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Nuthatch · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Randolph/Calais

I'm wondering if anyone is able to use Tracfone telephone service in the Calais (or more specifically the Nelson Pond) area...I've heard folks can pick up a signal at the top of Chartier Hill, but I'm wondering about Tracfone service in particular. Also, would you recommend using Tracfone in central VT? I'm trying to avoid having a land line at our camp, and this seemed promising.

Thanks for any input ...
Nutmeg (Kathy)

Steve_Gallagher · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:12 am Post subject: Tracfone in Calais

Could you tell us a little more about what a Tracfone is? I heard someone else mention this recently, and it sounds like a kind of cell phone. I also am interested in the practicality of it.

Steve
_________________
Steve Gallagher
www.picture.net

Nuthatch · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Randolph/Calais

Sorry to respond so belatedly, Steve.

Tracfone IS a cell phone but it doesn't require a monthly fee: you buy a block of minutes and use them as you need them. It's a good deal for someone only wanting an emergency phone for auto breakdowns or to have while hiking or travelling.

We DID go ahead and buy one last month to use at our camp on Nelson Pond, as we didn't want a land-line or its expense. As there is no cell phone reception at Nelson Pond, we find we can drive up to the top of Chartier Hill and a bit beyond to get a decent signal and call home for messages we might need to respond to. This works quite well.

We obtained 400 or so minutes for $99. The service is good for one year, and unused minutes can be continued with a new $99 renewal. Tracfone uses whatever service is available, so you don't need allegiance to verizon or cingulair, etc. The website recommends a phone that works best in your zip code. (I think it's Tracfone.com) We bought a Motorola we're happy with--it's not new or fancy, but does the job, and gets both analog and digital service. I'd recommend it for it's practicality - and for folks like me with no interest in having a cell phone except for occasional or emergency calls.

Hope this answers your question...
Cheers!

calaisus · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject: Cell phone reception

I do have a Tracfone cellphone now, and am happy with it, as previously I had a Verizon cell phone which I paid for monthly, but sometimes went months without using. The excwellent thing about the tracfone is that it works in Canada, US, and Mexico. I have used it in all three of these countries.

The bad thing is that the tracfone usually (almost always) connects to the Verizon cell phone network. This means it has poorer reception in rural areas than it might. The Unicell phone network is much better almost anywhere in rural Vermont. Unicell works just north of Maple Corner, Verizon does no.

Good news is that The proposal for Verizon to buy Unicell was nixed by the State of Vermont. Now ATT will take over Unicell and keep their towers and technology and network the same, so it will still work out in the sticks. At our property on Random Road in Calais, just north of Curtis Pond, this means out Unicell/ATT phones will still work!!!!!!!!!!

nutmeg · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Randolph

Hello Steve,

I just NOW noticed your August 08 reply re Tracfone. (Glad you like it). We had been able to use ours at the pulloff just above Nelson Pond but beginning this past year, we no longer can. We get several bars, but call just won't go through. (We tried again yesterday when we were in Calais to shovel our camp roof).

Now that AT&T has begun service in VT, I'm hoping this will change. Just where are YOU able to make calls from? I'm not familiar with Random Road... Do you think I could call out from a high point on County Road? (Ours is a LG200C phone).

Thanks for any light you can shed on this....

Kathy
Randolph