Cell phones in Gerlach?

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:24 pm

I'm working on my Playa Help page, and I'd like information on what cell providers there are in Gerlach. Anybody have firm information on that?

http://www.cieux.com/bm/playaHelp.html
If you see any errors or want to add something, let me know.

Token · Post by **Token** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:37 pm

Latest JRS, the health and safety issue.

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:45 pm

> If you have Nextel, AT&T or Verizon service, you'll be able to call
> 911 in case you need to report an emergency along parts of State
> Route 447, Gerlach or State Route 34.

Yeah, I've heard that before as I've sat in Bruno's and watched people get no dial tone. Which "part" of Gerlach gets service? :->

Anybody here have experience in calling on cell from Gerlach? Where on the highway? Specifics, if available, would be much appreciated.

Token · Post by **Token** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:56 pm

Last year I had full cell coverage on Playa for the 11 days I was there. AT&T iPhone.

I did use a 5W amplifier and 11dB antenna.

I doubt that helped much.

jofezasa · Post by **jofezasa** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:31 pm

I was talking on the phone with someone earlier today who was driving up 447 toward Gerlach for a good 25 minutes and it seemed pretty solid--we were both on AT & T and on iPhones--though there was one drop in the call.

Post by **Sham** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:42 pm

Probably not appropriate for this thread, but before there was cell service in Geralch and Empire, I used the payphones in town. Those booths are still there and are available should there be congested cell service. There used to be long lines there, but now with the cell service, the pay phones are rarely used.

For those unfamiliar, this is what people used before cell phones.

Playa Foot · Post by **Playa Foot** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 8:58 pm

I was near the site of Black Rock City in May and got a call on my Verizon phone. I understand the cell tower is on a peak somewhere around Empire. I also understand that there are not a lot of circuits available so the system will be full during Burning Man.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:03 pm

Even if the circuits are jammed with calls, you can normally send and receive text messages with reasonable reliability.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:06 pm

On the way in to the event last year I had full ATT bars at the gerlach water treatment facility. I made phone calls and sent text messages from the Wye where you turn on to hwy 34 right by the gerlach transfer station(dump). I don't know where service dropped off but on the way out I got a phone call about half way to the pavement in the exodus line. I was able to use the phone and data at will about a mile from the pavement in support of a broken down vehicle.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:09 pm

I called my wife from behind the new radio station the first weekend in June. We have sprint.
Shambala! You need to go into detail on how to use such a contraption: you know, the money slots, the dial

, the operator etc

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:43 am

Tmobile works fine till a few miles north of Gerlach

the towers are quite a few miles south of Empire.

I believe that AT&T gets priority when it gets clogged from too many attempts at once.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:59 am

Churchill County Communications-it is county owned but i think they are affliated with verizon. When i asked about service during BM, i was told that they have towers and customers up at Gerlach but service may be spotty on the playa. Not much help, sorry...

lexann77 · Post by **lexann77** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:58 am

I had a crappy at&t LG phone last year and got service at my camp. It was spotty but did what I needed.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:58 am

Many thanks, all. I'll continue to monitor.