Whats up with the HAM Radios

[xjtrailrider]

People seem to think that cell phone can be had about anywhere. That may be true back east....

Nope! Here in the Appalachians/Blue Ridge, cell service is spotty. On our local trail that we frequent, Potts Mountain, the only place on the trail to get cell service is on the eastern face, towards Roanoke. Even then you only have a bar or so. Potts Mountain is only 30miles from Roanoke.

This is typical of western VA and southern WVa.

CB's are only good for Jeep-Jeep communications, cells are not reliable.

 

[WB9YZU]

True, cell sites are becoming more dense, but if you get out in the country, you may not get cell coverage. I remember being in a hollow at the Inlaws. No Coverage.

Back to Amateur Radio.
It is not a cure all. For example, that hollow I talk about above. Their farm was completely out of range of 2mtr repeater coverage, and it's less than 2hrs from Madison. No population of HAMs, No repeater coverage. There are huge patches in WI that have no coverage, but if you get near a population center your set.

I have driven down the Interstate and dialed up repeaters that you'd think were in range 30 miles out, but couldn't hit them until I was much closer due to their tower height. There is a Repeater in Lafayette, IN, but I can't hit it from Attica (some 14 crow miles)

I have also wheeled in CO, and find that coverage in the Front Range is pretty good, but once you get into to the interior, it becomes non-existent. Again, no concentration of HAMs, no repeaters.

So what I'm saying is that to be truly prepared, you can't rely on just one form of communication. And also be sure not to wheel alone (another vehicle), and to tell someone where you are going (and what time you will be getting back).

And don't put down FRS radios as a communication backup. There have been more rescues done of stranded hikers and the like because lots of people, including kids have them and are too lazy to move them past CH7

 

[hadfield4wd]

Smoke signals.

 

[kastein]

Ron's got a good point. Relying on 2 meter and 70cm to get you out of trouble is better than relying on a cellphone, but not by much. If you are going on an expedition type of trip or are otherwise going to be more than a few miles away, I'd suggest bringing a 6 or 10 meter transceiver, preferably even 20 meter or 40 meter, along with a coiled-up long wire antenna or dipole that you can hang from trees if necessary. The equipment is more expensive, but with a good antenna and 50 watts you can be heard for a long ways. With good band/ionosphere conditions, a great antenna, and a decent amount of elevation I've talked to Cuba on 5 watts, from Massachusetts. With a lousy emergency antenna, no tower, and 100 watts I'd expect to at least be heard by someone.