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jnd1959 · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:07 pm Post subject: phone service on PINS

I am wondering what to take for communication on PINS. Is there Cell phone coverage to East Cut (I have ATT)? If not, what does everyone reccomend for emergencies? I've thought about a marine VHF or a spot. Thanks for the help.

Pablo · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 344

My phone is a pos...But works in the 50's, probably because of the SPI/Harlingen towers.
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Smack-Attack35 · Guest

Mansfield jetties are your best bet. Did breakdow once in the 40s two years ago where we crawled up in the dunes and maganed to get one bar... (Had AT&T)

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

With my phone and sprint, I have signal from blacktop to about the 5mm....it cuts out, then picks up at about the 25 on the dunes.....spotty from there to the jetty, once there, full signal
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jnd1959 · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info. I guess I will take a marine radio along. That would probably reach port Mansfield. I need one for the yak anyway. I have a signal booster in the truck but I don't think it works with the newer service. I have an app called open signal that I have used before to locate towers. I find if you have a weak signal it can at least tell which direction the tower is. Thanks again for the help.

justletmein · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 6:24 am Post subject:

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

SaltyCuda · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:59 am Post subject:

Satelite Phone is really the only sure bet and it aint cheap.

There is an AT&T site in Port Mansfield and Alazon Bay however the distances to the island are stretching Cellular to it's max.

Just sayin, and I probably don't know nothin about wireless comms.

Bluffer · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:32 am Post subject:

Mine (sprint) has worked at Y/pass by the water for awhile at times (didnt last)
Another tip, as soon as u leave the blacktop u might as well just turn your phone off. Otherwise it will keep searching for a signal the whole time and run your battery down quick.
Then when you get back to the pavement you have no battery pwr. Crying or Very sad

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jnd1959 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 3:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the responses. I am checking with Digital Antanna to see if the repeater unit I have will work with the 4g phones on some level. If so, it will add about 20 miles to the coverage. That should boost the port mansfield tower some. It only works in my car, though, so may have to get around the dunes somehow. I appreciate the help very much. I know I am going to have about 50 more questions between now and October. Living 7 hours from PINS, I don't get to come down as often as I would like so planning becomes important. If the repeater does work, I'll post my results after the trip so everyone can know. I would expect that if it works for ATT it will work for the others as ATT appears to have the least number of towers in the area.

gpmike02 · Finger Mullet Joined: 29 Oct 2010 Posts: 15

I use a Wilson cell booster when I'm out in the field for work. You should look into them. Mine has saved me a few times

jnd1959 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks, I will look into it.

Crash · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 11:10 am Post subject:

Oil Field here....I do remote communications and we put those Willsons on all our trucks and there is no place I cant go and get cell service....worth every penny....
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Me and DR fishing Pita Island November 2010