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The moment your group spreads out on a trail - or just gets far enough into the backcountry - phones stop being useful for anything but photos. Nelos keeps hikers in touch without a cell signal.
Carriers build towers for roads and towns, not backcountry
Cell networks are built to cover where people live and drive, not ridgelines, canyons, and forest. Once a trail climbs, curves, or drops into a valley, signal thins out fast - often within the first mile. A group that splits up to hike at different paces loses the easiest way to check in with each other right when it matters most.
A radio network that travels with your group
Each hiker carries their phone plus a small compatible LoRa device, connected over Bluetooth. Messages and locations pass between those devices directly - no cell tower, no carrier plan required.
Group messaging
Check in with the group and coordinate, wherever the trail goes.
Position on an offline map
See everyone's last known position on a map you downloaded before the trailhead.
Need Help
One tap sends a Need Help alert with your exact location to the rest of the group.
Day hike or multi-day trek
Works the same way whether you're out for an afternoon or camped along the route for a week.
Switchbacks split the group
Faster hikers pull ahead on a set of switchbacks while the rest of the group takes a slower pace with a tired kid or a sore knee. Instead of guessing how far back the others are, the front group can see everyone's last position on the map and send a quick message to agree on a lunch spot - all without a single bar of signal.
What actually affects how far it reaches
LoRa radio range depends on terrain, elevation, tree cover, and line of sight - not just distance on a map. Dense forest or a deep valley will shorten range; open ridgelines extend it. For a larger group or a fixed basecamp, a compatible repeater left running at a high point can relay messages between hikers who couldn't otherwise reach each other. We don't promise a specific range - it depends on your setup and the ground you're covering. For a fuller walkthrough of the options, including radios and satellite devices, see our guide on communicating while hiking without cell service. For a real example, see our field report on installing a mountainside repeater.
A compatible device for each hiker
Anyone who wants to message the group or appear on the map needs a phone with Nelos and a compatible LoRa device paired over Bluetooth. See the devices guide for handhelds built for exactly this.
Nelos is a communication tool for your own group, not a replacement for a satellite emergency device or professional rescue service. On remote or high-risk routes, keep carrying the safety equipment you normally would.
Related guides
Heading somewhere without signal? Take your whole group with you.
Nelos keeps your group messaging and visible on a shared map with no cell service or Internet. Pick a supported device and set up in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How far can Nelos communicate on a trail?
Range depends entirely on your devices and the terrain - antennas, elevation, tree cover, and line of sight all matter. In dense forest that may be under a kilometer between hikers; with open ridgelines or a repeater, coverage can extend much farther. We don't guarantee a specific range.
Does every hiker need their own device?
Anyone who wants to send messages or appear on the shared map needs a phone with Nelos and a compatible LoRa device. Simply installing the app on a phone with no LoRa device paired won't let that person send or receive over the mesh.
Is Nelos a replacement for a satellite emergency device?
No. Nelos is a communication tool for your own hiking group, not a substitute for a satellite messenger, emergency beacon, or professional rescue service. On remote or high-risk routes, continue to carry appropriate safety equipment.
Can a repeater extend coverage for a larger group?
Yes. A compatible repeater left running at a high point, such as a ridge or basecamp, can relay messages and locations between hikers who couldn't otherwise reach each other directly.