Finding a wifi connection in remote location

twopenny

Thanks Flaneurs, didn't get the alert.

So I found this on the off chance just now "How do I use what3words in an emergency? Find the 3 word address for your current location on the free what3words app for iOS and Android. It works offline – ideal for areas with unreliable data connection. Share your 3 word address over the phone to the call handler."

So that answers that it will work offline and for the unreliable data connection sounds good.

Will just have to suck it and see. Can't do it this weekend, have a wedding to go to and can't do with the extra stress

Phone is Samsung Model GT - 19100 Android 4.1.2

Yes it's very old but does what I need

Username03725

You’re overthinking it. Leave data and wifi on, your phone will use broadband if it’s in range of one you’ve used before or data if not. Wifi is the better option here as you seem to be paying 1p per MB of data, but it’s your decision if you’re happy to pay for it.

You have an Android phone so open Play Store, search for What3Words and then hit the install button. That’s it.

Edit: your phone may not support the current version of What3Words, given its age. Try it anyway and see what happens. You can always uninstall it.

molerat

Having home broadband with BT adds to your options.

twopenny

But I don't need wifi or data for what I do day to day and staying connected uses 1p a day - or so I read on the Mobiles forum.

I'll do as instructed later this weekend when the commotion is over....then I'll test it next week and see.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't. I always know where I am, just a case that in these days of centralisation others don't

littlemoney

It's such a shame that many emergency services have gone down the What3Words app route. Long before this app existed there was a perfect system for remote location finding and used by many people who enjoy the great outdoors. Namely, the ordnance survey grid reference system or latitude and longitude used by sailors of old.

The emergency services became fixated with the postcode system that was never meant for finding a casualty in the countryside. My local ambulance service insisted on a postcode when a walker had a broken leg and they were at least a mile from any house. They didn't understand the established ways of determining your location.

We didn't use the ambulance as the time delay quoted would have resulted in the death of the casualty from hypothermia.

Grey_Critic

littlemoney said:

It's such a shame that many emergency services have gone down the What3Words app route. Long before this app existed there was a perfect system for remote location finding and used by many people who enjoy the great outdoors. Namely, the ordnance survey grid reference system or latitude and longitude used by sailors of old.

The emergency services became fixated with the postcode system that was never meant for finding a casualty in the countryside. My local ambulance service insisted on a postcode when a walker had a broken leg and they were at least a mile from any house. They didn't understand the established ways of determining your location.

We didn't use the ambulance as the time delay quoted would have resulted in the death of the casualty from hypothermia.

Same here - Don't need to know how to read a map got me phone. We never allowed phones and sat navs when we ran courses - Good old Map and Compass. Never have a flat battery or no signal that way.- same with CASH - Actually had that problem last week - Wanted an ice cream and the seller pointed to a sign that said Card Only - I do not encourage that but said OK on this occasion - and then his card machine did not work - I carry cash but dozens of people walked away - as they did not have it. This idea of Card Only does not always work

victor2

Grey_Critic said:

littlemoney said:

It's such a shame that many emergency services have gone down the What3Words app route. Long before this app existed there was a perfect system for remote location finding and used by many people who enjoy the great outdoors. Namely, the ordnance survey grid reference system or latitude and longitude used by sailors of old.

The emergency services became fixated with the postcode system that was never meant for finding a casualty in the countryside. My local ambulance service insisted on a postcode when a walker had a broken leg and they were at least a mile from any house. They didn't understand the established ways of determining your location.

We didn't use the ambulance as the time delay quoted would have resulted in the death of the casualty from hypothermia.

Same here - Don't need to know how to read a map got me phone. We never allowed phones and sat navs when we ran courses - Good old Map and Compass. Never have a flat battery or no signal that way.- same with CASH - Actually had that problem last week - Wanted an ice cream and the seller pointed to a sign that said Card Only - I do not encourage that but said OK on this occasion - and then his card machine did not work - I carry cash but dozens of people walked away - as they did not have it. This idea of Card Only does not always work

It's a sign of the times and advancing technology isn't it?

Was reminiscing with a friend (we're both in our more senior years) yesterday how we used to look at a map before driving somewhere and write very brief notes on a piece of paper to view in the car. Things like "M1 south to J5" and the road numbers/towns to go through or towards. The road atlas was in the car in case the instructions failed!

Years ago, my DD asked how she should get to a particular town. I said "start by going north on the M6". She had no idea which way that was!

RealGem

twopenny said:

Thanks Flaneurs, didn't get the alert.

So I found this on the off chance just now "How do I use what3words in an emergency? Find the 3 word address for your current location on the free what3words app for iOS and Android. It works offline – ideal for areas with unreliable data connection. Share your 3 word address over the phone to the call handler."

So that answers that it will work offline and for the unreliable data connection sounds good.

Will just have to suck it and see. Can't do it this weekend, have a wedding to go to and can't do with the extra stress

Phone is Samsung Model GT - 19100 Android 4.1.2

Yes it's very old but does what I need

Your phone is 12 years old and that version of Android won't cope with a modern app such as What3Words. 

You can get a2-3 year old Samsung phone on Ebay unlocked for £60-£70 on average. If you go off grid regularly I think it would be a good investment. Especially if it saves your life! Try the Samsung A10 or S20. They would cope with What3words. 

twopenny

Aw thanks RealGem. That saves me pffaffing about to get into my account and download, I;m a bit up to my eyes at the moment.

And thanks for the recommendation/name and number to update my phone. I wouldn't have known that.

I always travel with spare walking boots, sleeping bag, foil blankets and refreshments and nearby villages are walkable.

It's normal here to be 'off grid' you only have to walk past the harbour or be on the nearby hill 2 miles away.

While a phone is another tool for centralised services it's less reliable than a whistle or alarm here. Both of which work anywhere

Some sort of gps would be useful. Another thread maybe.

RealGem

twopenny said:

Aw thanks RealGem. That saves me pffaffing about to get into my account and download, I;m a bit up to my eyes at the moment.

And thanks for the recommendation/name and number to update my phone. I wouldn't have known that.

I always travel with spare walking boots, sleeping bag, foil blankets and refreshments and nearby villages are walkable.

It's normal here to be 'off grid' you only have to walk past the harbour or be on the nearby hill 2 miles away.

While a phone is another tool for centralised services it's less reliable than a whistle or alarm here. Both of which work anywhere

Some sort of gps would be useful. Another thread maybe.

The What3Words app uses GPS, so nothing extra to learn ...don't worry!

Any app that uses your Location uses GPS.

You have to have "Location" swtiched on for those apps to work. Easy to do in settings or by dragging from the top of the screen on the home page, downwards on a modern Samsung phone. 

I still get excited like a little kid, watching my coach or train zoom along in real time in Google Maps. There isn't even a tiny delay. When the map shows you going under a bridge, there is actually a massive bridge above your head!

When you can see water nearby on your phone screen, look out of the window... and there's the water!

I LOVE that!

Youngsters will think I'm mad, but when you've used confusing A-Z paper maps your whole life, this is bloody amazing!