emergency communication with no cell coverage--what have you done?

[TurboMinivan]

Background: I have a technician ham license. I have two HTs. For better, longer-range communication I bought a 2m mobile transceiver (FT-2900R) and just installed it in my commuter car--it works great. Now I'm planning to buy a dual band transceiver to put in my Jeep (it already has a CB radio installed). I want dual band for the Jeep simply because it would give me more repeater options in remote areas; as one specific example, I've read that the entire Rubicon Trail is covered by a 70cm repeater and I'd want to be able to use it were disaster to strike when I run that trail again.

Anyway, I'm on Facebook (Utah Ham Radio Operators group) chatting about antenna installation for the Jeep. One ham fanatic there is really pushing me to go all in and step up to a quad band transceiver since I don't carry a sat phone. He tells a long-winded tale about being on a 4x4 trip where a serious delay cropped up. One vehicle had a 10m radio and called out to someone in another state (!) who then called a few family members back home to keep them from sending our S&R when the group didn't get home as planned. Yeah, okay, whatever.

In all my years of Jeeping, I've never been in a situation where I was out of telephone coverage but I needed to communicate with somebody back in civilization. Sure, I've been late coming home numerous times; nevertheless there was no panic back home (for whatever reason) so it was never a big deal. But as this guy keeps going on and on about it, it has made me start to think. After all, I do now go Jeeping in more remote areas than ever before, and I am going on more challenging trails than I ever used to... so maybe he has a good point.


Thus I open it up to my fellow RMEers: have any of you personally ever been in a scenario requiring emergency communication with the rest of the world when you had no cell phone coverage? If so, what was the situation? What method of communication did you use? Was it successful? I'd love to hear all about it.

 

[DAA]

I just walk until I can get a cell signal or thumb a ride. Furthest/longest I ever had to walk was 34 miles/2 days. I didn't even own a cell phone at that time.

My boss has been trying to buy me a sat phone for more than a decade. I refuse to have anything of the sort with me on my solo trips. Half the fun is knowing I'm on my own, come what may. Having a working phone (or radio) along would just suck.

- DAA

 

[Kevin B.]

I just walk until I can get a cell signal or thumb a ride.

This is what I did. Didn't have to walk far, but I was ready to.

I'd like to have an amateur radio setup, but I don't feel like I need it. As long as you're not a retard like Aron Ralston it'll all work out.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

I have a 50 Watt VHF radio programed with all the common desert racing freq that will likely have no one on them in range when I need help.

 

[jeeper]

I have been thinking about one of those 'spot' gps's. Basically sends out a coule different pre programmed messages, including on for emergency help needed, along with gps location.
seems like it would be useful if ever needed, and wont break the bank.

 

[Stephen]

If you dial 911, even if you have no signal, it has to be picked up if there is ANY cell service out there. So even if you show no service of any kind, try dialing 911 and chances are good that you will get through.

 

[N-Smooth]

I have been thinking about one of those 'spot' gps's. Basically sends out a coule different pre programmed messages, including on for emergency help needed, along with gps location.
seems like it would be useful if ever needed, and wont break the bank.

Look into it more and let me know what you find. I've also thought about it.

I really only go to areas that are "popular" trail destinations ie Moab and Sand Hollow but it sure wouldn't hurt to have.

 

[TurboMinivan]

I forgot to say: if I do end up going with a quad band rig, I'll upgrade to a General license so as to gain full 10m privileges.

So even if you show no service of any kind, try dialing 911 and chances are good that you will get through.

I've heard others say this, though when you're in a remote canyon somewhere I still don't think this has a high probability of working. (shrug)

 

[skeptic]

Eh, all I have is a CB. The places I go that's enough to contact someone. Plus, short of a medical emergency beyond my abilities I always have enough emergency gear to survive a few days.

 

[Houndoc]

My main experiences has been in the northern Canada- either out on the tundra or roadless forest where I help organize a sled dog race. Cell phone even 911 completely out of the question.

We have sat phones at camps/checkpoints (located about 50 miles apart) , and those on the trail carry the Spot devices. Both have been utilized. The sat phone was critical when we all became stranded in a blizzard (as well as the fact we were warned of the incoming storm and could prepare) out on the tundra. Another year one of the mushers was stranded in a freezing rain when sled was destroyed. Could easily have been fatal without the Spot system.

 

[Tonkaman]

I like to take the wife and daughter out on long camping trips. Most of the trips have a general area to explore but no real agenda. Because they are with me I feel like I need to be better prepared for emergency communication. A couple years back we broke down and I had to leave them while I hiked in search of a cell signal. I was lucky enough to find a signal within about 10 miles but If I hadn't They could've been alone all night. HAM is in my near future

 

[locknloadfzj80]

I have that in my Cruiser. Only set it up before I hit the trail though. I have a directional antenna for when I really get out in BFE. Only have used the directional once out in Capital Reef though.

Carrier agonistic and runs on 700mhz, 800, 1900, 1700/2100 AWS so that is awesome.

 

[amp713]

I hunt the backcountry alot and have a a spot gps device, it just get tossed in every time i head out anywhere. Mainly emergency type deals only.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I use one of these for emergencies:

http://www.amazon.com/ACR-PLB-375-R...&qid=1412199887&sr=8-1&keywords=acr+resqlink+

thankfully I've never had to use it. No fee to register, no monthly fees, works anywhere in the world. Just push the button to send SAR to come and get you. It's light, waterproof, fairly cheap, you can test it for free, and it floats. I did a lot of research into the SPOT/delorme options and settled on the ResQlink beacon for my needs. I'm very happy with it.

 

[moab_cj5]

I recently rolled up on a rollover accident in rural Idaho north of Lava Hot Springs. I tried calling 911 with 1 bar of nothing service and it wouldnt connect reliably. I wouldn't want my life on the line while trying to connect to 911 on weak signal.

I am curious about the responses too. Looks like some interesting options so far.

 

[gijohn40]

having had my license for the past 30 yrs now I wouldn't go with a Quad... a simple dual band is going to be your best choice... if you feel that its not going to be enough then pack a good directional antenna in its original packing case and when you need it just assemble it. They are lightweight and easy to put together and you can point them in just about any directions and pick up a repeater.

A 50 watt radio and a 4-5 element beam will shoot a signal close to 75 miles on 2 meters.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

I go pretty remote, life flight end twice in my life. Verizon works every time

 

[TurboMinivan]

A 50 watt radio and a 4-5 element beam will shoot a signal close to 75 miles on 2 meters.

Thanks, John. I value your opinion on this subject very highly.

I appreciate everybody's remarks. I spent about an hour and a half surfing around reading lots of info about 10m mobile operation. Taking into account what you guys have said, plus what 10m mobile operators say, plus the challenges my Jeep presents in effectively mounting a good 10m antenna, I have decided to just stick to my original plan and go dual band only in the Jeep.

Now to choose a transceiver....

 

[sixstringsteve]

It sounds like you found a solution, but for those looking this up in the future, here's another great overview:

http://expeditionportal.com/personal-locator-beacons-and-satellite-messengers/

 

[pkrfctr]

Keep in mind SAT phones are not a given for help if needed. We were outside of Ely, NV and came upon a truck that had slid off the road and rolled, had to make an emergency 911 call. When we used the SAT phone the first question was "what country are you calling from" then the signal was lost with no follow up on their end and we couldn't connect again. Turns out all emergency 911 SAT calls are routed to an international center, unless it has changed recently this was 7-8 years ago. I ended up hiking up the closest peak and was able to get a cell signal out.