Starlink or Garmin in reach

[Red90]

In Oz we carry a PLB (smaller, cheaper version of a marine EPIRB.
Under or about US$200, 7 year battery life, zero subscriptions, one way emergency only communication signal.

https://www.gme.net.au/au/emergency-safety/mt610g/

It needs to be registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/registration/
In the event of activation (for 'life threatening' situations only), the authority will check what they can to establish that it is not a false alarm and will then (depending on its location) send out a fixed wing aircraft to have a look, then effect an appropriate response depending on the needs which may include drops of supplies or helicopter evacuation.
This is "typical".

'We had confidence': Mum of Perth man stranded with family in SA outback tells of fear turning to relief

The parents of a Perth man stranded with his wife and children in South Australia's remote outback have expressed deep relief after finding out their family is safe — but the travelling group is still facing a potentially lengthy wait for floodwaters to drain away.

www.abc.net.au

Perth family rescued after spending days stranded in Simpson Desert

www.9news.com.au

Rescued family's bogged campervan retrieved from Simpson Desert by outback publican

A customised campervan belonging to a Perth family who got stuck in the Simpson Desert has finally been recovered, more than a month after the rescue.

www.abc.net.au

There is NO CHARGE for the official rescue services.
Recovery of the vehicle would be another question.

The cheapest, most effective, life saving protection for those who travel into remote areas possible.
Would not leave home without one.

Surely the US has something similar?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

PLBs are worldwide. They are on every ship and plan. The problem is there is no two way comms, which is a big deal in the rescue.

 

[Shawn686]

How much power does the starlink require?

From the starlink site for the mini:

Power Consumption	Average: 25-40W
Input Rating	12-48V 60W (12v short Starlink cable coming soon in Shop)
USB PD Requirement	100W, 20V/5A Minimum (with Starlink USB-C to Barrel Jack Cable Accessory)

 

[rruff]

^ The phone will pick up the signal directly from the satellites... and if we can use the phone as a hotspot, we shouldn't even need that stuff.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

PLBs are worldwide. They are on every ship and plan. The problem is there is no two way comms, which is a big deal in the rescue.

Virtually every 4WD in Australia carries a UHF radio, as do most aircraft which they also use to communicate with local police.
In the case of the news article rescue above, they also dropped a sat phone to provide long range coms to family.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[crazysccrmd]

How much power does the starlink require?

My mini draws about 20 watts. It needs a 100 watt USB-C PD or also works with a 65 watt USB-C PD with a short cord.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

Weboost cell phone booster any one have extra using this system in the inyo myns white mtns and death valley area? Is there any cell signsl there at all ?

 

[Bill Ruttan]

I believe

There is also another option with no monthly fees. These are typically used for boaters for rescue at sea but also work well for inland rescues. It is not a 2 way communication device but only a reuse device using gps. They are a bit larger than the inreach devices. These have been in use for many years. This is similar to what was mentioned earlier in this thread.View attachment 878130

While not exactly ‘two-way’ communications, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are now available with Return Link Service (RLS). RLS will give the user notification that their PLB emergency signal HAS been received.

 

[Bill Ruttan]

Weboost cell phone booster any one have extra using this system in the inyo myns white mtns and death valley area? Is there any cell signsl there at all ?

There is cell service in the vicinity of Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

 

[KarstenP]

Just met a guy at our offroad drivers training yesterday and we were talking about emergency comms. He was skiing in the Italian alps 3 yrs. ago when an avalanche hit his group and took 3 of them with it. He used his InReach to call for help, got an immediate response and the first helicopter landed 20 minutes later. All 3 of them were saved, thanks to InReach's fast response.

 

[Datsun Man]

If you don't need direct Internet for work, stick with an InReach Device. I have both a Garmin InReach MINI and the InReach built-in to the Garmin Tread Overland. I have experience using both for the general Weather reports and contacting other from remote places. It works well in that sort. It also has the SOS button for those emergency situations.

As for startlink, as interesting as it is, for certain political reasons I absolutely refuse to get one. Simple as that.

I will also add that it is a good idea to have either a GMRS or HAM Radio with the Appropriate Power and License will help you reach civilization without having to rely on Internet or Cell Service.

 

[deserteagle56]

I will also add that it is a good idea to have either a GMRS or HAM Radio with the Appropriate Power and License will help you reach civilization without having to rely on Internet or Cell Service.

You must travel in the parts of the country that have a lot of repeaters. Out here in northern Nevada/southeast Oregon/southwest Idaho GMRS or HAM radios are good only for short-range car-to-car communications.

I belong to a Sheriff's Search and Rescue group and our vehicles are equipped with HAM radios and Sheriff's Department radios. Once we are away from town and in the mountains and canyons the only way we can talk to Dispatch is if one of the Sheriff's radios can hit a mountaintop repeater somewhere. Otherwise, these radios are good for line-of-sight vehicle to vehicle comms only.

Satellite communications - either a satellite radio or InReach - is the only reliable method of talking to civilization out here.

 

[Datsun Man]

You must travel in the parts of the country that have a lot of repeaters. Out here in northern Nevada/southeast Oregon/southwest Idaho GMRS or HAM radios are good only for short-range car-to-car communications.

I belong to a Sheriff's Search and Rescue group and our vehicles are equipped with HAM radios and Sheriff's Department radios. Once we are away from town and in the mountains and canyons the only way we can talk to Dispatch is if one of the Sheriff's radios can hit a mountaintop repeater somewhere. Otherwise, these radios are good for line-of-sight vehicle to vehicle comms only.

Satellite communications - either a satellite radio or InReach - is the only reliable method of talking to civilization out here.

I can't speak for the HAM Radio stuff too much as I haven't played with it at all and I do not have a license for it(just to lazy to take the test honestly). That said I am aware that you can make a HAM powerful enough to talk to individuals across the globe if you really wanted to.

For GMRS I am running the Midland MXT575 which is a 50 watt radio that is the most powerful you can get while staying legal. Currently it is pared with a 3 DB antenna and I also have a 6 DB if needed. I have yet to use it with the 6 DB, but I did use the 6 DB with a Midland MXT275 15 watt radio and got a pretty good rand out of it. If I had to guess the 15 watt with the 6 DB reached just outside the 50 watt with 3 DB antenna. That would basically make the 6 DB much more effective for longer range, but again it will also depend heavily on what other users will be equipped with.

As for where I am at? I mainly play in Colorado. I have kinda played a little in New Mexico and Arizona slightly and have been able to pickup repeaters for a distance, but that's about it.

 

[deserteagle56]

That said I am aware that you can make a HAM powerful enough to talk to individuals across the globe if you really wanted to.

My experience has been that if you are down in a canyon or otherwise surrounded by tall mountains (that don't have repeaters on them) it really doesn't matter how much power your radio puts out or how good the antenna is, you're not going to get a signal out.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

If you don't need direct Internet for work, stick with an InReach Device. I have both a Garmin InReach MINI and the InReach built-in to the Garmin Tread Overland. I have experience using both for the general Weather reports and contacting other from remote places. It works well in that sort. It also has the SOS button for those emergency situations.

As for startlink, as interesting as it is, for certain political reasons I absolutely refuse to get one. Simple as that.

I will also add that it is a good idea to have either a GMRS or HAM Radio with the Appropriate Power and License will help you reach civilization without having to rely on Internet or Cell Service.

exactly my thoughts on the political reasons and one of the reasons I reached out to the forum

 

[Shawn686]

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