Imagine that a local disaster knocks out cell phone communications. Maybe the cell phone system is overwhelmed with call attempts. Maybe the power is out for an extended period of time. Whatever the reason, your cell phone is no longer a communication device. How can you communicate with friends and family?
Now suppose that you are hiking/camping in the woods, or you are boating off-shore, or you are in some location without enough bars to use a cell phone. How would you communicate with other persons in your group, or with friends or family many miles away? How can you get help in an emergency?
goTenna offers a solution to these problems. It’s a compact 2-ounce device that pairs with 
your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. Whenever you wish, with or without a working cell tower in range, you can send a text message to a friend with the same device nearby. Unlike a walkie-talkie, all the messages to an individual are private and encrypted. You can also “shout” to any goTenna user within range. You can text to everyone nearby or just to one particular user.
Range is claimed to be 25 to 50 miles, depending on landscape and obstacles. Shortest range is within a city. Longer range almost anywhere else. Higher elevation helps range anywhere, though.
How useful is goTenna for prepping and survival purposes? Very useful, as long as the people you wish to text message have the same device. If you are hiking and you split up out of necessity, you can keep in touch. If you are out boating, you can communicate with someone at your home. In the city, if there was no power and no cell service — Well, you don’t want to be in any city in that situation.
There are a couple of downsides. It’s a little pricey at $150 (special pre-order price) per pair of goTennas. The price will supposedly double after the special pricing offer ends. And right now very few people own one. So you are only going to be able to communicate with other persons in your group. The “shout out” to any stranger within range is not likely to reach anyone — unless this device really catches on. And I hope it does. My verdict: cool and useful.
More Reading:
Gizmodo article on goTenna
goTenna How It Works
goTenna FAQ
- Thoreau
I think a Ham radio would be a much better alternative. they are a known quantity….we dont really know how far these tennas really work. i have a handheld Ham radio and can send my voice AT LEAST 50 miles. I have actually received (not sent) peoples voices from 1200 miles! Puxing makes some affordable 2 meter radios for @ $70 each on ebay. Yes you need a license to broadcast EXCEPT when lives or property are in danger. which is probably why you would use it. The license test is not hard at all….i studied for 8hrs and passed it.