No mobile signal, how we rely on it, and other methods?

[ericmark]

I had a holiday to the North East, not my normal area, and while there went to visit the Beamish museum, and I never even considered that I may loose touch with my wife.

Hired two mobility scooters, very good service, but half way through wife went ahead, and some how I missed where she had turned off, only then did I realise no google maps, no whats app, and no telephone. Did not expect a place with so many visitors not to have mobile phone coverage.

So what is the alternative? We could not travel abreast and she did not know I had lost sight of her. In future likely use PMR 466 radios, but they are bulky even if light. CB's far too heavy to carry around, but Beamish is rather a large area, I know I have tested PMR 466 in Shotton and could talk about half way to Chester, so around 4 miles, but one was high up, and we did get a problem with other users, they have the option of a tone squelch so other users are completely unaware there are other users of the channel.

I have 2 x PMR 466 and a ham band radio which can also get the same channels, but wondered what others do to keep in touch where phones don't work?

 

[Mottie]

wondered what others do to keep in touch where phones don't work?

Don’t go out of sight of each other? Shout? Agree a meet up place if you are split up?

 

[ericmark]

Don’t go out of sight of each other? Shout? Agree a meet up place if you are split up?

That was the idea, and since sitting on mobility scooters which could not be taken into buildings, thought I would spot her when I caught up. I managed to pass her, but then had no idea which direction to go to find her.

Been married 51 years, and still manage to loose her some times.

 

[DIYSOS2018]

Being honest, as soon as I read you lost the wife I struggled to work out what the problem is? More so after 51 years?

 

[jurassic sparkk]

but wondered what others do to keep in touch where phones don't work?

Walkie talkie? Public library?

 

[Wayners]

Walkie Talkies for Adults Long Range Two Way Radios - PMR Walky Talky VOX Easy to Use 5km with Flashlight https://amzn.eu/d/dM90cTs

 

[ericmark]

I did say I have 2 PMR 466 radios, seems they are best option then. Just wondered if any other options. Bit late now to get my wife licenced, so has to be radios not needing a licence.

 

[securespark]

FWIW, I would go with PMRs too.

 

[ericmark]

I never even considered in the North East the mobile phone would not work, here in Wales yes, but Bemish is not in what one would consider as a hilly area, so had not packed the PMR 466 radios. We got them for use with push bikes, idea was one could here about a problem without stopping and answering, so one would know if one could continue to crest of a rise before stopping.

Channels 1 to 8 have been set to same tone squelch as local railway, the last 8 are not, but select a channel near centre and rare to get some one else using it. I also have some old CB handy's, but these are rather large compared with the PMR 466. Also have 2 meter and 70 cm but wife not licenced.

But there are new things coming out all the time, so thought worth asking what is around today.

 

[bernardgreen]

My vote is also for PMR.

Just remember they are open channel and therefore avoid passing any confidential information.