Mobile service on the Chesapeake

Mike... · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:29 am Post subject: Mobile service on the Chesapeake

Hello everyone....

For those of you who spend time on the Chesapeake, which mobile phone services work on the water? I'll be mostly on the southern part of the bay, though I'm sure I venture up north as much as time allows. Smile

Thanks...
---
mike

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

Mike, depends on who your provider is. Coverage is generally pretty good though. We go out between Smith Point and Point Lookout, over to
Tangier Island and in that area.

Charlie

Mike... · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

Hello Charlie.

What's your service?

I have SprintNextel and it stops working as we head east toward the bay. By the time we get to Deltaville we have been out of service for 15 to 20 minutes.

Thanks...
---
mike

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:08 am Post subject:

I was in the Navy.... Oh, Embarassed

maybe you meant cell phone service... Laughing

I think it's ATT, now Verizon. It's a company phone.

Charlie

Adeline · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject:

EVDO MAPS could be a helpful tool for you.

Adeline · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry but after a quick search it appears there aren't any reports on the Chesapeake. I'd suggest that you check the available carriers websites. They usually publish coverage maps.

Mike... · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks to you both for the replies.

Unfortunately, the coverage maps of the various providers don't include waterways. However, it looks like Verizon has the best coverage around the bay. So I guess I'll have to go with them.

I am not a fan of Verizon. Sad

Thanks...
---
mike

Lucky Day · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject:

I have been completely satisfied with Verizon's wireless service (not their other products, though). No billing problems, etc. Their coverage along the East Coast has been excellent. The only area I can recall where their signal was weak was a particular portion of the mountains in north Georgia when I visited there. Around Maryland, DC, and Virginia its almost always 4 bars.

GaryPalsgrove · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

Mike
Cell phones are nice for making phone calls but please don't count on them for emergency or safety situations. As a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary I frequently remind folks of the following:
When you use a cell phone you either contact an answering machine or a single person. That person is most of the time on land. Cell phones need to be near a sending/receiving tower to work. Distance varies.
For safety or emergency situations use a VHF radio. If sent on channel 16 your message could be heard by fifty people or more and they are already on the water and quite possibly are familiar with your location. Also the Coast Guard is monitoring channel 16.
Keep the cell phone with you but don't count on it in an emergency.
Gary Palsgrove
Flotilla Commander
Flotilla 3-10
Callao, VA

Mike... · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

Hello Gary...

Thanks for the reply.

I totally agree. The cell phone, sadly, is a necessity for business reasons. Sad

Thanks...
---
mike