First look at Android’s built-in satellite messaging page
Satellite connectivity lets you send an emergency SOS when your phone can't reach a cell tower, and it seems Android 15 is adding support.
I'm really excited for this. I've considered getting a licator beacon for emergencies while hiking and camping, but didn't want to pay a monthly subscription for something I wouldn't use every month.
you can get an ePLB (emergency personal locator beacon) which has no subscription since it is an international coalition for rescue. don't need to pay garmin or whatever for that b.s. and it uses special satellites to locate you so it's very reliable. This is what ships and planes use to signal distress as well.
example: https://www.rei.com/product/156622/acr-electronics-rescueme-plb1-personal-locator-beacon
Oh nice, the only ones I've heard of before are the Garmin inreach and similar. Good to know about this.
It may be worth looking into Meshtastic, especially if you know other hikers. €50 will get you a portable node with long range, long battery life, GPS location, mesh routing and no subscription.
I got into ham about a year and a half ago. Super interesting, I just didn't have the time because I was in a pretty intense school. I'd love to tinker with meshtastic, but is that a solution for hiking? Would you need to rely on a node being within range of you in order to convert your message into sms or something?
I've been scanning for other meshtastic users for YEARS and never has anyone ever messaged me. I leave my Lilly tt-go plugging away full-time.
