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The way cell phones work is that when your phone is on it regularly transmits a message that says basically I am here. The range of a cell phone is usually only a couple of miles, (less in big cities). A cell phone only has about 1/2 watt or less of power as a transmitter. The cellular company has lots of small cell sites (very small reciever transmitters) around the service area. Basically every couple of miles to get continous coverage. These are all coordinated by computer. As you move from one cell site to another the computer keeps track of where you are.
Because the ship does not have a cell site on board, and there are none at sea, cell phones are useless at sea. In port, depending upon the technology at use in the port you may be able to use your cell phone.
There is no danger to using a cell phone on a ship at sea. But it won't work.
Bill
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Joe at TravelPage.com
Ryndam
My understanding of why cell phones are banned is 3 reasons.
First - SafetyThere is no evidence of interference but why should the airline risk it.
Second - The airline makes money off of those on-board telephones.
Third - I have heard that even 0.3 watts covers a lot of ground from 30,000 feet. Supposedly you move so quickly through cell sites (at 500 mph) and cover multiple cell sites so that the computer can't keep track of where you are and bill you.
Not sure about the third. But Number 2 is all the airlines really need.
Go for it, the main reason they don't want you using your own cell phone is that the airline can't get their cut from your private phone bill. If they were affected by cell phone frequencies, you wouldn't be able to have cells near airports. That just isn't so.
Saveyourmoney,useyourcell.
Peter
Cell phones work on a relay basis. That is they relay their signals from one cell area to another cell area. They have to travel through repeaters. Only if there is a link between cells, in other words the cells have to be within about 30 miles of each other, would you be able to connect to your home from Alaska. Even if you could do it, which I doubt, you would be going through Canada and yes that would be an international call. Remember, cell phones are basically line of sight communications devices.
Haveanicetripanyway.
Joan
quote:Originally posted by Green:Heaven forbid that any airline allow cell phones on flights - too many users are totally inconsiderate of other theatre goers, restaurant diners, bookstore browsers - public transport etc.etc - I could go on! Just imagine one sitting next to you on a long haul flight....they are usually incapable of speaking quietly, preferring that everyone hear the conversation ...please no cell phones in the air..
On our recent flight from Cleveland to San Juan PR, chap across the aisle and 2 rows in front of us was on the planes cell phone for practically the whole flight - 4+ hrs. We couldn't hear him, but then the noise from the engines probably drowned him out.
The majority of smokers, and I was one, were courteous and either refrained or asked permission to smoke when others were in close proximity.......no such consideration from the cell phone, walkie-talkie addicts.
Sympatico, you were lucky being two rows behind and across the aisle - you would have to strain to listen over cabin noise.
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