Cell Phone/Service for Hwy 395 & DV

[Ranboze]

lost my cell phone last weekend on Forgotten Pass and need to replace it. I currently subscribe to Sprint PCS and had a Sanyo Dual-Band SCP-4500 phone, which was capable of analog roaming.

Because I frequently drive from LA > Mammoth via hwys 14 (mojave) and 395, as well as occassionally visit Death Valley, Im looking for a phone/provider that provides reliable service in these areas.

With my lost phone, I had a dead zone from Mojave north about 20 miles, but then had analog roam service all the way to Mammoth. I also had recepetion, albeit spotty, in the Panamint Valley. Ive made calls from the top of Whitney, Forgotten Pass and other peaks with my lost phone.

I would like to know the phone and service you have, and whether or not you have reception along 395 and in the Panamint Valley. Knowing what phones/service DO NOT provide reception will be as helpful as knowing which ones do.

THANX.

[ERIC]

I don't recall losing service along that stretch (14 to 395) with my Palm Treo and Verizon Wireless service. But I wasn't making a whole lot of calls, either. However, my phone usually beeps when service is lost, so I would think I would have noticed if I'd driven through any dead spots.

[dave54]

Depending on your phone you can also get magnetic base external antennaes that attach to the roof of your vehicle. Improves reception in marginal areas. Take them off your vehicle and stash them inside while parked at the trailhead.

You can also get signal boosters, but they are $$$.