Starlink or Garmin in reach

[Datsun Man]

HAM and GMRS is not the answer

Yes you can make contacts around the globe. The issue is what is the 78 year old HAM in Thailand going to do for you when you broke your leg and are bleeding out? And that assumes you where able to set up and tune your antenna before you died. And it also assumes anyone was listening on the freq you are transmitting on.

HAM is only good if someone is listening, they speak your language, they are in a position to help you, and you have time/knowledge to make it work.

As a personal emergency communication contingency its simply a no go.

Now during a situation such as a hurricane etc, that is where it is at. Where you can set up repeaters, EOCs etc. and have them manned and listening. Providing regional communications and resources

Shawn

That is why we have more than just a radio. Yes I have a GMRS Radio on my vehicle, but I also have InReach as well. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Depending on where you are and what the situation is will depend on what's going to be the better option. Of course there is no tool that will do it all, but having the right tools will certainly help in the right situations. It's the same idea with recovery gear. Each piece has its purpose and it will change per situation for what to use.

 

[Shawn686]

That is why we have more than just a radio. Yes I have a GMRS Radio on my vehicle, but I also have InReach as well. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Depending on where you are and what the situation is will depend on what's going to be the better option. Of course there is no tool that will do it all, but having the right tools will certainly help in the right situations. It's the same idea with recovery gear. Each piece has its purpose and it will change per situation for what to use.

You are right they do.

The context of this thread was for emergency communication. And for that GMRS and HAM simply are not capable of providing that, except under very specific situations. Which do not apply to 99.99% of people 99.99% of the time, making them a non option.

Shawn

 

[Datsun Man]

You are right they do.

The context of this thread was for emergency communication. And for that GMRS and HAM simply are not capable of providing that, except under very specific situations. Which do not apply to 99.99% of people 99.99% of the time, making them a non option.

Shawn

I will have to disagree with you. Depending on where one may be located during a trip, a GMRS or HAM Radio can be an excellent option for Emergency Communication. This is as long as you can reach a close enough tower for communication. Does this apply to everyone and every situation? Not necessarily, but it may apply to a good amount of individuals in various situations. It just depends on what you have and what is going on. Then again it may not be best option depending on what the situation is.

 

[blacklbzbeauty]

In an emergency situation the only option is what with a push of the button will bring the cavalry coming 100% of the time. Not sometimes, not often, not most of the time, but every time.

 

[NOPEC]

Last summer on day 68 of a scheduled 85 day wilderness paddling trip in the middle of nowhere, I suddenly experienced what I believed were stroke and/or TIA symptoms. Being well north of 70 in age, it is not that unlikely. Having been involved in SAR for decades, I am always hesitant to call out a full calvary response for an issue that I can potentially mitigate myself. (like most SAR members I have been to my fair share of "severe hangnail" types of callouts...) So I simply "inreached" one of my contacts in Yellowknife who organized a consult with a physcian and after some back and forth messaging, my contact ordered up a helicopter ride out (my tab). I was in hospital getting a CAT Scan well within the stroke treatment time window. As blacklbzbeauty mentioned, the satellite is always there 100% of the time and can always be counted on. I get it that radio is everybit as good when available but for this trip, it was not an option during most of it. Turned out I damaged a nerve in my ar*e from months of sitting in the kayak, all good now.....

 

[Shawn686]

I will have to disagree with you. Depending on where one may be located during a trip, a GMRS or HAM Radio can be an excellent option for Emergency Communication. This is as long as you can reach a close enough tower for communication. Does this apply to everyone and every situation? Not necessarily, but it may apply to a good amount of individuals in various situations. It just depends on what you have and what is going on. Then again it may not be best option depending on what the situation is.

My point still stands.

Even if you are in a place where you can hit a tower, what freq do you call on, is that freq monitored 24/7/365? And if someone does answer, is that person capable/willing to effectively, quickly and correctly pass that emergency communication. Also do they know where and who to pass that communication too?

Unless you have made previous arrangements to have someone monitor 24/7 for the duration you will be relying on it, and have briefed what actions to take on an emergency. It simply is not effective.

You are literally calling in the blind hoping on a wish and a prayer that someone may be listening and they know what to do.

I don't know about you, but the lives of my loved ones and my life are worth more than that. Emergency contingency communications need to work the first time every time, to the extent that is possible.

Is it possible to use those services to get help? Yes. Is it reliable? NO

Purposefully handicapping yourself makes no sense and is dangerous.

Shawn

 

[rruff]

You are literally calling in the blind hoping on a wish and a prayer that someone may be listening and they know what to do.

It's a fair point, and it's good that you mention the difference... but if you really prioritize danger and safety, then it becomes a slippery slope to total obsession. Might as well just stay home.

The bulk of my "overlanding" was a few thousand days spent in the boonies (ideally miles from another human)... before cell phones or any of this other stuff. No one knew where I was or what my schedule might be, and they were not expecting a call. If I got into a situation that I couldn't get out of, then the ravens and vultures would have picked my carcass clean long before anyone missed me.

"We all got it comin, kid".

Now I have a cell phone. I figure that is plenty of safety to counteract my old age, even though I often don't have a signal in the places I go. We all have to balance safety with our experience of life and the "cost" ($, time, mental energy)... and that goes for our loved ones as well.

 

[Shawn686]

It's a fair point, and it's good that you mention the difference... but if you really prioritize danger and safety, then it becomes a slippery slope to total obsession. Might as well just stay home.

The bulk of my "overlanding" was a few thousand days spent in the boonies (ideally miles from another human)... before cell phones or any of this other stuff. No one knew where I was or what my schedule might be, and they were not expecting a call. If I got into a situation that I couldn't get out of, then the ravens and vultures would have picked my carcass clean long before anyone missed me.

"We all got it comin, kid".

Now I have a cell phone. I figure that is plenty of safety to counteract my old age, even though I often don't have a signal in the places I go. We all have to balance safety with our experience of life and the "cost" ($, time, mental energy)... and that goes for our loved ones as well.

There is no slippery slope or obsession. Just objective reality.

Just like you dont have a ziplock bag full of water under your sink to combat a kitchen fire. Yes it may work, but you looked at the reality of the potential situation came to the position that the best course of action was a fire extinguisher.

Shawn

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Our solution in Oz is to buy your favorite 2 way devise (dependent on your preference and budget), then get a PLB/EPIRB that is guaranteed to work anywhere, every time, whether you know an appropriate number to call, or not.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[Datsun Man]

There is no slippery slope or obsession. Just objective reality.

Just like you dont have a ziplock bag full of water under your sink to combat a kitchen fire. Yes it may work, but you looked at the reality of the potential situation came to the position that the best course of action was a fire extinguisher.

Shawn

Keep in mind that many who have a 2 way radio on their right probably have a emergency communication device like the Garmin InReach or even a satellite phone of their choice. Getting Starlink simply for emergency communication is a bit silly due to the cost. Yes the Garmin InReach cost a fair amount, but still a fraction of the cost. Am I saying to only rely on a 2 way radio? Nope, but you are making it sound like such. I'm simply stating that it's a good idea to have one. Doing such can be helpful in different situations that another device like the InReach won't be ideal. Each tool has its place and there is no tool that takes the place of all the rest.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Keep in mind that many who have a 2 way radio on their right probably have a emergency communication device like the Garmin InReach or even a satellite phone of their choice. Getting Starlink simply for emergency communication is a bit silly due to the cost. Yes the Garmin InReach cost a fair amount, but still a fraction of the cost. Am I saying to only rely on a 2 way radio? Nope, but you are making it sound like such. I'm simply stating that it's a good idea to have one. Doing such can be helpful in different situations that another device like the InReach won't be ideal. Each tool has its place and there is no tool that takes the place of all the rest.

Right now a Starlink Mini ($299 in US) and its service ($10/month 10GB) is cheaper than a good quality radio and antenna and arguably far more useful in more situations. I’d still go with an Inreach or PLB for emergency use over either option.

 

[Datsun Man]

Right now a Starlink Mini ($299 in US) and its service ($10/month 10GB) is cheaper than a good quality radio and antenna and arguably far more useful in more situations. I’d still go with an Inreach or PLB for emergency use over either option.

Not sure what radios you are looking at, but with a budget of $299 I can still get a quality 2 way radio and antenna and have a fair range and still have a few bucks left over. It won't be the most powerful radio on the market, but it will do the job. Also it doesn't have a subscription either. What radio am I talking about you ask? The Midland MXT275 paired with the MXTA26 antenna. I had that setup on a previous vehicle and I got an impressive range with it.

 

[Trail Talk]

Our solution in Oz is to buy your favorite 2 way devise (dependent on your preference and budget), then get a PLB/EPIRB that is guaranteed to work anywhere, every time, whether you know an appropriate number to call, or not.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

We’ve relied on a PLB for 10+ years now, only downside are expensive battery changes. I take the step of updating our travel plans and contacts with the national registry as required. Still in our first year with an InReach, for the check-in feature mostly. After the required 3 months I downgraded the subscription to fee per use for non-emergency texts and weather, which should serve our needs fine. But I still take the PLB…

 

[JaSAn]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that with inReach all I need to do is activate the SOS button to start the rescue process. I don't need to be coherent enough to explain to someone what I need and where I am. If I am capable, I can text with SAR what I need through inReach.

I got inReach at the request of my family. As I have aged they like the peace of mind knowing I am ok every night. Some even take delight in following my adventures on Google Earth.

 

[Datsun Man]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that with inReach all I need to do is activate the SOS button to start the rescue process. I don't need to be coherent enough to explain to someone what I need and where I am. If I am capable, I can text with SAR what I need through inReach.

I got inReach at the request of my family. As I have aged they like the peace of mind knowing I am ok every night. Some even take delight in following my adventures on Google Earth.

It is a very nice benefit of the InReach. With all the tools available on some of the InReach devices, I don't see how others steer clear of it