GoTenna is a cool little device that is part CB radio and part private mobile network. The idea is to overcome the shortcomings of poor network reception by using a low-power radio to communicate.

The device is a two-watt radio transceiver powered by a lithium-ion battery that connects to your phone via Bluetooth. The device itself measures only 147.3 by 25.4 by 12.7mm and weights 57g. It’s made of a mixture of metal and silicone and is dust and waterproof. It also comes with a micro-USB for recharging.

With a claimed range of up to 50 miles, this low bandwidth device connects with other phones using GoTenna to create its own ad-hoc encrypted network. The low bandwidth nature of the current iteration means you can only text with it at the moment, but that may change with further development. Messages can be sent simultaneously, you can broadcast messages and share locations on a digital map.

The benefit of GoTenna is that it’s self-contained. It doesn’t use cell towers or a network. That means that in the case of Armageddon, or if you’re simply out of coverage, radio comes to the rescue. As long as the person you’re trying to reach has a GoTenna, you can communicate.

The downside is that the person you’re trying to reach also has to be using a GoTenna and presumably needs to be within line of sight as its radio. The device is also quite expensive.

GoTenna is a good idea that needs more work to become truly great. Hopefully, if enough people buy into it, that development will continue.

Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.