cell phone reception
cell phone reception
we have a baby which we are leaving with grandma. So hard not to hear anything for a week. Any sweet spots on the playa to stay connected...or at the gate...or do we need to exit to make contact by phone....what about internet..laptop?? any feedback would be appreciated.
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EB
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:36 pm
- Burning Since: 2000
- Camp Name: Camp Obelix (2:45 & A)
- Contact:
Rent a satellite phone for the week.
Leaving the event is such a colossal pain in the ass that it's worth it to rent a phone and use it only in emergencies (or for one call to grandma.)
Otherwise, you're spending half a day buying shuttle tickets, changing back into normal clothes, riding the shuttle, waiting in line for the phone, etc.
For the time, money and effort you'll spend getting out to the playa, it's worth it to spend a few extra bucks for the phone (if you need it.) You might even go in with others to defray the costs.
As for WiFi, it's spotty at best. It's gifted by the community (read: not provided by the BM org) so you get what you pay for. Some people have success at Center Camp or near Playa Info. Also: because yahoos like to upload photos to their friends, the bandwith is usually pretty overloaded...
Leaving the event is such a colossal pain in the ass that it's worth it to rent a phone and use it only in emergencies (or for one call to grandma.)
Otherwise, you're spending half a day buying shuttle tickets, changing back into normal clothes, riding the shuttle, waiting in line for the phone, etc.
For the time, money and effort you'll spend getting out to the playa, it's worth it to spend a few extra bucks for the phone (if you need it.) You might even go in with others to defray the costs.
As for WiFi, it's spotty at best. It's gifted by the community (read: not provided by the BM org) so you get what you pay for. Some people have success at Center Camp or near Playa Info. Also: because yahoos like to upload photos to their friends, the bandwith is usually pretty overloaded...
Irony. You're soaking in it.
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CapSmashy
- Posts: 1917
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:29 pm
- Burning Since: 2007
- Camp Name: Terminal City://404 Village Not Found
- Location: Awesome Camp 2.0
We rented iridium satellight phones for last 3 years always works perfect.
google the satellightphonestore - best prices.
Do not buy the bundle of minutes, the smallest bundle is 60 min which is > $90.
Just make calls and pay later.
Also consider splitting the bill with campmates, everyone needs to call home
google the satellightphonestore - best prices.
Do not buy the bundle of minutes, the smallest bundle is 60 min which is > $90.
Just make calls and pay later.
Also consider splitting the bill with campmates, everyone needs to call home
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Marscrumbs
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:45 pm
- Location: Bishop Ca
From JRS a couple weeks ago....
If you are worried about an emergency...
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON-PLAYA FAQ
Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be
waiting for me?
A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central collection point
for emergency messages is Playa Info. While the Rangers, ESD, REMSA or
Law Enforcement *may* have the relevant information only Playa Info
services as the clearing house for all such messages.
Q: What if friends or family at home need to reach me for an emergency?
A: Unfortunately, given the nature of the event, finding a participant
on the playa is usually quite challenging. Cell phones don't work and
people don't generally have satellite phones. There is but limited
Internet access. Now add the fact that addresses on the playa are
inexact even if you _do_ know where you're camping ahead of time and
finding a person's camp can become very difficult. Preparation will
help you stay in touch in an emergency.
Q: How can friends or family send me a message?
A: Emergency messages should be sent to [email protected]. The
message will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who, if they have the
extra resources, will attempt to deliver it. We will also make the
message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting
bad news or anticipating emergency messages, you might want to plan to
check in there each day.
Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?
A: The message should include first and last name as well as any known
nickname that you might go by around camp. It should also include the
name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc.),
and its location if known, along with your vehicle make/license plate
and any other unique features that will help with the search (such as,
"camp has a 20 foot inflatable duck," etc.)
Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?
A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp
relocates, or nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your
camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20 foot inflatable
duck deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot
inflatable ducks, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Chris"
because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Captain
Underpants, Lord of the Duck People!" You get the picture.
In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there
is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an
emergency; it's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you
are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in
truly dire circumstances, you can take the bus into Gerlach to use the
pay phone there.
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON-PLAYA FAQ
Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be
waiting for me?
A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central collection point
for emergency messages is Playa Info. While the Rangers, ESD, REMSA or
Law Enforcement *may* have the relevant information only Playa Info
services as the clearing house for all such messages.
Q: What if friends or family at home need to reach me for an emergency?
A: Unfortunately, given the nature of the event, finding a participant
on the playa is usually quite challenging. Cell phones don't work and
people don't generally have satellite phones. There is but limited
Internet access. Now add the fact that addresses on the playa are
inexact even if you _do_ know where you're camping ahead of time and
finding a person's camp can become very difficult. Preparation will
help you stay in touch in an emergency.
Q: How can friends or family send me a message?
A: Emergency messages should be sent to [email protected]. The
message will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who, if they have the
extra resources, will attempt to deliver it. We will also make the
message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting
bad news or anticipating emergency messages, you might want to plan to
check in there each day.
Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?
A: The message should include first and last name as well as any known
nickname that you might go by around camp. It should also include the
name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc.),
and its location if known, along with your vehicle make/license plate
and any other unique features that will help with the search (such as,
"camp has a 20 foot inflatable duck," etc.)
Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?
A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp
relocates, or nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your
camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20 foot inflatable
duck deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot
inflatable ducks, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Chris"
because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Captain
Underpants, Lord of the Duck People!" You get the picture.
In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there
is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an
emergency; it's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you
are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in
truly dire circumstances, you can take the bus into Gerlach to use the
pay phone there.
From JRS a couple weeks ago....
If you are worried about an emergency...
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON-PLAYA FAQ
Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be
waiting for me?
A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central collection point
for emergency messages is Playa Info. While the Rangers, ESD, REMSA or
Law Enforcement *may* have the relevant information only Playa Info
services as the clearing house for all such messages.
Q: What if friends or family at home need to reach me for an emergency?
A: Unfortunately, given the nature of the event, finding a participant
on the playa is usually quite challenging. Cell phones don't work and
people don't generally have satellite phones. There is but limited
Internet access. Now add the fact that addresses on the playa are
inexact even if you _do_ know where you're camping ahead of time and
finding a person's camp can become very difficult. Preparation will
help you stay in touch in an emergency.
Q: How can friends or family send me a message?
A: Emergency messages should be sent to [email protected]. The
message will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who, if they have the
extra resources, will attempt to deliver it. We will also make the
message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting
bad news or anticipating emergency messages, you might want to plan to
check in there each day.
Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?
A: The message should include first and last name as well as any known
nickname that you might go by around camp. It should also include the
name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc.),
and its location if known, along with your vehicle make/license plate
and any other unique features that will help with the search (such as,
"camp has a 20 foot inflatable duck," etc.)
Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?
A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp
relocates, or nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your
camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20 foot inflatable
duck deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot
inflatable ducks, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Chris"
because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Captain
Underpants, Lord of the Duck People!" You get the picture.
In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there
is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an
emergency; it's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you
are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in
truly dire circumstances, you can take the bus into Gerlach to use the
pay phone there.
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON-PLAYA FAQ
Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be
waiting for me?
A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central collection point
for emergency messages is Playa Info. While the Rangers, ESD, REMSA or
Law Enforcement *may* have the relevant information only Playa Info
services as the clearing house for all such messages.
Q: What if friends or family at home need to reach me for an emergency?
A: Unfortunately, given the nature of the event, finding a participant
on the playa is usually quite challenging. Cell phones don't work and
people don't generally have satellite phones. There is but limited
Internet access. Now add the fact that addresses on the playa are
inexact even if you _do_ know where you're camping ahead of time and
finding a person's camp can become very difficult. Preparation will
help you stay in touch in an emergency.
Q: How can friends or family send me a message?
A: Emergency messages should be sent to [email protected]. The
message will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who, if they have the
extra resources, will attempt to deliver it. We will also make the
message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting
bad news or anticipating emergency messages, you might want to plan to
check in there each day.
Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?
A: The message should include first and last name as well as any known
nickname that you might go by around camp. It should also include the
name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc.),
and its location if known, along with your vehicle make/license plate
and any other unique features that will help with the search (such as,
"camp has a 20 foot inflatable duck," etc.)
Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?
A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp
relocates, or nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your
camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20 foot inflatable
duck deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot
inflatable ducks, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Chris"
because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Captain
Underpants, Lord of the Duck People!" You get the picture.
In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there
is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an
emergency; it's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you
are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in
truly dire circumstances, you can take the bus into Gerlach to use the
pay phone there.
From JRS a couple weeks ago....
If you are worried about an emergency...
Here is helpful information from a JRS a couple weeks ago.
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON-PLAYA FAQ
Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be
waiting for me?
A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central collection point
for emergency messages is Playa Info. While the Rangers, ESD, REMSA or
Law Enforcement *may* have the relevant information only Playa Info
services as the clearing house for all such messages.
Q: What if friends or family at home need to reach me for an emergency?
A: Unfortunately, given the nature of the event, finding a participant
on the playa is usually quite challenging. Cell phones don't work and
people don't generally have satellite phones. There is but limited
Internet access. Now add the fact that addresses on the playa are
inexact even if you _do_ know where you're camping ahead of time and
finding a person's camp can become very difficult. Preparation will
help you stay in touch in an emergency.
Q: How can friends or family send me a message?
A: Emergency messages should be sent to [email protected]. The
message will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who, if they have the
extra resources, will attempt to deliver it. We will also make the
message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting
bad news or anticipating emergency messages, you might want to plan to
check in there each day.
Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?
A: The message should include first and last name as well as any known
nickname that you might go by around camp. It should also include the
name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc.),
and its location if known, along with your vehicle make/license plate
and any other unique features that will help with the search (such as,
"camp has a 20 foot inflatable duck," etc.)
Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?
A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp
relocates, or nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your
camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20 foot inflatable
duck deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot
inflatable ducks, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Chris"
because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Captain
Underpants, Lord of the Duck People!" You get the picture.
In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there
is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an
emergency; it's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you
are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in
truly dire circumstances, you can take the bus into Gerlach to use the
pay phone there.
Here is helpful information from a JRS a couple weeks ago.
EMERGENCY CONTACT ON-PLAYA FAQ
Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be
waiting for me?
A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central collection point
for emergency messages is Playa Info. While the Rangers, ESD, REMSA or
Law Enforcement *may* have the relevant information only Playa Info
services as the clearing house for all such messages.
Q: What if friends or family at home need to reach me for an emergency?
A: Unfortunately, given the nature of the event, finding a participant
on the playa is usually quite challenging. Cell phones don't work and
people don't generally have satellite phones. There is but limited
Internet access. Now add the fact that addresses on the playa are
inexact even if you _do_ know where you're camping ahead of time and
finding a person's camp can become very difficult. Preparation will
help you stay in touch in an emergency.
Q: How can friends or family send me a message?
A: Emergency messages should be sent to [email protected]. The
message will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who, if they have the
extra resources, will attempt to deliver it. We will also make the
message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting
bad news or anticipating emergency messages, you might want to plan to
check in there each day.
Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?
A: The message should include first and last name as well as any known
nickname that you might go by around camp. It should also include the
name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc.),
and its location if known, along with your vehicle make/license plate
and any other unique features that will help with the search (such as,
"camp has a 20 foot inflatable duck," etc.)
Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?
A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp
relocates, or nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your
camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20 foot inflatable
duck deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot
inflatable ducks, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Chris"
because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Captain
Underpants, Lord of the Duck People!" You get the picture.
In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there
is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an
emergency; it's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you
are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in
truly dire circumstances, you can take the bus into Gerlach to use the
pay phone there.
My understanding from several Web sites is that the GlobalStar system of satellites is failing and that the connection rate to make and receive calls is as low as 30%. The reason given is that the satellites were not properly shielded from radiation, and the electronics have failed as a result. Iridium is working.
I have not used satellite phones at Burning Man, but Louise and I have rented them on camping trips to Death Valley. Satphones are definitely not cell phones, there is a lag time as the signals travel up to the satellite and back, and we've had dropped connections, which is aggravating. Your mileage will vary.
We have a list of some companies that rent satphones at
http://delicious.com/philip/satphone
with llnks and some charges, although the rates may have changed.
If you decide to rent a phone, go through whatever worksheets the companies provide to get a handle on what the total charge will be. Some offer free shipping at higher rental. Some make more money off what they charge to ship than they do off the rent. Some don't charge for shipping time, some count that as part of your days. Per minute rates for the phone calls (you may pay for both outgoing and incoming, and if you are called, you caller will pay whatever toll her company charges if the area code is different) vary widely.
I have found in some cases that the higher quoted weekly rate ended up being cheaper than low weekly rates because of shipping charges and differences in how days were counted.
It's getting late in the game to make a rental -- paying for expedited shipping so you get the phone costs even more for standard shipping, and you don't want to phone delivered the day you've left, laying on your porch while you're at the Burn.
I have not used satellite phones at Burning Man, but Louise and I have rented them on camping trips to Death Valley. Satphones are definitely not cell phones, there is a lag time as the signals travel up to the satellite and back, and we've had dropped connections, which is aggravating. Your mileage will vary.
We have a list of some companies that rent satphones at
http://delicious.com/philip/satphone
with llnks and some charges, although the rates may have changed.
If you decide to rent a phone, go through whatever worksheets the companies provide to get a handle on what the total charge will be. Some offer free shipping at higher rental. Some make more money off what they charge to ship than they do off the rent. Some don't charge for shipping time, some count that as part of your days. Per minute rates for the phone calls (you may pay for both outgoing and incoming, and if you are called, you caller will pay whatever toll her company charges if the area code is different) vary widely.
I have found in some cases that the higher quoted weekly rate ended up being cheaper than low weekly rates because of shipping charges and differences in how days were counted.
It's getting late in the game to make a rental -- paying for expedited shipping so you get the phone costs even more for standard shipping, and you don't want to phone delivered the day you've left, laying on your porch while you're at the Burn.
Galitaumi, some of these people are just jerking you around. Installation of the last cell phone tower was completed Friday (15 Aug 2008). All is up and running.
Don't worry, AT&T, Verizon and Singular are collaborating together to absorb the cost of the remote tower placement. It'll be OK?
OK?
Don't worry, AT&T, Verizon and Singular are collaborating together to absorb the cost of the remote tower placement. It'll be OK?
OK?
Desert dogs drink deep.
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AKAparttime
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:54 am
- Burning Since: 2002
- Camp Name: some times Outpost Tokyo
- Location: Kua Hawaii
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poisenloaf
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 5:32 pm
- Location: San Diego, CA
[quote="Badger"]Galitaumi, some of these people are just jerking you around. Installation of the last cell phone tower was completed Friday (15 Aug 2008). All is up and running.
Don't worry, AT&T, Verizon and Singular are collaborating together to absorb the cost of the remote tower placement. It'll be OK?
OK?[/quote]
This is news! So to confirm, there is now cell coverage on the playa?
Don't worry, AT&T, Verizon and Singular are collaborating together to absorb the cost of the remote tower placement. It'll be OK?
OK?[/quote]
This is news! So to confirm, there is now cell coverage on the playa?
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ragabashpup
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:27 pm
- Location: Suck It!
There is Nextel service in Gerlach and I had hoped that it might reach the outter edge of the playa. There is a mountain in between, so I am pretty sure that it will not work anywhere in BRC. If you bring a Nextel phone, you can use it in Gerlach for both direct connect and phone service----but why the hell would you want to?
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poisenloaf
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 5:32 pm
- Location: San Diego, CA
