cell phones and sail boats southern CA

[businessonly805]

hey you guys... im a computer person thinking of living onboard a sail boat and was wondering if there was any cellular reception between the islands and the mainland. or even behind catalina island and two harbors....

also, what carrier do you use for your cell phone?

im thinking of using wifi tethering so i can use a laptop out there

[JedNeck]

Your average AT&T iPhone is good until you can't see land...basically needs line of sight AFAIK...
There are some options but they require $$$.

What islands are you talking about? If it's the Hawaiian ones you won't have cell service for 99% of that trip.

[rbrasi]

I have T-mobile and my Samsung Galaxy S worked all the way to Cat Harbor from Marina Del Rey. You can tether just fine.

[wise4]

Just depends on where you are..... And what carrier you use....

I can say my iPad 3G loses the data connection about halfway between Dana point and Avalon and doesn't get it back till I get close to the island....

I don't think I've ever tried using a cellphone though...

On the other hand, I've never been out of range of at least one 2m or 440 repeater while sailing in SoCal.

[glassdad]

We lose cell reception about 5 to 6 miles out of Channel Islands. If you go to Anacapa, the is no cell contact.

[businessonly805]

thanks

[drgamble]

I use Verizon - coverage over to, and in, Avalon and Two Harbors is fine. Didn't get reception when anchored in Little Harbor. In addition, I use a Sprint MiFi - same as above re: coverage.

[businessonly805]

anyone tried metropcs out in the water? i think they have the cheapest internet plans and no data cap which makes them a very good choice for wifi tethering on a sailboat.