GoTenna

GoTenna is a two-tone stick that measures approximately 15 by 2.5 by 1.3 centimeters and weighs 51 grams. The bottom half of the stick is gray aluminum with GoTenna branding, and the top half is black, textured plastic. A white notification LED sits in the middle-flashing to tell you when the device is on and if you're connected. On top is an extendable antenna that you pull out to activate the GoTenna.

GoTenna is a MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) radio (151-154 MHz) that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. GoTenna allows you to send "text" messages and GPS locations (assuming that your smartphone is GPS capable) to other GoTenna users in the area. GoTenna does not require a cellular or WiFi connection to work. All communication is made over the MURS radio frequencies. As with other MURS radios, this will give you about a 1.5 - 2 kilometer range in the city, and 5 - 6 kilometer range in rural areas. (Range can be improved by using a string to pull the GoTenna into a tree (or other object), 10 meters or so above the ground. Get the GoTenna as high above the ground as possible - just remain within Bluetooth range of your phone.

While GoTenna provides a reliable way to send text messages and location data to other people, it doesn't let you make voice calls or send pictures. You can use GoTenna to contact any other GoTenna user in range, but it does not have a way to make emergency calls or contacts on the regular cellular network. What GoTenna is very useful for, however, is communication within a group in area where there is no cellular coverage, such as hiking in the forest; or as a back-up to cellular communication in the city when the network goes down or becomes overloaded.

GoTenna messages are also encrypted, making them more secure than voice messages transmitted with a standard MURS radio.  According to the GoTenna FAQ (https://www.gotenna.com/pages/faqs): "Private 1-to-1 and group messages sent over goTenna are end-to-end encrypted with 384-bit elliptic curve public-private key ciphering. The only exceptions are messages sent using the "shout" and "emergency" features which are by definition public conversations with others within range of you."  

If ensuring that you have communications with your friends, family, or survival group is important to you; GoTenna is worth considering as part of your communications plan. GoTenna was developed in the United States and operates on the five MURS frequencies, which do not require a license in the USA:

151.820 MHz
151.880 MHz
151.940 MHz
154.570 MHz
154.600 MHz

However, in other countries these frequencies may be used by public service agencies, or require licensing before you can transmit on them. If you use GoTenna outside of the United States be sure that you are not interfering with others on these frequencies.

If you are planning an extended trip deep into the Taiga, you will probably choose something other than your smartphone for communications. But, in any place where you and your family and friends have your smartphones, having each person also have a GoTenna as well can keep your group in contact even if the entire cellular network is down.

GoTenna is available for $149 per pair from various sources on-line.


Note:
GoTenna has also developed a new device - GoTenna Mesh - which allows you to operate a mesh Network at 0.5 watts on 869.4-869.65 MHz (Europe) and at 1 watt on 902-928 MHz in the United States. It should be noted that GoTenna and GoTenna Mesh are separate devices operating on separate frequencies and are not cross-compatible.