We think of our smart device as reliable, so reliable we no longer fear getting lost on the road. It has GPS technology, important contacts, and most importantly, service. But what about places where there is no reception? No matter how fancy our gadget is, there is the possibility of being in the middle of nowhere and needing to get help. That, or our visit to the Coachella Valley Music Festival is keeping us from calling our worrying mother. A device called GoTenna can connect two mobile phones over a distance of 50 miles without a cellular signal.

GoTenna, a New York City radio hardware startup, is a 6-inch long baton that pairs with an iOS or Android device using Bluetooth. It connects with other GoTennas, no matter their distance apart, allowing their paired phones to communicate. The device works by creating their own closed network using low-frequency radio waves. Since it is completely off the grid, no tweeting or surfing the web here. It's really only useful for sending texts or GPS coordinates. These lower frequencies propagate further and can work through trees and other obstacles. Additionally, all messages are “end-to-end encrypted, self-destructing, and not stored on a central server”. All you do is use an app on your smartphone to access the GoTenna radio and connect to GoTenna devices of your choosing over Bluetooth.

GoTenna are sold in pairs, making it convenient to hand the other one off to someone in your group, or to someone within 50 miles in case of emergency. The accompanying app comes with downloadable maps, making it handy for people in lost terrain to communicate with each other and coordinate their movements. Anyone from skiers, hikers, trekkers, mountain climbers, to campers could find GoTenna helpful. According to the company website, GoTenna charges using USB and can last up to 72 hours with intermittent use, and 30 hours of constant use. It is currently available for pre-order for a discounted price of $149 a pair. After the company reaches its $50,000 crowdfunding goal, the price will jump to $299 a pair. GoTenna works with iOS 7 and above, and Android 4.X or above. It is currently seeking regulatory approval by the FCC, which should be conclusive in the next two weeks.