On the farm or ranch is a cell phone a necessity or luxury? In the stores and driving around town we notice they are stuck in just about everyones' ears. If they are a necessary item, what phone should we have and which plan is best/cheapest?

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), February 08, 2002

Answers

Response to cell phone

Just check and see who has a good reception/coverage in your area, and if you are just wanting it for emergencies, get a cheap plan to start. We finally talked my parents into getting one before my dad died, in case he were to get stuck in the field (literally OR figuratively) and need someone.

The only trouble was, we couldn't get him to turn it on! He said that was for his convenience, not ours! Please turn it on if you do get one, because something could just as well happen at the house that you might be needed for, and if it ain't on, it don't work!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

Christine, I would almost be like your dad. I use to carry a beeper on my belt. The biggest part of the time when someone paged me it wasn't really necessary. My wife would beep me almost everyday at work and most of the time she just wanted me to stop and pick up something at the grociers on my way home. Or ask me what I wanted for dinner!

I agree that if you are in some kind of business that requires customers or bosses to get a hold of you it would be necessary.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

I consider it a neccesity these days. When I'm out on the tractor in the summer working with equipment, it feels better to have it on board. For my calling out, not for anyone else calling me (I couldn't hear the ringer with the tractor and all the equipment, anyway). Also, in the ice storm of '98 when my phone was out for 29 days, this was my whole phone, and I was darned glad to have it! If you are in a very rural area like I am (well, rural for reception) get a bag phone, not one of the little digitals, because they are more powerful and work better. At least, that was the way it was a few years ago when I got my last one. Check with people you buy from. Cheap plans are better if you don't use the phone often. I don't use my phone more than once every month or more, but I wouldn't be without it now.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

I got one for emergencies. When I was in school there was no way for my kids or anyone else to get hold of me in an emergency. At home my coverage is limited. I wanted to get rid of my land line but if I did that I would have no internet and no forum. My house is in a little hollow so the waves can't get to me or if the wind blows the signal fluxtuates (sp). The trees in the woods also effect the coverage. Bag phones tend to get better coverage but at big and cumbersome. My neighbors only have a cell and their coverage is fine, they are 1/2 mile away. Many providers will allow you to use a phone for a day or so to try it out. Go shopping and ask as many questions as possible. Most providers also will give you a free phone when you sign onto their service.

Susan

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

Four years ago this month, I gave my pager to the guy who was taking over my job, turned off my cell phone put it in the night stand and it is still in there. And after 34 years with a pager sometimes two I could finally say. Free at last, thank God I'm free at last. If you have to have communications 7/24 you have my pity. If you are doing something that you may need 911 called, always have some one around to do the dialing. That tractor chain saw or what ever may chop you up till you can't dial. Sick no just fact. Have a good day.

-- David in North Al (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

Well, our deacon (60's) was home alone and went on his roof to do some job, and the ladder fell down and trapped him. He had his cell phone on him and was able to call someone to come and set up the ladder for him....

-- Joyce Dingman (joycedingman@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

7 -11 is selling one called trac fone. The cost is $30.00 for the phone and charger and the minutes are about $ o.80 cents per minute if you buy the smallest card. A $100.00 annual card is your best bet; no monthly charges for peace of mind if you only carry it for emergencys.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 09, 2002.

Response to cell phone

I guess it would depend on your own situation whether it's a neccessity of not. Years ago I for work I had to carry a pager and a bulky bagphone and hated them because everytime they rang I knew there was a problem, usually a big one and I'd have to go to work no matter what I was doing or what time it was. I always seemed to get called out at the most inoppertune times.

2 years ago I got a cellphone for my own peace of mind, basically because I was the only person for my kids school to contact in emergencies so I had to be accessable all the time. I got the phone with wireless internet on it and now I use it for all kinds of things. I recieve/send email on it which is handy(though it's a chore to type out much on a tiny cellphone). I can keep up with the stock market no matter where I'm at, even get charts and news and have used it to make a few trades that couldn't wait til I got home. I can check on my Ebay auctions, bid on others. I can get news alerts on it from the crisis-alert-network which give me a some peace of mind knowing I won't be out somewhere la-de-da'ing around without a clue while everyone else is running for the hills because of some major crisis like back in September. It has aol, msn and yahoo messenger on it though I've only used that stuff once just to see how it worked. I could probably even read this Countryside message board on it. Now when I'm standing in a line somewhere or some other time-waster, I can get on that cellphone internet and be a bit productive at least. The internet feature is only $5 extra a month and well worth it to me. I hardly use the phone to talk, most communication with it is through email or text messaging. I use Verizon and have a Kyocera/Qualcomm 2035a phone.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 09, 2002.

The older I get the more I realize that it is a good thing to become familiar enough with these NOW. My aunt, who lives alone and is getting mentally foggy will not use one -- she is afraid of them. She also wanders outdoors in zero weather with bedroom slippers and no coat, thinks that the 4th of July is coming up soon, and can't be trusted with a functioning stove or her own mail anymore. We can't get her into a nursing home for various reasons, but I have a fear that some day she is going to be found dead in unpleasant circumstances from lack of communications.

Just this last week, a woman I know who lives alone was outside, fell on the ice and broke her hip. She laid there and froze to death.

I've got a bag phone in my vehicle, but I'm getting a portable model this next week. Slipping on ice is something that can happen to anyone.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), February 09, 2002.

Hello Hank,

We left our cell phones behind when we moved to the country. To me they were a nuisance and I was glad to be rid of them. In the cities we needed them as there was a lot of commuting between my wife and I. They provided us with quick contact if we needed to reach each other plus they were always good to have in case of an emergency or a mugging. Here in our part of the Ozarks, we do not see too many of them. Usually, the ones that walk around with them are the city people that attend the local auctions. They use them for business dealings with their buyers in the nearby cities....St. Louis, Kansas City, etc. But most folk just have little need for them.

Meli and I have not found a need for them in the few years we have been here either. Since we are always together. If I happen to be too far away from her, I just stop a phone booth and call her at home. Simple....at that is the way we like it.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), February 09, 2002.

Personally, I wouldn't be working alone without one anymore. It just doesn't seem prudent when the technology is available. I use mine for business, too, so I'm not spending any 'extra' money on one.

That having been said, if you want to be as frugal and as safe as possible there is a solution. I believe that any cell phone now must be able to make an outbound 911 call regardless of whether or not there is current service for that phone or not. With any cell phone, then, you can have the ability to call in emergency services in case of an accident. Most service providers have gone to digital now as analog takes much more bandwidth (they can get more digital phones in service without buying more capital equipment). Because of that there are any number of old analog phones in desk drawers and closets that no one can use anymore. Anyone who has one would be happy to be rid of it cheap or free, I'd think. Charge the battery and you've got an emergency phone that can make a 911 call. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

Oh fer crying in the mud! Is this forum about homesteading or is it about yuppies who think they want to grow some tomatoes and maybe a wittew bunnywabbit?

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), February 10, 2002.

I would suggest that anyone who is using a cell phone or considering using a cell phone...please do some research on the absorbtion by the brain of the pulsed microwave radiation.

There are several good medical information sites. There are literally hundreds of sites from citizens and health experts from around the world on this issue.

The Cherry Study of the Sutro Tower cancer clusters and other medical data convinced my family NEVER to use a cell phone and to move as far from any existing or proposed towers.

If you live or work remotely then you may want to have one that you would use in an emergency situation only.

Of course the people near ground zero found theirs did not work at all. Nothing is perfect.

Has anyone thought of a VHF Radio?

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), February 10, 2002.

The problem with a cellphone is that in many mountainous parts of the state (my backyard included) there is no reception. We have two-way radios for handy contact on and around the farm. Oh, and the triangle being rung at the house means come on dinner's ready or I want you back here for some reason. There are all kinds of ways to signal someone. Frankly, I don't use the chainsaw, etc. when I am home alone.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), February 10, 2002.

Millions of songbirds are killed by the cell-phone towers. I know that just me not having one doesn't save a single bird but I'd rather not participate. It's not a neccesity, it's a convenience.

-- (skountzos6@netscape.net), February 10, 2002.

Considering how bad the roads get out here during winter storms, and rainy periods, I would not even consider going on the roads without a cellphone anymore. I am borderline illiterate when it comes to electronic things..I just like the things that work when you turn them on, ha, ha, ...and really had a hard time figuring the cellphone out, but it can save your life if you are stuck in a snowstorm. Here in Saskatchewan, it is not uncommon to get to -50's with the windchill, so it wouldn't be long til we froze without some way of getting help. Hope this helps your decision.

-- Judy Hill (hillsacres@sk.sympatico.ca), February 10, 2002.

Millions of songbirds?? Please show me some evidence of that. Anyone worried about emf should never get any sleep when they realize the biggest emf threat to you is our own Sun. Sure, I wouldn't go stand 5 feet in front of a microwave longlines tower but the threat of emf overexposure from a cell tower is almost nil. You do realize that anyone can make a 'study' to support any opinion?

Audie, a cellphone makes a person a yuppie but using a computer is ok? Do you have to cut your lines of communication to be a homesteader? I don't think so. Realize that tools like cellphones and computers can be used to give yourself more freedom to be self-reliant. I may use a cellphone and computer and other so-called 'yuppie toys', but I can assure you that I can get down and dirty with any concept of homesteading you may have and probably have already. Without some of those yuppie tools, I would have needed to depend on someone else or some corporations paycheck for income to support my lifestyle. Tools like cellphones help me live without that dependency. If that isn't the self-reliant spirit of homesteading, I don't know what is.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 10, 2002.

You're right, Dave and I'm not saying I'm a purist but I just try to live without when it's possible. As for the songbirds check Audubon magazine, I think the Sept/Oct issue 2001. Everyone has different needs but I've lived without a cell phone for 43 years. If I used one for a year it would become a neccesity.(like the tv remote)

-- (skountzos6@netscape.net), February 10, 2002.

thanks, I'll look for that. The Audubon Society is usually pretty straight up on things but I haven't followed them for years.

I agree with what you said about needs. I've only had a personal use cellphone for 2 years now and I did need it because I had to always be available no matter where I'm at because I have 2 young kids and I'm all the family they have. After the school tried to reach me one time and failed, which is a pretty bad thing and could lead to a major problem, I had no choice but to get a cellphone. I've since tried to get as much benefit as possible out of it since I have to carry it anyway. Now TV, I've never used one, grew up without one and have no desire to use one because I don't see any value in it. Others probably do somehow though.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 10, 2002.

Check with your local bank/credit union. Ours has a plan that only costs $7.50 a month for cell phone service plus $.22 a minute outgoing/ $.12 a minute incoming. Pretty cheap for the peace of mind the cell phone has given us. Last year my car slid off the road in an unexpected snow storm, and it was really wonderful to be able to call for help instead of waiting around for someone to come by on our isolated stretch of road.

-- Mary S. in OR (1deal@quik.com`), February 10, 2002.

Thanks Mary. Yours was the only one to give ideas about prices, etc. Wanted it for emergencies mainly or to avoid stoping to phone when late for dinner, etc.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), February 10, 2002.

I got a cell phone from wal-mart then I buy a card which gives me 30 min of calling time for $15.00 this also keeps the phone activated for 2 months. I know this is a high charge for min but I got mine as a back up for 911. I don't know about other plans but this one does not charge min for calls to 911. I would guess as I build up min I may make some calls in the future but felt this was the best way to go for now. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef@getgoin.net), February 10, 2002.

Good point Dave about my computer!

Some logistics of where I am: Where I live I get no tv, no radio reception (driving on the road I can get one AM station, and two FMs when I leave the mountains in about 30 miles), and telephone is erratic. There is no cell reception here, much to the consternation of city folks (Fairbanksans as well as Anchorites) who come here weekends to play. When my internet works, it comes in and goes out at 12k baud. That makes it very difficult to goof around - too slow. I make liberal use of it in the wintertime to pass away these long long cold dark nights. Necessity or luxury? It's an excellent business tool.

I think my reaction toward cell phones is greatly colored by my feeling toward phones in general: they tie one up from doing something else; when I drive I see people using them to the detriment of their driving skills and other motorists' safety. With the internet, I can take a message or leave it; can respond as I like when I fell like and when I'm not doing something more pressing. The idea of cellphones being a lifesaver (as mentioned by quite a few above posters) really gets my goat, however - it makes me feel people are coming to depend on help from without more so than help from within, and I strongly feel that is extremely contrary to the spirit of 'homesteading'.

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), February 10, 2002.

Reading some of these post reminded me of witnessing a wreck. I was walking out of a little mom&pop store at the corner of a intersection, when I heard the sound of screetching brakes and then a crunch. A woman in one car had pulled out in front of another woman in the oncoming car. The oncoming car was not traveling very fast since it was in a low speed limit zone, so no one was hurt, just shook up a little bit.

But what got me was that usually when you are in a wreck and when you realize that you are not hurt, your first instinct is to check on the other driver to see if they are not hurt bad. But when I realized that no one was getting out of either car I thought I had better go check on both drivers myself.

What I found was that both drivers were in good health and talking on their cell phones. Both drivers were dialing away on their cell phones, calling insurance people, 911, husbands, bosses. It seemed to me they were more worried about everyday business than the health of the other person.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 10, 2002.