Cell phone on a trip?

[bigbore442001]

I plan to go on a long trip this summer in the northern Rockies. In the past I have always gone alone and without any kind of communications. I was thinking that getting a cell phone wouldn't be a bad idea. Last night I spoke to someone who has what is called a trac phone. Apparently you buy prepaid cards and use as needed. As you can tell, I've never owned one of these. I really don't want one buy I figure that it would be like a fire extinguisher, an emergency tool. I would contact home once every few days for a few minutes at best.

Any advice as to what would be a good model? I am not interested in using this with any kind of monthly plan. I just want it for infrequent use. Thank you.

[Siskiyou]

I travel across the West every summer.  A lot of recreation areas lack cell phone service.  The best phone for marginal areas is the old 3 watt analog  bag phone with a magnetic roof mount antenna.  Service is fair to good along the Inter State system.

Beaware that if you want cellphone service for 911 there is no charge.

Father-in-law tried the prepaid card type service and found it to be expensive.  The cards expired because he was always trying to save the minutes for an emergency.

Siskiyou