Emergency comms

The only dumb questions are the ones not asked. No one will make fun of you for trying to learn. And anyone that knows something about anything will be willing to help on here.

 

So true.

repeaterbook.com

You can even query it in Chirp to fill in your radio memory with a point and click.

Guys mentioning APRS, you'll be interested that you can beacon onto APRS-IS from the White Rim Trail. My APRS station is a 5W data radio and 1/2 wavelength antenna, so it's not a high power or gain scenario either.

 

Get your license and install a tinytracker;
https://www.byonics.com/rtg
~$200 for a APRS live view.

 

As someone who lives just about in the arctic with 2-3 hrs driving between towns, zero cell service on the highway and down to -40°C in the winter... I can confirm what this guy is saying.

I bought an inreach and have it in my pack whenever I hit the the road. Along with flares, extra food and water and a crap ton of winter gear/blankets.

The $35 CDN I pay for the subscription every month is negligible, knowing it can save my life it I hit a moose/get in a serious collision/am stranded.

 

You are not retarded, this is not a simple problem with simple solutions. Going to take some research...

Just to reiterate what others have said. The satellite subscription equipment is the most versatile. Look up the inreach, etc and see if you can live with the cost and yearly fees.

Become a radio operator.

And lastly, a personal locator beacon is a good idea, such as ACR PLB 375.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPLB-375-ResQLink-Buoyant-Personal-Locator%2Fdp%2FB006JXY0CQ&ved=2ahUKEwiJhpKC0NTeAhXhkOAKHXMDDzoQFjABegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw1XX6m67qxjlog4z8_qxSGN

. It wont let you communicate in the same way, it's just off or on, but no monthly fees... I carry one each time I go in our aircraft, boat, and hiking trip...

 

Hi Dave, I am surprised to hear that SAR is using amateur bands. I know it varies state to state, but I did not realize it was common. We usually use the traditional 155.xxx frequencies.

 

Yeah, it probably does depend. When I wrote that I was thinking of the Colorado 4X4 Rescue & Recovery volunteers who use ham.

https://co4x4rnr.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=10369&module_id=280050

The regular SAR team affiliated with our county sheriff have government issued radios I believe.

Sometimes ARES/RACES get activated for non-critical stuff during snowstorms and wildfires, but the actual first responders aren't using them.

 

HAM radios are great, I have a Technician’s cert too, but for SOS calling in really remote or adverse locations like canyon bottoms where HAM radio signals can’t get out or in very well, Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s) like SPOT or InReach and others are best, for they send satellite SOS calls. But unlike SPOT or InReach, the ACR PLB’s need no subscription, but unlike SPOT or InReach, they cannot send other messages and are only for dire emergencies. They can only send your location to the USCG through NOAA or another international agency depending where in the world you are by satellite, and also transmit a RF direction finding signal for ground or air based rescuers to target your position if you don’t have a good GPS lock (SPOT and InReach don’t have this function so they get lost without a GPS or satellite signal). I keep it in my truck, and transfer it to my Kayak or when backpacking when out, along with my waterproof 2-meter HAM tranciever. I have a SPOT too and really liked it, but I stopped using it as I didn’t need the messaging service anymore as my job changed, so the ACR was best in the long run. One thing to note- its totally sealed so needs to have the internal battery changed by the factory every 5-years, but its still cheaper than the other options.

https://www.amazon.com/PLB-375-ResQLink-Buoyant-Personal-Locator/dp/B006JXY0CQ

 

Here is a start to find a test near you.

http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search

I'm a Volunteer Examiner in NH. Many clubs have tests all through the year.
As an example, a quick check shows there are at least 9 exams being given between this weekend and April within 20 miles of my QTH. That's about one every 2 weeks ! Good Luck and check back with questions or for encouragement !
You can and should do this !

 

This is a lot of information for my tiny brain. I'm gonna get my ham cert but in the meantime I ordered the inreach mini because I go for a drive every weekend and I'm almost always alone or with my kids. Thanks

 

Dont worry, the InReaches are great as you can call out for emergency help, or just a tow truck or that you are good, just running late. The only difference is that it can do all that with a subscription fee, whereas the one ACR-PLB I posted can only do a free call for a mayday SOS and that’s it.

 

Yes. I like the options. Thanks

 

plenty of backpackers and hikers keep these on them https://www.findmespot.com/en/

 

Great choice !

 

I don't use the InReach, but I think you will be happy with it (if you are OK with the subscription fee). I recommend keeping a set of spare charging components, like maybe a AA battery power bank, etc. I also recommend if you aren't actively using it, keep it in a waterproof phone pouch with backup power, just for when everything goes to hell.

If you want a backup to it, I still vote for the ACR PLB-375. Each of our family carries one away from home area, so the lack of subscriptions helps... (I know its more marketing tool than anything else, but I enjoy the rescue stories https://www.acrartex.com/stories )

 

Does inreach get you 100% reception anywhere you go? Well off the beaten trail? Also, can they come save your ass if you flip off-road in the middle of nowhere at night? Or capsize on your boat?

 

It’s a satellite beacon and will, as long as there is clear sky above. It transmits similar frequencies that work your GPS in the microwave spectrum, so it wont transmit to satellites if obscured by mountains, metal or if the antenna is covered. That’s why the ACR also has a VHF transmitter for radios as well as one for satellites, so it has better chance of being received that way.

 

I was not aware of this ..... .......

 

Inreach signal strength is dictated by its ability to communicate with the iridium satellite(s). When you press the SOS button on the inreach, it sends a signal to a global rescue operation who then communicate with you through the device, and contact the emergency rescue service(s) nearest to you based on your GPS signal.

I live in the Northwest Territories, I'll bet it's far more remote / sparsely populated than anywhere in the USA and I never have an issue getting a satellite signal, for what that's worth.

As long as you're conscious and able to press the SOS button or use the text feature, you should be able to reach help.

 

They fuckin better and they better tell me when they're comin. And you sound like you work for acrartex. Those examples sound eerily similar to their exploitive "rescue stories"