages long. Cell Phone Internet ~ the oldest postings are first so you may want to fast forward to later years...  I have used PdaNet+ to tether my laptop to my Android and it has worked great.  You can download it at Google Play.  I cannot remember if it is still free or if there is a onetime fee for it, if there is, it is worth it if you can get a signal to your camper.  BUT if you have NO signal, that might be another story....

Where is your check station?  Back out by the gate?  I haven't been up that road in years.  Where the road to the campgrounds turns off Turner River Road?

[Swamp Hunter]

Yes the check station is at the north end of Turner River Road before the campground. I camp about 4 miles north. I use an ATV to get to work where I sometimes encounter panthers at nite on my way home. One particular large cat refused to get off the road and forced me to stop..  I only work Thurs 5am-9pm, Friday 5am-9pm and Sat afternoons at the BI check station unless my schedule changes.

If I walk around on a clear nite, I can get a weak signal.

[Terry Heaps]

I am pretty sure if you get a weak signal, that a Wilson amplifier would help you.  Then the PdaNet app, would let you tether your phone to your PC, depending on your carrier and data plan....i.e., if you would turn on Pandora and listen to music a lot, you burn a lot of data.... I have Sprint unlimited everything, so it doesn't matter.  Your mileage may vary.....

[Swamp Hunter]

Can you see the doe and fawn in the sawgrass?   Zoom in to see better.

[yakmaster]

SWEET!

[Swamp Hunter]

Fawn on the left, mother on the right. The fawn is actually a 6-7 month old yearling. They say a fawn has a 92 percent chance of survival if it makes 6 months.