hand helds

[punisher1130]

That's what's nice about the InReach. It gives you some options that don't involve calling the Air Force.

Agreed, and if I'm not mistaken ( I could be getting my info mixed between the 2, been getting a lot of info on this) InReach offers a good communication ability over spot so I could actually tell responders what's going on while with spot once u push the button, everyone and their mom is on the way when all I need is 1 person with a remedy I may not have with me, but on the flip side if I do need a evac from where I am then I can get that as well. Plus InReach doesn't require annual payment to work.

 

[punisher1130]

License is required only if you transmit. Listen to anything for free.

Works for me.

 

[k9lestat]

Even licensed hams have cheat sheets and cards taped to radios for quick referece.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[texascrane]

Even licensed hams have cheat sheets and cards taped to radios for quick referece.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

But there's a difference between having a cheatsheet that lets you quickly jump to specific menu settings (because they're all called different things and require different key presses to get to them on various radios) and not understanding why you scanned until you found people talking but they can't seem to hear you at all.

If you're going to carry around a ham radio, you might as well get licensed because even if you have a cheatsheet, without the basic knowledge that comes with a (easy to get) tech license and some experience, you're likely to have a lot of trouble figuring out how to effectively make contact with a 5w HT. I think this is especially true of the Baofengs as setting up the proper offset and tone codes for repeater use isn't particularly intuitive.

 

[ChadHahn]

It's very easy to get the Technicians license. I went to an online test and took it over and over again until I learned all the questions and answers and then paid my $10 or what ever and took the test for real. It only took a week or so.

Chad

 

[craig333]

The plb is great if you broke your leg and bone is sticking out. Hams won't worry about your license in that situation either. Need assistance with a flat tire? They'll probably want to know your callsign. And it is so easy.

 

[punisher1130]

The plb is great if you broke your leg and bone is sticking out. Hams won't worry about your license in that situation either. Need assistance with a flat tire? They'll probably want to know your callsign. And it is so easy.

That's my point, I only need something in an emergency situation when I am hiking away from my truck, if I'm with my truck I will just use my CB.

 

[4x4junkie]

That's my point, I only need something in an emergency situation when I am hiking away from my truck, if I'm with my truck I will just use my CB.

You had better get rid of that stubby little tiny antenna you mentioned in your other thread right away then if you're going to rely on your CB... Your chances of reaching someone with that antenna should you bust a radiator or something are close to nil (especially via skywave propagation, which may end up being your only option on a CB if you're deep in a remote area away from any major highways or busy 4WD corridors).

Like others have already stated, the more options you have before having to call in the cavalry, the better. InReach seems like a good thing to have for sure. If a ham unit won't also be among them, then at least add a GOOD FRS/GMRS unit that has channel & code scan capability, and maybe MURS too (perhaps these are what the Baofeng will be used for?). Many problems start out small, but become much more serious if time is allowed to go on (running out of food/water while in the scenario above would be a good example).

 

[pugslyyy]

That's my point, I only need something in an emergency situation when I am hiking away from my truck, if I'm with my truck I will just use my CB.

I would not count on the CB for emergency signaling. A ham rig where you can bounce a repeater is a much better bet - longer reach and a much greater chance of talking to someone who can assist.

I've used 2 meter to get help for an unstuck before. Solo travel and got stuck in a dry lake bed that wasn't so dry so there was no way to self rescue.

 

[punisher1130]

Never said I was putting all my faith in my 4 foot, I just got the to get the hang of things while wheeling with a group but once I have some experience then I will upgrade to a 102'' whip, thought I said that earlier on this post. Would a signal booster for my CB work better than a repeater? I have heard story's ( my grandfather did it too) of people using boosters and can talk to someone in another state.

 

[punisher1130]

You had better get rid of that stubby little tiny antenna you mentioned in your other thread right away then if you're going to rely on your CB... Your chances of reaching someone with that antenna should you bust a radiator or something are close to nil (especially via skywave propagation, which may end up being your only option on a CB if you're deep in a remote area away from any major highways or busy 4WD corridors).

Like others have already stated, the more options you have before having to call in the cavalry, the better. InReach seems like a good thing to have for sure. If a ham unit won't also be among them, then at least add a GOOD FRS/GMRS unit that has channel & code scan capability, and maybe MURS too (perhaps these are what the Baofeng will be used for?). Many problems start out small, but become much more serious if time is allowed to go on (running out of food/water while in the scenario above would be a good example).

What determines a good frs/gmrs and what handheld would you recommend if there is good and bad?

 

[4x4junkie]

Never said I was putting all my faith in my 4 foot, I just got the to get the hang of things while wheeling with a group but once I have some experience then I will upgrade to a 102'' whip, thought I said that earlier on this post. Would a signal booster for my CB work better than a repeater? I have heard story's ( my grandfather did it too) of people using boosters and can talk to someone in another state.

Signal boosters (a.k.a. linear amps, "kickers") are not legal for CB, but the use of one can increase it's effectiveness several-fold for skywave communication, and about doubles range locally. The odds of reaching someone on it still won't match that of a HF ham or something on which you can access a hilltop repeater though.

One good quality FRS/GMRS unit would be the Motorola MS350R. It touts a 35-mile line-of-sight range (though is usually 2-5 miles under most "normal" circumstances) and can scan for activity and privacy (tone) codes so when you do find someone on it you will know what code (if any) they are using so you can reach them effectively. It is also one of the very few units of it's type that can access GMRS repeaters. Like ham, if you can reach a repeater your odds of contacting someone go way up, but you'll need to know what repeaters are in the area you're in ahead of time (I guess you could just sit there and keep trying different tone codes until you get a response from one, but of course there's no guarantee that you will find one).
Like ham, GMRS requires you be licensed, though obtaining the license is very different than for ham. Use of the MS350R's FRS channels (1-14) doesn't require a license.

 

[punisher1130]

Starting to sound like I should get a ham for the truck too, I will have to look up these licenses. What about these radios for the FRS/GMRS>>>> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007B5ZR4G...lid=2FV61L16MLQPR&coliid=I1P2I2RKLH1YI9&psc=1

 

[punisher1130]

Biggest problem with using a amplifier with the CB radio, other the illegality of course is that while you may in fact be able to increase your transmission range, you won't be able to hear anyone responding unless they're also using an illegal amplifier or they're within range in which case you wouldn't need the amp in the first place...

Here's the issue that you're facing in my opinion.

You haven't defined your needs well enough.

You've talked about only using the radio to call for help but you haven't shared how far from civilization you're planning on being.

If you're never more than a couple miles from a populated area your needs will be different than if you're literally in the middle nowhere. I know this sounds very basic but think about it, how can anyone know what your equipment needs will be if you can't define the means under which it'll be used?

You've gotten an overwhelming amount of data but even if you bought every item that's been recommended and stuffed it all in your truck you still might not have what you need because it's gonna depend on your actual needs in the environment you'll be in.

In a nutshell, who exactly are you planning to call for help and how far away from them will you be in the case of a disaster? That's gonna determine the gear choices, nothing else.

Ohhh ok I see what your saying now, guess I was miss understanding what you were trying to say, well that's a dilemma I cant figure out just by thinking it over. I don't know how far out I will be because where I would like to go I have never been let alone how to get there, hence why I will be going with a group to learn first.

What I do know is I plan to be running mainly in Georgia and Tennessee since I have family in both states that are willing to join me and have more access to all this then I do so as for ''who'' I reach for help, for now anyone able to answer and willing to help is the best response I have for the moment. For how far out I will be, couldn't tell you since my cousin is the one planning it for my visit to Tennessee this October, same would be for my uncle in Georgia, so to answer the statement on how far out, for the moment it will have to wait till I get out there and learn.

I guess the best way to put what I am looking for at this particular point and time is what is a basic or ''starter'' gear would I need so that I can communicate with everyone in the group and I'm not just dead weight in the group trailing through and being a mule so to speak.

 

[RobRed]

I agree pugslyyy its a great insurance policy to have in that sense but what RobRed just mentioned is little more along the lines of what I'm looking for, there when I need it, out of my mind with no regular maintenance when I don't, like my CB in my truck. I apologize if I seem to be talking in riddles I have a hard time trying to say what I'm thinking of at times.

RobRed is there a brand you would recommend for the PLB or would any do?

ACR is the one. Online or at REI.

about half way down the page of my build thread is pics etc

http://forum.tlcfaq.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19

A PLB can only be used to activate a rescue effort. Activation starts a pretty serious chain of events, is that what you need?

What sort of activity and area are you planning on being in and doing in general terms?

This will sound rude and I don't mean it to but you seem to be more concerned with buying something rather than the right thing.

Absolutely correct. A PLB is for dire emergency with no other option.

Works for me.

$15 and 30 questions later you could have a ham license. The first time you key up on FM and get a conversation going will be the last time you ever want to use your CB.