3 ms·

Oh man, I either had one, or something similar. Or at least wanting one. I thought it would be cool to have dedicated messaging devices.

jhgb 5y ago
> I thought it would be cool to have dedicated messaging devices. You mean something like phones?
- nine_k 5y ago
  Like walkie-talkies. Phones only work as communication devices in vicinity of the network towers.
  - jhgb 5y ago
    Perhaps, but that doesn't mean phones are not "dedicated", though.
    - ALittleLight 5y ago
      My phone is more of a portable web browser that can send messages.
      - jhgb 5y ago
        I was talking more about those that used to be decent self-defense weapons.
  - vel0city 5y ago
    Amateur radio can kind do this. In fact there are text message digital modes like APRS. With digipeaters in the area I can send messages from a 5W handheld around the city. You can also then see APRS data online through sites like aprs.fi The only thing is there's no encryption on amateur radio.
    - rsync 5y ago
      The other "only thing is ..." is that there aren't any devices. Whatever (text messaging on a HAM band) you want to use, there is not a qwerty (or touchscreen) device that you can use to compose those messages. You either need to connect a computer to such a device or (I think) there are one or two handheld radios that you can type out messages using multi-tap.[1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-tap https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-tap
      - vel0city 5y ago
        Yeah I agree it's somewhat frustrating there isn't an all in one device with a QWERTY keyboard but I usually Bluetooth pair my phone to my radio and use APRSDroid for a better messaging experience.
      - markzzerella 5y ago
        I like my th-d74 quite a bit. I even use the aprs to sms bridge when I'm out of cell service and in a pinch.
      - deleted 5y ago
        [deleted]
  - cbeley 5y ago
    Why not a satalite messenger? I'm doing a lot of solo travel in remote areas with limited to no cell service. My Inreach Mini pairs to my phone and then I can text whomever I want and turn on location tracking when I want people to know where I am. It's worked really well and I've abused the unlimited plan chatting with a few close people while lonely in the woods.

jhgb 5y ago

> I thought it would be cool to have dedicated messaging devices. You mean something like phones?

nine_k 5y ago
Like walkie-talkies. Phones only work as communication devices in vicinity of the network towers.
- jhgb 5y ago
  Perhaps, but that doesn't mean phones are not "dedicated", though.
  - ALittleLight 5y ago
    My phone is more of a portable web browser that can send messages.
    - jhgb 5y ago
      I was talking more about those that used to be decent self-defense weapons.
- vel0city 5y ago
  Amateur radio can kind do this. In fact there are text message digital modes like APRS. With digipeaters in the area I can send messages from a 5W handheld around the city. You can also then see APRS data online through sites like aprs.fi The only thing is there's no encryption on amateur radio.
  - rsync 5y ago
    The other "only thing is ..." is that there aren't any devices. Whatever (text messaging on a HAM band) you want to use, there is not a qwerty (or touchscreen) device that you can use to compose those messages. You either need to connect a computer to such a device or (I think) there are one or two handheld radios that you can type out messages using multi-tap.[1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-tap https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-tap
    - vel0city 5y ago
      Yeah I agree it's somewhat frustrating there isn't an all in one device with a QWERTY keyboard but I usually Bluetooth pair my phone to my radio and use APRSDroid for a better messaging experience.
    - markzzerella 5y ago
      I like my th-d74 quite a bit. I even use the aprs to sms bridge when I'm out of cell service and in a pinch.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
- cbeley 5y ago
  Why not a satalite messenger? I'm doing a lot of solo travel in remote areas with limited to no cell service. My Inreach Mini pairs to my phone and then I can text whomever I want and turn on location tracking when I want people to know where I am. It's worked really well and I've abused the unlimited plan chatting with a few close people while lonely in the woods.