I hope this isn't too off topic, but is there anything similar but for networked devices? For example, something for IOT devices to talk to each other minus the internet.
Actual Wi-Fi access point, Ad-Hoc WiFi, WiFi mesh, Bluetooth
Beartooth
41–50 of 152 posts
Re: Beartooth
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think 2 miles is a good travel distance. (or maybe it is from a technical perspective but not from a practical one). That would assume lots of users which I feel can be problematic with a $399 price range and big form factor.
I've been trying to solve an issue similar to what Beartooth is doing, and 2 miles is amazing range. Bear in mind, these aren't huge towers hundreds of feet above the ground with 50kWh power sources and million dollar price tags, they're battery-powered, handheld, and consumer-priced. And cell towers with all the advantages listed only travel less than 20 miles. 2 miles with those limitations is a great distance. I t…
2 miles is amazing range. Bear in mind, these aren't
huge towers hundreds of feet above the ground with
50kWh power sources and million dollar price tags,
they're battery-powered, handheld, and consumer-priced
Of course, the antenna was 44 feet long, and he was transmitting at 1.46 baud, using WSPR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSPR_%28amateur_radio_software...
As Shannon proved in the 40s, you can get great range if you can sacrifice bandwidth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noisy-channel_coding_theorem
Re: Beartooth
#43As with any smartphone product being marketed for use in wilderness environments, a note of caution is necessary. Rescue services have seen an increasing number of life-threatening situations caused by the unwise use of smartphones. Phones aren't sufficiently rugged and often lack user-replaceable batteries, so cannot be relied upon as a navigation tool or as a means of emergency communication. If you're considering…
+1 on everything you just said. A dedicated radio (FRS, GMRS, MURS, or amateur VHF) -- along with GPS and other survival gear -- is essential in the backcountry. Carry a cell phone, but don't rely on it. I see folks doing that far too often.
That said: Having just done some research on distress beacons, I just want to point out that there's some better options than SPOT beacons out there.
The problem with SPOT is that they're entirely reliant on GPS and having a clear view of the southern sky. If either of those aren't met, your SOS message might not go through properly. Since folks often buy these for life-and-death situations, this is a problem.
I'd recommend an actual 406 MHz PLB (personal locator beacon). The big benefit is that these are triply redundant: GPS via geostationary satellites, doppler shift triangulation via low-earth orbit satellites, and old-fashioned direction finding on the 121.5 aircraft distress frequency.
As an added bonus, since the PLB network is run by an international government organization (COSPAS-SARSAT), there's no subscription fees either. It would be unfortunate if you didn't get rescued because you forgot to pay a bill.
The only downside is that you don't get breadcrumbs or non-emergency text messaging. I think SPOT (and the Iridium-based InReach devices -- which seem to have better coverage btw) make great satellite communicators for this purpose. I just don't think they're good emergency beacon replacements.
Re: Beartooth
#44As with any smartphone product being marketed for use in wilderness environments, a note of caution is necessary. Rescue services have seen an increasing number of life-threatening situations caused by the unwise use of smartphones. Phones aren't sufficiently rugged and often lack user-replaceable batteries, so cannot be relied upon as a navigation tool or as a means of emergency communication. If you're considering…
I agree it's foolish to do a dangerous trip with just one navigation method. But that doesn't mean your phone isn't a good tool, or that we'd have less emergencies if they didn't exist.
I develop an app called Gaia GPS, which a vast array of backpackers, wildland firefighters, and SAR use as a tool to navigate in the woods. They use battery packs and rugged/insulating cases with their iPhone and Android devices to make them durable and long-lasting.
Even if you are a master orienteer who knows how to use a compass and a map with great skill, there are situations where you will be safer to have a GPS along too (either a smartphone or standalone unit). Situations like I have been in, where there is so much snow coming down, that you can't see the trail you're following or cutting, much less peaks or other landmarks.
In some situations, map skills and reckoning may get you home, but seeing yourself clearly marked on a map will make you safer too. People shouldn't fear GPS devices or phones as tools for survival and navigation.
p.s. This comment is FUD and based on anecdotes from two articles about Scotland.
Re: Beartooth
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
Try buying a bunch of two ways on amazon. You can get 6 of them for $150 and they work for 10 hours on 2 AA batteries and have a 23 mile range.
If you're talking about 2-meter radios, you're going to need a ham radio license to use them in the US. It's not hard, but it is necessary. Also, FCC regulations do not permit "broadcasting" on these bands. That is, you can't play music over them. Having a music festival playing in the background is flirting with that rule. You're better off just using FRS radios.
I think you're both talking about FRS.
Many commercial two-way radios support both GMRS (up to 5 watts - $65 for 5-year license) and FRS (up to 500 milliwatts - no license req'd). Most users just ignore the GMRS functionality on their 2-ways.
Re: Beartooth
#46Earlier quoted context omitted.
Also take orienteering class if you want to be an outdoorsy person. I took it and it was a blast. Now looking to join a local club and get into orienteering competitions.
Orienteering was mandatory in my school when I was a teenager. Interesting memories... :)
Bittersweet, but mostly bitter?
Re: Beartooth
#47Is there a bluetooth device for making your phone a walkie talkie for CB radio or marine VHF radio? I have wanted that for some time as I think having radio tm for survival over some propriety thing beneficial for emergencies. An example would be something like this https://www.cobra.com/products/professional/29-ltd-bt But I want a smaller form factor to throw in a hiking pack and VHF support as well.
Really, you should just buy a CB/VHF radio. As someone commented above, iPhones are not rugged enough for the kinds of use you might need such a radio in. And batteries can be changed/etc. They really are not expensive.
Re: Beartooth
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
If it replaces walkie talkies in rural areas you only need your friends to have them. I know in the Adirondack Mountains in NY has very spotty signal and would be great with a few friends. Currently we use walkie talkies that have a 23 mile range. They cost as a pair $43 on Amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UE6MIO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_d... ) and they are single purpose and really don't need to worry about batte…
Hmm... $43 for a 23 mile range, or $249 for a 2 mile range. Sometimes improved technology isn't the right solution.
I don’t know about the 2 mi range - but the 23 mi range is in best possible conditions, line of sight from mountain top to valley. Those same walkie talkies advertise a 1 mi range in a "Neighborhood"
Re: Beartooth
#49Is this basically the same as goTenna? http://www.gotenna.com/
Yes, a comparison between goTenna and BearTooth would be good.
I've got a 4 pack of gotenna's, and the hardware seems good, but the android app is pretty bad. Pretty sure a solid Android dev could bang out an app with better functionality in a good solid weekend of hacking (assuming they were using an SDK that abstracted all the BTLE comms).
Android app is missing some great features like automatic group location updates. Right now you have to get location updates manually broadcast to you by each person in the group. Lots of crashes too.
I applied for an SDK but haven't heard anything back in three months. Feels like the project is dead, as there have been no android app updates in that time either.
Re: Beartooth
#50It transmits via some sub-1ghz free spectrum bands, which travel a good distance and have decent structure penetration. https://beartooth.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/216797018-Wh... This is why unlicensed spectrum bands are great; they allow for stuff like this to be built without a billion dollar spectrum price tag.
I assume they mean the 900mhz band in the US. How is a cell phone supposed to communicate with the Beartooth? If its not a cell tower, the phone only knows bluetooth and wifi on 2.4/5Ghz.