communicate with your cellphone in times of disaster

[timsatx]

I actually ran across this while reading a book called "Cyberstorm". In times of emergency, when the cell towers might be down, and for communication over a short distance, you might be able to use your phone's wifi to communicate with other. This particular app is called The Serval Mesh. It uses a mesh network. You can read up on it to learn more.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.servalproject&hl=en

[timsatx]

Oops. I meant to post this elsewhere. Feel free to move it.

[VirginiaJim]

Seems ok here...

[Conrad]

Cool but I have a dumb phone, no wifi. 

[Gumby]

To bad it is currently only for Android phones. 

[Rhino]

I don't quite get it. Even with 10x WiFi range extender, the range would still be very limited. How would this allow you to communicate in the middle of the outback? Interesting concept and something to keep an eye on.

[stevewfl]

the only ones who may be using the same app might be the zombies 

[Conrad]

Synopsis:


Artist Clayton Riddell had been in Boston negotiating a successful deal to sell his comic book project.  His joy at finally hitting it big is shattered by an event called The Pulse which causes all those who were using their cell phones at the time of The Pulse to become zombies attacking and killing anyone in their way.  Fortunately for Clay, he does not own a cell phone.  In the panic to get out of Boston and find his way home to his wife and son in Maine, he is joined by Tom McCourt, a man he meets in the meleé immediately following The Pulse and a young girl, Alice, who they rescue from being killed by one of the “crazies.”  The story follows their terrifying journey, avoiding capture—and worse—by the “crazies” who are beginning to “flock” and are led by one they call Raggedy Man as they attempt to reach Maine and a place called Kashwak which they hope will be their salvation.

[Rhino]

Don't worry, your KIPASS FOB will protect you from zombies.

[Outback_Jon]

I don't quite get it. Even with 10x WiFi range extender, the range would still be very limited.

Yeah, you'd still be within shouting distance.  Although if the zombies are attracted to sound, I can see how this would be a disadvantage.   

And if the disaster has the cell phones down, you aren't going to have power for your phone for long, either.

I'll stick with my ham radio.

[Rhino]

Yeah, you'd still be within shouting distance.  Although if the zombies are attracted to sound, I can see how this would be a disadvantage.   

And if the disaster has the cell phones down, you aren't going to have power for your phone for long, either.

I'll stick with my ham radio.

But cell phones can be charged solar or by generators.
http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?utm_source=bingshopping&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_campaign=default&r=bingfeed&pcode=404220

I could see this possibly working in high density areas with lots of cell phones in WiFi distance from each other. But that is exactly the areas I would avoid in a disaster. I also agree ham radio would be much more practical due to long range.

[Locksmith]

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[Rhino]

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So what does CQDEVA7RX mean?

[stevewfl]

Don't worry, your KIPASS FOB will protect you from zombies.

 

[timsatx]

I still need to get my ham license, then get me a portable unit.

[Outback_Jon]

So what does CQ DE VA7RX mean?

Basically, "Hello, this is VA7RX."  VA7RX would be his callsign. 

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[Rhino]

Basically, "Hello, this is VA7RX."  VA7RX would be his callsign. 

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Thanks, thought it was something like that. I remember the "CQ" part from the ham radio scene in the movie "Contact".