[50mhz] [Wswss] HT in the Backcountry

[SWMEOW at aol.com]

Common question on someone considering a ham radio set to meet a  
communications REQUIREMENT . My answer :
 
Purchase a Personal Locator Beacon , and use it only in a life and death  
emergency . No monthly fee .
 
 Get SPOT to let loved ones know you are OK , and GLOBALSTAR to speak  to 
friends that the hike is going well . 
 
Ham Radio is more than just a 5 watt walky talky - we are a family of  
trained radio operators who use our gear regularly to make new friends , and  
share hikes with you who may want to communicate with us on the way up . We 
are  more than a radio band , just in case . 
 
Share with us your adventures on the air , and we will be there if case of  
an emergency  . The entry test is a 30 day prep , and we welcome you to ham 
 radio if you have an INTEREST in regularly chatting over the airwaves in a 
 non-emergency .
 
gordon west 
 
 
In a message dated 7/26/2010 9:52:57 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
TwelveVDC at aol.com writes:

The  following question was posted in another forum, but since so many here 
are  qualified to answer, I thought someone may wish to contribute to a 
thoughtful,  considered answer.
Please reply on the LINK provided below, (NOT HERE) or  kdawson will never 
read your answer.



Amateur Radio In the  Backcountry? (from the ham-on-the-hoof dept.)
|   posted by  kdawson on Saturday July 24, @15:32 (Communications)
|   
https://ask.slashdot.org/story/10/07/24/1823252/Amateur-Radio-In-the-Backcountry    
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------+

bartle  writes 

"I spend a lot of time hiking in the Colorado Rockies. Cell  phone 
reception is very unreliable and I'm curious if carrying a small amateur  radio 
would make any sense at all. I don't want to add too much weight to my  pack; 
from what I gather, a radio weighing a pound would give me at most 5 to  10 
watts of transmitting power. I have no idea if this is enough to be  effective 
in a mountainous region, and I'm hoping some experienced Slashdot  hams 
could give me a clue.

"I'm only interested in acquiring a radio  and license if it is a lot more 
effective and reliable than the cell phone I  already carry. Otherwise I'll 
just wait for Globalstar to bring back their  duplex service and buy a 
next-generation SPOT messaging device. (I know some  Slashdotters will want to 
suggest a modern SPOT or Personal Locator Beacon;  these are suitable for the 
worst kinds of emergencies, but I'll point out that  reliable communication 
can help prevent small crises from becoming big ones.)  

"Are small amateur radios effective in the field, or are vehicle rigs  
really the only way to go? Or am I better off just waiting for  satellite?"

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