12 | Snowmobile VERMONT By Mike Mutascio Every snowmobiler does it. You spend a half hour suiting up and assessing your personal inventory. You repeatedly assign supplies and gadgets to the perfect pocket, ready to MacGyver any challenge you might face on your journey. After each ride, you refine the setup with a goal of absolute perfection. On the top of the list is a special place for your cellphone, the most popular communication device that exists today. The personal cellphone is an impressively complex and sophisticated prized possession that is surprisingly crammed into a hand- held package. Unfortunately, like most sensitive electronic devices, the enemy of the cellphone is winter weather. The cold air causes rapid battery degradation and can limit various functions, like using a touch-screen. Snowmobilers are being increasingly innovative and there are numerous solutions to keep your device warm. Examples include using goggle warmers, plastic enclosures or simply securing it in a warm interior jacket pocket. Unless you protect your phone like yourself, it can quickly fail on the trail. Take the time to plan power requirements for your device. Today there are a variety of solutions, such as small re- chargeable battery bricks or even solar backups. Some riders switch their cellphone to Airplane Mode which keeps device functionality while turning off the phone capability. Others simply turn their device off unless needed. Luckily, many newer sleds now include DC accessory charging ports that allow riders to keep their device on a constant charge. But remember to keep outlet charging cords tucked away too. A pit stop at a restaurant might also be an opportunity to charge your cellphone. Feed yourself and your cellphone. Using a communication device in an austere environment takes practice. A user needs to be familiar with the operation of the device. Yet many are not aware that a cellphone silently strives to stay connected to a highly- sophisticated network of towers. Even when you are not placing a call, it is often working hard to stay in touch. Cellphones auto-regulate their functions and consume battery power based on their proximity to towers. In an areas of strong signal strength, a cellphone applies less power. But in remote areas where signal strength is poor, your device applies more power to stay in touch. Poor signal strength is another reason why many users notice their battery life draining rapidly. A dead battery can be disastrous if you need help. Speaking of tower proximity, users are familiar with measuring signal strength by observing the bars on the cellphone display. Yet most are not aware that the true signal strength can be found in the device settings. A signal closest to -50dBm is the strongest possible. A measurement closer to -120dBm is the weakest. Take the time to assess signal strength during breaks on your ride. Make sure you have a current VAST map and mark areas of strong signals. Some clubs have considered the practice of posting cellular reception signs at trail intersections and other points of interest. Smartphone users can use special software apps that provide detailed signal strength maps and tower locations. OpenSignal is one example that is free for the Android operating system. An old technology that has become a major contributor for information sharing is Simple Messaging Service (SMS). Text messaging has become a valuable standard. Basic text messaging uses minimal data and power, while voice calling applies the opposite. Even in areas of poor signal strength where voice calls fail, most devices will repeatedly resend text messages until there is success. Exemplifying this importance includes Vermont leading the nation in the new ‘Text to 911’ capability. Yes, you can simply enter 911 as the recipient, describe the emergency by typing a message and send. The four major cellphone carriers provide this capability as an alternative when voice communication is not possible. Today, 98 percent of Vermont cellphone users can text 911. If unsure if you have On Trail & In Touch Can You Hear Me Now? Part 2 of 3