Volunteer rescuers share concerns about summertime hikers

[Cy Kaicener]

For newbies to this forum.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_ ... bd3fc.html

[Hikin_Jim]

Interesting. It says that Ellen recommended not one but two locator devices. I imagine one is a PLB, but what is the other one? A GPS? SPOT? Radio?

HJ

[halhiker]

Interesting. It says that Ellen recommended not one but two locator devices. I imagine one is a PLB, but what is the other one? A GPS? SPOT? Radio?

HJ

Cell phone? That'll get your call out and if they can triangulate your location they'll know where you are. Or how about a signaling mirror?

[bluerail]

I have a mirror and a flashlight !

[Florian]

Are any of you radio amateurs? I sometimes bring my small handheld radio on hikes. A couple weeks ago from the summit of San Jacinto i was talking to people in Los Angeles via the Catalina Island repeater. There is also a repeater at the mtn tram station that covers the east side of San Jac and the Coachella Valley to the Salton Sea.

-Florian (K2FGB)

[Hikin_Jim]

Are any of you radio amateurs? I sometimes bring my small handheld radio on hikes. A couple weeks ago from the summit of San Jacinto i was talking to people in Los Angeles via the Catalina Island repeater. There is also a repeater at the mtn tram station that covers the east side of San Jac and the Coachella Valley to the Salton Sea.

-Florian (K2FGB)

Florian,

I've thought about it seriously for some time. I think it would be a heck of a lot of fun if nothing else -- and a darn good thing to have in an emergency.

If you have the time:
How hard is it to get a license? (time and difficulty)
How much does a decent hand held HAM radio weigh?
How much would one (ballpark figure) pay for such a radio?
How long does the charge last?

HJ

[Florian]

Jim, regarding radio, i'll post a new thread when i have some time tomorrow with details.

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

Great, thanks Florian.

HJ

[OtherHand]

If you have the time:
How hard is it to get a license? (time and difficulty)
How much does a decent hand held HAM radio weigh?
How much would one (ballpark figure) pay for such a radio?
How long does the charge last?

HJ

A number of the RMRU team use "personal radios" instead of the larger, heavier Motorola team radios. They are 2 meter ham radios slightly modified to transmit on search and rescue frequencies. A popular, capable and relatively inexpensive unit is the Yaesu FT-250R, which is quite rugged and takes SAR abuse well. Icom and Kenwood also make excellent hand held units.

With a decent antenna, range is only limited by line of sight. From the peak you could talk with someone as far as the Salton Sea. If connecting to a repeater, such as Santiago Peak, you could talk to anyone in Orange County. But if you're down in a deep canyon you are out of luck.

It is a handy safety device.

That particular radio weighs in at 12.4 oz.
You can Google the price, but it can be found between $116 to about $130.
The charge is highly dependent upon how much transmitting is done, but on a typical SAR mission a charge should last a full weekend. It normally uses internal Ni metal hydride batteries, but they sell a battery pack that will accept AA batteries, either alkaline or rechargeable.

A ham technician license is not hard, and there are plenty of online study guides. You no longer have to know morse code for lower classes of license.

[Hikin_Jim]

WOW! Thanks for a very thorough answer. All good to know. I may have to look into this more.

That particular radio weighs in at 12.4 oz.

3/4 pound? Ouch. I've got bad knees, and I'm constantly looking for ways to lighten up. By virtue of necessity, I'm definitely an ounce counter (but not a "gram weanie" just yet). A radio is highly attractive, but 3/4 of a pound is not. I just spent a completley unreasonable amount of money (even with my REI 20% of coupon) for a Neoair pad just to shave off a quarter of a pound. Ah, choices. Welcome to life.

Thanks again,

HJ