When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was about 20min away from Fontana at one of their small cabins earlier in the year and had great 4G cell signal. It is hard to believe that Fontana signal would be far worse.
I was about 20min away from Fontana at one of their small cabins earlier in the year and had great 4G cell signal. It is hard to believe that Fontana signal would be far worse.
There was probably a booster in the area. It's strange, but the boosters use an ethernet connection to boost out 4G signal. Otherwise, there is legitimately zero, zilch, nada, nope, none whatsoever usable signal in Fontana haha
The owner of the B&B I stayed at said if you didn't have Verizon for cell service you were basically SOL. I have AT&T and only had a signal when I was in Robbinsville. Have any of you thought about using those small two-way radios? I don't know if those even work in that area but if so it might be an option.
There was probably a booster in the area. It's strange, but the boosters use an ethernet connection to boost out 4G signal. Otherwise, there is legitimately zero, zilch, nada, nope, none whatsoever usable signal in Fontana haha
Originally Posted by chiefmg
The owner of the B&B I stayed at said if you didn't have Verizon for cell service you were basically SOL. I have AT&T and only had a signal when I was in Robbinsville. Have any of you thought about using those small two-way radios? I don't know if those even work in that area but if so it might be an option.
I am on Verizon and have stayed in multiple cabins in those mountains. My friends and I go every memorial day weekend. This past year we were right off 28 about 3 miles past where you get onto 28 from 74W. I had full 4G service while friends on other providers had nothing. Fontana Village is just up 28 about 20 miles. I guess cell signal could be completely gone by then, I did not have the time to make the drive up while I was there this year.
Maybe if I go back next year I'll mount one up and loan one to a friend. If some of the rest of you get handheld or mounted CBs we can talk/listen on a particular channel. The lower level units are pretty cheap, especially used on ebay.
You can try regular old FRS walkie talkies, they reach rough ~1-2 miles depending on where you're at. I tested CB radios YEARS ago, friend stand at tabcat bridge(start of the dragon) and I drove to the over look. I got about half-way and it was basically cut-off, which is about 1.2 miles. It's good to have while on a run together or if everyone is at Fontana.
We also pondered on getting two cabins next to each other for all the bros.....it just requires commitment from all you fellas
Side note..... I am NOT doing the beerrun to Natahala on Saturday next year, lol.
On my impreza/e30 I ran a k40 whip with a cobra 29 (with built in SWR meter), then just a simple small format dink CB Radio 75WXST. It actually worked pretty well given it's compact form.
I since sold it as no one was on CB channels anymore during road trips and it'd make the Miata literally look like an RC car.
Might try again for next year but with a Wilson Little Wil magnetic antenna. Just don't have an SWR meter anymore.
My car will be faster by next year (and i'll actually have it there which would be nice considering its MATG and not CTSVATG).. I got a ride in a "certain someone's" NA that confirmed my build direction. Sportbike is currently for sale to begin funding it.
Also, in terms of reception it was really goofy for me... Out of all places, I found out I could get 4G here...
Did anyone get pics of my fly whip? I saw a bunch of people taking pictures and demanding a brap or two on the way out on Sunday. Hoping there's pics or video out there. I didn't go down the roads much when the pro photogs were out, everything i'm finding is pretty blah.
That beer run was so poorly timed and the second half of the route was incredibly boring. A lot of the runs were just way too long in general.
I think next year.....if I do a public beerrun.... we'll go up "the road to no where".
Originally Posted by psyber_0ptix
If there was a next time, just blow past the A&W and go straight to the lake.
I initially did the A&W run as an excuse to do the Cherohala and get ppl together to drive the dragon on Friday evening. A&W just happened to be on the route and now it's a "staple" run for MATG. I'm not opposed to leading everyone there and then taking the bro's for food n beer on the lake.
I'd like to gather a proper MT/Cool Kids big dinner at Tapoco next year. Reservation and stuff, put a BUNCH of tables together, one roped off section, one happy famiry.
Two things happened at Tapoco that I've never experienced....
1. They told us we couldn't park in a space that I've parked in at least half a dozen times.
2. There was a wait for a table of six! I usually sit with a dozen or so ppl.
Once they finish that upstairs balcony I don't think it'll be a problem, seating availability anyways.
Maybe we can do a secret MT run to blood mountain? **SPOILERS** It's a long drive.
0
