From FEMA - if power goes out, use text/email, not voice

[Ruby the Liberal]

Just caught this on the TV. They are saying that voice calls over cell networks use WAY more bandwidth than data, so if you can't get a connection, your text/data will not only likely still work, but be a much better option. For what thats worth!

(So why do they charge an arm and a leg for data plans? Question for another day, I guess...)

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Text goes over G-2 even G-1 networks

Voice over G-3 and 4

Voice is data intensive, text is ASCII and just zeroes and ones.

I hope that made sense

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. My cellular modem connects through the 4G network?

I know this because connection can be spotty in places, and it tells me if it is connected EVO.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Yup, but the other nets are still there in background.

They charge through the nose for the least expensive part of the packet, texts.

[Ruby the Liberal]

20. How very Bainistic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Yup, why we needed to go for two unlimited lines.

[virgogal]

2. Also have a landline here. No problem.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. Best option of all.

Especially if you have one that isn't electric-powered or needs VOIP/Cable.

Second bad storm in 2 years (Irene). It may be worth looking into a cheap landline connection if this "what climate change" weather keeps up.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Why every time I think ...cancel land line

I don't.

[Samjm]

6. Yes

I can vouch for the text over voice thing. Many spots in the mountains here have almost non-existant cell coverage. When we're out camping or whatever, I can often still send and receive texts while I can not get any signal for voice.

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Thank you.

This was the first I have heard of this. Confirmation is great!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

7. This is good advice, and some might not think of it otherwise.

Thanks for sharing.

[Ruby the Liberal]

14. I would have never thought to even try.

Always thought data was more intermittent than voice!? Or maybe thats just a normal Monday with my cell connection.

[gkhouston]

9. True. After Ike, our landline was dead (poles down) but we still had cell service.

Usually got a busy signal if we tried to place a voice call, but texting always worked, so we just asked relatives who text to update the ones who don't.

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. More confirmation.

Have I been living under a rock? I would have never thought to even try data if I couldn't get a voice signal.

[gkhouston]

15. I thought of it because you can often get email through when the voice lines are too busy.

Discovered that one after the Loma Prieta quake when some friends out there emailed us because all the long distance lines were tied up. Used it on 9/11, to good effect.

[BattyDem]

10. Thanks ... I didn't know that.

Earlier, I had to dig out a corded phone from the closet. Our landline uses cordless phones, so if the power goes out, they won't work because the base won't be powered. Trying to prepare for every possibility is very exhausting!

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Heh. Tell me about it.

Calls all over the place today:

"Did you remember to fill your tub?"

"Do you still have grandad's laptops - can you put them on their chargers in case we need them"

"What band on this solar/crank radio (still in the box from the week after Irene) gets me NOAA?"

[gkhouston]

16. It doesn't matter. During a disaster, there should be at least one ordinary radio

station broadcasting anything they need to know. They can go up and down the dial 'til they find one.

[Ruby the Liberal]

17. That one was from my Aunt in Maryland.

I googled up all of the FM/AM stations in her area for her and sent her a list to print out and keep by her radio, along with the NOAA station listings.

Thinking the scare is that Irene blew through the corridor in a few hours, where Sandy is looking to just spin slowly over the region. Seems people I have talked with are more concerned about extended power outages this time than last year.

[gkhouston]

18. The ones that creep and stall are the most dangerous, IMO. n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

19. True that.

I was in Cancun one year when a minor Cat 3 came in and spun over the city for 3 solid days. Beat anything I ever experienced in all my years living in Florida and dealing with those storms. I would take a fast moving high Cat storm over a sit-n-spin lower intensity one any day.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. We will add that crank radio

To the fire response kit....charging phones in the field, also for evacuees if need be.

[Ruby the Liberal]

23. The one I have doesn't charge anything.

I wish I knew that was an option when I bought it a few years ago. The capability to charge a cell phone off the radio would be incredible. I know now that they make them - should have done some more research back then.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Somewhat recent and not cheap.

[gkhouston]

25. I'm going to get one of these, as I already have a crank radio/light (which is awesome).

http://www.sosready.com/products/hand-crank-cell-phone-charger-flashlight

[KharmaTrain]

26. Cell Towers Will Be Useless...

Between the heavy winds and power outages...few cell sites have auxilary power. The few cells that remain operational will be overloaded. I strongly suggest to have an old-fashioned phone on hand...one that doesn't rely on household power. I wouldn't rely on cellphones as the sole form of communications if you're stranded for several days...