*** Radios for Emergency Use ***

Thu Jun 30 14:10:36 1994
Message : #14557837    From: Hal Lillywhite
Address : hall@macs.ico.tek.com
Subject : Re: Radios for Emergency Use


There are several means of electronic communication available
for use in the backcountry.  Each has its advantages and
disadvantages.  For those interested in such things here is my
summary:

CB Radio:

  Advantages:  Relatively cheap one shot cost to purchase the radio,
  no monthly fees, no license required.

  Disadvantages:  Highly uncertain if you will be able to
  contact anyone.  Range is very limited except for unreliable
  "skips."  If you are close to a major highway you could probably
  reach a trucker but from most backcountry you would be lucky to
  contact anyone who could help in an emergency.

  CB is useful in talking between members of a group who may be
  separated by a mile or so.

Cellular Phone:

  Advantages:  Easiest to use, no license required.

  Disadvantages:  Expensive.  Relatively high monthly fees are
  required plus the initial cost of the equipment.  (However some
  people already have them for business reasons so added expense is
  only the cost for the calls placed.)  Worse, coverage
  is *very* limited, in some areas it is quite good but at present
  these are definitely the exception in the back country.  If you
  are very far from the road a cellular probably won't work.

  Note that cellular is in a state of rapid change.  It is a new
  technology and both technological progress and competition are
  driving down equipment prices and expanding coverage quite
  rapidly.  Whatever I write here is likely to no longer be true 3-6
  months from now.  The companies in this business are looking at
  the "one person one phone number" concept.  Eventually they hope
  to have everybody carry their own phone everywhere and be
  reachable pretty much anywhere in the world.  That might be
  tolerable as long as the phone has an off switch.

"Ham" Radio (2 meter FM):

  Advantages:  Repeaters provide the best coverage of any
  small, lightweight communication device commonly available.
  At least in the U.S. if you can get to a reasonably high
  place you can nearly always contact someone (buy a repeater
  directory, about $6, to find the frequencies).  Many of these
  repeaters offer direct access to emergency service agencies
  (or even the regular phone system).  These amateur frequencies
  are also widely used all over the world.  In some cases one
  country will allow you to transmit based on your license from
  a different country.  Repeater availibility also varies with
  country.  Check rules etc. in the country where you plan to
  travel.

  Disadvantages:  A license is required.  You must pass a
  test.  However to use 2 meter you only need a "No-code
  technician" license so you don't need to learn code (at
  least in the U.S.).

  Radios for this band are priced from around $200 to about as
  much as you care to spend.  Used radios are also available at
  lower prices (many hams want the latest and greatest so they
  sell their older equipment).  At least one model (Icom H16) will
  legally do both ham and commercial frequencies (including
  search and rescue frequencies).  Other models will work on both
  2 meter and 70 cm (70 cm is also good but not as useful in the
  backcountry as 2 meter).  Hand-held radios in this band come with
  "rubber duck" antennas which have limited efficiency but can still
  reach repeaters at distances up to and occasionally beyond 100
  miles depending on conditions.  A telescoping antenna (about $30)
  is useful and extends the range, often considerably depending on
  conditions.

 Lower Frequency Ham Radios:

  Advantages:  Very reliable contact.  Literally can make
  contact from pretty much anywhere in the world.  By choosing
  the proper frequency you can usually contact someone without
  the need for a repeater, even over very long distances.  These are
  the radios ham's use to talk half way around the world although
  they often have fancy antennas that type of performance also
  requires a larger, heavier battery pack than most people want to
  carry into the backcountry.

  Disadvantages:  License harder to get than for 2 meter (code
  is required).  Worse, the equipment is not nearly as portable
  as 2 meter and you usually need to set up a long antenna for
  reliable use.  Except for major expeditions I don't know of
  anybody who takes these into the backcountry.

A general note on radios:  Although a license is required for
normal use, *anybody* who knows how to operate one may do so
in an emergency, at least in the U.S.  This is allowed only
for the communications necessary to deal with the emergency.
Of course few people are going to spend the money to get a
radio which they can use only in an emergency, nearly all radio
owners are licensed.  However this rule is an advantage to the
non-licensed members of a group where one has a radio.  If the
licensed operator is incapacitated someone else can operate the
radio in an emergency.  Of course this unlicensed operator better
hope the FCC agrees that it was a real emergency, otherwise he
will likely pay a *big* fine (possibly thousands of dollars).

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